Prologue

Monday June 11, 2012

Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson were excited to start their new life together. But at the same time, Blaine was scared. He hated change, and this was a huge change. Manhattan was nothing like Lima, Ohio. They would be in an unfamiliar city, with their parents ten hours away. As Blaine guided the car out of the Lincoln Tunnel, he squeezed Kurt’s hand where their fingers were laced on the center console.

“I have to admit, I’m scared,” Blaine said after a second of deliberating.

“I am too,” Kurt admitted, turning his head to look at Blaine.

“Really? I thought you said you weren’t nervous?” Blaine was surprised.

“I’m not apprehensive, but I am scared. This is a huge change. Change is scary,” Kurt replied. “I mean, what if New York doesn’t live up to our expectations? I’m scared I won’t be able to be myself here anymore than I could in Lima.”

“Oh, baby, you shouldn’t worry about that. New York is much more accepting than Lima. This is the new start of our new life. We’ve been through a lot, but we’re stronger because of it. This is our chance to leave the past behind us,” Blaine said.

“You’re right,” Kurt agreed. He smiled as a new song came on the radio; he began to sing along.

I've been caught sideways out here on the crossroads,

Trying to buy back the pieces I lost of my soul.

It's hard when the devil won't get off your back.

It's like carrying around the past in a hundred pound sack.

Kurt was hopeful that things would be different in New York, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t scared that they wouldn’t be. He was still recovering from his past and his self-injury. He hoped New York would be good for his healing. But all the same, he could not forget where he had been. Kurt still struggled, but he no longer felt he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Today, I'm gonna keep on walking.

I'm gonna hold my head up high.

I'm gonna leave it all behind.

Today, I'm gonna stand out in the rain.

Let it wash it all away, yeah, wash it all away.

I'm gonna let it go, oh yeah.

I'm gonna let it go, oh yeah.

The past nineteen months had been hard. But despite all the hardships he had faced, Kurt had never given up. He had kept his head held high and kept on going. Yes, there had been times when Kurt just wanted to give up. But no one had ever said recovery would be easy, and Kurt knew if he gave up the consequences could be disastrous. So he had kept trying, even when the pain became too much to bear.

Skeletons and ghosts are hiding in the shadows,

Threatening me with all the things that they know.

Choices and mistakes, they all know my name.

But I'm through holding in and holding onto all that pain.

Kurt had learned a lot in all that time. He knew he could not hide his pain any longer. If he never allowed himself to fully experience his emotions, he would never recover. Kurt knew he could not promise that he would never hurt himself again. But since his slip-up at nationals he had not harmed himself, and it had been even longer since he had cut. Kurt knew he had the choice whether or not to take up arms against himself, and he would try his hardest to never give in again.

Today, I'm gonna keep on walking.

I'm gonna hold my head up high.

Got no more tears to cry.

Today I'm gonna stand out in the rain.

Let it wash it all away, yeah, wash it all away.

I'm gonna let it go, oh yeah.

I'm gonna let it go, oh yeah.

Kurt had learned from his past. Now it was time to let it go. He would forever keep with him the lessons he had learned, but it was time to move on from the past. New York was a fresh start. And that fresh start would not include pain memories.

I know, I know, I know, I know I've been forgiven.

I know, I know, I know I'm gonna start living.

No matter how bad things had gotten, Blaine had stayed by Kurt’s side, offering all of his love and support. Blaine had forgiven him each time Kurt had given into his urges. He was always there to catch Kurt when he fell; he would set him back on his feet again and help him find his way.

Today, I'm gonna keep on walking.

I'm gonna hold my head up high.

I'm gonna leave it all behind.

Today, I'm gonna stand out in the rain.

Let it wash it all away, yeah, wash it all away.

I'm gonna let it go, oh yeah.

I'm gonna let it go, oh yeah.

I’m gonna let it go, oh yeah.

Oh, yeah.

“We’re here,” Blaine said as he pulled the Navigator up outside the Gramercy Park Hotel.

“I thought you said your parents had a condo?” Kurt asked, confused as to why they were at a hotel.

“They do,” Blaine replied. “There are apartments above the hotel.”

Blaine opened his door, reaching into the backseat to grab a couple of boxes. Kurt followed his example.

“What’s the apartment number?” Kurt asked.

“I wanted to surprise you,” Blaine said. “We’re in the penthouse suite.”

“The penthouse?” Kurt exclaimed.

“Is that a good reaction?” Blaine asked nervously.

“It’s a shocked reaction,” Kurt replied. “When you said your parents gave you their condo I thought you meant a normal apartment, not the penthouse suite.”

"Well, you know my parents,” Blaine replied. “Hey, look, your parents and Finn and Rachel are here. Just in time.”

Kurt shook himself from his thoughts as they began to unload the cars and the U-Haul. New York was definitely going to take some getting used to.

K/B

Wednesday June 13, 2012

“Well, this is it, kiddo,” Burt said, trying to fight back his tears. He wasn’t ready to leave his son yet. Burt had been so focused on helping the teenagers to move in and unpack over the past two days that he had managed to distract himself from the fact that he would soon be returning to Lima without his son.

“I’m going to miss you, Dad,” Kurt said, hugging his father tightly.

“I’m going to miss you too,” Burt said tearfully.

Kurt forced himself to release his father, turning to Carole. He smiled sadly.

“Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my father. I love you, Mom,” Kurt said.

Carole gasped. Kurt had never called her ‘Mom’ before. She pulled him in for a hug, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“Never thank me for that, Kurt. I love you too.”

Burt turned to Blaine. “You take care of my son, Blaine.”

“I always will,” Blaine assured him.

And Burt knew Blaine would. He had always kept Kurt safe. He trusted Blaine. If he had to give his son to anyone, he was glad it was Blaine.

After all the goodbyes were said, Burt and Carole left. Kurt’s shoulders were shaking and Blaine knew he was crying. He pulled Kurt into his arms, pressing a chaste kiss to his lips. When he stopped crying, Kurt turned to see Finn and Rachel were fighting back their own tears.

"Well,” Kurt said. “We’re home.”