It was their last two weeks of school, last lessons before the OGT exams, last visits to the school library before Kurt became a senior. He's in a phase in life he will always look back at.

Kurt had to admit that in McKinley it was much more boring than Dalton, the weeks have passed and although they were practicing really hard in the glee club they still couldn't find the right songs for Nationals.

Blaine missed Kurt badly, and every day that he finished school early he drove to Lima to be with Kurt the entire afternoon.

At that sunny day of summer they were sitting together and preparing for an exam when suddenly Rachel called.

"Kurt! Registration is open now! Let's apply" she yelled excited without even saying hello.

It took him a few seconds to realize what she's talking about and then she added herself "for Juilliard! Can I come over? We can fill the forms together!"

Rachel wasn't auditioning for one school, no. She was planning to fill forms for seven different schools and she was preparing different demands and audition materials for all of them.

"Uh yeah, sure. Blaine's here too. Could you print one form for him too?"

"Who is it?" Blaine asked, trying to understand the conversation.

"Oh sorry, I didn't think I was interrupting.." she giggled "yes, I'm bringing ones for you for Juilliard, NYU, Strasberg, Stela Adler and New York film academy, do you need anything else?"

"Rachel, I do not intend doing more than one audition. Bring us both just for Juilliard"

"I suggest you be smart and try NYU too. It's near impossible to get in to Juiliard. Besides, it will be quite sad if you won't be studying with me."

"Rachel, you have no idea where you are studying. Let's just hope we all get in to Juilliard together."

"I'll be at your house in a few minutes. Let me get this whole bundle of papers printed " she hung up.

"Was that Rach?" Blaine wondered as he lay back on Kurt's bed.

"Yes, I had to tell her to come over right now or she'd never leave me alone with all her enthusiasm about New York"

"You're applying to Juilliard today?" he wrapped his hands on Kurt's chest and pulled him back to the bed.

"Yes, I thought you were cool with the whole New York thing" Kurt turned to look at him.

"I am, but my parents aren't as much." It took Kurt time to realize how bad this news was to him. He froze for a few seconds and couldn't say a word.

"What? What did they say?"

"That as long as they're alive, there's no way I'll be studying performing arts and that it's a waste of my abilities," he sighed "you know the whole deal, acting is not a profession. Not all parents are like yours" he admitted jealously.

"Oh my god. Blaine." Kurt's face contorted in frustration and his eyes reddened a little but he didn't cry over that, he was still trying to comprehend the thought that Blaine might not be coming with him after graduation.

"Sorry I've never told you about this before. I...I thought I might be able to earn enough money to come and learn with you, but I calculated and even if I work the whole summer nonstop, I won't have enough tuition for a year"

Kurt sighed and hugged Blaine fiercely "I…I don't care what your parents say. You're coming with me. You're too talented actor to let it all waste just because it's not your parents dream"

"I didn't say I'm not coming with you. I will rent an apartment with you, Rachel and Finn just like I promised. I just…won't be studying. I will work all day to pay the rent" he patted Kurt.

"That just makes me imagine such a sad future. You deserve to try out for an acting school,  much more than me."

"Don't worry. I will fill the form with you, you know, just in case I'll get a full scholarship" he kissed his cheek.

"I see you have already given this some thought." Kurt strengthened the grip of Blaine's arms on his body.

"A little. Kurt, I won't stand to be away from you when we graduate. In fact, I'm tired of these trips to Lima every day. I am thinking of moving to McKinley" he whispered the last words, because he still wasn't confident about telling this to Kurt right now.

"But... you're a real Warbler. The word dapper was named after you: Blaine Dapper Anderson. Don't expect me to just let you move to McKinley for me when all your friends are at Westerville" He did wish Blaine would be in McKinley, but it's just so selfish of him "You are not moving to McKinley Blaine! I don't want to hear another word from you!"

They lay silent on Kurt's bed for another ten minutes and then Rachel arrived with her usual enthusiasm.

She sat on Kurt's bed and took out the pile of papers from her bag. She split it to four papers to Kurt and Blaine, and the rest she kept in front of her.

"Rachel, for how many schools did you consider applying?" Blaine asked when he saw the pile of papers she brought for herself.

"Oh, I'm only auditioning to the main acting schools in new York. I have the papers here for about five schools; I've already applied to the rest." She grinned proudly.

She started scattering her papers on the bed to show them the logos of each school. Kurt and Blaine didn't realize how seriously insane she was until then.

"Kurt, I'm sending them all today. Mr Schue already gave me his recommendation letter and I've already written a different essay with reasons for studying for each application."

Blaine couldn't listen to her any second longer "I'm going to get us some drinks." he got up and left.

"Ok Kurt, where's your resume?" Rachel got the envelope ready for him.

"I…haven't written it yet?"

"You shouldn't be so cavalier, it's ten weeks before the auditions, everything should be ready by now"

"I know, I know. I'll probably do it this week" He said to calm down Rachel and her unnerving reactions.

"I mean, you have to take this more seriously, there's only-"

"Rachel calm down! I still don't understand why are you applying to so many different schools" he  looked again at all the empty forms : can someone be that obsessed?

"That's how I'll be sure to be accepted to somewhere in New York" she slowly explained the obvious.

"Ok" Blaine got back up the stairs with glasses of water to everyone. He handed one to Kurt and one to Rachel and they all leaned back on the wall.

"Well, let's get started. As you all know, I'm applying for Juilliard too, so let's do this together" she giggled, unaware of how Blaine felt.

They all took pens in their hands and started writing.

"Legal Name…" Rachel read and they all wrote their names on the form.

"Mailing address…" Blaine wrote his home address in Westerville and thought that might be the last year he'll live in this city.

"Date of birth.." Kurt read and they all wrote theirs.

"I confirm that I can speak, write and read English with proficiency. Yup" They all checked the box.

"Oh, ok. That's interesting" Blaine noted "write all your previous performance experience"

"Well, that's my favourite part" She screamed and she and Blaine laughed and started writing.

Kurt wrote the glee club and gazed around amazed by the amount of experience they both have. They both exceeded the blank lines for description and started writing smaller and smaller handwriting to try and fit everything in.

Kurt leaned back at the wall again and waited for them to finish already.

"Ok, signature" Rachel read and the three of them signed "I'll add the golden star later" she mumbled.

"I have envelopes for you over here, but you won't be sending it today anyway, not without recommendation letters" she smiled. "but good luck to us! I mean we're going to New York!" she yelled and Kurt joined her excitement in order not to let her down.

"Could you even imagine how amazing it is going to be to the four of us?" she gasped agitatedly and then smiled.

She wrote down on a little note all the steps the boys need to do for applying and Blaine wasn't surprised anymore that she remembered all of it by heart, she was a little crazy.

"Thanks Rachel, you're awesome" Kurt kissed her on a cheek when they parted and he was again alone with Blaine in his room.

Kurt added one step to the list 'getting a scholarship for Blainers ' he wrote and left a little box on the side that they will check when it's done.

"Kurt, I want this too. But don't count on it, it's extremely hard to get in to that school, so you could bet that the scholarship is ten times more difficult to achieve."

"Blaine," he caressed his soft almost curly hair as he spoke "you're the one who always told me that nothing is impossible unless we let our fear stop us, and you know that we have no fears" he placed his lips on Blaine's, in such a way that Blaine couldn't resist staying until the morning.

That night, Kurt rolled in bed left and right, thinking of all the possible jobs he can take order to help Blaine with the flight ticket and the tuition.

***
Kurt couldn't decide what he's feeling right now: the prom was nothing as expected. Looking back at what happened two hours ago, he cried so much that evening from humiliation that he couldn't cry anymore. But he's trying to leave that mistake behind. It's not like him to be ashamed of himself, but the thought that the whole school wanted to cause him pain…He had to push all of this aside.

He was lying on the bed next to Blaine, trying to hold the tears, but they kept coming every time he remembered principal Figgins announcement of Kurt being a queen. Bullying days weren't over, people just chose to hate him passively now and it's no better. He started sobbing into the pillow like the stock of tears inside him was renewed and Blaine hurried to lay a comforting hand on his back.

Kurt got up fast and ran to the bathroom to bring more Kleenex. Blaine sighed and decided not to follow him, but for some reason he didn't return.

Blaine had been lying on Kurt's bed for about twenty minutes, waiting for him to walk into the room any second.

"Blaine, are you sleeping?" apparently he was until Kurt came back.

"What time is it?" he murmured.

"It's two AM, everyone's asleep so be quiet" he said with a familiar smirk on his lips. Blaine was astounded but cooperated when Kurt put a blindfold on his eyes and led him carefully into the bathroom. "Kurt, you're taking advantage of the fact that I'm tired to object." He joked because he had a feeling what Kurt was plotting.

Blaine chuckled when he opened his eyes: he expected some lights but it was all dark there. His eyes focused on the candles that filled the dark room, there were about fifty of them.

"What's that?" Blaine asked.

"Care to fool around with me?" Kurt beckoned.

"Kurt, are you serious? Your parents are in the next room!" he whispered back.

"They gave you a sex guide! I'm sure they'll approve and except that-" he turned on the water in the shower "No one can hear us now, no matter what we do" he kissed Blaine and undressed him slowly.

"Well that's what I want too, but...don't you want to wait until we get to New York?" he caressed Kurt's cheek tenderly "let's make it real special."

"I don't know..." Kurt took off Blaine's pants and pleaded to give him a blowjob, but Blaine kept his distance from him once Kurt managed to take off his boxers.

Kurt was a bit surprised of his strong reaction and waited for Blaine to say something.

"We can still have an awesome night together," Blaine tried to explain, but he couldn't talk while Kurt was pursing his lips against his. Blaine unzipped Kurt's trousers and helped him out of his clothes too and then tucked Kurt closed to him.  Their bodies were now fully touching each other for the first time. Blaine gently rubbed his cheek over Kurt's "Let's take things slow. I want you to enjoy the intimacy today, but let's not make a rush move."

"You're right, I do have to get used to seeing you like this" Kurt confided. They both took their underwear off and entered the shower together.

They were both concentrated on examining the other's body: the structure, amount of hair and Blaine focused on staring at Kurt's cute butt. He couldn't take the cuteness out of him if he tried, and that delicateness is what he loved most about him.

Inside the shower, on a very high shelf, were three lit candles that helped them see each other within the shadows.

Kurt took the shampoo and started lathering Blaine's soft hair "you wouldn't mind having the smell of my shampoo?" he whispered though no one could hear them under the water's rush.

"You know I don't mind" Blaine answered.

"I love your natural smell," Kurt said after a minute "I find your sweat so alluring." Kurt pressed his nose to Blaine's back and tried to breathe him, the familiar scent made him shiver.

"Well, I couldn't want anything more in the world other than alluring you" he hummed with serenity, tilting his head in pleasure, as Kurt's fingers ran through his hair.

Kurt placed his hand on the tap "do you want hotter or colder?"

Blaine laughed "Look at me, probably a cold shower" Kurt nodded in agreement and Blaine gasped as the water ran down his spine, leaving trails of shampoo on his back.

Blaine looked at Kurt's eyes through the curtain of water: they were gleaming with joy. So that's what a man in love looks like. Kurt took the bottle of liquid soap in one hand, and the simple soap bar in the other as if asking Blaine to choose.

Blaine motioned in his head toward the soap bar, and Kurt started running it on his shoulders and back, his heart beating heavily again. Same as ever, Blaine thought.

Kurt moved back to face Blaine again, he noticed that Blaine got used to the cold water, because his breath became warm again against Kurt's face.

"You know, we can turn it into a really great thing if we wait."

"The more we wait, the more exciting it will be." Kurt pretended he agreed.

"It will be like… epic, one of the things you wait for so much, that when it happens…it'll be perfect."

Yeah, for you maybe.Because you've done it so many times before. Kurt thought.

Blaine shivered. Could this be it? No more searching for someone to complete me? I found someone who'll be beside me forever?

Kurt moved the glass door of the shower and stood on a wool carpet, still encircled by a few candles that haven't gone out. He pulled two towels that waited for them near the sink and covered Blaine in one.

"Let's go to sleep" he shook his hair in a sharp movement and a trail of water went out from his hair "do you want a toothpick?" he asked while taking one for himself.

They've brushed their teeth together and prepared for their first meaningful night in the same bed.

"Oh, I have plenty of interesting ideas for us." Kurt said as he dried his hair.

"With our clothes on?" Blaine assured.

"Yup, with our clothes on." He opened his dresser. "I can give you a massage or… give you a facial treatment…"

"It's four am so… I'm keeping your promise for that massage for tomorrow?" he replied and approached Kurt "Let's see what clothes I can sleep in" He searched it the closet.

"Blaine! Stay away from my designer's clothes." Kurt protested and pulled his hands out.

"Fine. Bring me anything you want" he said while the towel is still wrapped on his pelvis.

"Well, can I bring you something pink?" he smiled and pulled out a plain t-shirt "Please I really want to see you wearing that!"

"Fine" he giggled quietly, trying not to talk to loud "just give me one of your boxers and let's just go to bed." Kurt threw a pair of white underpants at him and Blaine quickly got dressed
.
"Can you turn out the lights?" Kurt said and ran to the bed. Blaine entered under the blankets right after him after turning off all the lights "We've been like this before once. Remember?"

"Yeah, that night when you were totally wasted." He giggled, letting the thoughts about the prom drift away.

"What did you think of me then?"

"Nothing could have happened between us then. I couldn't make a move on someone who's drunk, but you also had the hots for Rachel then." They both laughed at that old memory.

"Thought I was bi. Wow that was just so funny!"

"Not as funny as my father's reaction when he saw you in my bed,"

"Well, that was also one of a kind, though I had a hangover and I didn't really catch that…"

"Maybe you'll get a second chance tomorrow, just stay in my bed until he comes." It was dark, but Blaine could feel how he's smiling at him.

"Maybe," he wrapped his hand on Kurt's body, leaning his palm on his belly, "but this time let's try spooning…" he turned Kurt around so he could wrap his hands around him.

He thinks I'm still afraid from that? Kurt lingered into thoughts: Oh Blaine, why can't you see I've changed? Yes, I'm a bit scared of that, but just like you've said: that doesn't mean I shouldn't do it. Oh my god Blaine. I've turned you into a romanticist like me! I think I even like that!

Blaine's thoughts were mostly 'I love sleeping spooning but is it really comfortable to you to place your hand on my groin?'

"I can't sleep like that." he whispered and moved Kurt's hand and placed it up on the pillow. "And I'm sure it was pretty uncomfortable for you too."

Kurt was already asleep.

***

In about two weeks from the evening that he told Blaine that he's moving back, Kurt got used to the familiar corridors of McKinley and the schedule rehearsals of New Directions again and was more than impressed to see that Karofsky was keeping himself out of sight. He might have come across him once or twice in the hallway or cafeteria, but Dave did his best to act like Kurt didn't even exist. He had enough trouble as it is with his parents, he didn't want any more of them in school.

But today, Kurt had to break off the pattern of that pretence, because he knew Dave was suffering and there was no one there for him. He got early to school this morning, early enough to rip off the sign at the slushie hallway that read: "Welcome Dave Karofsky – King of fags". He tore it to pieces and crushed it into the trash bin.

That day in school, Karofsky did his best to act like usual in class: sitting in the back line, never speaking, never raising his head from his notebook. He did feel how the people who used to be his friends are now piercing their eyes at him, staring him in a way that stabbed his heart.

It all exploded after the practice of the football team. No one agreed to hand him the ball and it felt like they are throwing it at him. He kept brushing off the feeling that they know about him. He decided not to take a shower after the practice was over, he wanted to hurry home straight away, to a place where he can cry and nobody could tease him about it.

He opened his locker to get back his clothes, but they weren't there.

"Hey, homo! Lost your pants?" Azimio said from across the room. Karofsky was stunned. He looked around him, trying to find a friend to cling to.

"That's ok, I'm sure he doesn't need any," attacked him Scott from the other side of the dressing room.

"What the hell are you talking about? I'm straight!" He yelled with all the self-confidence he could muster "I am dating Santana Lopez!" he sighed and picked up his back pack, trying to leave.

"Everyone knows she dated you just to get the prom queen title," Ernie mocked him "That's why you picked on Hummel so hard, you tried to woe him" he spoke in a high pitched voice.

"You're fucking stupid" Dave was thinking about his option to become violent again. If he hit Ernie hard enough, no one would dare mess with him anymore, but the only thing he felt at that moment was how the blood is cooling down in his veins, and how scared he is to attack someone when the rest of the guys are not on his side.

"Go to hell" he yelled at his face and ran out of the room.

"Wash your corn hole before you ever talk to me again" Azimio shouted through the door and the others roared in laughter.

He didn't want to take the bus home dressed like that, the football uniforms were filled with dirt and mud. He decides to hide for now until they all leave the locker room and then he'll go looking for clothes again.

But it's unbelievable how everything turned like that in just one day. They were all his friends. Each and every one of them adored his strength and his football skills. Now they don't even care. He can just go to the dumps, just like all the geeks they're throwing there for their morning welcoming ritual.

He locked himself in the toilet, imagining how he's revenging all these jerks and showing them that no one should deal with him. Then he gets back to the sad reality and thinks what's the best way to disappear into the ground for at least two weeks, to have them forget about it. Or at least make it old news.

It was four PM, they must have been all gone home already. If he'll just sneak into the locker room he could find a spare shirt and trousers…

"Ow, careful!" someone scolded him. He had bumped the door on Kurt that was just using the cooler.

"Oh, umm. Hi" Karofsky said hurriedly "sorry, and goodbye"

"Bye" a dazed Kurt answered back "why are you even here so late?" Kurt wondered.

"Practiced was delayed a little" he lied.

"Finn and Puck returned from practice a long time ago," he contradicted his words.

"I-I have to go" Dave ran down the corridor. He didn't want to be mocked by Kurt too.

"Wait, listen!" Kurt called him "Finn told me what…they…did to you" he said in a low voice "so…just wanted to tell you that you're not alone."

Karofsky turned and dismissed him "I don't need your pity. Leave me alone!"

In that second, Kurt couldn't believe how much sorrow can be contained in just two red, weary eyes.

Kurt ran and stood in front of the strong man who used to bully him "I don't know why you're running away, but just so you know- I took off all these signs" he pointed at the big white one above them and ripped him too "this one's probably new," he crumbled it into a ball and stuffed it into the full trash bin.

"It doesn't matter. The whole school already knows, I wish I could just die" he clasped his face with his hands "Ugh! Azimio did this! I know it's him" he yelled uncontrollably.

"But how the hell do they know, Kurt?" he whined "Who the fuck told them?"

"You know what the good is in all this?" Kurt said softly "Now you don't have to live in fear that someone will find out who you really are. Don't be afraid to be yourself anymore, David, believe me you're stronger than you think" Kurt promised him.

Dave ran away, trying to find the locker room and get some clean clothes. He was finally alone there, but the realization dawned upon him that he didn't even care. Nothing matters anymore. He got dressed back and went to catch the bus home, thinking that he doesn't care if he freezes to death in that wind, or if the bus ever comes or not. Why should he even want things to happen, when all that life is doing is to go against him and carve in his mind one humiliation after another?

He wanted only one thing – to sleep and wake up in a world where there's no such thing as straight or gay.

***

Kurt saw that Dave was missing from school for a whole week. He started worrying and called him. Karofsky could barely answer the phone. He lied to his parents that he's sick and started feeling ill himself too. He didn't have any reason to answer the phone; just like he'd ignored the prank calls so far, he'll ignore this.

Kurt called to his home number.

"I'm just sick, Kurt" he wanted him to back off.

"Dave, telling someone about your depression might help you get out of this,"

"I don't want to tell you anything. Stop calling me!"

"Fine, I'll leave you be, but if you change your mind – I'll be in the Ohio mall at the main entrance near the escalators at six o'clock. I'm expecting you there, Dave. You need someone right now"

He was pretty sure he's not going. He didn't take a shower for at least four days and it would take him forever to find anything normal to wear in the pile of unwashed clothes. He lay in bed for another half an hour before he realized that he was only thinking about going and what was going to happen once he got there the entire time. Some scenarios even involved Kurt kissing him goodbye as they part, some of them imagined him meeting the bullies. He keeps thinking about it in the shower…

***

They were in Ohio's mall. Holding hands and walking through the aisle and gazing at the shiny display windows. Every few steps Kurt stopped to check out fashionable clothes or shoes. He led his friend into a candy shop. Once inside Dave gave in a small first grin.

"I never enter these kinds of places, but today we'll make an exception"

"Oh, ok" Karofsky immediately agreed.

Kurt lifted a small transparent bag from a nearby little box and handed it to Dave.

"I'll let you chose?" he motioned on the assorted sweets.

"Um, I don't know what you like" he said helplessly and observed all the colorful walls that displayed all the types of candy he could possibly imagine: hard gums, jelly in all forms and colors, fruit dots, jelly beans, bumper bananas, marshmallows, strawberry bonbons, m&m's….

"There's actually nothing here that I usually eat. I evade that stuff at any cost, but today we're making an exception. You need some sugar right now."

"We don't have to be here if you don't eat any of these..."

"It doesn't matter right now" he said dominantly "We are cheering you up at any cost" with his finger he circled the wall, pointing for Karofsky to just take something.

Dave opened one of the plastic boxes, picked up the little metal shovel and put some fizzy jelly snakes and strawberry like candies.

"Ok" he turned back to Kurt with sealed lips; concealing his feelings right now.

"The reason I asked you to choose…" Kurt explained "is because I wanted you to see that these different candies and sweets are just like your life: there are tons of possibilities for you to choose from. Some are sweet, some are more sour, but life can be seen through so many colors – just like these jelly snakes."

They paid and left the store.

"Let's break the habit" Kurt took one jelly strawberry from the bag "I noticed I'm most happy whenever I do something unusual, or new. You shouldn't stay in Mckinley anymore and just suffer. Find another place, new friends. Just like I did."

"But you came back from Dalton"

"That right, my main oppressor is now on my side. And anyway, I'm much stronger now and Blaine's there for me-"

Dave sighed, lingered in deep thoughts and was close to making a decision
.
"I have to see if it's an option to me, to move to another school" he murmured "My parents will ask why and I can't tell them the real reason. They'll never accept me the way I am."

Kurt nodded in understanding "Dave, there will always be people who won't accept you the way you are, even if you were straight. There are always those we can never get to like us, but that's their problem and they'll have to get over it" He spoke as they sat in the middle of the mall on a bench in front of a large fountain.

Karofsky nodded in agreement.

"And remember that Blaine and I are always there for you. Let's leave our past behind us. I'll tell you what Blaine used to say to me when I was in your situation – there's a lot more courage in you than you think!"

"I'll try to remember that" he replied while looking at the little children playing tag around the benches in front of them, trying to imagine who will they be when they turn 18.

"Dave" Kurt held his hand and Karofsky swallowed in discomfort "Please keep in touch with us. If there will ever be a moment when you feel alone in this pick up the phone and call me or Blaine."

"Ok, I promise,"

"Now bring me your cellphone, I'll show you how to block these jerks  from your Facebook."

Dave passed his phone to Kurt whilst they continued to sit. Kurt was still doing anything he could in order to bring the smile of confidence back to his lips.

***

It was a week before nationals when Kurt decided to tell Blaine the truth. After the Glee club rehearsals Kurt drove all the way to Westerville and knocked on his door.

Blaine was expecting to host him for the weekend, and when he opened the door he was surprised to see how early he arrived.

"Just in time for our classic movies marathon," he lifted the bag full of DVD's to show him "I…I love your house." Kurt said as he entered to the living room.

"Come up to my room." He took Kurt's luggage up the stairs and Kurt followed him.

"I think I'll go make dinner in the meantime?" Kurt muttered, but as he entered the room he saw there's no need.

Blaine had it all set for them. He even moved the blankets for Kurt and covered him up.

"Blaine, before we watch that movie, I have something to say…" he tried to sound mysterious. Blaine was attentive.

"I…come closer." He ordered Blaine.

"I've saved enough for you," he whispered in his ear "I've worked in two part time jobs apart from dad's garage and… You have enough for everything, enough for the tuition and enough for our planned stay at the hotel. We have one more year of high school to earn our rent and that's it…you won't be needing the scholarship. You're coming with me."

"No, I can't just-" Kurt silenced him with a long kiss. He pushed the food trays aside and tried to convince Blaine to agree, or else he won't let go of his lips.