Kurt practically skipped into the Lima Bean, happy to be seeing his boyfriend for the first time in a week. Knowing that most of the LARP group was caught up in insane amounts of extra practices for the upcoming show choir regionals, Luke and Erika had called off their regular sessions until after the competition was over, at which point they promised to throw a celebratory party at their house for whoever it was who ended up the winner, whether it was the Warblers or the New Directions- and no one had any confidence it would be Aural Intensity.

Blaine stood up as Kurt approached their table and pulled him into a comfortable hug, sneaking a quick kiss to Kurts cheek. "Hey," Blaine said, "its good to see you. I only just sat down, our drinks will be ready in a minute."

"How are your practices going?" Kurt asked as they both sat down. Blaine pushed the plate of biscotti over to him.

"Ew. Can we talk about something that isnt glee club? Unless you want to tell me that you wrote me a love ballad." Kurt had told Blaine about their plan to write originals, with the very serious threat of a break up if Blaine shared the plan with the Warblers. Blaine had just been glad to have been trusted with the information.

"Im not much of a song writer. Even if an original song would be my best shot at a performance solo."

"Oh Blaine, you drive me insane… practically writes itself," Blaine said with a shrug. Kurt laughed, completely taken with how adorable his boyfriend was. "Oh, Kurt! You could compete as a Warbler! Perfect!" he seemed so happy with the suggestion that Kurt almost worried about breaking his heart when he declined.

"I cant just be a Warbler for one competition. I dont even go to Dalton."

"It would be perfect! We could sing a duet. Weve been auditioning guys all day for the third song, hoping to find someone to change it up. I thought we were getting close but this one guy, Jack, sang Toxic and the council berated him for trying to mimic my style too much. Actually, I dont know why I was even there. Im not even on the council."

"Are you listening to me, Blaine?" Kurt asked, raising his eyebrow at him.

"Well sing something really emotional… like… hmm…. Ill work on that. I dont think As Long As Youre Mine or Ill Cover You would go down very well," Blaine continued. Kurt sighed softly. As much as he loved his boyfriends rambling, as cute as it was, it would be nice for him to remember to listen. That was the problem with being in a relationship where both of you loved the spotlight.

"I doubt the council would approve me joining for one competition, but I do appreciate the thought, sweetie," Kurt said, knowing that shifting the blame away from him was probably the safest bet.

"Aww, Kurt," Blaine said, "if only you had transferred to Dalton. Then you could perform with us and you wouldnt have to deal with Karofsky every day."

"I wouldnt be half the person I am today if I had run from him, Blaine."

"I know. I ran, Kurt, and you should be damn proud of where you are."

Kurt sighed. He tried to keep Blaine in the loop about the bullying, but he was so adjusted to it that he barely even noticed it being unusual anymore himself. "It hasnt gotten a lot better, but its lessened off a bit, now. I think he only does it when hes with a big group now, and he almost looks sorry… which I hate."

"I happen to quite like the person you are today," Blaine said, leaning forward and resting his chin on his hand. Blaines name was called and it startled him, but he quickly jumped up to collect their drinks. "One non-fat mocha," he said as he set the cup down in front of Kurt before reclaiming his seat.

"Thanks," Kurt said, "its too bad we cant just go to nationals together."

"I promise to you right now, Kurt, that if you win I will do everything I possibly can to be there to cheer you on."

"Im so excited for it being New York, and we arent even going yet."

"New promise, if the Warblers win I will do everything I possibly can for you to be there to cheer me on." Kurt knew that there wasnt much he actually could do so it was a bit of an empty promise, but he was happy to hear it nonetheless. The thought of him with Blaine in New York… it was hard not to let that image get carried away.

Kurt sat with the other New Directions in the theatre, looking over at the sea of navy blazers while Rachel chatted away to Mister Schuester on his right. He had sat in the aisle seat on purpose, making sure that in the event his boyfriend stopped by he wouldnt have to push past everyone. He picked up the odd snippet of her conversation with Mister Schuester- they were running through the whole set orally, something about solidifying a routine. They had been practicing for weeks; Kurt could sing the backup vocals in his sleep by this point. He loved being part of the team, he really did, but he was still upset that he didnt have a solo after everything he had done for the group. No competition solos to date, and he was an original member. Tina was the only one who had smiled shyly in support when he brought that point up at a practice, and it wasnt like Mister Schuester even cared.

Kurt felt a tap on his shoulder and immediately jumped out of his seat to throw his arms around his boyfriend. "Hey!" he greeted happily, burying his face in Blaines shoulder for a moment.

"Hi, cutie," Blaine replied, hesitating as he pulled away from the hug. Kurt wasnt sure why exactly the pet name had stuck, but he loved hearing it nonetheless, even if he was certain that Blaine was the cutest of them all. Kurt exhaled slowly, glancing over to Rachel and Mister Schuester again. "Nervous?"

"Yeah," Kurt admitted, nodding slightly, "its silly, especially since I may as well be swaying at the back, but I always get a teeny bit nervous in front of these kinds of crowds."

"Just remember that Im out there. Sing to me, Kurt, and just remember that I-" Blaine stopped himself momentarily, biting his lip nervously. "That I love you." Kurts breath caught in his throat as he inhaled sharply in surprise. He hadnt expected to be hearing that any time soon. It was still sinking in for him that he had a boyfriend who wanted to go on dates with him and meet his parents and spend evenings cuddling on the couch him- and yet the words didnt feel wrong at all.

The silence between them obviously dragged on a moment too long because Blaines gaze dropped down to his shoes. "I love you too," Kurt said finally, and Blaine looked up at him again hopefully. Despite the uncertainty they both clearly felt before having said it, now that they had there was a certain tangible relief between them that it was out on the table. They loved each other. "Im just going to go to the bathroom," Kurt said to Rachel. She looked at him questioningly, smiling flirtatiously up at Blaine somehow almost simultaneously. "Nervous bladder," Kurt explained before grabbing Blaines hand and quickly exiting the auditorium.

"You dont really need the bathroom, do you?" Blaine said, smirking to himself. Kurt pulled him around the corner, glad for the clear hallway, and pushed him softly up against a wall to kiss him.

"Nope," Kurt said, "I just love you."

"Yeah, sorry about that…" Blaine said, silenced by another kiss, "it was less than ideal circumstances, but I guess now I can keep saying it forever."

"As long as its true, anyway."

"So forever, then." Kurt smiled and captured his lips again, thinking that he would be content if that moment lasted for that eternity. Kurt jumped away from Blaine, who was still leaning on the wall, as they heard footsteps. He turned to find Santana having just rounded the corner, rolling her eyes heavily.

"Get your ass back inside, Princess, Berry is about to vomit all over your empty seat." Blaine looked at her questioningly while Kurt just rolled his eyes right back at her. "You too, hobbit. The peacocks probably miss your ridiculously excited face." She politely averted her eyes as Blaine leaned up for one last kiss, which Kurt happily supplied, before they trailed behind Santana back into the auditorium. Blaine said an awkward farewell as they went they separate ways to return to their seats, letting a gentle hand squeeze suffice.

Mercedes J. Dish.

Kurt looked down the row to see Mercedes glaring at him, before gesturing to her phone that he should reply. Everyone knew that he hadnt gone to the bathroom, after all, and they were all at different stages of caring. Mister Schuester certainly seemed to care a lot, even though it wasnt his place to, and a few of the girls by Mercedes seemed interested. There was a significant chunk of the group who didnt really seem to mind that Kurt had gone at all.

Kurt H. Im officially in love with Blaine Anderson.

Mercedes J. !

Mercedes J. I expect FULL details on the bus.

Kurt H. Deal.

"Kurt?" Rachel asked, almost timidly, and he put his phone politely away to talk to her. He had never heard Rachel so uncertain in all of the time he had known her, but just then she was being truly cautious about something.

"Yes, Rachel?"

"Are you upset with me that I asked your boyfriend out on a date?" Kurt laughed out loud, unable to stop himself. Rachel looked confused at the outburst but half smiled anyway.

"Oh, god no. It was hilarious. And Blaines reaction. I just- no, Rachel, Im not upset at you." He wiped a tear from his eye, and Rachel giggled softly along with him. "Did you just not care that he was gay or taken?"

"I… I barely thought about it, honestly. It was just a spur of the moment decision. I was so caught up in how beautiful our children would be… Naturally Olivier, our eldest son, would be gay. You would be his godfather and he would go to you for advice about everything."

"You do realise parents dont get to decide their childs orientation, right?" he shook his head, trying to clear the fogging thoughts of by god, she was serious from his mind. "What would you name your other sons? Oscar and Tony?" Rachel looked bashfully down at her lap. Kurt sighed.

"I was really excited about marrying someone who could kept up with me vocally-"

"And height wise," Kurt interrupted.

"And could give me vaguely Eurasian children. And we kissed… and then the duet… I just felt like we had so much chemistry, you know? Im so sorry, Kurt." She sounded truly genuine in her apology, something that Kurt wasnt used to hearing a whole lot.

"Really, you have nothing to be sorry about," Kurt assured her, "Ive kissed him a lot more and been on plenty of dates since your party. You havent hindered our relationship in the slightest."

"Is he as good a boyfriend as he seems?" Rachel asked, in what Kurt took to be an attempt to turn it around into a gossip session of some sort. He nodded, and at her non-verbal gentle prompting to continue, he smiled.

"He really is. He was telling me that I should perform with the Warblers instead of you guys for this competition so that we could sing a duet together." Rachel sighed dreamily.

"I feel like the whole Romeo and Juliet thing is overdone around here. First Finn and myself, the forbidden romance between the jock and the theatre geek. Then Jesse and I, the forbidden romance between glee clubs."

"We have no plans to kill ourselves for one another. I dont think Blaine would let me die for him, anyway, no matter what the circumstances."

"Doesnt the fact that youre basically mimicking what Jesse and I had dishearten you?" Rachel asked. She sounded genuinely curious.

"Are you trying to dishearten me? Its really not working. I dont think that were mimicking you at all. Blaine is a good guy, Rachel. If he passes the Burt Hummel test he has to be."

"Kurt?" Mister Schuester said, and Rachel and he both turned to face him, "youre dating the leader of the Warblers. I need to know now if the Warblers have heard any of our plans." He folded his arms, a sort of seriousness that Kurt hadnt really expected to ever see on the teacher.

"No, they have not," Kurt said confidently. Yes, he had told Blaine about the original songs. But he had never once thought that Blaine would take the idea to the council. He trusted him, he would trust him with his life. He did.

"Have you discussed the competition at all with Blaine?"

"Yes. We talk and communicate like a real couple. I know, shocker, right? I trust him, even if you clearly dont trust me to keep my mouth shut."

"Whats your problem with Blaine anyway?" Rachel asked, coming to Kurts defence, "hes really a wonderful guy, Mister Schue. Like, hes such a sweetheart, he really couldnt hurt a fly."

"I asked him to take a spider outside once and he told me it had feelings too," Kurt said.

"Awwww!" Rachel squealed. The lights dimmed in the auditorium and Kurt never did find out Mister Schuesters answer as to why he hated Blaine so much when they had never even met. His phone buzzed and he checked it quickly.

Blaine A. break a leg. Didnt say that before.

Blaine A. P.S. I love you

Kurt H. I love you too xoxo

Blaine A. B)

Mercedes grabbed Kurts sleeve and tugged him towards the back of the bus, looking at him expectantly as they sat down. "Spill, boo," she said, tapping his thigh excitedly, "Youre in love with him now. Spill." The last comment caught the attention of a few of the other girls who turned to face him. Maybe they just didnt want to miss out on whatever it was that was happening with the gossip of the club.

"I told him I was a little bit nervous and he said just to remember that he was out there, and that he loved me." Kurt bit his lip, trying to keep his threatening grin at bay. "I told him that I loved him too, and then-"

"And then they made out in the hallway until I dragged their homo asses back inside," Santana supplied. A few of the girls didnt even try to hide their shock. Kurt supposed he was still their innocent baby to most of them.

"Hes the cutest," Kurt said, and the girls around him all agreed. The lack of boyfriends in the group seemed to be evident, all of them living vicariously through Kurt. Even the ones with boyfriends seemed to mourn the feeling of young love. The fact they had waited more than three months to say the words that they had both felt for longer than that set their relationship apart from most of the teenagers Kurt knew, who started throwing the L word around after a week or two. "He was like, I can keep saying it forever, and I said, well, as long as its true, and he said, so forever then, and then I died," Kurt retold. He got a couple of squeals for that.

"All the good guys are gay," Rachel sighed, earning a couple of sympathetic nods. Kurt shook his head.

"Absolutely not. There are plenty of good guys who are straight. Just the best one is very much gay and very much mine."

Blaine danced over to Kurt and spun him around, putting him in a fit of giggles as Blaine pressed a kiss to neck. "Hey, handsome," Blaine said, before Kurt took his chin gently in his hand and tilted it upwards to kiss him.

"Hello," Kurt replied, sliding his arms around Blaines neck. Blaine held his loosely around Kurts waist as they aimlessly swayed together to the music. As much as Kurt felt that the party that Luke and Erica had thrown to celebrate his success wasnt fairly thrown, between the three Warblers who hadnt won and his lack of solos, he was incredibly grateful for it and was having a really good time.

"How are you doing?"

"Im doing great. Much better now my biggest fan is here."

"Oh, I didnt see your dad come in!" Blaine teased, jokingly looking around the room. Kurt laughed softly and Blaine dropped his head onto his shoulder, holding him that bit closer.

"Are you really going to come to New York just to see me sway in the background again?"

"Well, if I possibly can. I need to work out how Im going to make it sound educational, but Id do anything to be there to support you. Besides, I love you." Both Blaine and Kurt broke out into grins, the words still bringing a new exciting energy between them.

"I love you too."

"And who said youll be swaying in the background?" Blaine asked. Kurt looked sadly at him, surprised he even had to ask.

"Experience. Im just accepting the harsh facts."

"For what it matters, I would give you all of the solos in the world. Ill hunt down your teacher and force him into it if you really want me to."

"He hates you enough already. We should probably avoid giving him another reason." Blaine sighed. Kurt kissed him again, as though it would make the fact that a grown man was holding a grudge against a teenager in his sophomore year any better.

"Do you know why he hates me, Kurt?"

"I thought it was just because you were dating me and he didnt like the whole rival glee clubs thing. Do you know why?" Blaine shrugged.

"No," his voice suggested that he had a suspicion, but Kurt didnt raise it. He was enjoying dancing with his boyfriend far too much to complain about something so small. "You owe me a duet, by the way," Blaine informed him.

"Do I? Did I lose a bet that I dont know about?"

"You didnt join the Warblers for regionals so we didnt get to sing together."

"Are you just bitter that you didnt win?" Kurt asked, teasing him with a pout, "poor baby."

"Not at all. Were here to celebrate your win, my love. If Im going to be bitter Im going to do it in the privacy of my bedroom in the middle of the night where no one can prove that I ever was. The New Directions deserved to win, and so you did. Am I disappointed? Sure, a little bit. But Im so excited for you, Kurt. Youre getting to perform at Nationals for the first time ever. Your school might start taking the whole thing more seriously. This is way, way too good for you for me to ever be upset."

"Thank you," Kurt said.

"What for? I only told the truth," Blaine replied, tugging Kurt a tiny bit closer in his arms.

"For supporting me. For having some faith in me that the others dont."

"Speaking of supporting you, have you thought any more about prom?" Blaine asked, "You know Ill go with you if you want to." He was so genuine in the statement, with big, shiny eyes. Kurt wanted to hug him and never let go, but he was already more or less doing half of that. He knew how hard it must have been for Blaine to offer it in the first place.

"You have your own negative connotations with dances, I dont need you picking up mine, too. I might scare you off public schools for life." Kurt would never admit to his glee friends that he was as worried about giving the jocks the opportunity to terrorise him, but he was only more concerned when his boyfriend was at risk. He could put up with the tormenting. He could focus on survival. But with Blaine in the equation, Kurt didnt want to even try.

"Kurt Hummel, are you hoping Ill transfer?" Blaine said, "Do you have ulterior motives to this whole skipping prom thing?"

"Would you transfer?" he asked hopefully. Blaine laughed.

"Well see. So, prom?"

"I care about you far more than prom."

"You only get one junior prom."

"Cant I go to yours next year?" Blaine laughed, having to drop his gaze to stop his laughter. Kurt knew the feeling- they both found it incredibly hard to stop laughing while they were building off one another.

"Youre cheating. And it wont be a Dalton dance if I transfer," Blaine pointed out. He knew how much Kurt had enjoyed the ballroom and general atmosphere of the Snowflake dance.

"So youll think about it?!" Kurt said excitedly. He never thought that Blaine would even consider leaving his safe haven to brave public school for him. Perhaps Blaine loved him even more than he ever gave him credit for. He hated public school, and he was at the very least thinking about moving. For him.

"So long as you think about prom."

"Okay, fine. Lets just dance in the meantime, okay?" Blaine kissed him once softly before he nodded, adjusting their position to make their dance that small bit more comfortable. Kurt just leaned in the smallest bit to rest their foreheads together, overwhelmed by how much one boy could make him feel.