They talked for what seemed like hours, cuddled on the couch together, going through everything that needed to be said and asked, before they could lay their past to rest.

“So your parents…?”

“Not in the picture anymore. I stayed with Sam for a while, but they made it pretty clear that I was no longer welcome in their house as soon as I graduated. That's why I went to Los Angeles. I called Cooper, and when he heard I had no place to stay, he bought me a plane ticket for that same day and told me I could live with him.”

“I'm glad he was there for you.”

“Yeah… he was amazing. He wanted me to stay even after he married Madison, but I felt like I needed to give them privacy. I couldn't be luckier – he's the best brother I could ask for. That's why I hate what happened later on with the girls so much. Instead of repaying him for what he had done for me, I fucked up so much.”

“He was angry, but he understood once he cooled down, I guess. When I went to talk to him because I needed to find you, I could tell he was hurt and that he missed you and that it was killing him to not have you in his life. He just didn't know what to do.”

“He's always there for me when I need him. I hope I can give some of that back to him one day. When I showed up at his house after I signed the divorce papers, he let me in, no questions asked, and then told me to stay with them.”

Blaine talked about college, about how difficult it had been to find his classes interesting when he couldn't see a future for himself in any way. He talked about the hook-ups – even the worst ones – and the alcohol, and the pills. He talked about how he had tried to find something, anything, that would distract him, but nothing ever did. He told him the uncensored version of his life, the one he hadn't been able to give Cooper, and even though he never wanted to cause Kurt pain again, his tears were comforting, because it meant someone finally, finally gave a damn about him.

*

It was well past midnight when they fell silent. Kurt felt the exhaustion of a long week and the difficult conversation seeping into his bones, and Blaine was half asleep already, nested against him and nuzzling his neck as if looking for warmth and comfort.

“Come on,” Kurt murmured, patting Blaine's back gently. “It's time to go to bed.”

“Mm, no. Let's stay here. I'm comfy,” Blaine said, snuggling closer to him.

Kurt rolled his eyes, and peeled Blaine off his chest. “I am not sleeping on the couch when there's a perfectly good bed just a few steps away.”

“Fine,” Blaine protested, but allowed Kurt to pull him up.

Blaine yawned, leaning against the doorway, while Kurt tossed the decorative pillows off the bed, and pulled back the covers. Like a magnet, the bed drew them in, shifting close to cuddle, both sighing in contentment. Kurt's hand stroked the warm skin of the small of Blaine's back, unable to resist touching him, though too tired to do anymore.

“I love you so much, Kurt,” Blaine whispered sleepily.

Kurt smiled against Blaine's curls as he closed his eyes, ready for sleep to take him in. “I love you, too.”

*

Waking up was gradual the following morning. Blaine slipped away from the dream he was having very slowly, and into reality, without opening his eyes. He felt the weight of the covers and the softness of the pillow under his head, but the thing he was more aware of was the warmth of the body pressed against his side and the pressure of the arm thrown over his stomach. Then he noticed the familiar, intoxicating scent of Kurt's skin and a smile spread over his slips.

He blinked his eyes open leisurely and found that Kurt was already awake and watching him with the happiest look on his face.

“Mm morning,” Blaine hummed lazily.

“Good morning, gorgeous,” Kurt muttered. He traced his hand back up from Blaine's stomach to his chest. He splayed his fingers over where his heart was beating steadily. “Did you sleep well?”

Blaine cupped the side of his neck, using his thumb to caress the sharp edge of his jaw, thinking that a decade ago he wouldn't have felt the evidence that Kurt needed to shave. “Never better.”

Kurt touched the dark marks under Blaine's eyes very gently. They weren't as pronounced as they had been months ago, but they were still there, faint, like a reminder. “You still look a little tired.”

“I'm okay, I promise. Just a little jet-lagged,” Blaine said. He stretched his arms over his head, arching his back slightly, before wrapping them around Kurt and pulling him closer. “Hi.”

A silly smile appeared on Kurt's face. “Hi yourself.”

“Last night was… thank you,” Blaine murmured quietly, as he ran his fingers through Kurt's messy hair. “It was exactly what I needed.”

Kurt settled comfortably on top of Blaine and rested his chin on his hands on Blaine's chest. “Did it help?”

Blaine gave himself a moment to think about that. He closed his eyes and looked for the usual heaviness that he carried around inside of him. He looked for the guilt, the self-loathing and the bitterness that seemed to follow him everywhere he went. He was shocked and very relieved when he realized those feelings had vanished almost completely. Talking things through with Kurt had been the one thing he hadn't been able to do all those years ago – properly apologizing, explaining himself, listening to what Kurt had to say about it – and now… now it felt like he finally found the closure he had so desperately needed.

“You know what? I think it really, really did…” Blaine answered with a bright smile that Kurt returned, before moving forward a few inches to place a sweet kiss on Blaine's lips.

“I'm so glad, Blaine…” he said with a soft sigh. “From now on, communication has to be a priority for us. No more bottling things up and letting them fester. Whenever we need to talk, we'll talk.”

Blaine nodded, as a bubbling sensation spread all over him at hearing Kurt talking about them in future tense. Kurt had no doubts that they were going to make it. That gave Blaine more courage than he had felt in over a decade.

They kissed lazily for a few minutes, letting the pleasant heat grow between them, for once not scared of where it could take them.

“How about…” Kurt muttered against his lips, “you stay right where you are…” He stopped when Blaine pulled his lower lip between his to suck lightly on it, “and I bring you breakfast to bed?”

“You don't have to spoil me, you know?” Blaine said, laughing.

“But that's exactly what I plan to do, my dear.” Kurt teased. He planted one last quick kiss on Blaine's kiss-rosy lips, and then pulled away, swatting away Blaine's hands when he tried to trap him against his chest, hoping to continue what they had started.

Kurt padded to the kitchen, leaving Blaine alone in his bed, with his thoughts. He breathed in Kurt's scent, and shivered in delight. His whole body felt lighter than it had in years, ready to begin the day with an eager anticipation he hadn't felt since high school. Suddenly his life seemed full of possibilities to look forward to. He wasn't caged anymore, by his fears and guilt. He was finally free, taking the first steps in a world he hadn't been a part of in a decade. In this world, there was light, hope and love, and Blaine couldn't wait to let all of that wash over him again.

There would always be things and mistakes he would need to deal with – he couldn't erase his past, after all. But the heaviest weight had been lifted and he wasn't bent under it anymore. He could walk straight, albeit carefully, hesitantly, but without feeling like everything he had done in his life, the wrong choices he had made, would break him.

He wasn't the boy he had been – all that innocence had vanished and he would never get it back. But he felt like he was finally shaping himself into a man he wouldn't be ashamed of being.

Life is a path paved with mistakes. They are inevitable. It is the way those mistakes are dealt with that really shapes a person.

When Kurt came back, Blaine was staring up at the ceiling, still trying to understand what exactly was happening inside of him. He was calm, though, and knew he had time to figure things out. He was finally on the right track, and he wouldn't ruin it by rushing himself towards full recovery. He would get there when he was ready.

Kurt put the tray on the nightstand and climbed back into bed next to Blaine. Blaine sat up and accepted the cup of coffee Kurt was offering. After settling the tray carefully between them, Kurt took a sip of his own coffee and then cut a piece of pancake and presented the fork to Blaine with a playful smile.

“Open,” he instructed and Blaine rolled his eyes in amusement, but obeyed.

They fed each other bites of Kurt's special chocolate chip pancakes, between sips of coffee, simply enjoying each other's company without a dark cloud hanging over them. They couldn't help but be thrilled about what the future held for them.

“Why is this so easy?” Blaine asked, mostly to himself, as he stared into Kurt's bright blue eyes. “It feels so easy and natural, but it's been ten years…”

“Because we were meant to be?” Kurt said, shrugging carelessly. “I don't think I'll ever completely understand why we are so perfect for each other, why the universe intends us to be together… but I'm so happy you're the one I feel like this for.”

Blaine couldn't believe how lucky he had been – he had lost this perfect man because of his own stupidity and insecurities, but he had somehow managed to get him back. “You better put that tray away, because I need to kiss you right now.”

Kurt bit his lip as he rushed to remove the tray from the bed, and before he had the chance to fully turn back to Blaine, Blaine was already wrapping his arms around his neck and plunging into a passionate kiss. Kurt moaned wantonly, immediately shoving his hands under Blaine's tee so he could get to his soft, warm skin.

Kurt lied down, pulling Blaine with him and groaning in appreciation when his weight embedded him to the mattress. When Blaine moved to kiss down his neck, Kurt breathed in shakily and tried to be reasonable. “Sweetheart… a-are you sure you're ready for this? We can wait. Just because we're sh-sharing the bed for the weekend…”

“I'm sure,” Blaine said in a lower voice, as his body thrummed with urgency.

“Oh thank god,” Kurt whined, arching his back off the bed to get even closer to him.

Their kisses soon turned desperate – their bodies were ready to claim what they had missed for so long. It had been two months without feeling each other's skin, without giving each other their all, and an even longer span of time before that. One night back in Blaine's apartment hadn't been enough to satisfy the fire lapping their insides. They needed more. They needed everything.

Kurt started pulling at Blaine's clothes, wishing he could just rip it from his body to get to the warm, soft skin underneath. Blaine wasn't too far behind, tugging at Kurt's t-shirt to take it off without breaking off their kiss, which proved to be impossible.

“Wait, wait…” Kurt murmured, breathlessly. “We don't have to rush… I've wanted this for too long to simply rush through it…”

Blaine panted against his cheek, closing his eyes as he tried to find his self-control. “You're right,” he pressed his lips against Kurt's jaw and started mouthing along it very slowly. “I want to savor it. I want to savor you.”

Kurt whimpered, unable to stop himself, as Blaine's words and sultry tone went straight to his cock. Blaine smiled into the kiss he was placing right under his chin, an unexpectedly sensitive spot they had discovered while making out one afternoon after school. Blaine still remembered all of Kurt's perfect spots, and he was planning to discover more.

They peeled each other's clothes off between smiles and more kisses. Blaine trailed his fingertips down Kurt's bare chest, from his collarbones to his navel, awed. This beautiful man wanted him, wanted his touch, and Blaine realized he was the luckiest man in the world. He had been to hell and back, and his life suddenly seemed to be bathed in light and promises of beautiful tomorrows.

Their mouths found each other again as Blaine lowered his naked body on Kurt's. They gasped at how wonderful it felt to have no barriers between them, and kissed deeply, letting their tongues dance together in a way that sent shivers down their spines. Kurt's hands settled on Blaine's shoulders and he squeezed the muscle there, before letting one of his hands travel south, tracing the line of Blaine's spine until he reached the dip right above his ass.

Their hips rocked together a few times, as they were unable to restrain their urgency and their need for friction. Blaine was hard and leaking pre-come already, and he could feel Kurt against his hip in the very same state.

“Just like this?” Blaine asked, wanting to give Kurt whatever he needed.

Kurt threw his head back against the pillows and moaned. “N-no. no. I want more. I want you…”

Blaine swallowed his own moan and focused on Kurt. “What? What do you want, Kurt?”

“Fuck me,” Kurt said in a hoarse voice. His fingers dug into Blaine's ass, pressing him closer to him as he thrust up. “Please, fuck me.”

Blaine groaned and hid his face in Kurt's neck for a moment. “Yeah? That's what you want?”

 “Blaine, I need it,” Kurt growled, as his hips picked up speed. “I… I… can't stop thinking about it, about feeling you inside of me again…”

Blaine had to bite his lip extra hard to stop himself from coming just from Kurt's words alone. “Oh god, Kurt…”

“Would you? Will you?” Kurt asked, nuzzling his nose against Blaine's cheek in a surprisingly tender gesture that contrasted how brazen the moment felt.

Blaine smirked, trying to pull away. “Mm, I don't know… I think I'd rather go make breakfast or…”

“Blaine Anderson, don't you dare,” Kurt said, slapping Blaine's ass playfully and eliciting a laugh from the other man.

God, this, Blaine thought, this is what I missed the most. Having someone who can laugh with me and have fun with me no matter what we're doing, who I can trust enough to relax when I couldn't be more vulnerable…

They kissed again, their mouths still stretched into happy smiles. They kept their eyes open as they did, staring at each other with unabashed easiness, Kurt's sparkling blue eyes connected with Blaine's molten gold ones.

As they focused on each other, forgetting the world outside Kurt's apartment and the past that had felt so heavy on their shoulders not too long ago, life was good and simple, full of the everyday beauty and romance they hadn't been able to find in anyone else. It wasn't difficult, because it was natural – they had been two pieces of the same puzzle since the moment Kurt had stopped him on a stairway at Dalton to ask him a question. It was the perfect analogy, one many people had used to describe them.

Soul mates, Blaine thought.

Those words had been in his mind since he was seventeen years old, but he realized he finally began to understand what a complex and beautiful idea that was.

Soon, Kurt was melting under him again, gasping and pleading. Blaine was on the edge of self-control once again, fighting to keep himself from just wrapping a hand around both of their erections and finding the sweet release waiting just around the corner. But he remembered what Kurt wanted – what he himself desperately needed – and decided it was worth the wait.

Blaine kissed his way down Kurt body, paying special attention to his peaked pink nipples and making Kurt practically purr in appreciation. He dipped his tongue down his sternum and into his belly button, remembering how soft Kurt's body used to be in that area a decade ago, and biting on the hardened muscles of his abs. Kurt gasped in anticipation when Blaine reached his cock, but Blaine pointedly ignored it, licking over the sensitive insides of his thighs and his sharp hipbones instead.

“Blaine…” Kurt groaned, arching his hips a little to try to get Blaine exactly where he wanted him.

Blaine used the opportunity to keep Kurt's ass off the bed and angle him upwards a little. Kurt's breath hitched when he seemed to realize where Blaine was going…

Blaine kissed his way down, barely stopping to mouth at Kurt's balls, before he spread him open to dive in like a man dying of thirst in the desert. A guttural moan tore out of Kurt, his hands clenching handfuls of the sheets. Blaine lapped at his entrance, fueled by the delicious sounds Kurt emitted, then thrust his tongue as far as he could inside him. They had only recently discovered this before their breakup, and Blaine had dreamed of one day making Kurt lose his mind again.

Kurt let out breathless, incomprehensible little sounds that made Blaine groan and push for more. Kurt's taste down there was so primitive and unique that he couldn't get enough of it – he wanted to make Kurt crumble in pleasure just with the erratic motions of his tongue.

“Blaine, oh god, oh god, Blaine…” Kurt exclaimed, his voice impossibly high and breathless. “Please, please… I'm n-not gonna last…”

Blaine stopped licking into him and pulled away for a moment, dropping tiny little kisses on the top of Kurt's thighs. “Get the lube,” he said simply, and then went back down, causing Kurt to arch off the bed abruptly when he started licking him even more enthusiastically.

Kurt struggled to reach the bedside table and rummage through the first drawer and Blaine smiled to himself as he licked him just right, watching him fumble and spasm in pleasure. Kurt quickly dropped the items on the bed when he finally got them, and then buried his fingers in Blaine's messy curls, trying to fuck himself on Blaine's tongue.

“God, you're evil…” He whined.

Blaine could only hum teasingly, as he grabbed the bottle of lube.

He pulled away, his jaw sore and his tongue exhausted, and replaced the sudden emptiness before Kurt could complain, using two fingers. Kurt let out a keening noise and Blaine smiled as he pressed his mouth against his hipbone, looking up at him and enjoying watching Kurt coming undone. Pre-come was leaking from the slit of his cock onto his stomach. Blaine was mesmerized and so hard he could barely think.

“So gorgeous…” He muttered without thinking.

Kurt tugged at his curls. “Add another one.”

“Yes, sir,” Blaine said playfully and did as Kurt said.

Blaine scissored his fingers and added a third one, curving them upwards and looking for that spot inside of Kurt that made him explode in pleasure. The ecstasy in Kurt's face was as beautiful as a piece of art – Blaine wished he could capture it so he would never forget about it, about the way his cherry lips parted to let out panting breaths, the way his stunning eyes rolled to the back of his head, the way his pale neck stretched as he threw his head back, and how his body waved to ride the pleasure, to seek for more.

Not long after, Blaine could tell Kurt was ready and getting impatient. He sucked a hickey to Kurt's hip and listened to the long, frustrated moan that rumbled from his chest.

“Blaine, please, come on…”

Blaine carefully slipped his fingers out and kissed his way back up. His body was asking him to hurry up, but he ignored it. He hadn't felt like this being in bed with a man for a very long time… well, since he had slept with Kurt before their break-up, to be exact.

Kurt reached for the condom and efficiently rolled it on Blaine's cock, drawing a groan from him. The smallest touch from Kurt had the power to ignite his soul and throw him off the edge – his body had always been helpless when Kurt was around.

They held each other tightly, wrapped around each other like they were afraid to let go, leaving just enough distance between them so Blaine could grab his cock and direct it to Kurt's entrance, circling it slowly and letting the fire burn even more.

“Blaine?” Kurt murmured, almost whining.

“Yes?” Blaine asked, letting his cock slide through the wetness between Kurt's cheeks.

“I love you, but if you don't put it in right now, I'm going to pin you to the mattress and ride you myself…” Kurt replied, wrapping his legs around Blaine's waist and doing his best to pull him even closer.

“So romantic,” Blaine laughed, but his eyes darkened at the thought. “I thought patience was a virtue, my love?”

“I'll be more patient during the second round,” Kurt muttered, biting on Blaine's lower lip and sucking on it to soothe it. “But now…”

Blaine finally pushed in, agonizingly slow and gentle, and Kurt gripped his shoulders and arched his body, as if trying to bring him closer and deeper already. However, Blaine was done playing games and teasing – now he was going slow because it had been too long, and he had dreamed of this for way too many endless, lonely nights. He wanted to concentrate on how Kurt's body accepted him, how it opened for him, how his heart started pounding wildly against his ribcage when he bottomed out and looked into Kurt's eyes.

Kurt seemed to understand what was going through Blaine's head – he simply threw his arms around his neck and held him, as their souls and bodies met again.

They panted against each other's mouths, eyes locked and heartbeats in unison. Blaine managed a shy little smile.

“I love you,” he whispered.

Kurt nuzzled their noses together. “I love you, too, sweetheart.”

They built their rhythm gradually, letting the passion flow between them, guiding them. They held each other tightly, wishing they never had to let go. Blaine angled his hips and fucked Kurt the exact way he knew Kurt liked it – his body had never been able to forget. Soon, Kurt was letting out quiet little sobs of pleasure, and Blaine was moaning softly as he focused more on giving Kurt what he needed than his own urges.

“Gosh, this is gonna be over embarrassingly soon…” Kurt managed to say with a little chuckle that was cut short by a long, eager moan.

“Kurt,” Blaine muttered, and suddenly sounded and looked wrecked, like his control was failing him at last.

Kurt started meeting his every thrust, whimpering when that pushed his cock between their stomachs, sliding easily against their skin thanks to his pre-come. He dug his fingers on Blaine's shoulder blades hard, as his belly was abruptly flooded with a warm sensation that seemed to pull at all the right strings inside of him, making them snap until all he could feel was overwhelming pleasure rushing through him, hotter than the blood in his veins.

His orgasm seemed to last forever, and so did Blaine's, once he followed a few seconds later, his hips stuttering as he chased the wonderful sensations he thought he would never feel again. The room didn't explode in fireworks and neither saw stars behind their eyelids as their climax erupted through them – it was unadorned and perfect; white, pure pleasure that made them cling to each other even more, as if afraid the amazing sensations would disappear if they let go.

They were sweaty and covered in come, but neither cared as they came down from their highs. Kurt's laughter bubbled out of him without restraints, as if his happiness needed an escape somehow, and Kurt wasn't capable of holding it back anymore. Blaine watched him with a lazy smile of his own, brushing back the hairs that had stuck to his forehead with sweat. Even like this, Kurt was the most beautiful man in the world.

Especially like this.

Blaine kissed the curve of his naked shoulder and felt freer and lighter than he had felt in over a decade.

*

They stayed in bed for a few more hours, making out and letting the heat build again until they felt like going for another round, and then a third one after that. Blaine was starting to get ambitious and thinking of a fourth one, but Kurt dragged him out of bed and into the shower, where they stood under the spray, holding each other close and simply being.

They were starving by the time they stumbled into the kitchen, holding hands and laughing at anything and everything. It was a little late for lunch, but Kurt still said he would make something for them to eat.

“We need to recharge energy,” he said with a wink, as he opened the fridge.

His phone vibrated then where he had just put it on the counter after turning it on, so he grabbed it and checked, in case his dad had called. But it was a message from Rachel, instead, who obviously couldn't contain her curiosity and anxiety.

“Rachel wants to know if we'd like to have dinner with them tonight,” Kurt said after he read the message, looking up at Blaine. “She's been really excited about seeing you again. But we can say no, if you're not comfortable. This weekend is supposed to be for us, after all.”

“I'd love to see her, and Finn, too,” Blaine answered, wrapping his arms around Kurt's waist. “Did you have other plans for us?”

“Not really. I mean, we could always go to bed early…”

Blaine smirked. “Oh, really? You're insatiable, Kurt Hummel.”

Kurt feigned innocence. “I don't know what you're talking about. I just want you to get enough rest. I wouldn't want to keep you up just so we can have dinner with my brother and his wife…”

“Right. You're just worried about me getting enough sleep,” Blaine said amused, hiding his smile on the crook of Kurt's neck.

“Of course, of course…”

They ended up sending a message back to Rachel, saying they could have dinner in Kurt's apartment, which would still give them several hours to spend together. Kurt really wanted to take Blaine out for a little tour of the city, so they decided to do that, even though the idea of going back to bed was awfully tempting.

It was a cloudy day, but it was warm outside, with summer just around the corner. They got on the subway, standing close together on a corner of the car since there were no seats available. Kurt had a hand on a pole to keep them from losing balance as the train rattled down the rail, and his other arm wrapped securely around Blaine's back. Blaine's arms were around him, and his face was tucked to his chest, with a secret little smile on his lips. Kurt pressed a kiss to the top of his head, breathing in the fresh scent of his curls. Neither had felt this happy in a very long time.

They inevitably ended in Central Park, a place they had always wanted to visit together, but they hadn't had the chance before their break-up. They strolled lazily through the park with their hands swaying between them, as they talked about Blaine's nieces and Kurt's nephew, about the last book Blaine had read and the new movie Kurt wanted to see, about the places Blaine wanted to go to in New York, and the places Kurt couldn't wait to see in Los Angeles. They made plans without being too obvious or forward about it, but they both smiled as they did, suddenly knowing those plans weren't made in vain this time.

Sitting at Bethesda Terrance, high on the steps, they could see the lake and the beautiful fountain, surrounded by trees, and wandering people, with the voices of playing children providing the soundtrack to a perfect day.

Kurt laced their fingers together, and rested them on his lap, sighing contentedly. “This is one of my favourite places in this city.”

“It's beautiful,” Blaine said, as his hazel eyes wandered around. “Do you come here often?”

“I used to,” Kurt answered. “When I first moved to New York, there were so many places I went to all the time, just to try and convince myself I was actually here. But then I got so busy… I used to go to the office every single day, including the weekends. Isabelle had to force me to go home sometimes.”

“You were such a silly boy,” Blaine murmured fondly, turning his head to nuzzle his face into Kurt's neck. “You worked too hard.”

“I still do, I think,” Kurt said thoughtfully. “I like being busy, and I got so lucky with this job, but… I don't know. I feel like it all happened so fast, I didn't even get to enjoy it.”

“Did you ever imagine you would end up where you are now? Web Content Editor. That's huge, Kurt,” Blaine muttered with a proud smile.

“Not really,” Kurt admitted. “I thought Isabelle would fire me within the first few weeks. I was too scared of screwing up and realizing there wasn't a place for me in New York…”

“Oh come on. You're a real New Yorker,” Blaine nudged his shoulder and Kurt smiled at him. “You always belonged here, Kurt, even before you stepped into the city for the first time.”

Kurt looked at him quietly, examining Blaine's face, and wanting to ask if he belonged there too. They lived in opposite sides of the country, and even though Kurt didn't want to rush things between them, he finally saw a future for them… but he had no idea how that was going to work.

“Come on,” he said instead, leaning in for a quick kiss. “Let's go. The park is huge and there's a lot more I want to show you.”

They kept walking, admiring the different monuments and playgrounds and every little attraction Central Park had to offer. Blaine's face lit up when they arrived to the carousel, with the sweet calliope music playing as the horses went round. He tugged on Kurt's hand excitedly.

“Let's go for a ride, Kurt!”

Kurt laughed. “It's full of kids, Blaine!”

“So? We can have fun, too!” Blaine bolted towards the carousel, dragging Kurt along, and soon he had bought tickets for a couple rides, and was choosing a beautiful white horse to jump onto. “See? It's amazing!”

Kurt stood with his feet planted firmly on the ground, shaking his head as he watched Blaine enjoy himself even more than the kids around them (some were even crying and throwing a fit because they wanted to get off the carrousel). His heart swelled with joy as he watched Blaine laugh, so full of life, such a contrast from the man he had found over two months ago.

Unable to stop the rush of love that seemed to make his body vibrate, Kurt finally climbed onto the carousel when it went round and Blaine appeared in front of him again. He held onto the pole above the horse's head and leaned in for a kiss, surprising Blaine, who smiled delightedly as he kissed back. Kurt cupped his face and closed his eyes, hoping he would always see that spark of happiness in Blaine's beautiful eyes.

“I love you,” he whispered against Blaine's lips when he pulled away.

Blaine seemed a little dazed. He let out a shaky breath and moved in for another kiss. “I love you, too.”

Kurt decided to give in, and joined Blaine for a few rides.

*

They couldn't stay at Central Park for long – they needed to get ready for dinner with their friends. There were many other places Kurt wanted to take Blaine to, but they would have to wait until some other day. They took the subway and stopped by a grocery store near Kurt's apartment.

“What are we having for dinner?” Blaine asked as he pushed the cart, following Kurt down the aisles.

“Something quick,” Kurt replied distractedly. “I don't want to waste too much time cooking and cleaning up. Maybe some pasta, and a nice salad?” He looked at Blaine for confirmation.

Blaine nodded. “That sounds good. But you have to let me help.”

“Deal,” Kurt placed a quick kiss on his lips and turned his attention back to the different options of pasta. “Pick whatever you want, too. Don't forget I'm cooking for you tomorrow. And if there's anything you want to have in the fridge that I don't have, just grab it…”

It was comfortable and easy, and acting like a married couple came naturally to them. However, when Kurt was about to pick the drinks for dinner, he paused and looked at Blaine awkwardly.

“What is it?” Blaine asked, tilting his head to the side.

“Is it going to be uncomfortable for you if I buy a couple of bottles of wine? I don't want to…” Kurt stopped and bit his lip nervously.

Blaine walked to him and wrapped his arms around his waist. “Relax, Kurt. You don't have to be nervous about this. I'm not an alcoholic, though. I know I gave you the wrong impression back in Los Angeles, but I can control my drinking. I'll have water if it makes you uncomfortable, though.”

“Oh, no, not at all. I just didn't want to screw anything up,” Kurt said, placing his hands on Blaine's chest and looking into his eyes. “I'm very proud of you for how well you have been doing, and I don't want to ruin it.”

“I don't need to use drinking as an escape anymore,” Blaine reassured him. “I may not be a hundred percent back on my feet yet, but I'm a lot closer than I was weeks ago.”

“Okay. Good, then,” Kurt smiled and looked back at the bottles on the shelves. He picked two red wines that went well with the pasta, and a white one for dessert.

By the time they carried their bags of groceries into Kurt's apartment there was only an hour before their guests were due to arrive. They both would have rather cuddled on the couch and watched a movie, but it was too late to back out of this dinner now. 

Kurt put some music on as they started working. Blaine took care of the sauce for the pasta, while Kurt threw a couple of salads together. Blaine spun him around the kitchen and swayed with him to the rhythm of an old blues song coming from the radio, when he was on his way to the fridge to pick up a few more ingredients. Kurt laughed and put his arms around his neck, dancing with him for a moment, before they both navigated back to their tasks, smiling.

This was exactly what Kurt had been aching for – this perfect, fluid domesticity that didn't require an effort from them. They simply flowed together like the waves in the ocean, working together flawlessly and complementing each other. This was what he wanted, what he dreamed of – he wanted a home with Blaine, and he wanted their marriage to stop being real only in paper.

Once he was done with the salads, Kurt went into the dining room to set the table. He was folding the linen napkins when the doorbell rang. He stopped by the kitchen and turned the music off, dropping a quick kiss on Blaine's shoulder, who was still busy at the stove.

“They're here, sweetie.”

“Okay. Let me just finish with this and I'll be right there,” Blaine replied.

Kurt went to the foyer to receive his family, but once he opened the door, he was surprised to find that it wasn't Rachel and Finn who stood there.

“Sam?” He asked, confused. “What are you doing here?”

Sam peeked into the apartment anxiously. “Finn mentioned they were having dinner here because Blaine is with you? So I thought maybe I could come and see him? It's been really long and I…” He bit his lip and thrust a box with a bakery logo on it into Kurt's hands. “I brought cheesecake.”

Kurt rolled his eyes fondly and accepted the dessert. “You could have called. I don't think it'll be a problem, but… can I check with Blaine? I don't want to push him into something he might not be ready for…”

“Yeah, yeah, of course. I'm so sorry. I know I was impulsive, and I'll leave if he doesn't want to see me, but it's just…” He looked a little sad when he fixed his eyes on Kurt's. “He was my best friend, and he simply vanished.”

Kurt gave Sam's shoulder a light squeeze in comfort. “I understand. Just give me a minute, okay?”

Sam nodded and stayed in the foyer, fidgeting, while Kurt walked to the kitchen. Blaine was checking the water for the pasta, completely oblivious as to who was standing in the apartment.

“Hey,” Kurt said softly. He put the cheesecake on the counter. Of course Sam was hoping to bribe him with his favorite dessert. “Sam is here.”

Blaine frowned in confusion. “Sam?”

“Finn told him they were going to see you, so he came,” Kurt explained, watching him closely for a reaction. “He missed you, and he's pretty excited to see you, but he says he'll leave if you don't…”

Blaine was out of the kitchen before Kurt could finish talking. Kurt followed him, worry already tugging at his insides, as he hoped this wouldn't set Blaine back. But when he walked back into the foyer, Blaine was throwing his arms around Sam and hugging him tightly, as Sam, a little stunned, reciprocated immediately. Kurt smiled as he watched them.

“I'm so sorry,” Blaine was saying, as Sam gave him little pats on the back. “I'm sorry, Sam.”

“It's okay, man,” Sam muttered, and he sniffed. “It's just good to see you.”

“It's good to see you, too,” Blaine whispered.

They hugged for a very long time, and Kurt left quietly to check on the food and give them a little privacy.

After a little while, he could hear them talking in low voices, and Blaine apologizing over and over. Sam was very nice about it and kept saying he had nothing to apologize for, and how he understood what Blaine had needed to do back then, even if it had been hard for him. Kurt was grateful for how tactful Sam was being – he knew Sam wasn't the brightest or most careful man sometimes, but he had a good heart, and he had been a good friend for Blaine back when things had been awful between him and Kurt. Come to think of it, Kurt realized he had never thanked Sam for being there for the man he loved when he wasn't.

When the conversation seemed to move to lighter topics, Kurt felt comfortable coming back out of the kitchen, so he set an extra place for Sam at the table and offered him a drink, just as the doorbell rang again.

It was Rachel, Finn and their baby this time. Sam and Blaine got up from where they had sat on the couch and joined them at the door. Rachel, who had been hugging Kurt, immediately let go of him and pulled Blaine into her arms, crushing him against her chest. She was tiny, but as usual, she was a force to be reckoned with.

Blaine looked slightly anxious, but hugged her back all the same, smiling. “Hi, Rachel.”

“We have so much catching up to do! Look at your hair! I would have never recognized you if I didn't know it's you! You look great, though. Oh! And Kurt mentioned you've been working with Cooper! You have to tell me all about it. I'm taking a break from Broadway, but I'm still interested in everything that's been happening in show biz and…”

Finn rolled his eyes as he greeted Kurt and bounced little Chester a bit. “There she goes. I told her to take it easy, but…”

“Oh, your wife never knew how to take things easy,” Kurt said, as he reached for his nephew. He hugged him and planted several kisses on his chubby cheeks. “Look at this beautiful boy!”

Finn gave Blaine a hug, and then wrapped an arm around Rachel and gave her a meaningful look. She immediately smiled sheepishly and stopped talking a mile a minute. It had taken them a while, but they finally worked together effortlessly, understanding each other better than they had in high school.

“Wow, he really is beautiful,” Blaine said, approaching Kurt and grinning at the baby. “Hi, Chester!”

“Say hi, Chester. Can you say hi? Say hi Uncle Blaine!” Kurt exclaimed in a silly high voice.

Blaine started at that and turned to Kurt. His eyes were wide and a little watery. “Uncle Blaine?”

“You are my husband, aren't you?” Kurt asked quietly, his cheeks tinged with pink and a little scared to be rejected.

Blaine kissed him softly and then grabbed one of Chester's hands, but whatever words he wanted to say seemed to have gotten lost in the lump in his throat.

Kurt decided to save him from awkwardness and announced dinner was almost ready. He put his nephew in Blaine's arms and went into the kitchen, while Rachel and Finn asked Sam what he was doing there.

Their dinner turned out to be flawless, both the food and the conversation. Kurt had worried that someone would bring up Blaine's past history, but even Rachel was tactful enough to avoid any awkwardness. No one mentioned the disastrous years following their bitter breakup. For the first time, it was convenient that Rachel tended to turn every conversation to be about her, because that was at least comfortable familiar territory for everyone.  

Blaine had probably been able to tell how tense Kurt was, because halfway through dinner, he squeezed his knee under the table and shared a reassuring smile with him. Kurt managed to relax after that, and finally noticed how lovely it was to have dinner with his friends, and to be able to have Blaine by his side through it. Once more, he ached for this to become something they could do together for years to come. He wanted his life to always feel as full and right as it did now.

When everyone else seemed a little distracted because Chester had grabbed a handful of pasta from Finn's plate and shoved it all in his mouth making a mess, Blaine leaned towards Kurt, speaking into his ear.

“Hey. Are you okay? You've been really quiet all night.”

Kurt smiled softly and cupped Blaine's clean-shaved cheek in his hand. “I'm okay. I'm just… so happy.”

For a moment, as they looked each other in the eyes, they forgot they weren't alone, because the rest of the world didn't matter when they were together. When Kurt looked at Blaine, his heart pounded wildly and his life's only purpose was to count the specs of gold in Blaine's hazel eyes and feel the warmth of his breath against his skin. When Blaine looked at Kurt, all sorrows disappeared, like they had been nothing but a little hardship, a little obstacle to get past so he could simply see Kurt again. Kurt was every song he hadn't finished writing and every deep breath he took when he needed strength.

They moved in for a little kiss at the same time, letting their lips caress each other softly for a moment. Blaine tasted of new beginnings and dreams about to come true, and Kurt couldn't get enough of him. He rested their foreheads together and closed his eyes as he smiled and breathed, content with the love making his stomach swoop.

When they parted and turned back to the table, they found Rachel smiling widely at them with her hands clutched against her chest, Sam giving Blaine the biggest, most excited thumbs-up ever, and Finn watching them as he held Chester, a warm little smile on his face. Kurt and Blaine blushed and laughed, but didn't say anything.

There was nothing left to explain when their love was there in plain sight for everyone else to see.

*

They moved to the living room area once they were done eating, and Blaine immediately sank to the floor to play with Chester, who giggled and seemed completely enamored with his new uncle already. Kurt excused himself to clear the dishes and start the coffee pot in case anyone wanted some coffee with the cheesecake Sam had brought. He was turning the faucet on to start washing the dishes when Finn stood beside him, with a towel in hand.

“You wash, I dry,” he said.

Kurt smiled at him but didn't reply, because he could tell there was something Finn wanted to talk about. After so many years as brothers, they understood each other as well as if they had grown up together. Finn had matured a lot since high school, and the goofy oblivious boy he had once been was long gone. He was a man now, a teacher, a husband, a father, and every role suited him like a glove. Kurt wasn't sure if he said it enough, but he really admired him.

“You two look very happy together,” Finn commented absently, as Kurt passed him a glass.

“We're getting there,” Kurt replied. He was happy – happiest that he had been in a while – but he wasn't delusional. They still had a lot more road ahead before they could arrive at the life he had always dreamed of. He was a lot more confident about being able to make it, but he knew they still needed some time.

“You know, it's weird,” Finn continued thoughtfully. “I look at him and I know he's Blaine, and in some ways, like the way he looks at you… he's the same guy he's always been, minus the preppy uniform and helmet hair. But when you really, really look at him… he's another man entirely. He's more serious and reserved, and if you look close enough, you can almost see the scars of the life he's had until now.”

“It's been difficult, but I know he can make it,” Kurt said softly. “I know we can make it. I love him, Finn. Just as much, or even more, than I did when I was seventeen years old. We are different people now, but I'm sure we're doing the right thing here. It's always going to be Blaine. I'm never going to love anyone else like I love him.”

“I'm very glad you two found each other again,” Finn said, with that characteristic side grin of his, before going serious again. “It was very hard, watching him back then, when everything went to shit, and then watching you, all these years, trying to build your life again…”

“We had to struggle, and we handled things very differently, but yeah… I think the worst is over now,” Kurt said, as he finished with the dishes and dried his hands. “I know you've been worried, Finn, but it's alright. I really appreciate that you have my back, though.”

“Always,” Finn muttered, squeezing his shoulder affectionately. There was a squeal coming from the living room, followed by Blaine's laughter. “I think Che loves his new uncle…”

Kurt sighed, filled to bursting with love. “He's not the only one.”

*

It was a little past midnight by the time everyone left. Kurt and Blaine walked them to the door and accepted their hugs and bright smiles. They kissed little Chester on the forehead, who was already asleep against his father's chest, and Sam and Blaine exchanged phone numbers, as Sam promised Blaine he would visit him in Los Angeles in just a few weeks. He flew there for work every now and then, so they would get to hang out quite often. Blaine looked very happy with the idea that he had gotten his best friend back.

“That was nice,” Blaine commented, as they got ready for bed, brushing their teeth side by side, standing at the sink.

“I know, right? And I'm glad you could get back in touch with Sam,” Kurt said, after spitting his toothpaste and rinsing his mouth, as he reached for his moisturizer.

“I missed him. He's the best friend I've ever had…” Blaine glanced at him in the mirror and smiled. “Well, except for you, of course.”

“Mm, I'm flattered, dear, but we both know he's the one you went to when you wanted to play videogames or talk about comic books.” Kurt said as he dotted the lotion on his face, and began gently patting into his skin.  “I never understood those… bro things.”

Blaine rolled his eyes as he rinsed his mouth and grabbed the towel. “You've always been too sophisticated for that, sweetheart.”

The endearment sent warmth down Kurt's spine. “That's true,” he said teasingly.

Blaine laughed and leaned against the sink, watching Kurt finish his moisturizing routine. “I'm very happy we got together for dinner. Actually, no… scratch that. I'm very happy I came here this weekend. It's been perfect and very helpful…”

Kurt stepped closer to him and kissed the tip of his nose, before pouring some more moisturizer in his hand and then applying it on Blaine's face, who scrunched his nose. “Hey. No scrunching. Scrunching defeats the purpose.”

“I haven't used moisturizer in ten years,” Blaine said with a chuckle.

“Yeah, your skin has a lot of catching up to do,” Kurt reprimanded. “You're lucky you have good genetics.”

“I'm lucky I have you,” Blaine murmured, and Kurt's heart wasn't in his chest anymore – it was a puddle on the floor, completely melted.

Kurt shook his head, incredulous. God, he had missed him. He had missed the way they could tease each other so easily and then go straight to being the corniest couple in the world in a matter of seconds. He had missed being so in love he couldn't breathe.

He leaned and put his hands on the back of Blaine's knees, lifting him to sit on the edge of the sink with a surprised whoop. Blaine threw his arms around his shoulders, startled, but Kurt wasn't planning on letting him fall.

“What are you doing?” Blaine asked.

“Hold on tight,” Kurt said, and Blaine did as he said. “I'm about to show you just how lucky you are.”

With Blaine's legs wrapped around his waist and his own arms supporting him under his ass, Kurt carried him out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, as Blaine's laughter trailed behind them like the echo of the good days that were about to come.

*