"Do you wanna go?" Blaine offered, "We don't have to go back in there." Kurt finally slowed his agitated pacing and turned to face his boyfriend, who was sitting patiently against the wall of lockers, waiting for him to come to a decision.

"Wasn't this prom supposed to be about redemption?" he asked, "About taking away that lump you had in throat from running away?" Blaine closed his eyes and turned his head away, the mere mention of his past still haunting him, "If we leave, all it's gonna do is give me a lump too."

"So what do you wanna do?" Blaine let the question hang in the air. This was completely up to him, and he would support Kurt in whatever he chose.

A moment of silence passed between them as Kurt glanced to the side, as if all the answers would be clearly written on the wall. But nothing was ever that easy. Nothing had ever been that easy for him, for either of them. Finally, he came to a decision, "I'm gonna go back in there and get coronated." His voice was still a little rough, obvious that he had been crying, but Blaine could hear that fierce determination he loved so much. Kurt stepped closer while he spoke. Blaine's patient face quickly gave in to an expression of admiration. "I'm gonna show them that it doesn't matter if they are yelling at me, or whispering behind my back. They can't touch me." Kurt kneeled beside him, "They can't touch us. Or what we have."

Blaine leaned forward to meet him halfway, reaching to grab one of his hands. He shook his head slowly, as he tried to fathom how lucky he had to be to have Kurt, how stupid he must have been to not realize how much he meant to him sooner, "You're so strong, Kurt," he said, "You're doing what I never had the guts to do."

"Don't even go there, Blaine Anderson," Kurt replied quickly, "After what you've been through, just coming here tonight makes you brave. We're both strong," he insisted, "we always have been. Just, with each other, we realize it more easily." Kurt took a deep breath and lowered himself back against the wall of lockers, scooting into Blaine's warm side. An arm wrapped around him. The prom could wait a few more minutes.

"You look gorgeous tonight," Blaine said, running a hand along the edge of the kilt's fabric. Kurt smiled for the first time since the royalty was announced.

"You too."

Without speaking, their heads turned toward each other. Blaine's gentle, still admiring smile met Kurt's weak grin. He could tell that Kurt was still deeply hurt by the actions of his classmates. Blaine wanted nothing more than to take that pain away from him. He'd do anything for this boy. He loved this boy, even if he hadn't found the courage to say it out loud quite yet.

Kurt closed the short distance between their lips, and they shared a slow, lingering kiss. Warmth spread through Kurt's aching heart as Blaine cradled his face, so gentle and reverent, like it was the most precious treasure ever created. The wet streaks where tears had fallen down his cheeks were wiped away under Blaine's loving touch. They pulled away, both of their thoughts fuzzy with momentary bliss. One of Blaine's hands lingered, brushing against the flawlessly soft skin.

Kurt took a deep breath and slid away from the lockers, getting ready to put his plan into action. Blaine offered Kurt a tissue from a small pack he had brought with him just in case. He got to his feet, brushing off the back of his pants while Kurt dabbed at his nose and the corners of his eyes in final preparation of his appearance before the student body.

Kurt glanced up, and Blaine held out a hand, ready to offer him all the support he could. "Are you ready for this?"

He already knew the answer. His boyfriend was strong.

Kurt took his hand silently and got to his feet, gripping it tightly. Together, they were stronger.