“Who wants cotton candy?” Finn asked carrying two hands full of the sugary treat.

“I hope you brought enough for everyone else, because that isn’t even enough for me.” Puck said, taking a stick from him.

Quinn, sitting next to him, smacked him on the arm, “Be nice. I’ll give you some of mine.”

He smiled at her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, babe.”

She rolled her eyes, feeding him a piece of the fluffy pink sugar.

It was the Fourth of July and the town was a light with excitement and life. In celebration, Kurt and Blaine had invited Puck and Quinn, Finn and Rachel, to watch the fireworks at the park that night. The six of them sat stretched out on a blanket amongst hundreds of other families and couples. Around them, food stands and children’s game booths were set up for the day. A band played covers for popular songs music from a stage at the edge of the park. At the base of the stage, several couples were up dancing to the smooth guitars.

“Hey, Gigantor, pop a squat!” Blaine called from the other side of the blanket, Kurt wrapped up in his arms. “You’re like a wall. I can’t see the band through you.”

“Well, I for one, think it was very kind of Finn to bring us back these cavity factories.” Rachel piped in, pulling Finn down next to her.

“Oh like you’ll even watch the band,” Puck jibed. “As soon as the fireworks start, you and Hummel are just gonna suck face.”

“Watch it, Puckerman.” Kurt warned, picking delicately at his cotton candy. “You might just get what you wish for.”

“Dude, you’re my brother,” Finn whined.

“Oh please, I’m forever subjected to watching you and Rachel go at it. That’s my best friend!”

“Okay!” Quinn jumped in. “Let’s just watch the band, shall we? Its almost time for the fireworks anyway.”

Blaine snuggled into Kurt’s neck protectively, glaring at Finn. Kurt turned in his arms, offering a piece of cotton candy to him. Blaine smiled at him, opening his mouth just enough. Kurt popped the piece into his own mouth and quickly attacked Blaine’s mouth, mixing tongue and sugar. Blaine’s eyebrows flew to his hairline in surprise, but accepted the kiss, wrapping his arms around Kurt’s waist. Blaine twisted their tongues together, sliding in and out, tasting Kurt and the new sweet flavor. Blaine’s head was swimming.

It had been four months to the day since he and Kurt had made up and four consecutive months of dating. Blaine still couldn’t believe how much had changed that year.

By the second month, Blaine had finally worked up the courage to tell his father that he was gay. Kurt stood by him the whole way through it, holding his hand like a lifeline. Much to their surprise, Samuel Anderson was accepting of both him and Kurt. It was the happiest he had seen his son in a long time and as long as his son was happy, he would support them.

Reuniting with Kurt was proving to be the best thing that had ever happened to him. He didn’t have to hide who he was anymore.

“See? What did I tell you?” Puck laughed. “The fireworks haven’t even started yet!”

Kurt pulled away from Blaine to stick his tongue out at Puck.

“Oh leave them alone, Noah,” Quinn smiled, turning his head to face her. “Or would you rather watch people make out. Because I’m sure Rachel and I could help you with that.”

Rachel turned her head away from watching the band with wide eyes.

“Well actually-”

“Just kiss me, you pervert,” Quinn sighed.

Kurt and Blaine laughed at the sight in from of them. Ever since Kurt had given Puck advice on how to woo Quinn, their relationship had blossomed.

“Come on,” Blaine whispered into his ear, pulling on his hand to stand up.

“Where are we going?”

“We’re going to go dance,” he said matter-of-factly, taking his hand. “Later losers.”

“Try to be back before the fireworks!” Rachel called after them.

They waved through the crowded green hand in hand, making their way to the makeshift stage the dancers had created.

“Kurt?”

Kurt turned around to find he was face to face with a pretty girl. Her long brown hair hung loosely around her shoulders and she looked at him with sparkling, sea foam eyes.

“Oh my god, Shauna?” he gawked.

“Yeah, it’s me, silly!” she laughed, engulfing him in a hug. “Blaine!”

“Hey, Shauna. Long time no see.”

“What are you doing here?” Kurt asked dumbly.

“Just here to enjoy the fireworks with my better half over here,” she said, pulling a shorter girl to her side who snorted at her remark.  She was shorter than Shauna by a few inches and had striking blue eyes that shined just as much as Shauna’s. Her hair, bright red, was pulled low to one side with a red, white, and blue ribbon. “This is Ellie.”

“Hey, guys. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Blaine’s face dropped a little. “You have?”

“Yeah,” Ellie smiled. “Your story is like The Notebook or something! Adorable.”

“You’re adorable,” Shauna sighed.

“It’s so weird to see you out of uniform, Shauna. I have to commend you on your dress. Is it Dolce and Gabbana?”

“It is, actually!” she squeaked, doing a twirl for them and letting the red and white polka dotted skirt flair up. “But I could say the same to you. I feel like I only ever see you in your Dalton uniform.”

“Well, luckily, you won’t ever see me in it again.”

Blaine pulled him to his side with a kiss to his temple. “He’s transferring to McKinley for our senior year.”

“No way! That’s great!”

“Just like The Notebook,” Ellie whispered.

“It will be nice to get out of Dalton for a while,” Kurt agreed.

“And into my arms,” Blaine added, kissing Kurt again.

The girls swooned at the action, causing Kurt to blush to his roots. The band behind them changed songs, the beat from the drum thumping in their chests.

“Oh I love this song!” Blaine shouted. He held out a hand to Kurt. “Dance with me?”

The blush on Kurt’s face deepened but nodded. “I’ll see you later, Shauna. It was nice to meet you, Ellie!”

“Go get ‘em, tiger!” Shauna called to him.

“Oh he’s already done that!” Blaine hollered back.

Blaine pulled his boyfriend to him, beginning to dance. Kurt smiled so wide he was afraid his face might split. He thought back to the first time he had danced with Blaine at that club. Blaine had danced like a fool and coaxed Kurt to sway with him. It had been the most intimate thing he had ever experienced at the time. Now, dancing together, in front of all these people, at the park, to a live band, as boyfriends, Kurt would take this over that night any day.

The song slowed into a ballad. The people around them paired off. Blaine pulled Kurt closer to him, not a whisper of air between them. He turned them slowly to the music, holding Kurt’s hand tightly in his.

“I like dancing with you,” Blaine said into his ear.

“Mmmm.”

“You know, I wish I had been able to go to my junior prom with you.”

Kurt pulled back just enough to look into his golden eyes. “Really? You mean that?”

“Of course I do. Kurt, you’re the best thing that’s happened to me and I just wish I could have spent that night in your arms.”

“Then we’ll go to the senior prom together.”

Blaine’s eyes widened at that. That was a long way away. He searched Kurt’s eyes; what he found was compassion and honesty. His heart swelled. He and Kurt would make it. They would be together for a long time after prom.

“Okay,” was all he could say.

Blaine rested his head on Kurt’s shoulder, turning them ever so slightly. Kurt pressed a soft kiss to his curls as they listened to the band sing.

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing

It was strange how in situations like this, it felt as though even the band knew of their love. Kurt sighed contently into Blaine’s hair, making his boyfriend smile again.

'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream would never do
I'd still miss you, baby
And I don't wanna miss a thing

Blaine couldn’t help but laugh a little. This song had always been so cheesy to him; it was something he used to laugh at with Puck at school dances. But now, as he looked up into Kurt’s bright blue eyes, he understood. Because even when Blaine dreamed of Kurt, the sweetest dream could never do him justice.

Kurt looked down at Blaine with the same expression and he was sure they were on the same page.

I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this

I just wanna hold you close

At that, Blaine pulled Kurt even tighter, making him giggle and tighten his embrace around Blaine’s neck.

Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

Suddenly Kurt stopped dancing. Blaine picked up his head, wondering why Kurt had stopped moving. He followed Kurt’s gaze, watching James Bubb dancing at the far end of the dance floor with a cute, shaggy haired brunette boy. Their dance was slightly awkward, their bodies farther apart than they probably should have been. James met his eye with a shy smile, which Kurt returned. The brunette boy moved closer to James, closing the gap between them. James’ attention was caught once again, turning back to the shorter boy. He smiled up at him, putting a hand on James’ face. James leaned into it.

“We’ll would you look at that,” Blaine grinned.

“I know.”

The brunette looked down at the ground. James tried to catch his attention by leaning down to his level. Suddenly the boy looked up and kisses James square on the lips before pulling away quickly. Even after hearing that his brother and mother would bring him back into their home, Kurt didn’t think he had ever seen James smile so widely. He took the shorter boy’s face in his hands and kissed him again.

Kurt turned back to Blaine, resuming their slow waltz.

Since James had come out, a lot of the bullying at McKinley had stopped, save for a few slushie facials here and there from the hockey team. Jeremy had taken it upon himself to make sure that his twin brother would never suffer from harassment.

As the song faded away, a firework rose into the air, exploding in a flash of red and white.

Kurt squealed in delight, gazing up at the display above. He grasped at Blaine’s hand in happiness, trying to enjoy this moment with his boyfriend.

But Blaine wasn’t paying attention to the fireworks in the sky. Instead, he was watching them in Kurt’s eyes, they were much more beautiful that way. Each explosion lit up Kurt’s eyes like galaxies. A particularly big boom sounded, making Kurt giggle with excitement. Blaine couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face. His boyfriend was perfect. He was more beautiful than anything those pyrotechnics could ever dream of creating. They had been though so much together and these past four months had been the best days of his life. As far as Blaine was concerned, there would be years more like it.

“This is fantastic!” Kurt hollered over the boom of another firework.

“Yeah. Yeah it is,” Blaine responded dreamily, still gazing at him.

Noticing the tone of his voice, Kurt turned to look at his boyfriend. He smiled at his expression, squeezing his hand.

“You know, the Fourth of July is about the colonies gaining independence from England centuries ago. How despite everything, they beat out everything the world threw at them and persevered. We’re like that too, you know. No matter what, we persevere, we’re together.”

The finale show began above them, bright lights bursting one right after another, lighting up the park below it.

Kurt and Blaine didn’t even notice it; all they could see was each other.

“Happy Fourth,” Blaine said to him, holding his cheek in one hand.

Kurt’s eyes welled as he and Blaine the leaned in for a kiss, under the brilliant fireworks.