The following week found Kurt sitting, playing alone in the sandbox. He didn’t have the heart to look for Blaine, in fear of him not showing up again. What had happened to him on Friday? Why hadn’t he come to the playground? And what had made matters worse; Blaine didn’t even call over the weekend. Nothing. Kurt felt betrayed. His best friend didn’t care about him anymore.

Kurt dug his shovel into the sand, only to dump its contents back into the pile that was slowly growing up to Kurt’s knees.

“Cool, its Mount Everest, right?”

Kurt’s head snapped around at the familiar voice. Blaine looked down at him with a bright grin on his face. Kurt’s first instinct was to jump up and hug his friend, but he kept his composure.

Remember, you’re supposed to be mad at him. Kurt reminded himself.

Kurt turned away from Blaine and continued to pile on sand to his “Mount Everest”.

Blaine, ever the persistent friend, sat down next to Kurt with a smile, trying to make eye contact. Kurt moved away from him, creating a space between them.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Blaine asked, a smile still on his face.

Kurt gave him a deadpan look and turned his back again.

“Kurt?”

No answer.

“Kurt?!” Blaine touched his shoulder, trying to get his attention. Kurt lurched away. “Kurt, why are you doing this? What’s wrong?” Finally getting the hint, Blaine sounded hurt.

“What’s wrong?” Kurt snapped. “What’s wrong? Really, Blaine? You’re going to sit there and ask me what’s wrong?”
Blaine blinked, slack jawed, “I- I- I don’t understand. Yes, I’m asking what’s wrong. You’re sad and you’re my best friend, I’m worried.”

“Best friend? Blaine, you don’t abandon your best friend!”

“Abandon?” Blaine said, genuinely shocked, “What are you talking about? I didn’t abandon you. When would I have done that?”

“Don’t play dumb, Blaine. It’s not becoming.”

“What does that mean?” Blaine asked.

I don’t really know, my mom uses it when she’s mad at me. Kurt thought. Instead, Kurt did not respond and glared.

“Kurt, I don’t know what you’re talking about but I did not abandon you!”

“Yes you did!” Kurt bellowed, “You said you would always be here, Blaine. You said that we would always be together and you weren’t here. You promised, Blaine! You said you were my best friend. And then you weren’t here and James and Jeremy came after me again and you weren’t here! How could you do that?”

“Kurt,” Blaine whispered.

“They chased me,” he continued, in a frantic rush, “They knocked me off my swing and they chased me. They said that they didn’t like how- how good of friends we are and they were going to put me in my place. I tried to get away, but they were so f- fast. I-I climbed up the Jungle Gym to get away. They started calling me names, Blaine. I- I…” Kurt buried his face in his hands. How embarrassing, he thought. He was supposed to be strong. He was supposed to be mad at Blaine. But here he was, crying in front of him when he was supposed to be mad at him.

“Are you finished?” Blaine asked.

Kurt nodded, not looking up.

“Kurt, I never abandoned you. I could never do that. I had a stomach bug all weekend and my mom wouldn’t let me leave the house. I’m so sorry, Kurt. I know that I said I would always be here and I wasn’t. But Kurt, there are going to be times when we can’t be with each other all time. I wish I could be. But look, if there ever is a time that you miss me, just remember that I’ll be with you in your heart and that I’m your best friend. And that you’ll always be my best friend. Always.”

Blaine pulled Kurt into a soft hug. Kurt’s shoulders relaxed into his touch, embracing that strange shock that was always present between them. Kurt finally looked at Blaine, his Blaine, the boy with mysterious the golden eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he sighed, “I guess I over reacted. I was just so scared.”

“What did they say to you that upset you so much?” Blaine asked, keeping one arm around Kurt’s shoulders.

“They called me a- a fag.”

Blaine froze.

“You know it?” Kurt said.

“Yeah, I know it. My dad uses that word a lot. I don’t like it. For some reason, it makes me sad when I hear it.”

“My mother says that it’s a word people use to put people down.” Kurt turned to Blaine and smiled, “But you know, she said something else. She said that our friendship is special. That we have something that other people wished they had and they’ll try to tear us down for it.”

“Why would they do that?” Blaine asked.

“I don’t know.” He blinked.

“But I think she’s right. We’re best friends, Kurt.”

“Better than best friends!” Kurt added.

“Better than best friends. We’re best best friends and no one can tell us no, or where to go, or say we’re only dreaming!”

“Blaine,” Kurt said with a deadpan expression, “Did you really just quote Aladdin?”

“Come on, Jasmine,” Blaine said, pulling Kurt up, “Let’s go look for the Cave of Wonders!”

Several weeks passed and school started for the year. Unfortunately for Kurt and Blaine, the roster was alphabetical; therefore, they were not in the same homeroom or the same classes. Luckily, their lunchtime and recess matched up. They sat together at lunch and played together on the school’s playground. As the semester drew on, Blaine made a few friends with some of the boys in his class whereas Kurt talked with a few of the girls. But none of the other kids were ever as close to them as each other.

One day, near the end of September, Blaine and Kurt sat across from each other in the lunchroom.

“…But then Hannah Parker erased it off the board before Mr. Brannon walked in.” Kurt explained, taking another bite of his carrot stick. “Honestly, I think it was for the best. Those boys would have gotten in so much trouble if Mr. Brannon had caught them. Blaine? Blaine!”

“Huh?!” Blaine said, shaking out of his daze.

“Were you listening at all?” Kurt scoffed.

“Yeah, sorry, I was just, uh, distracted.”

“What’s the matter, Blaine?”

“Well, I was hoping I could ask you something?” he said shyly.

“Anything.”

“Well, you see, my birthday is coming up and I’m turning the big “one-oh” and I was hoping that maybe you would want to come to my birthday party because it would mean a lot if you did. Not that you have to or anything, and you wouldn’t have to get me anything, I just thought maybe-”

“Blaine!” Kurt interrupted, “You’re babbling. And, yes, I would love to go to your birthday party.”

“Really?! Honest?!”

“Of course, silly! You’re my best friend, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Wow! Okay, great! It’s this Saturday, two o’ clock.” Blaine said with an award-winning grin.

When Kurt left school that afternoon, he felt almost sick to his stomach. Birthday party? He had never been invited to one before. And this was Blaine they were talking about, his best friend! Kurt had to make sure he got Blaine the perfect gift. Kurt hopped off the bus, waving to Blaine who still had one more stop to get to his house. He trotted up the steps and through the front door. He dropped his backpack next to the door with a sigh and collapsed, face first, onto the couch.

“Kurt, is that you, sweetheart?”

“Yeah, it’s me.” Kurt mumbled into the pillows.

He heard the sound of approaching footsteps and groaned.

“Kurt, sweetie, are you alright? What is with the theatrics?” Elizabeth asked, sitting across from him on the ottoman.

“Mmhruph.”

She chuckled, “Are you talking to me or the pillow? Come on, now.”

Kurt turned over on his back, “Nothing.” He repeated.

“Kurt,”

“All right, well Blaine’s birthday is this Saturday and he invited me to go to his party.”

“That’s wonderful!” Mrs. Hummel said with a clap of her hands, “I fail to see the problem.”

“Mom! I’ve never been to a birthday party! How am I supposed to know what to get him? I don’t know what boys like. I only know what I like…”

“And what you like is Blaine, correct?” His mother soothed. Kurt nodded. “Kurt, sweetie, Blaine is your best friend. You two are like two peas in a pod. If anyone knows what Blaine is going to like, it is you.”

“But how do I come up with something? Don’t boys get their friends toy cars and action figures?”

“Kurt, you know Blaine better than anyone. If you think that’s what he would like, we will go get him a toy car, but if you put some thought into it, I think you’ll find something even better. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” With that, Elizabeth patted Kurt on the knee and left the room.

Kurt pouted, turning on his side. That wasn’t very helpful. ‘Think about it’ she said. He had been thinking about it, all day! But he couldn’t think of anything. He was no good at getting things for boys. Legos? Hot Wheels? Violent video games? What did ordinary boys like?

But that wasn’t really the question, was it? It didn’t matter what ‘normal boys’ liked because he wasn’t getting a gift for an ordinary boy. He was getting a gift for Blaine, his special Blaine and Blaine was anything but ordinary.

Kurt sat up quickly, a new idea in his mind. “Mama, pour le magasin!”

Saturday came quickly. Kurt stood outside of Blaine’s front door next to his father, dressed to the nines. He wore the red bowtie he knew Blaine liked the most and a plain black shirt with white slacks. Burt Hummel knocked on the door and Kurt’s grip tightened on the little gift bag in his hands. It was a simple bag; purple with golden tissue paper sticking out of the top.

The door swung open to revile the party was in full swing. Kids and parents alike were scattered throughout the house. Balloons and streamers hung from various places, creating the perfect party atmosphere. Kurt’s heart leapt to his throat. He had no idea all these people would be there.

“Hey, Burt, good to see you!” Mrs. Anderson greeted.

“Nice to see you too, Katherine.” Burt responded, “Thanks for inviting our Kurt over to this shindig.”

“Oh it’s no trouble at all! I would have been shocked if he didn’t come and Kurt is always welcome. Hello there, Kurt.”

“Hi, Mrs. Anderson. I got a gift for Blaine.” He said, holding out the present.

“Oh, that was very thoughtful, dear. The present table is over there next to the television. I’m sure Blaine is playing with the other boys somewhere. Come on, Burt I’ll introduce you to the other parents.”

Kurt fidgeted in from of the door for a moment, not really sure what to do. He decided to try to find the present table Mrs. Anderson had mentioned. He turned the corner into the living room to be met with dozens of presents. The table was stacked sky high with large boxes all for Blaine. Kurt looked down at his small bag with a frown. He knew he should have gone with a Nerf Gun. There was no way that Blaine could ever accept his tiny present with such amazing things to open. Kurt turned away from the table, keeping his bag in hand. Maybe if he held onto it, no one would know it was a present for Blaine.

Blaine.

Where was Blaine? He still had not seen him anywhere. Kurt walked through the crowed house, in search of his friend. It seemed as though everyone from the block was there. Kurt wound his way to the kitchen, thinking maybe Blaine had wanted a drink. No such luck. He looked out the sliding glass doors that lead to the backyard, finding that there were even more people there, parents talking while some of the older kids played badminton, but still no Blaine. With a sigh, Kurt wandered away from the door. Everyone seemed to be having such a good time. He walked past the blasting stereo and decided to head up the stairs, away from the mob of people, maybe he could find a quiet place up there.

As Kurt reached the top of the stairs he heard a voice.

“Ahh! No! Simba, hold on!”

Kurt pushed open the door that lead to Blaine’s room, trying to see what was going on.

“Simba, no! I’ll save you, don’t worry!”

Lying out on his stomach on the bed was Blaine. His back was turned to the door so he did not see Kurt walk into the room quietly, so as to not disturb him. Blaine held his Simba stuffed animal over the side of the bed. Blaine “struggled to reach” the doll, clearly giving his all in saving him. Finally, he caught his paw and pulled Simba onto the bed.

“Oh man, that was close! Simba, next time don’t try to reach that far over the edge! Your mother will be so mad when she hears about this.”

“Blaine?”

The dark haired boy nearly fell off the bed in surprise.

“Kurt!” Blaine cried, clutching his chest, his face quickly breaking into a heart-stopping smile. “You scared me!”

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you,” Kurt blushed. “But what are you doing up here? Shouldn’t you be downstairs with all your friends at the party?”

Blaine scoffed, “Friends. They’re not my friends. All those people down there? They’re my mom’s friends from work and their kids. My dad invited some of the kids from the block, but they are not my friends either.”

“Blaine,”

“I mean, they’ve been watching us get bullied by the Bubb twins all year and none of them have helped us out. No, I don’t care about anyone down there. So I came up here to hide until they called me for cake.”

“Blaine,” Kurt said again, “I’m sorry.”

“No, Kurt, don’t be sorry. The fact that you’re here is good enough for me.”

Kurt’s face flushed again.

“Hey, what’s that?” Blaine said pointing to the purple bag in Kurt’s hands.

“Oh- oh it’s nothing! I was just going to-”

“Is that a gift? For me?” he asked, bright eyed.

“Well it is your birthday party Blaine.” Kurt said with a roll of his eyes.

“Oh, Kurt, you shouldn’t have! I told you that you didn’t need to get me anything.”

“I know,” Kurt said, his cheeks growing more and more red by the second. “But I wanted to! It’s really nothing…”

“May I open it?” he asked, taking a step closer. Blaine took Kurt’s hands in his, gently opening his hands and taking the bag. Holding the present in one hand and Kurt’s hand in the other, Blaine pulls him over to his bed where the pair of them sat.

“Purple, my favorite color.” He said with a smile.

Carefully, Blaine pulled the tissue paper out of the bag. First, he pulled out four lollipops, four grape and one cherry, wrapped in a little white bow. Blaine smiled, remembering the day he and Kurt met and how Blaine had offered Kurt a lollipop to comfort him.

“I thought that if you ever feel lonely, you could have one of these. They made me feel better.” Kurt said timidly. “And the red one stands for me.”

“You remembered.” Blaine whispered. He reached into the bag, pulling out a piece of paper and laughed. “It’s Aladdin! Aladdin and Jasmine. Did you draw this?”

Kurt nodded, “And see here? I labeled it, too. See? You’re Aladdin and I’m Jasmine.”

“It’s really good, Kurt. I didn’t know you could draw.”

“Nah, it’s not that good really. It didn’t take that long” Over a two day span. He added silently. “Open the rest.”

Blaine dug his hand to the bottom of the bag, coming up with two shiny new bracelets, one blue, one gold.

“Oh, Kurt, these are beautiful.”

“I noticed that the bracelets you wear everyday are getting kind of worn out. So I thought you might like them. And I made then myself!”

Blaine looked at Kurt with an expression he could not read. It was like none he had ever seen and it made his stomach do flips. Blaine’s golden eyes glistened, like they were trying to absorb all the light in the room. For all Kurt knew, they had, because they were the only things Kurt could see. Blaine’s eyes started to water and Kurt panicked.

“Blaine, I’m sorry! I knew it was a bad idea, I should have gotten something else-”

“No, no, Kurt, stop. They’re perfect. I love them.”

“You mean it?”

“Of course I do. These gifts, they mean more to me than anything that could have come from a toy store. You remembered our lollipops and our favorite movie! And the fact that you made these bracelets yourself makes them that much better. I love them. Here,” He said, offering Kurt the blue bracelet.

“Oh no, Blaine, it’s yours.”

“Right. It’s my gift, meaning I can do whatever I want with it and what I want is to give you the blue one. It will complement your eyes and the gold will go with mine.”

Kurt smiled, accepting the bracelet and slipping it onto his left wrist. Blaine did the same on his right, throwing away the old bracelets.

“So, you wanna play with Simba?” Blaine asked, admiring his left wrist. “He can be the son who got kidnapped by pirates! And we, his parents, have to go and save him!”

Kurt frowned, “But, if we’re his parents, who is going to play the mom?”

“There doesn’t have to be a mom to be a family. We can both be the dads! I’ll be Papa and you can be Dad, okay? What do you think?”

“I think we’d had better get Simba away from Captain Hook as soon as possible because he has school tomorrow!”

Blaine grinned taking Kurt’s hand and jumping into action.