They ended up escaping through the tiny window in the bathroom adjacent to the groom’s room; Hiram and Leroy had taken up guard positions on the other side of the door and kept knocking, loud, sharp cracks of their knuckles against the heavy oak. Each rap had been like a sharp jab of guilt into Kurt’s heart, and his entire body had shook as he’d shot a panicked look at Blaine. He’d opened his mouth, intending to call the whole running away thing off, but Blaine had somehow sensed his reluctance — a less-than-extraordinary feat when it was written all over Kurt’s face — and clasped the back of Kurt’s head, drawing him in close for a passionate kiss.

When they’d broken apart, Kurt’s confidence had been restored, and in a flash of brilliance, he remembered the bathroom. It would be a simple matter to squeeze through the window, and he panted out “The bathroom!”

As it turned out, shimmying through the window proved to be more difficult for Blaine, whose hips were a bit broader than Kurt’s, but he finally made it with minimal scrapes. Kurt smiled brightly and grasped Blaine’s hand, clinging to it like a lifeline.

“What now?” he breathed.

Blaine licked his lips, doubling over slightly to catch his breath. “Now we get out of here before somebody notices us. We’ll go to my place.” He straightened and flashed Kurt a loving smile. “I love you, Kurt.”

Kurt felt some of the panic in his heart ease at those words, and he couldn’t resist pressing a quick kiss to Blaine’s lips. “I love you too.”

Blaine grinned and then tugged on Kurt’s hand as he hurried down the sidewalk. They waited until they were a couple of blocks away from the church before hailing a cab, and Kurt drummed out a nervous beat on his knee as Blaine gave his address to the driver.

“Did we do the right thing?” Kurt whispered as Blaine settled back against the seat beside him.

Blaine smiled and rested his hand on Kurt’s knee. “Yes. Rachel’s going to be angry — our parents even more so — but she’ll understand in time.” He leaned in close, a conspiratorial twinkle in his eyes, and his warm breath tickled Kurt’s ear. “Besides, I have it on good authority that she’s still lovesick for Finn.”

Kurt drew back, a flabbergasted expression on his face, and he was so stunned, he didn’t even try to stop Blaine when he gathered Kurt in his arms and pressed an open-mouthed kiss to his neck. He just shivered and melted into Blaine’s embrace, letting his eyes slip closed.

Somehow they managed to keep their hands to themselves during the cab ride, although Blaine’s mouth never retreated from Kurt’s neck. Kurt’s face flushed at the thought; he held little doubt that a nice-sized hickey rested just above his collar, but for once, he couldn’t be bothered to care. As the cab came to a stop outside Blaine’s apartment building, Kurt realized what the light, airy feeling expanding in his chest was — freedom.

Blaine paid the driver and then grinned at Kurt as he took his hand again and led him inside the building. They ducked into the elevator, and Kurt exhaled the breath he’d been holding. “How long do you think it’ll be before they start looking for us?” he asked with a nervous giggle.

Blaine chuckled and shook his head as he brushed his thumb over the back of Kurt’s hand. “They’ll probably look at your place first. I’d say we’ve got an hour? Mayb—” His eyes widened as Kurt closed the gap between them, capturing his lips in a heated kiss, and he groaned, wrapping his arms around Kurt’s waist.

The elevator dinged when it reached Blaine’s floor, and they managed to stumble out, still engaged in the kiss. Blaine’s apartment lay at the end of the hall, and by the time they reached the door, Kurt had undone Blaine’s bowtie and was fumbling with the buttons of his shirt.

“Wait, Kurt,” Blaine gasped as he broke the kiss. “Lemme get the door unlocked first.” His hazel eyes danced with merriment as he turned his back to Kurt, yanking his keys out of his pocket. He shuddered as Kurt’s lips latched onto his earlobe, and he fumbled, jamming the wrong key into the lock. “Shit.”

Kurt chuckled, his earlier nervousness replaced with excitement. “Need a little help there?” he teased as he rolled his hips, pressing his crotch against Blaine’s ass so that his lover could feel his hardening cock.

A low groan rumbled from Blaine’s throat, and he threw a playful glare over his shoulder. “You’re not making this any easier, mister, you and your distractions.” He rocked his hips back with a sharp thrust and smirked at Kurt’s breathless moan. He managed to get the right key inserted into the lock and turned it, letting out a triumphant cry when the door swung open. Then he stumbled forward as Kurt shoved him into the apartment. “Whoa!”

“Can’t wait. Need you now.” Kurt paused just long enough to slam the door shut behind him, and then he pounced, catching Blaine in another kiss that stole away his breath. When Blaine’s lips parted in a gasp, Kurt seized the opportunity and thrust his tongue inside Blaine’s mouth. He nudged his lover back toward the couch, knowing there was no way in hell they were going to make it to the bedroom. Nimble fingers resumed plucking at Blaine’s shirt buttons, and soon enough, the shirt fell open, revealing the wide expanse of Blaine’s torso.

Somewhere in the midst of all that, Kurt’s cell phone began to ring. He hesitated half a second, debating whether or not to answer, before deciding No, let it go to voicemail. He had more important things to attend to at the moment.

The backs of Blaine’s legs hit the couch’s armrest, and he fell backwards. Kurt paused just long enough to kick off his shoes, and then he straddled Blaine’s hips, rolling his own hips downward in a firm press.

“Jesus, Kurt,” Blaine gasped as he slid his hands up the backs of Kurt’s thighs. He cupped Kurt’s ass, both cheeks filling his hands, and he squeezed, kneading each cheek. “Too many clothes. Need you naked.”

Kurt shook his head, his cheeks flushed with a ruddy redness. “Not enough time.” He skimmed his fingers over the planes of Blaine’s abs, trailing them over the soft path of hair leading up to the patch of curls covering Blaine’s pecs. He smirked and rubbed his fingertips over Blaine’s nipples, enjoying the way his lover’s breath caught as his back arched.

Kurt knew he wasn’t going to last long, and he tweaked Blaine’s nipples as he kept grinding against Blaine, hips moving in a frantic rocking motion. He could feel Blaine’s fingers digging into his ass, and he moaned. “God, Blaine, I’m so close.”

“Fuck, yes, come for me, Kurt.”

Kurt’s eyes fluttered closed, so he missed Blaine reaching for his zipper until he heard the quiet rasp of metal on metal, and he blinked as he felt cool air on his dick. “Blaine—” He gasped as Blaine’s hand closed around his dick, and he jerked his hips in time with the rapid tugs of Blaine’s strokes. He made a choked noise that was supposed to be a warning, and then his back arched as he threw his head back and came with a loud cry, painting Blaine’s chest with thick white ropes of come.

He shuddered, hands flattening against the couch as he leaned forward, and he heard Blaine whine, felt the upward snap of his lover’s hips, and then Blaine shuddered and stilled except for his heaving chest.

Kurt let out a quiet laugh and then leaned down, capturing Blaine’s lips in a surprisingly chaste kiss. “Mm, shower? Then we have to decide where we’re going.”

Blaine’s lips curled in a sated, sleepy smile. “Sure.”

“I’ve always liked California,” Blaine remarked casually as he rubbed a soapy washcloth over Kurt’s shoulder blades. “We could go to LA. Lots of teaching gigs out there, and hey, you’d have all of Hollywood wearing your designs in no time.”

Kurt shook his head. “Too obvious. They’d look for us there first.” He sighs. “We need somewhere we won’t be found right away.”

Blaine chuckled. “LA’s pretty big. I don’t think we’d have to worry about them finding us that soon, and anyway, so what if they do?” He looped his arm around Kurt’s waist, pressing close and kissing behind his ear.

Kurt blanched at the thought, glancing over his shoulder. “Aren’t you even the least bit concerned about your sister’s wrath once she realizes we’ve run off together?”

“I think you’re worried enough for both of us, Kurt.”

Silence fell between them, only broken by the sound of the water spray hitting the tiles. Then Blaine cleared his throat and pulled back so he could resume washing his lover’s body. “What about San Francisco? I’ve heard it’s beautiful, and we could both easily find work.”

“What about Broadway?” Kurt whispered. “Can we actually turn our back on the Great White Way?”

Blaine placed his hands on Kurt’s shoulders and gently turned him so they were face-to-face. He cupped Kurt’s face in his hands and smiled softly. “Hey, this isn’t forever, you know. We can always come back.”

Kurt met Blaine’s gaze and smiled at the tenderness and love he saw there. “You’re right.” He looked thoughtful for a moment, pursing his lips. “San Francisco, huh?”

Blaine grinned and nodded, sliding his arms around Kurt’s waist and catching his lips in a deep kiss.

Back at the church, pandemonium threatened to break out. The whispers of the congregation had risen to near-deafening levels, and Hiram Anderson-Berry and Burt Hummel-Hudson had already almost come to blows — twice.

“This is getting ridiculous,” Rachel hissed as she paced the bridal room, her heels clicking on the marble floor. “Why hasn’t Kurt come back out?” Her eyes flicked to the clock on the wall, her shoulders slumping as she saw it was nearing four. “We should’ve already been married by now.”

Santana sat next to Brittany on a couch and examined her nails, a bored expression on her face. “Face it, Hobbit, you’ve been ditched.”

Rachel came to an abrupt halt, gaping at Santana. “What did you say?”

Santana looked up and then rolled her eyes. “Oh, c’mon. Do I seriously have to spell it out for you? Porcelain’s gay and this whole marriage was a farce. He realized that he was setting himself up for a lifetime of misery if he went through with this and split.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Personally, I think he did himself a huge favor. I’d’ve headed for the hills as soon as Daddies Anderberry and Hudmel started picking out rings.”

Rachel continued to gape at Santana, too flabbergasted to even think of a proper response. Oh, she wasn’t naive. She’d known that Kurt was gay; what straight man was as meticulous with a moisture regimen or knew the difference between designer and knock-offs? She’d assumed the marriage would be one of convenience, one to please their parents. They’d turn a blind eye to each other having an affair on the side. Of course, a child would be have to be produced, but that was where artificial insemination came into play.

“There’s more bad news, I’m afraid.”

Rachel turned her attention to the doorway, where Quinn stood with a grim expression on her face, and sighed. “I can’t imagine how this day could possibly get any worse, Quinn.”

Quinn grimaced. “Blaine’s gone too. I stepped outside to grab a quick smoke and—”

Rachel’s entire body went rigid, her eyes widening. “And? For God’s sake, Quinn, just spit it out! What did you see?”

Quinn looked uncomfortable but took a deep breath and nodded. “I saw Blaine and Kurt, hand in hand, getting into a taxi cab.”

Lightheaded, that was the best way to describe how Rachel felt. Lightheaded and dizzy, and oh, she needed to sit down. She stumbled back, her head spinning, and sank down, landing heavily on the ground. Dimly, she could hear concerned voices asking if she was all right, but they were soon drowned out by the pounding in her ears.

Blaine and Kurt had been seen getting into a taxi together. Her brother and her fiancé — they’d been spotting running away from the church. Together.

The pounding in her head intensified, accompanied by darkness gathering at the edges of her vision, and she gladly surrendered to it, sagging backwards against the marble floor.

After a rousing bout of shower sex, they quickly dried off and Blaine dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. He threw some clothes into a suitcase and kissed Kurt again, grinning when Kurt finally pushed him away.

“We have to get plane tickets and I have to change out of this tux and pack a bag myself,” Kurt panted. “We don’t have time for another round of s—” He groaned, his eyes rolling up into the back of his head as Blaine latched onto the sensitive spot of skin just behind his earlobe and started to suck. “Blaine.” He gave Blaine’s shoulder a weak push, his entire body tingling.

Blaine laughed and drew back after a moment, a cheeky grin on his face. “Right. We’re on a deadline here.”

Kurt nodded. “Exactly.” His face softened a little as he brushed a stray, wet curl off Blaine’s forehead. “I love you.”

Blaine smiled and caught Kurt’s wrist in his hand, pulling Kurt’s hand toward his mouth and placing a tender kiss in his palm. “I love you too, Kurt,” he whispered, his breath warm on Kurt’s skin.

Kurt sighed happily as he dumped his suitcase onto the king-sized bed in the bedroom of their suite. He walked over to the window, parting the curtains and peering out at the street of downtown San Francisco. “What a gorgeous city,” he breathed as he glanced over his shoulder.

Blaine smiled and set his suitcase down beside Kurt’s and then joined his lover at the window, folding his arms around Kurt’s waist and pressing against him as he rested his chin on Kurt’s shoulder. “It really is. We can start looking for apartments later. I think we should just hang around the hotel today.”

Kurt sighed again, a softer, more wistful sound. He still wasn’t completely convinced that he was ready to give up New York. “Okay.” He smiled as he felt Blaine’s lips brush his cheek, and then Blaine moved away. Kurt glanced back over his shoulder, and his smile faded as he watched Blaine pull his cell phone from his jeans pocket. “What are you doing?”

“Checking my messages,” Blaine muttered as he thumbed the on button. “I want to see if Mr. Mayweather got my message yet.”

Kurt recognized the name of the principal of the elementary school where Blaine taught fourth grade, and he grimaced as he realized that he hadn’t even thought about calling his boss. “Can’t you just leave that for later? I’m starving. I think we should check out the hotel restaurant.” He paused when he saw a frown play across Blaine’s face as he listened to his voicemails. “What is it, Blaine?”

Blaine grimaced and quickly ended the call, sliding his phone back into his pocket. He smiled widely as he walked over to Kurt and wrapped his arms around Kurt’s shoulders. “Nothing. You said something about being starved?” He leaned in for a kiss, and Kurt turned his head, letting the kiss land on his cheek.

“Blaine, I know something’s wrong.” He frowned. “Tell me. I’m a big boy. I promise I can handle it.”

Blaine sighed. “The only voicemail I had was from my father. Rachel fainted, and the wedding’s been postponed. He said he’s not mad, he just wants to know that we’re okay.”

Kurt swallowed, his stomach turning a somersault. “Oh.” He pressed his lips together. “Are you going to call him back?”

Blaine shook his head. “Maybe later. Right now, I just...” He placed a chaste kiss to the corner of Kurt’s mouth and smiled. “I just want to be with you.” He drew back and slid his hands down Kurt’s arms, letting their fingers twine when they met. “Now, I believe you said something about a restaurant?”

Kurt’s lips curled in a thin smile and he took a deep breath. “I did. How do you feel about sushi?”

Blaine grinned and kissed Kurt’s fingers. “My favorite.”

They returned to their hotel room well past midnight, feeling pleasantly warm thanks to all the sake they’d consumed alongside their sushi. They’d wandered the Japanese gardens on the grounds of their hotel before deciding to return to their room.

Kurt’s phone, nestled in the pocket of his jeans, began to ring just as they stumbled through the door of their suite, and he whined as Blaine pulled away. “Blaaaaine.”

“Who’s calling?” Blaine squinted down at Kurt’s pocket.

“Who cares? I’ll call ‘em back in the morning.” Kurt lunged forward, intending to pick the kiss up where they’d left off, but he was stopped by Blaine’s finger touching his lips. “Blaine, wh—”

“Shhhh. Take your call. I gotta use the bathroom anyway.” Blaine flashed a smile and pressed a sloppy kiss to Kurt’s mouth before stumbling into the bathroom and shutting the door.

Kurt sighed and walked over to the couch, frowning as he fished his phone out of his pocket. When he saw his father’s name on the missed call list, he cringed. He supposed he could only avoid that call for so long until he’d have to answer it.

He swallowed and dialed his father’s number, frowning as he realized the time. He started to hang up, but gasped as the line connected and he heard a concerned “Kurt?”

“Dad.” He sat down on the couch with a heavy thump muffled by the cushions and sagged back. His gaze fixed on an indeterminable point on the opposite wall as he waited for words to come to him.

Luckily, his father took the initiative. “Are you okay, buddy? Where are you?”

Kurt blanched and shook his head. He couldn’t tell his father where he was; he wasn’t ready for anyone to come looking for him or Blaine. “I’m fine, Dad.”

“Are you with Blaine? The Anderson-Berrys said he hasn’t come home yet.”

Kurt pursed his lips, his eyes flicking toward the closed bathroom door. “He’s here.” He waited, letting his heartbeat slow back down to normal. “I’m sorry, Dad. I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t marry Rachel.”

“I thought you liked her?”

Kurt could hear the confusion in his father’s voice, and he sighed as he slouched down lower on the couch, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I do, Dad, as a friend. She— Remember that speech you gave me in high school about waiting to have sex until I knew it was right? About how I matter?”

“Yeah, of course, Kurt, but what does that—”

“Rachel’s never made me feel like that, Dad, and there’s someone who does. Someone who can make me believe with a smile or a touch of the fingertips or even just being around me.” Kurt smiled as the bathroom door opened and his eyes met Blaine’s. “Someone that I know would do anything for me, and someone I’d do anything for.”

Silence crackled across the line for a few moments and then Kurt’s father sighed. “Blaine.”

Kurt blushed, ducking his head, despite the fact that he knew his father couldn’t see him. “Yes. How did you know?”

“Well, for starters, you two ran away together.” Burt paused. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Kurt sighed and picked at the armrest of the couch as Blaine crossed the room and took a seat next to him. “Because I didn’t— You and the Anderson-Berrys were so thrilled about this wedding, and I’d never officially come out to you. I dropped hints, but you never seemed to take them, and I just— I didn’t want to disappoint you, Dad.”

Burt heaved a sigh. “Kurt, bud, I knew you were gay. I was just waiting for you to admit it in your own time, but you never did, so I thought— Apparently I thought wrong, but I thought you were straight, and you never complained about marrying Rachel.”

Kurt blinked in surprise, his eyes widening, and he shook his head as Blaine shot him a confused look. “You— How did you know?”

Burt chuckled. “Your third birthday, the only thing you asked for was a sensible pair of heels. That might’ve clued me in just a little.”

Kurt shook his head, too stunned to speak for a few moments, and then he swallowed. “I’m so sorry I didn’t say anything sooner. This could’ve all been avoided. Oh god, Rachel must hate me.”

“I think she’s stunned and hurt. Her fathers though... Woo...”

Kurt frowned and bit his lip. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to cause so much unnecessary trouble.” He dropped his gaze to his lap, missing the hurt expression that played across Blaine’s face.

“Get yourself sorted out, kid. Don’t worry about Rachel or the Anderson-Berrys or the wedding, any of that. Just figure yourself out and what’s going to make you happy. The rest will fall into place after that.”

Kurt smiled and nodded, and then looked up at Blaine, reaching out to take his lover’s hand in his. “Thank you, Dad. I’ve got to go. I know it must be ridiculously late in New York, and I’m sure you’re tired. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay, kid. Take care of yourself. I love you.”

“Love you too, Dad.” Kurt hung up, giving Blaine’s hand a squeeze. “Okay, I don’t know about you, but I am definitely starving now.” He stood up and took a few steps toward the door, only pausing when he realized that Blaine wasn’t following. He frowned and turned back to find Blaine still sitting on the couch, unmoving. “Blaine? Honey?”

Blaine frowned and glanced up at Kurt. “You really think we made a mistake?”

Kurt’s eyes widened. “What? No, of course no—”

“But you apologized to your dad for ‘causing unnecessary trouble.’” Blaine folded his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes.

Kurt hesitated and chewed at his lower lip. “You said it yourself, Blaine. Rachel fainted. My dad said that your fathers are... Well, he didn’t come right out and say it in so many words, but he implied that they’re pissed. I’d say that yes, we caused trouble.”

“What about five years from now when Rachel’s wanting babies and you’re too repulsed by the very idea of her naked body to have sex?” Blaine scowled and shot to his feet, starting to pace the length of the coffee table. “Would that not have caused trouble?”

Kurt gulped as he watched Blaine pace. “We would’ve—”

He flinched as Blaine whirled to face him, anger written across his features. “You would’ve what, Kurt? Faked it? Used a turkey baster?” Blaine shook his head. “I thought you said you couldn’t do it. I thought you couldn’t marry her. Was I wrong? Should we hop back on the next flight to New York so you can finish your vows?” His voice rose to an angry level by the time he finished, and his hands clenched into fists as he glared.

Kurt felt tears prickling his eyes as confusion swept over him. “Why are you shouting at me? Of course I don’t want to go back to New York and finish my vows. I want to be here. With you. Yes, okay, five years from now, Rachel wanting children would have complicated matters, but you can’t deny that us running away put a crimp on things. Your parents spent a lot of money on this wedding, Blaine, and the reception and god only knows what else. Your sister probably is upset and hates us both, and she’ll have to return all the gifts and you know how much Rachel loves presents.” He sighed, fighting back tears. “Does any of that change the fact that I’m here? No. If I had to do it all over again, would I still go with you when you ask? Yes. Absolutely. Always and forever times infinity. That doesn’t mean I’m unapologetic for upsetting people I care about.”

Blaine exhaled, his shoulders slumping. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout. I just, I was so afraid you were having second thoughts.”

Kurt’s face softened and he stepped closer to Blaine, draping his arms around the other man’s shoulders. “Never.” He gave Blaine an adoring smile and then leaned in, pressing his lips to Blaine’s in a tender kiss. “Now, shall we go eat before my stomach decides to rebel and start eating itself?”

His smile widened as Blaine laughed, and he hooked his arm around Blaine’s, leading him toward the door.