"Kurt Hummel," Figgins called the name. Kurt walked across the stage in his red gown, smiling at his parents and his boyfriend in the crowd. He took his diploma, sat down, and waited for the other students. They stood up, changed their golden tassels' positions, and then the recessional music played. Kurt was paired up with Mercedes. He gave her a hug, a tear flowing down his cheek. They walked, hand in hand, down the center steps, until they had to release with a simple wave and walk down the aisles separately.

When the ceremony was over, Kurt embraced Blaine, sobbing. These were his friends and he had to leave them. Blaine caressed Kurt's hair and planted kisses to his boyfriend's forehead. He remembered, a very long time ago, Burt saying ‘We have to be strong for Kurt, okay bud?' That simple memory from so long ago kept him from tears. He got an approving look from Burt, who just patted his son on the shoulder.

"I asked NYADA to postpone my scholarship for a year," Kurt whispered in his ear when he'd stopped crying. "They said yes."

"Oh, Kurt..." Blaine began.

"Shh, don't say anything. It's what I wanted," Kurt pressed a single finger to Blaine's lips. "I already told my parents. They're fine with it, okay?"

"I don't want you to wait for me."

"I want to wait for you. Remember what I told you when we were 12? I'll never say goodbye to you, Blaine Anderson. I love you," Kurt hugged him this time, not as needy, but just a hug. Blaine squeezed tight and kissed Kurt when they pulled away.

"I love you, too. So, so much," Blaine tilted his head and Kurt noticed the twinkle in his eye. He just smiled and they walked away, hand in hand.

-

Later, the New Directions were in the choir room for a Graduation party. The party had gone well, there were only about 5 minutes left before the janitors would kick them out.

"Kurrrt," a nasally voice whined behind him. It was Sugar. "Can I get a picture with you?"

"Of course, Sugar," Kurt smiled. Blaine admired how nice he could be. He took the camera and snapped the picture while Sugar hung on to Kurt.

"Here's my number," She pranced away, snapping her gum.

There were more pictures, ending with a final shot of the entire club. The graduates hugged each other and cried. They received certificates which, to most of them, meant more than their Diplomas.

-

"Bye, Finn," Kurt hugged his brother. Never in his life would he have imagined that Finn would go to New York before he did, but he and Rachel were going together. Just because Rachel didn't get into NYADA, she was still going to another theater school in New York.

"I love you, bro. Make sure to call me if Blaine hurts you," Finn patted Kurt's back and got in the car. Kurt waved as they drove away and chuckled to himself on the way back into the house with Blaine. The simple fact that two years before Kurt had been crushing on his now brother made his stomach tickle with laughter. He had told Blaine about that before and, despite his paranoia, he still found it amusing.

-

"Kurt?" Blaine called down the basement stairs, not sure where his boyfriend was.

"Down here," Kurt called back, rubbing lotion into his chin.

Blaine descended the stairs and pulled away the lotion covered hand to kiss his boyfriend quickly, then jumped up with a clap. "I've got a surprise for you!"

"What, Blaine?" Kurt stopped his routine and turned around, trying to seem interested. He hated interruptions. This must be big.

"Well... I called NYADA today," Blaine began to say.

"Blaine!" Kurt interjected, nearly jumping up. Blaine pushed his shoulders back down gently.

"No, wait, no. You're going this year, but," he covered Kurt's mouth so that he could finish, "So am I."

"Blaine, you haven't graduated yet," Kurt pushed Blaine's hand away.

"My mom was able to get me into Frank Sinatra, a high school for the arts in New York. We can get an apartment together and I can go with you because, legally, I am an adult. I'll still have to have my report cards sent to my parents, but otherwise, we're free!" Blaine stood there, the biggest grin on his face.

Kurt jumped up and hugged him. "Wait," He pulled away, "My parents?"

"Already taken care of," Blaine pulled him closer again. The stubble on Blaine's chin scratched Kurt's face, but he couldn't care less. They both started laughing until they cried.

"I can't believe this, Blaine," Kurt was still dabbing tears from his eyes. "I'll have to re-mosturize!" He joked.

"Me neither and," Blaine patted his cheek, "You'll live."

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Can you hold me tonight? Like when we were little?" Kurt stumbled across the words.

"I'll always hold you, Kurt. You know that." Blaine was confused and just gave him a strange look.

"But... I want it to be like when we were little kids. Completely innocent, just like best friends," Kurt tried to explain in the best way he could.

"Oh, so you don't like my body?" Blaine pulled up his shirt, showing off his abs.

Kurt smacked the shirt down with a giggle, "Oh shut up and answer me."

"Well," Blaine raised an eyebrow. "Kurt, I think I can manage to keep my hands off you for one night."

"Good," Kurt smiled and grabbed Blaine's hand, pulling him to bed and under the covers.

"I still have my jeans on," Blaine protested, laughing a little.

"Yeah, I said it was just like when we were kids," Kurt nuzzled into Blaine's neck, already wrapped in Blaine's tight embrace.

"Why did you want me to hold you like this, Kurt?" Blaine asked gently. They hadn't held each other in this way since they were little.

"Because," Kurt said timidly, "I think I'm going to have nightmares tonight."

"I'll be here if you do," Blaine assured him.

"I know. You're always there," Kurt kissed Blaine's neck, and Blaine kissed his forehead.

"What would our 4 year old selves say if they could see us now?" Blaine tried to lighten the mood.

"Why four?" Kurt pondered.

"It's when we started the ‘big kids class' at church. We ran through the church the night before our first day of school, and then I fell asleep on your shoulder in the car. I'll never forget what was going through my mind that night," Blaine sighed deeply.

"What was that?" Kurt lifted his head a bit.

"That you had the softest skin the world and that my shoulder ached from you leaning on it, because there was a bruise there, and that I wanted to tell you everything but my mom had told me not to," Blaine said slowly, a tear coming down his cheek. Kurt brushed it away.

"Honey, it's okay. It's all over now," he kissed Blaine's neck.

"Thank you, Kurt," Blaine closed his eyes with a sigh.

"For what?" He giggled a little.

"For being my best friend."

Kurt admired that Blaine said ‘best friend' instead of ‘boyfriend.' Even though they were dating, the friendship was something that would always last. He just nodded into Blaine's chest. Dating meant something to him, of course, but the friendship meant more.

He would always have his best friend.