Because Carol and Burt had already made a trip to the airport once that day, Annie and Edward drove them out to the airport. The trip seemed longer the second time round, maybe because Kurt was bubbling with excitement. Blaine was just pleased to see his boyfriend so happy.

Annie and Edward walked them in, making sure they'd checked in before saying their goodbyes. "Do you have everything?" Annie asked, fretting like only a worried mother could.

"Yes, Mum, we've got it," Blaine nodded and smiled reassuringly at his mother.

"Have fun, you two," Edward said, pulling them both into a hug. "But not too much fun," he added, pointing accusingly at the two of them. Kurt and Blaine just laughed.

"Don't forget to message Finn when you get there," Annie instructed, "and be safe."

"We will," Kurt smiled. "I promise."

Annie pulled her two boys into a hug, tears welling in her eyes. "I love you both," Annie whispered and they both beamed. With one last wave, Kurt and Blaine disappeared through security and found their lounge.

Blaine grinned as Kurt curled up on the seat, bouncing slightly with excitement. Blaine chuckled, desperately wanting to pull Kurt into his arms but restrained himself. He wanted to the trip to go perfect; he could do without a homophobe giving them grief.

"Blaine?" Kurt asked, hands twisting nervously in his lap. He winced as the gash caught on his top and pulled at the stitches.

"Hmm?" Blaine hummed.

"What will the plane ride be like?" Kurt asked shyly.

Blaine frowned before realizing that Kurt had never been on a plane before. Blaine's family lived all over the place and he had been on a plane to visit them a few times. Kurt would have gone with him but at the time Elizabeth had been too sick and Kurt didn't want to leave her side.

"It'll be just like driving, only you'll be in the air," Blaine promised. "It'll be fine; I promise I will be with you the whole time."

Kurt nodded and his nerves dimmed slightly. They were called for boarding and Kurt followed Blaine onto the plane. They were seated together and in first class. Kurt looked around with awe and Blaine chuckled; he'd let Kurt have the window seat so that he would be able to see the lights when they got to New York. Blaine slid in next to Kurt and buckled his seat belt. Kurt watched how Blaine did it and then did his own seat belt up. They didn't have to wait long before the plane taxied out onto the run way.

"Hey," Blaine said quietly, taking Kurt's hand and squeezing it. Kurt looked to Blaine, nerves written across his face. "Just focus on me, OK?"

"OK," Kurt nodded and clutched Blaine's hand tightly. The plane taxied down the runway, gaining speed until finally they were up, ascending into the air. Kurt took a glance out the window and gasped, lights twinkling below them. Taking an evening flight hadn't appealed to Kurt at first, but the way that the night illuminated the city below them was truly breathtaking.

A meal was brought around to them and Blaine eagerly dug in while Kurt scrunched his nose up, raising an eyebrow at the tray in front of him.

"Something the matter?" Blaine asked, noticing that Kurt was just nibbling on some crackers.

"I might throw up if I eat that," Kurt winced and Blaine smiled sympathetically.

"Motion sickness," Blaine winced. "Just lie back and close your eyes."

Kurt did as instructed and it wasn't long before he fell asleep. When the air hostess came around and took their meals, Blaine stowed the trays and lifted the arm rest between them. He draped a blanket over Kurt and lowered his chair. Blaine did the same and pulled Kurt so that he was leaning on his shoulder. Kurt sighed in his sleep and snuggled against Blaine. Blaine must have fallen asleep because the next thing he knew he was being gently woken by Kurt.

"Babe, we're about to land," Kurt said, shaking his shoulder.

Blaine blinked groggily and sat up, putting his chair back in the upright position. "How you feeling?" He asked. Even half-asleep and aching from the awkward position he'd fallen asleep in, his first priority was Kurt.

"Better," Kurt smiled softly. "I think most of it was nerves."

Blaine grinned and squeezed Kurt's hand. The landing was without turbulence – thank God; Kurt didn't think his nerves could stand that – and they made their way off the plane and through the airport. They carried their bags and grabbed a taxi to take them to their hotel. It was late at night and they were tired but it didn't stop them from gazing in awe at all the lights and buildings. Blaine loved the look of excitement on Kurt's face and wished he could make Kurt smile like that forever. Well, Blaine grinned he had the rest of his life to do that.

The taxi pulled up to the hotel and they jumped out, Blaine paying the man, much to Kurt's protest, and they hurried into the lobby. They checked in quickly – Kurt smiling when he realised the name was in Anderson-Hummel – getting their key and headed up the room. Once they were in, Kurt immediately went to the window and gazed out of it.

"It's beautiful," Blaine said, coming up behind Kurt and wrapping his arms around his waist.

"Blaine – I can't thank you enough for this," Kurt said, spinning in Blaine's arms so they were facing each other. "This is the best gift anyone has ever given me."

"I can't wait to go exploring with you," Blaine grinned, pulling Kurt closer. "But right now I really want to kiss you."

Kurt smirked and angled his head so that Blaine could kiss him full on the lips. Blaine hummed and started moving backwards, pulling Kurt along with him. His knees hit the back of the bed and he stumbled. Kurt was quick to take advantage of this and pushed Blaine down, straddling his hips and leaning down to kiss him again.

Blaine moaned and scrambled up the bed, keeping Kurt attached to him and running his hands under Kurt's shirt, eager to touch that pale skin he loved so much. He unbuttoned Kurt's shirt and pushed it from his shoulders, Kurt breaking the kiss long enough to get his arms out before reattaching his lips to Blaine's.

Blaine flipped them over; capturing Kurt's muffled cry of surprise with his lips that were moulding to Kurt's every move. Kurt's hands moved to Blaine shirt and racked it up his body. Blaine pulled away so that Kurt's could lift it off him and threw the shirt off to the side, a testament to how much he loved Blaine as he didn't even stop to think about the wrinkles it would cause.

The rest of their clothes joined the shirts on the floor, the two of them wrapped in a naked embrace, reeling with the freedom that they had and the moments they could share this whole trip without being judged.

The sharp shrill of the phone woke Kurt suddenly. He flinched and moaned, Blaine groaned against him, snuggling deeper into his side. Kurt fumbled for the phone and brought it to his ear.

"Hello?" he mumbled, still half-asleep.

"Good morning Mr Hummel. This is Sally from the front desk with your wake up call," a far-too-cheery-for-this-early-in-the-morning voice informed him.

"Oh, thank you," Kurt replied, beginning to feel much more awake now.

"You're welcome. Have a nice day," Sally said, promptly hanging up. Kurt put the phone back in the cradle and flopped back down on the pillows.

Blaine mumbled something against his skin, sending vibrations up his body. "Come on Blaine," Kurt sighed, running his fingers through Blaine's curls, smiling as it brought memories of last night; Kurt tangling his hands in Blaine's hair after particular jolt of pleasure.

"Comfy," Blaine mumbled tiredly. "Don't want to move. Ever."

"But New York," Kurt gasped playfully, "and we have to see Finn to let him know we're here."

Blaine sighed and opened his eyes lazily, looking into Kurt's bright blue eyes. "I love you," Blaine smiled and Kurt beamed right back.

"I love you too," Kurt said, pressing his lips to Blaine's, pointedly ignoring the fact they both had morning breath. He could get used to this. "Last night was perfect."

"It really was," Blaine grinned, hands skimming down Kurt's chest.

Kurt squirmed as desire started to build in him again. "No," Kurt moaned as Blaine began to press kisses along his jaw line. "We have so much to do-oh- to do today."

"You're right," Blaine hummed, moving from Kurt's jaw to his collar bone and started sucking a hickey there.

"Blaine," Kurt whined.

Blaine chuckled against him. "Ok, ok. Can we at least shower together? We'd save water. You know how much I love the environment."

Kurt giggled at Blaine's hopeful expression. "Saving the world one sex-filled shower at a time, yeah?" Blaine just pouted, eliciting a giggle from Kurt. "Yeah, we can shower together." He relented.

Blaine moved fast, jumping out the bed and tugging Kurt with him to the bathroom.

Once showered and dressed the two headed down to the dining room where they would eat breakfast. Both were thrilled by the fact that they could hold hands in public and no one would bat an eye. They headed in and scanned the area, instantly spotting New Directions. They had been put up in the same hotel as them, managing to grab one of the few remaining rooms.

Kurt and Blaine grinned at each other before sneaking up behind Finn who was talking to Sam and Puck, who were sat opposite him. The two looked up and froze with shock.

"What are you two staring at?" Finn asked, brows furrowing.

"Us," Kurt said and Finn whipped around, mouth dropping open. "Ew Finn, close your mouth."

"Dude!" Finn yelped and he jumped up, pulling Kurt in to a rough hug.

"Ow! Finn," Kurt scolded, slapping Finn's side.

Finn let him go and Kurt stumbled back into Blaine who grabbed him firmly. "What are you doing here?" Finn asked, childlike excitement etched clearly across his face.

"We came to watch your performance," Blaine smiled, rubbing Kurt's arm.

"We also came to explore the city and check out some colleges," Kurt added.

"Awesome," Finn beamed.

"Congratulations," Sam grinned at Kurt and Blaine, who fixed him with a confused expression. "Finn told us about the engagement," he explained.

Both boys blushed and smiled. "Thank you Sam," Kurt replied, sincerely.

"Come join us," Puck offered and they sat down with them.

"I'll get some breakfast," Blaine said, pulling out a chair for Kurt. Kurt smiled adoringly at Blaine and watched him walk away, eyes lingering on his ass. Kurt turned back and found Puck smirking at him and he blushed, though couldn't deny it.

"It's good you're here," Finn said, grinning sheepishly. "I forgot to bring the camera."

Kurt rolled his eyes and Sam snorted with laughter. Blaine came back with some fruit for Kurt and eggs for himself. He slid in next to Kurt and they started eating.

"What are you doing today?" Blaine asked Finn as he ate.

"We have to write two songs for the competition," Finn sighed.

"You're doing original songs?" Kurt gasped.

"Yeah, it was Rachel's idea," Sam answered.

"Wow," Blaine said, looking impressed. "Good luck."

"We'll need it," Puck grunted. "Mr Schue is locking us in the room until we write them."

Kurt winced. The thought of not being able to go out and see New York was painful. "I guess we'll be taking pictures for you," Kurt shrugged and Finn pouted.

"Dolphins," Brittany cried, having spotted Kurt and Blaine. She skipped over to them and hugged them both around the neck. "What are you doing here?"

The rest of New Directions had noticed them and they made their way over, offering them their congratulations.

"Let's see the ring," Mercedes demanded and Kurt held out his hand, Mercedes taking it in hers and looking at every angle.

"It's beautiful," Quinn sighed, looking at Blaine's ring with obvious envy.

"We have fabulous taste," Kurt said haughtily and Blaine sniggered.

The girls awed over the two them, looking at their rings with jealousy. Quinn's jaw was set as she watched the two of them. She watched Blaine's hand squeezed Kurt's thigh gently and look him with adoring eyes. It was everything she'd ever wanted.

They finished their breakfast and the two boys stood. "We have to get going," Kurt explained. "Lots to do. Good luck writing your songs and we'll see you later."

They were waved goodbye and the two set out to explore the city that would define their future.