"More bills," Burt grunted but Blaine wasn't listening.

"Kurt!" Blaine called.

"Upstairs!" Kurt yelled back and Blaine took the stairs two at a time in his haste. He found Kurt in their room and shut the door behind him as he entered. "Hey, why do you look like someone kicked you in the stomach? Wait – oh my God, is it my dad?"

"Your dad's fine," Blaine told him quickly before Kurt could work himself up into a panic.

Kurt's shoulders slumped with relief and he smiled. "Then what's wrong?"

Blaine held up the letter and Kurt froze. "It's addressed to you." He told him, unnecessarily.

"Karofsky?" Kurt questioned, eyes wide.

"It's been about three months," Blaine mused and Kurt swallowed.

"You open it," Kurt said, nodding towards the letter. Blaine went to Kurt, taking his hand and leading him to the bed. He sat down and pulled Kurt down with him. Carefully, he slid the envelope open and pulled out the page that was stuffed inside.

Blaine cleared his throat and began to read.

"Dear Kurt,

I've heard that your dad is OK and for that I am thankful. I hope he is getting better and is out of danger of having another heart attack. I hope that – now this weight is off your shoulders – you are OK.

As you requested – Lima Bean, Thursday, 10:30am.

I really hope that you will meet me so that I can apologize face to face, man to man. I'm feeling much more of a man now and I hope I can show you.

Dave.

Blaine looked to Kurt who was looking down at his lap, wringing his hands together. "Tomorrow," Kurt echoed, voice shaking.

"You don't have to do this," Blaine said softly.

"No, I do have to. For you and for me," Kurt told him, squeezing Blaine's hand. "So we can have our happily ever after without this hanging over us."

Blaine smiled proudly at Kurt. "Courage," Blaine whispered in his ear and Kurt nodded, resting his head on Blaine's shoulder.

Blaine and Kurt made their way into the Lima Bean, looking around nervously as they entered. It was ten thirty, which marked the time for them to meet Karofsky. Blaine was the first to spot him. He was sitting at a table in the corner, a place where they wouldn't be overheard. From here Blaine could see that Karofsky was till the same muscular boy he had been before but he seemed calmer now, looking more at peace with the world.

Kurt noticed Blaine's gaze and followed it, his eyes landing on Karofsky. Dave looked up at that moment and raised a hand in greeting. Kurt took a deep breath and gently nudged Blaine.

"Are you OK?" Kurt whispered.

Blaine turned to Kurt, eyes wide. "Me? I should be asking you that." It was typical of Kurt to consider Blaine before himself.

Kurt smiled softly at Blaine and nudged him forward. The two walked slowly to Dave and when they reached the table they stood awkwardly.

"You came," Dave commented, sounding surprised but pleased.

"Yes," Kurt replied shortly, shifting his weight between his feet awkwardly.

"Do you want to sit down?" Dave asked politely. They sat down in unison and under the table Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand, squeezing it. They sat in silence, none of them sure how or where to start. "I'm sorry," Dave blurted out and he looked down, startled by his own boldness. "I really am sorry for what I did to you and your family."

"Go on," Kurt instructed quietly.

Dave looked up and nodded. "I hurt you and I deserved the consequences that I was given. Juvie was – well, it was horrible and you can't imagine how glad I am to be out." Blaine surveyed Dave with a stony gaze, squeezing Kurt's hand gently. "I'm so sorry Kurt. Really, I am."

Kurt sighed and nodded. "I believe that you're sorry."

"I am," Dave insisted.

"That doesn't excuse what you did," Blaine interjected, eyes narrowing.

"I know," Dave said, looking at Blaine. It was clear that neither boy liked each other, judging by the way they were glaring at each other. Kurt ran a soothing hand up Blaine's thigh and Blaine shifted in his seat, gaze softening slightly as he inclined his head towards Kurt, smiling at him.

"How are you coping after what I did?" David asked.

"For a while, not too good," Kurt sighed heavily, "You made me scared to trust anyone." Dave bowed his head with shame. "I could barley be around anyone. I've only just started driving since you crashed into my car."

"I'm sorry," Dave apologised, shame evident in his voice.

"Things are better now, though," Kurt continued, taking a deep breath. "Thanks to Blaine."

Dave looked at Blaine, who stared back, holding his gaze with confidence. Dave nodded once and looked back to Kurt. "Good," Dave concluded.

"We're getting married," Kurt said and David froze. Kurt wasn't entirely sure why he had shared that with Dave, but he deserved to know the truth. Dave looked up sharply and glanced between the two of them.

"Oh," David replied, disappointment running through his voice and Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand again, glad to feel Kurt squeeze back. "Congratulations."

Kurt nodded and fell quiet. Another awkward silence washed over them and Blaine shifted. "How are you doing at your new school?" He asked politely.

"Uh – good," Dave said, surprised that Blaine was actually talking to him. "It's far better than McKinley and I've made a few good friends."

"Do they know?" Kurt asked.

"Yes," Dave replied without missing a beat. "After talking to my therapist, I've decided that I should be upfront with people I'm close to."

"And your dad?" Blaine prompted.

"We're getting there. My step-mother is taking it better than he is and she's helping him come to terms with it. I think he's more disappointed than angry," Dave told them.

Both Kurt and Blaine nodded their understanding. "I'm glad you got help and that you're working through it," Kurt told him truthfully.

"I really am so sorry Kurt," Dave repeated.

"I believe you," Kurt insisted and Dave looked visibly relieved. "However, I'm not sure I can forgive you." Dave's face fell and his shoulders slumped. Kurt continued, "You put my family and me through so much. I'm glad that you're finally accepting who you are, but you kidnapped me and I can't forgive you for that."

Blaine's hand flinched in his at the mention of his kidnap and Kurt squeezed it tightly.

"I understand," Dave said quietly. "I hurt and terrorized you. You shouldn't forgive what I did. I just really wanted to apologize in person."

"Thank you for the apology," Kurt replied sincerely.

Dave nodded and sighed. "I guess this is the last time we'll talk."

"Yes," Kurt told him bluntly. He had no intention of seeing Karofsky again after today and didn't want to give him false hope of reconciliation when he knew that there would be none.

"I'm really sorry," Dave repeated. Kurt nodded and silence fell over them once again.

"We should go," Blaine said quietly and Kurt nodded. The two of them stood and Karofsky looked up at them with a melancholy expression.

"Goodbye David," Kurt smiled softly at him one last time before he and Blaine quickly left.

Dave watched the two of them leave and head to a car before slipping in and driving away. Dave sighed; he knew it was a long shot to hope for Kurt's forgiveness and their meeting had gone better than he expected. He was shocked to learn that Kurt and Blaine were getting married, however. He wanted that eventually, to be so comfortable with who he was that he could share his life with a person he loved. The way Blaine looked at Kurt, like he was everything to him. He wanted that, but he knew Kurt couldn't be the one to give it to him.

Kurt was shaking by the time they pulled up to the Anderson's home. They chose to come back here because they didn't want Burt to know that they had met with Karofsky, not wanting to make him stressed. They had told Annie where they were going so at least someone knew where they would be if anything happened. Blaine shut off the engine and slipped out of the car. He went around to Kurt's side and opened the door, leaning down to look at his fianc�.

Kurt took a shaky breath and leaned into Blaine, inhaling his scent. "M'ok, just give me a minute," Kurt mumbled and Blaine just brushed the bangs back from his forehead adoringly.

"I'm so proud of you," Blaine murmured.

Kurt huffed out a chuckle and threaded his fingers through Blaine's. "Ok, I'm good," Kurt decided and Blaine stepped back so Kurt could slid out. Blaine shut his door and kept their hands linked as they went inside.

Annie was waiting for them inside. "How did it go?" Annie asked, worry written across her face.

"It went fine," Blaine assured her. "Karofsky apologized."

"He didn't try anything?" Annie demanded.

"No," Kurt replied, giving a sad little smile.

"Good," Annie breathed, relieved. "Can I get you two anything?"

"I'll take some coffee," Kurt said and Annie beamed, pleased that she could help in some way.

"I'll bring it in to you," Annie beamed and danced off to the kitchen.

Blaine led Kurt to the living room and sat down on the couch. Kurt smiled and curled up between Blaine's legs, lying back onto his chest. Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt's body and held him tightly. "So you're done with Karofsky now," Blaine mused, "How does it feel?"

Kurt made a non-committal noise in the back of his throat. "I don't know."

Blaine ran his hand up and down Kurt's side. "Are you OK?"

"I'll be fine," Kurt sighed. "I'm just glad we can move on now."

"Me too," Blaine admitted, leaning down to kiss the top of his head.

Annie came back in with the coffee and Kurt accepted it gratefully. "I'll be in the study if you need me, boys."

They nodded and Annie left the room, offering Kurt a parting smile. Kurt took a sip of his coffee and relaxed against Blaine, losing himself in the feel of Blaine's fingertips on his skin.

"Come on, there's a musical with our names on it," Blaine grinned and Kurt tried to smile, but there was something bothering him that caused him to falter. Blaine picked up on this instantly. "Baby? What's wrong?"

Kurt sighed, looking up into Blaine's eyes. "Do you think I'm a horrible person?"

Blaine looked startled. "What? Why would I think that?"

Kurt shifted, feeling uncomfortable. "You know…because I couldn't forgive David. I just – I feel so bad. I feel like I should be able to move on from this and that it shouldn't affect me anymore. But I just couldn't do it, Blaine."

"Kurt," Blaine spoke his fianc�'s name with such heartbreak that Kurt looked up in surprise, "baby, you could never do anything to make me think that of you – least of all not being able to forgive your kidnapper. Kurt, you did such an amazing thing today, I don't think you even realise. You met with Karofsky; you reached out. There are so many people who couldn't have done that. I couldn't have done what you did. Watching you today, so calm and in control – you take my breath away; you move me, Kurt. I was so proud to be with you."

"I hope so," Kurt replied, voice thick with tears, "I want you to be."

Blaine just smiled at him, leaning across the couch to kiss his fianc�. "I always will be."