Chapter 26 - You're the Best Thing in My Life

Kurt awoke to a dim light overhead and as he focused he could see his dad at the foot of the bed and Finn sprawled out in some type of chair. He looked so uncomfortable. What really took him by surprise was the warm hand wrapped in his hand. He found that the hand was attached to a person with a full head of curly black hair. Blaine! Blaine was here with him. Kurt tried to move his leg, but was met with a little soreness in his legs. He felt the same in his shoulders.

"Hey kid." Burt whispered. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. Is Blaine okay?"

"Yeah. Outside of a cut on his arm where the bullet grazed him, he's just worn out. I'm actually surprised to see you awake already."

"What time is it?" Kurt turned his head to see if there was a clock.

"It's a little after 8:00 in the morning. You've been out for 4 or 5 hours. You needed the rest. Actually, you could use more rest. Sebastian had you tied up for at least 6 hours."

Kurt's face fell at the memory. It had only been 5 hours since all of that happened. "Is he-?"

"No, he's not dead. He's in a secured ward at another hospital. I think he'll be staying there for a while."

"What if he gets out?" Kurt didn't know how to feel about the fact that he was still alive. In some way he wanted him dead for what he did, but in other ways, he was still a kid with problems.

"His mom signed him in for rehabilitation, Kurt. He's a minor so he won't get out until she and the bunch of other people say so. He can get himself out when he turns 18, but you'll be long gone by then and hopefully he would be on the drugs that caused him to do all of this stuff to you. We are pressing charges so it'll make everything just a bit harder for him."

"He can rot there for all I care."

"I can understand, Kurt. I could've killed him myself." Blaine stirred a little. "Let's try to keep quiet. Blaine needs rest too. Just because you never sleep doesn't mean he can't."

Kurt stared at the top of Blaine's head. "I love him dad. What he did."

"He loves you too. He tried to take a bullet for you."

"I would die for him too. I never thought I would meet someone like him, but I'm glad I did. Do you think he'll still want me after... You know, all that?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, Sebastian was dirty dad. He m-made me feel dirty." Kurt had tears in his eyes.

"He won't think anything of it Kurt. Do you remember anything about him last night?"

"He tried to convince Sebastian to let me go. He was the first person to come near me."

"At his request. I'd like to point out that this boy, no man. What he did is really mature. This man thought through everything. The police were using a knife to cut the ropes and he knew it wouldn't be mentally good for you. He got scissors. He stopped us before we got close and asked if he could pick you up and put you on the gurney. He wanted to be the first person to touch you. He wanted to be sure that you wouldn't reject him."

"I know his hands and his smell and I knew it was Blaine." Kurt was thinking. His eyebrows threaded together. "Do you think I'm crazy for falling in love now?"

"If I do, then both of you are crazy." Burt laughed quietly. The room was still silent with sleeping people. "I'm going to go down to the cafeteria and get some coffee. Do you want anything?"

"Coffee?"

"Sure thing."

Burt left and Kurt was sitting in the silence just watching Blaine's back rise and fall with his breathing. He sighed as he felt a strange warmth envelope his chest. He was in love. This boy, no man, was willing to take a bullet for him. His dad was right. Blaine was a man. A wonderful, loving man. He felt Blaine squeeze his hand and then his head lifted up and Kurt was looking into the beautiful hazel eyes that he adored. He wondered in that second how everything would have turned out if he didn't give Blaine that chance on the first night he went to fight club. Would they even be in the same place today? Would Kurt have just left and never returned. What if he never went to fight club at all? Kurt didn't even want to think of what the alternative was because this was the best possible thing to happen from fight club. It's ironic sometimes how things work. Kurt never fought back at school, but the one time he did it for fun turned out to be the best thing in his life now. Yes, Sebastian came along with it, but along with terrible memories, the perfect curly haired man in front of him was worth more than anything.

In a sleepy voice, Blaine spoke, "Hi gorgeous."

"I love you." Kurt smiled gently because that was what he wanted Blaine to hear.

Blaine's eyes were wet as he breathed a sigh of relief, "I love you too. I'll love you forever or as long as you'll have me."

"Then it's settled right?"

"What is?"

"Us. It'll be us forever."

Blaine leaned in close to kiss Kurt. "Forever."

The day of the friendly concert came and Blaine was nervous. For the first time ever, he was nervous to take the stage. He and Kurt spent most the week together, both recovering from the stress of what became known as the night that changed everything. They were closer than ever. Kurt learned so much about the man Blaine was and Blaine learned a lot about the strength his boyfriend had. It was mutual and they felt complete when they were together. They had not yet attempted school except for practicing with their glee clubs and that time apart, whether it was an hour or 4 hours, felt like eons to both of them. They were given special privilege to continue to complete schoolwork from home for the time being. They were content to do schoolwork from home yet they both knew they would have to face the inevitable of being apart from each other and go back to a normal life.

Blaine's parents were home now and he and Kurt alternated days between the homes to decrease the stress and driving between schools. They were tied to each other in a way that Kurt never thought he would be tied to someone. Blaine was, in Kurt's eyes, his savior in so many ways. Blaine finally knew what it was like to be in love, the kind of love that permeates every pore in your body and causes to you make decisions that may not seem rational all the time, but the love you feel makes you risk everything for it.

New Directions took the stage. Kurt didn't have a full song solo, but he had some important parts to sing and dance. He was a clear asset as they sang on stage. Kurt didn't care who was there because the entire time on stage, he had eyes and sang and danced for only one person. All he needed was a smile and a glance from the hazel eyes that sat front and center cheering him on.

When New Directions finished, there were 3 more show choirs still to sing before the Warblers would close out the evening. Blaine and Kurt spent the time together, holding hands and enjoying the music. Everything was perfect and simple. Compared to what they had been through everything really was simple.

Blaine kissed Kurt before heading on stage. The lights darkened and they began singing. Kurt was mesmerized by Blaine and the Warblers. He was truly in love with Blaine. They ended with Teenage Dream by Katy Perry. Kurt smiled from ear to ear. Blaine sang this song perfectly. It was almost like it had been written for Blaine to sing to Kurt. The Warblers did their standard bow at the end of their song and Kurt rose to his feet so quickly, clapping loudly. Blaine came to the front and center of the stage. "I would like to invite some friends of mine up here to sing one last song that I prepared. It's for my special someone. I hope he likes it."

Kurt glanced around to see what friends were headed up to the stage. He found Finn and Puck heading up there and saw that Blaine's two friends Jeff and Nick remained. Kurt's face flushed because this song was for him. He was already high from the last song being so perfect. Finn pointed his drumstick at Kurt and said, "For you little bro." He winked at the band started to play.

Blaine stood front and center stage.

What if I told you that I think you're perfect?
Beautiful sky in your eyes, it's so worth it.
I know you make me feel alive.

What if I told you that I'm in forever?
Nothing to hide, yeah, I'll go wherever you go.
You make me feel alive.

Blaine clenched at his chest willing Kurt to understand what he meant to him, Blaine's eyes never drifting from Kurt's gaze for more than a few seconds.

And I'll be hanging on every word you say to me.
Hanging on a feeling that I get,
'Cause you make me

Laugh a little louder,
Love a little harder.

Blaine got on his knees very close to the edge of the stage and to where Kurt remained standing at his seat in the center. Kurt was definitely taken by the song and words.

And I feel alive when I'm with you.
Every time it's something new.
Never knew what love could feel like
Until I walked away the first time.

And I feel alive when I'm with you.
Deep inside, it's something true.
You're the only reason I fight,
You're the best thing in my life.

Kurt blushed at hearing Blaine say that he was the best thin in his life. He'd never been the best thing in anyone's life. Well, maybe his mom's or his dad's, but he never thought someone not related to him would ever say that to him.

What if I told you that I'd never hurt you?
Always be there for you to hold on to.
I know you make me feel alive.

And every single second's a lifetime memory,
I'll be holding on to every second
'Cause you make me

Laugh a little louder,
Love a little harder.

And I feel alive when I'm with you.
Every time it's something new.
Never knew what love could feel like
Until I walked away the first time.

And I feel alive when I'm with you.
Deep inside, it's something true.
You're the only reason I fight,
You're the best thing in my life.

Blaine was standing and singing with all his heart to his boyfriend. There was no fear in his face, only love. Kurt had tears in his eyes begging to be freed and as he gazed up at the man he fell in love with, and knew he could let them fall. They wouldn't have to fight anymore. He hoped from this point on it would be smooth sailing.

And I feel alive when I'm with you.
When I'm with you.

And I feel alive when I'm with you.
Every time it's something new.
Never knew what love could feel like
Until I walked away the first time.

The background music died down leaving just Blaine. If Kurt didn't know he was in an auditorium filled with people including his dad and stepmom and Blaine's parents, he would have thought that he and Blaine were alone just singing together or to each other when they fancied a special song. With the background music gone, Blaine was the only one left singing center stage, eyes closed, one hand clutching the mic resting gently in its' cradle, the other hand clutching his heart with the spotlight drowning everyone out but Blaine Anderson. Perfection in Kurt's eyes.

And I feel alive when I'm with you.
Deep inside, it's something true.
You're the only reason I fight,
You're the best thing in my life.

"I love you Kurt!" He put the mic back in the stand and he walked to the steps that led into the audience. The standing ovation was there, but he never saw it. Blaine just had one place he needed to be, wanted to be. Within seconds, Kurt was wrapped in Blaine's strong arms and Kurt's arms rested gently around Blaine's neck as they kissed.