"Blaine, darling, don't forget to pick up the milk on your way home," Kurt trills as he clears the table of our dishes and leftovers from breakfast. "We're fresh out."

"I won't," I call back to him, the butterflies taking up residence in my stomach as I look at my gorgeous boyfriend in all his glory; nothing covers him but my t-shirt and a pair of boxer briefs. "Black coffee makes us both want to puke."

"That it does," Kurt laughs. I love his laugh. It's been four amazing years since we met, and we've moved on from one-horse Lima, Ohio, into the tiny, cramped New York City apartment of our dreams. We're both in college; Kurt is living his dream at NYADA, and I'm studying musical theater at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. We're happier than we ever could have imagined.

"Don't forget, we're meeting Cooper's boyfriend tonight," I remind Kurt, who's busy whistling as he loads the dishwasher.

Cooper's in New York with his most recent fling: a crewmember on his new TV show. My brother has been cast in a bit part on an NBC pilot scheduled to air in the fall, and I couldn't be prouder.

"Oh, yeah," Kurt mutters, remembering the plans we made yesterday. "Pick up some Smirnoff, then, too."

I throw my head back in laughter as I slip my coat and scarf on, preparing to head to school. "I'd better go if I want to catch the subway. Come say bye, honey," I call to my beautiful boyfriend, who complies immediately, rushing over and kissing me hard. Unsurprisingly, it evolves into a steamy makeout session in the middle of our entryway, and I practically have to push him off me in order to avoid the temptation to stay for round two. I have a project due this morning, which renders lateness a nonoption.

"I love you, Kurty," I murmur, running a hand through his bedhead. His school day doesn't start for another two hours. "I'll miss you."

"I love you, too, Blainers." Kurt presses another sound kiss to my mouth. "Have a great day, sweetheart."

I blow my love a kiss as I shut the door behind me and head down the stairs. I feel around in my pocket to make sure the small velvet box is still there; as if I would lose something that important. Tonight is the most important moment of my entire life so far: I'm asking my boyfriend to marry me.

My phone chimes with a text from Cooper.

Cooper Anderson: if you lose that ring I swear to god

Blaine Anderson: I DIDNT. ye of little faith!!!

Cooper Anderson: I totally have faith! I'm just really really excited that Bryan and I are going to get to be there to watch it all happen!

Blaine Anderson: there will be tears.

Cooper Anderson: I'll bring the kleenex. I have prepared a speech for you, small brother!!

Blaine Anderson: dammit coop I can write my own speech. no one even does speeches when they propose!!

Cooper Anderson: I know you Beebee. you're just gonna wing it. not acceptable

Blaine Anderson: Kurt likes spontaneity!

Cooper Anderson: I'll bet he does ;)

Blaine Anderson: omg GOODBYE

Cooper Anderson: hahaha love you bee. see you at yours around 8?

Blaine Anderson: yes. GOODBYE. (love you too.)

♥ ♥ ♥

I come home more nervous than I’ve ever been in my entire life, with less than ten minutes before Cooper and Bryan are due over. Kurt’s day doesn’t end until eight—he’s at the helm of NYADA’s glee club, which practices in the evenings twice a week—so he’ll be fashionably late for our gathering. I have to sit down to keep from falling over. I’m shaking everywhere. I take off my jacket and open the pocket that contains the ring, turning the velvet box over and over and over in my hands.

Why am I this nervous when I know he’ll say yes?

Before my own thoughts have time to drive me crazy, Cooper’s voice pipes through the apartment. “Buzz us in, Beebee. It’s freezing.”

I laugh weakly, buzzing them up and propping the door open for them. I walk back to the overstuffed, overly comfortable couch in Kurt’s and my “living room” area (our apartment is far too small to have actual rooms), sinking my tired head back into the soft cushions.

“Bee!”

Cooper startles me awake, running toward me with arms outstretched. He launches himself onto the couch, pulling me into a bear hug tight enough to suffocate.

“Hey, Coop,” I laugh, hugging him back and resting my cheek on his shoulder. “I’ve missed you.”

“You, too, buddy!” Cooper bellows. As if he’s just now remembering he’s brought his boyfriend over for the evening, he waves over the petite, impeccably coiffed man standing in the foyer with a bottle of champagne. “Hey, Blaine, there’s someone I want you to meet. This is my boyfriend, Bryan.”

Bryan sets the bottle down on the kitchen counter and joins us on the couch, sitting on my other side and extending his hand. “It’s fantastic to meet you, Blaine. Cooper’s told me so much about you.”

“Likewise,” I reply, charmed by this guy already. He dresses like Kurt did in high school, if a bit more understated. Kurt’s going to love him.

“So,” Bryan begins, leaning in closer, “how about this proposal? How are you going to do it? Candles? Mood music?”

“God, Kurt’s going to love you,” I blurt out, clapping Cooper’s boyfriend on the back with a bit more force than he’d been expecting.

“Right?” Cooper intones excitedly. “Seriously, though, how are you going to do it?”

“It’s just a simple proposal, guys,” I insist. “Nothing fancy. No doves, no rose petals scattered on the floor. Just my love for Kurt.”

Bryan awwwwws, and Cooper wraps his arm around me. “You’d better do the kneeling thing, at least.”

♥ ♥ ♥

Kurt walks in the door half an hour later, completely unprepared for the crushing hug Cooper gives him in the entryway. “Kurt! I missed you, buddy!”

I watch as my boyfriend returns Cooper’s hug with a warm one of his own, resting his chin on Cooper’s shoulder. “I missed you, too, Coop. Now, where’s that boyfriend of yours?”

“You’re going to love him,” Cooper and I exclaim in unison, grinning at each other. I walk over to Kurt and wrap my arms around him, accepting the soft hello kiss he gives me.

“Hi,” Bryan greets Kurt, getting up from the sofa and extending his hand to Kurt.

“It’s wonderful to meet you.” Kurt shakes it briefly before scoffing and pulling Bryan into a hug.

“Likewise,” Kurt says, smiling brightly. “I love your ascot. Is that Marc Jacobs?”

“It is, indeed,” Bryan replies, winking. “I’m a member of the website Rue La La.”

“Oh, my God, me too!” Kurt practically squeals.

Cooper turns to wink at me as our boyfriends continue chatting. I knew they’d get along, he mouths.

“So, Blaine,” Kurt begins, turning to me, “shall we break out the liquor?”

I grin at my soon-to-be fiancé. “We shall.”

So, the four of us meander over to the kitchen island—if it can be dignified with the term; it’s tiny—and open the champagne Cooper and Bryan brought. Kurt takes the liberty of filling all of our glasses to the brim, because he’s “feeling celebratory.”

So am I, I think to myself. I’m so nervous, though, that I’m nearly shaking.

♥ ♥ ♥

About an hour later, we’ve moved on to the food portion of the evening—Kurt, on his way home from school, took it upon himself to buy some hors d’oeuvres for us to snack on. As I munch on my Brie-covered cracker, I feel someone’s hot breath on the back of my neck.

“When are you going to do it?” Cooper whines in my ear. “C’mon. It’s only the rest of your life.”

I smile, the anxiety showing through like a beacon.

“Awww, my baby brother’s nervous,” Cooper singsongs a bit louder than necessary.

“Hmm? Babe, what are you nervous about?” Kurt asks me, concerned. He rushes over and rubs my shoulders. “Did something happen?”

I can feel the velvety box heavy in my pocket. You’re ready, my heart tells me. You love him, he loves you, and you’re meant to be together.

I don’t need my heart to tell me what I’ve known since I was fifteen. I can see Cooper and Bryan, standing off to the side, as Kurt hugs me around the waist in the middle of our tiny kitchen. “Kurt,” I begin, breathing shakily, “there’s something I need to do.”

“Okay,” Kurt replies, sounding worried. “Is it...bad?”

“No,” I answer quickly. “No, baby, it’s not bad. It’s...it’s really good, actually.” I take a deep breath and take Kurt’s hands. I can feel the tears building up already. “Kurt, I have loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you. You’re my best friend, the owner of my heart, and the love of my life. There are no words to express everything that you mean to me, just how much you’ve changed my life for the better. I remember everything that happened in high school, and I’m sure you and Cooper do as well. I remember the heartache I went through at the thought that I’d have to choose between my big brother and the man I love, and I remember the joy I felt when I didn’t have to choose in the end. I remember how Santana Lopez went from being my tormentor to one of my closest friends because of the impact your friendship had on her. I remember the courage you gave me to stand up to my father when he found out we were moving to New York together, and I remember the part where you convinced him to let me attend NYU and be with you. I remember when we first moved into this apartment, and we couldn’t agree on anything; you taught me to let go of the little things, because what really mattered wasn’t possessions, but...you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

I smile at Kurt, whose baby-blue eyes are shiny with impending tears. He knows what’s coming. “Oh, Blaine, you’re—”

I put a finger to his lips. “Shhh.” The sweet smile on his face as I take my finger away is enough to get the tears flowing. “Kurt, I love you more than anything in the world, and I would be honored if you’d spend the rest of your life with me.” I reach into my pocket, take out the box, and get down on one knee. Kurt gasps when I open the box, covering his mouth with both of his hands, and my joy increases exponentially at the thought that he likes the ring. I hope he likes the ring.

“Kurt Hummel,” I choke out, trying my best to maintain my composure, “will you marry me?”

He smiles through his tears, reaching his hand out to get me back on my feet.

“Yes, Blaine Anderson, of course I’ll marry you.” He pulls me in for a passionate kiss, entwining his tongue with mine and holding me so close to him. “I love you so much,” he breathes during a break for air. “You’re everything, I love you, and I can’t wait to marry you, darling.”

I press my forehead against Kurt’s; it’s the only part of my face that isn’t covered in happy tears. He pulls away and gestures to the ring. “Make an honest man out of me?” he suggests, still choked up. He holds out his hand, fingers spread.

“Gladly.” I slip the ring onto his finger, and it fits perfectly.

“Perfect fit,” Kurt remarks, “just like us.”

I can’t help the idiotic grin that spreads across my face at his words. “Just like us,” I echo, leaning in to kiss my beautiful fiancé and sighing when he melts in my arms.

“Awwww.”

I unlatch my lips from Kurt’s long enough to roll my eyes in Cooper’s general direction, but he’s already coming over to hug us both. “I’m so happy for you,” he croaks, and lo and behold, he’s been crying, too. “The two of you have the purest, most beautiful love I’ve ever witnessed, and I’m so happy that I got to be a part of this milestone tonight.”

“I’m happy that you were here,” Kurt says, resting his head comfortably against Cooper’s chest. “Love you, future brother-in-law.”

“Love you, too,” Cooper chuckles. “And I love my baby Blainey!” He ruffles my hair, doubtless causing it to frizz up like a...tumbleweed, or something.

“Love you, too, Cooper.” I turn my head and catch Bryan’s eye. “Oh, you get in here, too, Bryan.”

He makes a happy, squealy noise and throws his arms around us. Nothing could be better than this, I think to myself.

“Hold on a second,” Bryan pipes up. “Blaine, did you really have to choose between Kurt and Cooper?”

“It was more like I had to choose between Blaine and Cooper, really,” Kurt clarifies as we break up the group hug. I hold fast to my fiancé, wrapping an arm around his waist. “There was this scandal, back in high school, where I fell in love with Blaine, but three of Cooper’s exes were mad at him and used me to try and break his heart. It was...not good.”

Unexpectedly, Bryan laughs; he laughs so hard that I begin to question his state of inebriation. “Come on; that’s completely ludicrous,” he exclaims. “So, what really happened?”