“Kurt, baby, please don’t worry about me--I’ll be fine,” Blaine reassured his boyfriend over the phone the next day. He was still substantially hungover, rubbing his eyes as he emoted into his Blackberry whilst walking down a crowded street en route to the Gilded Arch Theatre. Today was his first real rehearsal--he prayed that it would run smoothly and comfortably, with no unwanted advances.

“Did I get the what--aspirin? Did you--oh, Kurt. You’re the best, and I love you. There’s water in there, too? Lifesaver. Couldn’t live without you. Okay, I’m here, so I’d better go in. Have fun with Finn and Rachel today, babe. I’ll call you if it sucks. Bye.”

Blaine stared up at the door to the Gilded Arch Theatre, which, quite literally, featured an intricately patterned golden arch. He was about to open the door and enter the building when he saw the sign:

ARTISTS’ ENTRANCE ON RIGHT SIDE OF BLDG

“Right,” Blaine muttered to himself. He walked around the building to the door of the artists’ entrance, opened it, and walked in. He came face-to-face with Amos. This time, thankfully, Blaine could see other people behind him--presumably actors.

“Mr. Anderson,” Amos greeted him. “You’re right on time--good, good. I like my actors to be punctual.” He winked at Blaine. “We’re just about to get started. Come, come to the stage.”

An hour of introductions later , Blaine knew all of his castmates’ names. A handsome young boy--can’t be a day over twenty, Blaine thought to himself--named Adam was playing the Roger to his Mark, and he was delightful. He and Blaine took every gap in conversation that day to discuss their significant others, hobbies and various odds and ends in their lives. Adam and his boyfriend, Garrett, had just gotten engaged; Blaine wasn’t about to say that didn’t get him thinking. Way back in high school, Kurt told me he’d say yes if I proposed. Isn’t now as good a time as any?

Blaine smiled when he remembered the gum-wrapper promise ring that Kurt still kept by his bedside table, but shook the thought of matrimony from his mind as quickly as he could. Kurt’s so busy right now, and so am I. When would we ever find the time?

“So, I’d love to meet Kurt,” Adam stated before quickly backtracking, afraid he’d been too forward. “I mean, if you don’t mind--and he’s...”

“Oh, no, no worries. You two should definitely meet. You’d adore him,” Blaine gushed. “He’s perfect. The two of you would get along so well.”

“I was just thinking the same about you and Garrett!” Adam exclaimed, clasping his hands together in excitement. “You’ve got the same affinity for bowties. So, what do you say? Double date? Are you free Friday?”

Blaine grinned at his new friend. “I know I am. I’ll have to ask Kurt, since I’m not sure what his NYADA schedule is like that day--they’ve got a show coming up--”

“Your boyfriend goes to NYADA?” Adam gasped. “I die. That’s my dream. I’m hoping to apply there after I get a bit more experience, since I went to a tiny private school with a sad lack of theatre.”

Blaine pouted, sympathetic to his new friend’s high-school theatre deprivation. “You definitely should. Kurt loves it there. He’s a senior, and he told me he doesn’t want to graduate. He wants to stay there forever.”

Adam let out an “aww” just as Amos called “places” for the primary blocking of the second act's opening number.

“Here we go,” Blaine muttered to himself.

“What was that?” Adam asked.

Blaine shrugged sheepishly. “Nothing.”

- - -

As soon as they began the vocal portion of the rehearsal, Blaine knew he was in over his head. Amanda, the girl who would be playing Maureen, could give Rachel Berry a run for her money. Adam was fantastic--he had the perfect “rock” voice for Roger. The boy playing Angel reminded Blaine of Kurt in all the best ways, from his tone to the way his mouth looked when he hit those high notes. And the girl playing Mimi was such a stereotypical, hyper-talented diva bitch that Blaine couldn’t help but envy her.

Blaine was so totally, completely out of his league. If they were cream, he was skim milk. It discouraged him beyond belief, and the second Amos called a take five, Blaine hurried to an empty corridor and started typing. It was the only method he could think of to soothe his battered spirit.

From: “Blaine Anderson” (the.man.with.the.gel@bmail.com)
To: “Kurt Hummel ‘16” (hummelk@nyada.edu)
Subj: i should have known

never before have i felt so out of my element.
overqualification is, as it turns out, the very least of my worries.

dalton and the warblers, mckinley and the new directions--they trained me well, but
all of my castmates are supernovas.
you’d be right at home, kurt.

being new here is like going up against michael phelps in your first kiddie swim meet.
understanding the group dynamic of this theatre is tougher than booty camp with sue
(this director is a fascist, no matter how creepily sweet he seemed.)

tell me this is nothing compared to nyada
only then will i see no cause celebre for my pity party.
don’t worry about me, though.
all this will be better once i’m in your arms
you bet your sweet ass i wish you were here.

- - -

From: “Kurt Hummel ‘16” (hummelk@nyada.edu)
To: “Blaine Anderson” (the.man.with.the.gel@bmail.com)
Subj: don’t you dare.

come on, honey
only you would be feeling inadequate after one rehearsal
undoubtedly, you’ve forgotten the way you enrapture everyone with your insane talent
remember high school?
absolutely everyone knew you, knew what you could do, but you get better every day
go back to that rehearsal, be the blaine warbler anderson i know, and kick some ass
even though you don’t feel like it

- - -

Hours later, rehearsal ended, and Blaine stopped by Bean Cuisine on his way home to pick up a medium drip and a nonfat mocha. He said a quick hello to Gina and his coworkers, paid for his drinks, then rushed home as fast as he could. He needed sympathy cuddles, and he needed them now.

The minute he burst in the door, Kurt’s voice trilled from the bedroom. “I’ll be right there!”

Blaine giggled, sitting down at one of the stools in their kitchen. “Okay,” he called. “I have coffee.”

Mere seconds later, Kurt was in front of Blaine, smiling cheerfully. “I heard something about coffee?” he chirped.

Blaine had to laugh. His boyfriend was so adorable, it was almost unbelievable. He handed Kurt the steaming mocha, watching with hearts in his eyes as Kurt took the first sip and wrinkled his nose at the foam. Blaine picked up his own cup and drank from it, savoring the smooth taste.

Kurt smiled at his boyfriend, setting down his coffee and kissing Blaine’s forehead. “So, mister,” Kurt began. “You were feeling a little down today.”

Blaine sighed, putting his cup down on the kitchen island. “Yeah.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Blaine nodded, putting his head on Kurt’s shoulder. Kurt walked Blaine up to their bedroom, where he flopped down on the bed with a frustrated grunt.

“Kurt,” Blaine groaned. “They’re all just...so much better than me. I felt...humiliated. The girl who’s playing Mimi won’t even talk to anyone--she’s a bigger diva than Rachel.” Blaine looked up at Kurt, who was sitting upright next to him and stroking his gelly hair. “Baby, I’m so out of my league. They’re professionals.”

Kurt made a whimpery noise of sympathy and laid down next to Blaine, their heads side by side. “So are you.”

“Kurt, you know what I mean. They’ve got practice, they’ve got credits...I met a guy today whose dream is to go to NYADA--once he gets more experience. He’s been in countless shows like this, and he still doesn’t feel prepared. What does that make me?”

“Exceptional,” Kurt said matter-of-factly. “Blaine, you’re a supernova, too. Don’t be intimidated, because you are just as good as them, if not better.” Kurt smiled. “You’ve got this.”

Blaine smirked, hitching an eyebrow up. “Aren’t you a little biased?” he murmured, tickling Kurt’s ribs and making him squeal.

“Doesn’t mean I’m wrong,” Kurt cooed before doing the same to Blaine, their heart-to-heart dissolving into a playful tickle war that almost got Blaine’s mind off of everything that was worrying him.

- - -

Blaine brought it up again at dinner, staring at Kurt intently over his spaghetti carbonara.

“Kurt, am I--am I really as good as you always say I am, or are you just placating me?”

Kurt rolled his eyes and fixed Blaine with a stare that said you can’t be serious. “Darling, you’re being ridiculous. Yes, you are. You’re better, okay, and don’t argue with me, because I’m right.” Kurt took Blaine’s hand and held it across the table. “You deserve this. You’re going to rock their world, and I don’t know why you’re so nervous, considering you texted me saying you never sang alone today.”

Blaine sighed. It was true; they’d started right in with Seasons of Love, even though it was the opening number of the second act, to give Amos a chance to hear what their voices sounded like together. It gave Blaine a chance to hear everyone around him--individually--and made him realize he wasn't prepared for this.

“Still,” Blaine protested. “It’s discouraging.”

“Life is discouraging, sometimes,” Kurt replied bluntly. “It’s all in how you handle it, babe. I’m confident you’re going to rise to the occasion.” He grinned at Blaine, radiating love and support. “I’ll be here the whole way through.”

Blaine couldn’t do anything but stare into Kurt’s beautiful eyes. Unbeknownst to him, Kurt was getting flustered under his gaze.

“What?” Kurt asked, fiddling with the popped collar of his shirt. That was all it took to snap Blaine back to reality.

“God, I love you,” Blaine told Kurt. “You’re perfect. You always know just what to say.”

“S’why I’m here,” Kurt reminded him. “I love you, too, by the way. You’re going to kill it, Blaine, and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you never forget how special you are.”

Blaine sighed happily. Yeah, he thought. I’m never letting him go.