The morning had been awkward. They had laid in bed cuddling until they heard people starting to walk around in the hall and they decided to hurry getting dressed.

"When will I see you again?" Blaine asked, afraid that if he walked out of the door without a plan there could go days or even weeks. Kurt was so flighty and it was impossible to predict his next move - something Blaine loved about him, but it was also worrying.

"I don't know. When do you wanna see me again?" Kurt asked in return, Blaine unable to stop a grin on his face as he leaned against the frame of the front door. They had been in the hall waiting for people to stop walking by 'on accident' so they could say a proper goodbye.

"How about all the time?" Blaine chuckled, an awkward feeling of Kurt's entire family listening from the living room, but the blush in Kurt's cheeks made it all worth it.

"It won't be long. I promise. I'll drop by the store Monday," Kurt promised and leaned in to peck his cheek before opening the door. Blaine squeezed his hand, doing his best to not let go before he finally had to release his fingers from Kurt's.

The walk home was long and lonely, and the wind was biting into his cheeks, but Blaine didn't really care. He kept going over the night in his head again and again - how Kurt's eyes had been trusting, and how their hearts had felt like one, how the candles had made Kurt's skin seem golden and his eyes too.

Luckily Kurt's dad hadn't said anything when they came down in the morning. No one had actually, but Blaine was sure he had seen Finn sent him a smirk making Blaine blush and wonder if he had heard anything - it wasn't exactly like they were quiet.

It felt like fall had come over night; golden and brown leaves were spread across the street and lawns, and everyone was wrapped in raincoats knowing that it was only a matter of time before next rain squall hit them.

Blaine had always been annoyed with the fall of Ohio. He got water in his shoes, and it was impossible to bring his guitar anywhere because he feared it would get wet. The cold hit way too fast and the streets were muddy and filled with constant puddles - but right now he was actually quite enjoying himself as he walked down the sidewalk through the town, passing the small convenient store and the library.

The colors of the dark, green grass of the park mixing with the dark brown and gold nuances of the leaves under the gray, nearly purple, sky was beautiful and he felt like he should get his guitar to go sing under Kurt's window instead of going home to tea and comic books as he had originally planned.

As he turned up the driveway he noticed that his father wasn't home, and he drew a relieved sigh. He wasn't ready to face potential questions about the dinner at Kurt's house, and he surely didn't have any plans on deepening what spared information he had heard about Finn's time in the war; it only reminded him of the pained look on Kurt's face, his frightening anger and the heartbreaking sobs.

The house was empty and felt big compared to Kurt's cozy house. It was a bit chilly and Blaine realized how much he smelled of sweat and sex… and Kurt.

He knew that he should be exhausted from lack of sleep, and it wasn't exactly the best to sleep two people in Kurt's small bed when they were used to Blaine's big one - but he wasn't even tired, just feeling lazy and dozy, so he showered quickly and put on his pajamas so he could go raid the fridge before he would occupy his mind with his worn-out copy of 1984.

He had no idea how many times he had read that book, but somehow it never got boring. He loved reading and read a lot of different literature, but 1984 and comic books was some of the only literature that could keep his attention so focused that he completely wandered into his own world, and didn't as much as hear the sounds around him - but right now he couldn't focus.

Kurt was dancing in and out of his mind, and whenever he read a sentence he had to go back because it was like Kurt was dragging him out of the book and forcing him to think about his smile, and voice, and touch.

Suddenly a thought hit him - he would have to figure out when exactly his father was planning on him leaving, but more importantly; what he should do about it.

He let the book drop to the bed he was lying on, and looked to the ceiling. He couldn't believe that he had pushed it off for so long when he knew that the day was coming closer - but what was he supposed to do about it?

He imagined how it would be if he actually did it, if he didn't find away to escape. The memory of Kurt's disgusted face when he had told him about his fear of his excitement about it, and the expression of pain and despise in Kurt's eyes when he had talked about Finn's commitment to the military made Blaine's heart rush to his throat - he didn't want Kurt to ever look at him with those eyes.

If he didn't find a way to avoid going on that bus would Kurt leave him? Would he start despising him too? Would he simply stop loving him?

The feeling made a gush run through him. He couldn't stand the thought, and he wished that he had never let it enter his brain. He had to do something, make a decision - he needed to talk to his father about it.

Blaine knocked on the door to his father's office. He hadn't been in there since he was 11 - since he started going his own ways and making his own decisions and forming his life around music; since his father realized that he was going to fight against the military for his life.

"Can we talk?" Blaine asked, doing his best to appear humble as he entered the room.

His father was sitting at his desk with his attention down in the paper, an expensive pen in his hand and a cloud of smoke from a cigarette around his head.

"Make it quick. I have work to do," his father responded, not leaving any question for Blaine that he was supposed to stay on the spot at the door so he could disappear as soon as they were done talking.

"I… I can't go to that school. I know you really want me to, but I just can't. I have my job here, and I have stuff at Dalton - responsibilities. I can go back in the beginning of November, and then take summer school to make up for the lost months and extra classes. Just… don't make me go to that school." Blaine was afraid that he sounded begging. He knew that if he sounded pathetic and weak he wouldn't get anything pushed through; then his father would only see even more reason for him to go to that school.

"No need to worry, Anderson. I have taken care of it," his father said, and Blaine's heart dropped and felt like it was about to crawl out of his bellybutton.

He couldn't believe it. Had his father really canceled his enrollment in the military school and arranged for him to go back to Dalton? Was he about to return to his old high school as if nothing had happened?

"Are you se… I mean… am I going back to Dalton? I… thank you," Blaine stammered, knowing that he'd better keep in too heavy of an emotional outburst.

"Now get out. I don't have time for chit-chat."

And that was it. Blaine rushed out of the door and hurried to the living room to get to the phone.

"Kurt, can I… I'm sorry - this is Blaine. Can I please speak to Kurt? It's important," Blaine spat out eagerly into the receiver as Finn answered the phone at Kurt's house.

"Hello," Kurt said, his voice like silk running through the phone and draping itself softly around Blaine.

"Kurt, I have something important to tell you. Can we meet?" He felt like he was exploding, and he wanted badly to just blabber out with the news, but he couldn't - he wanted to tell Kurt in person.

They arranged to meet half an hour later on the green patch they had been to the night of the thunderstorm. Blaine rushed to his room to find a sweater to pull over his shirt before he got out of the door even though he knew it would mean that he would be there early.

The green patch was deserted. The only people that ever got there were people walking their dogs, kids playing and teenagers sneaking to get drunk in the weekends. It was perfect - there they didn't have to hide or be nervous about who saw them.

"Blaine. What's going on? Did something happen?" Kurt's voice sounded behind him as he was pacing the lawn anxiously. He turned around as if on cue and saw that Kurt's white skin was flushed and his lips were slightly purple from the cold, his leather jacket was matched up with gray mittens and tight gray jeans.

"I talked to my father. Uhm…" he dragged it out on purpose, only because he wanted to build up the tension, even though he knew that Kurt would be thrilled no matter what - yet he could see confusion and anticipation in his eyes as he waited, holding his breath for whatever news was to come.

"I'm not going to the military school. I'm going back to Dalton. He said he arranged it all. I'm staying here in Lima -" he burst out eagerly, unable to keep it in anymore. He needed to share it with Kurt, needed to let it out and let Kurt take part in his joy.

Kurt squealed and jumped on his toes to throw his arms around him, boring his ice cube nose into Blaine's neck, before he dragged back so he could kiss him, quickly but passionate, letting Blaine feel how happy he was to hear the news.

"This is unbelievable. I was so scared. I thought I was going to lose you," Kurt started sobbing. Blaine was overwhelmed by his reaction so he hurried to dry the tears off his cheeks so he wouldn't get too cold, but they were flowing too fast for Blaine to be able to keep them away, so instead he dragged Kurt close into his arms.

"You won't. You won't. I'll stay here with you. I'm not going anywhere -" he held Kurt out to see his face and let their eyes meet.

"…but even if I were, you wouldn't lose me. You know I hate it as much as you do; I wouldn't change. I'd always be the same," Blaine assured him.

"They brainwash people, Stardust. Your heart is so big, and your soul is so pure. You wouldn't stand a chance. They would end up breaking you down, and you would get all life, and soul, and spirit, and art sucked out of you - you're way too good for that," Kurt got out in thrusts of sobs, Blaine almost afraid that he would mess up his oxygen intake.

He let his hands up to cup his face, forcing Kurt to look him in the eyes, feeling his throat tie up from Kurt's words and worries, as they started to sink in.

"Honey. Listen, even if he hadn't fixed it I wouldn't do it. I would have to go there, but I wouldn't stay. As soon as I found a way to get out I would - but it doesn't matter because it's not going to happen. I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not going to change, and we can stay together, alright?" He searched Kurt's face, watching the relief as the reality hit him behind the glasslike eyes, waiting for a response.

"Can we go home? Your place, mine, I don't care, I just…" Kurt tried sniffing, Blaine dragging him close, kissing his ice cold cheek.

"Sure. Let's go to my place, then we don't have to go so far, and I don't think my father is home. I'll make you tea, and we can snuggle up on my bed." He eagerly kissed Kurt's cheek all the way to his ear, making Kurt do a weak squeal before he agreed, and dried the last tears off his cheeks with the back of his mittens.

When they entered the Anderson house Mr. Anderson's car was still in the driveway so they rushed to the kitchen where Blaine made tea. They brought it up to Blaine's room where they didn't have to worry about his father walking in on them.

Kurt let his mittens and jacket drop to the floor revealing that he was wearing a thin shirt underneath, and he was shaking, so Blaine wrapped a blanket around him and made him sit down on the bed as he put on some music, not really noticing what, just to have in the background.

"You shouldn't walk around outside like that. We're in Ohio, you'll get sick," Blaine crooned and dropped a sweater to the bed in front of Kurt before he fell down next to him.

"I'm fine, really -" Kurt said and sipped his tea, avoiding eye contact. Blaine was completely aware that Kurt knew perfectly well that he wasn't convincing him in any way.

"You are not okay. Put it on. Please -" Blaine kept going, gesturing at the sweater determined not to give up as Kurt's lips still seemed a little purple even though they had been inside for quite some time.

"That depends - will you still hold me?" Kurt asked jokingly, waving his eyelashes at Blaine, before he put his mug on the nightstand so he could let the blanket drop and pull the sweater over his head.

Blaine smiled. A warmth spread through him by the sight of Kurt wearing his sweater. There was just something about it that he couldn't explain, but it felt like the physical proof that Kurt was his.

Kurt stuck out his tongue at Blaine when he realized that he was gazing at him, and let himself fall with his back into Blaine's arms in a perfect position so he could look up at him.

"Is your dad contemplating on killing me after Friday?" Blaine asked, suddenly remembering the other night with the returning fear that he had created troubles in the family.

"No. Not at all. You shouldn't be so nervous - they all really like you. Even Finn, who I had a suspicion was certain that I would end up alone; old and gray all by myself." Kurt took Blaine's hands and started playing with his fingers while he let his eyes gaze around the room.

"You couldn't. I am sure boys will be all over you. Everyone wants someone as amazing as you," Blaine teased, amazed by how lightly he could speak about the gay situation as soon as they were alone. He hadn't known that he was ready for that yet. He still didn't think of himself as gay, but he didn't really think of himself as anything.

Kurt shuffled to sit up and face him, making sure Blaine looked him in the eyes.

"I know it's been very confusing for you, but you did so good with my dad, and with meeting my family. It was brave of you to go against yourself like that. I'm really proud of you -" He let a hand up to brush Blaine's cheek and he felt his heart swell a little in his chest.

Kurt was proud of him.

"It's okay. It's still hard for you, I get that - all the more reason for me to be proud of you," Kurt grabbed around the collar of Blaine's polo and let their noses meet to brush lightly against each other. Kurt's nose was still cold and made chills run through Blaine, but the closeness comforting.

They drank their tea, and Kurt wrapped the blanket to reach around both of them, before they laid down against the headboard of the bed with Blaine's arms fast around Kurt.

"You have really evolved a lot. You aren't as afraid and lonely anymore. I can feel it in you, hear it when you speak. Your aura color has changed," Kurt told as he let his fingertips brush up and down the soft wool of the sweater he was wearing.

"Tell me about my aura. I like it when you do that," Blaine invited. He had closed his eyes, and let his nose into Kurt's hair as he was holding his arms in a soft, but firm, grip around Kurt's shoulder, letting him rest his head against his collar bone.

"The dark blue is stronger than I ever have seen it. It makes me sad, but I understand - you're still afraid of what's gonna happen in the future. Today it's not as dark though. Because of what your dad told you. It comforts me," Kurt started, and Blaine knew instinctively that there was more.

"Your indigo has turned very strong since you came back to your own music store - you feel more inspired here, more in touch with your creativity. I guess it's the sense of home."

"I think that has more to do with you, really," Blaine whispered into his hair, not knowing why he had said that - it was the kind of thing he would never expect himself to say; but it was true. Kurt was his biggest inspiration, and after Kurt had come into his life he had felt more related to creativity than ever before.

Kurt turned around to face him, placing his hand on Blaine's heart, gazing at it for a few seconds before he turned his eyes to meet Blaine's.

"But the one that is the biggest step - you have gained a color you didn't even have before. A bright pink streaming from your heart. It's beautiful, and it suits you so perfectly. I love it." Kurt's voice was smooth and Blaine was wondering how it would look if it could be turned liquid. Possibly silver and luminous.

"What… does that mean?" Blaine asked, honestly intrigued and curious about what Kurt was telling him. He could feel anticipation and excitement building up inside of him, like when he was reading a thrilling book or watching an adrenaline-filled movie and he was just about to reach for the climax.

"Pink is the color that shows you are loving and tender, sensitive and artistic. Affectionate and compassionate. Pure… and sensual." Kurt's soft, hazy voice was eager and proud, and Blaine could feel that he was smiling even with his eyes by hearing all of this.

"And it shows me that you are in a romantic relationship that you are in love with and fully committed to…" Kurt ended with his palm burning into Blaine's chest, and he wished that he could open his shirt to feel Kurt's hand directly against his skin, letting it leave a print - a print it had already left a few months earlier when they had first met.

All of it, about the aura colors and all that, could easily have been something Kurt had made up. Blaine didn't know the first thing about those things - but he knew that when Kurt said it there was nothing to doubt. It was very much true.

"You have come such a long way, and you have crossed so many of your own boundaries. It is incredible - and I feel so blessed to be a part of this journey you have taken for your spirit."

Blaine was impressed. It was remarkable how much Kurt could tell him about himself from seeing this… energy flowing from his body.

"Do you really think that one day there'll be a place for us? Where we don't have to hide?" Blaine asked suddenly feeling melancholic, in no way thinking that this could ever be.

He knew that they were only teenagers, and they had only known each other for a few months - but this was so much more than just a teen-fling; he just knew it. This was love… and one day they would grow up and be adults and want to move in with the person that they love, and they would maybe wish to have children, and get married, and not having to hide it from the world, but proudly say "this is the man I love" - but the world didn't allow that.

"I do. This year they eased the Paragraph 175 in East Germany - the law that branded sexual relations between men a crime. Last year the book Homosexual Behavior Among Males was released, and it was such a groundbreaking step. In Canada they said "there is no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation". And there was the CBS documentary last March -"

Kurt's voice rose to a high pitch as he rambled on with the different happenings and Blaine could see how much he burned for this, and how important he thought it was for Blaine to know about these things - and Blaine realized that he didn't know the first thing about the rights of homosexuals in his own country or even in his own state.

"Our country may be primitive and far behind, but the world is changing around us, and we are on the right path. It will happen some day. Last year Puck and I spent 2 months in San Francisco for the entire summer and it was beautiful - boys held hands with boys in the streets, and girls kissed girls in the park. Love really was all around us -"

His eyes grew wide and sparkling, and he nearly lost his breath from being so eager.

"Darling, I will find a place for us to love each other safely. I will protect you till the day I die - even beyond that," Kurt assured him, making Blaine swallow and press his lips together to avoid tears flowing from his eyes. He wished that he could ever show Kurt how much he loved him, but it would be impossible.

"You are so inspiring -" was all Blaine could figure out to respond.

They stayed together on Blaine's bed, wrapped in the blanket and in each other's arms for the rest of the day. Kurt told him about his summer in San Francisco, and how him and Puck had been friends for years, and Blaine told him about how he felt that everything had changed after he had met Kurt.

When it started getting dark Kurt had to leave, but each time he started to get up from the bed Blaine kept dragging him back down, until he finally gave in and admitted that it would be best for him to leave before he had to go home alone in complete darkness.

"No. Keep it on. You were so cold when we got home earlier - you need it out there. I can get it back another day," Blaine insisted when Kurt started pulling off the sweater.

Kurt smiled warmly at him, and dug his nose into the sleeve where he sniffed in deeply.

"It smells like you. I might have to sleep in this tonight," he said with waving eyelashes, Blaine feeling his knees go weak under him by the thought of Kurt curling up under his covers wearing his sweater.

"It's gonna be itchy you know. Really uncomfortable," he commented, truthfully knowing that it could only be uncomfortable with wool scratching against skin like that when he was about to sleep.

"Then find me something else I can sleep in, Moonchild -" Kurt whispered without as much as a hint of a joke in his voice or his eyes.

Blaine's cheeks went a little red. Kurt seriously wanted him to find a shirt he could borrow to sleep in. It was way too much. He was way too perfect.

He found out a t-shirt from his school and folded it together so Kurt could have it in one hand. Kurt led it to his nose where he sniffed in again.

"Mhm, this is perfect."

Blaine dragged him in to a close hug, and kissed him, before he followed him down to the door knowing that there was no way he could either hug or kiss him goodbye there with his father in the house.

The wind wasn't so terrible this night, and it wasn't raining, which was a good thing - Blaine wished that he could follow Kurt all the way home, but he knew that if he even proposed such a thing Kurt would deny him.

The room was dark and cold now that he was alone again, but as soon as he drifted under his covers he could feel and smell the mark of Kurt's presence in his bed, and he didn't feel quite as lonely anymore.

He didn't even dream that night. He merely laid in his bed, observing a star through the parting of the curtains while remembering that he wouldn't have to worry that he might be forced to leave Kurt, and then he fell into a dark, heavy sleep.