“You haven't talked to him yet?!”

“A little louder, Rachel,” Kurt hissed, “there are some kids out by the bleachers who may not have heard you.”

Rachel slammed her locker door shut and glared at him. “You can't do that, Kurt. Blaine uprooted his whole life for you!”

“I'm aware of what –”

“He changed schools. He left all his friends behind and you know that scared him. You can't just have this big fight and not talk about it.”

“It wasn't a fight –”

“How can you leave him hanging out to dry like some old rag? It's Blaine. He's sensitive. It's probably killing him that you guys fought in the first place and now you won't talk to him –”

“Okay, stop!” Kurt grabbed Rachel by the shoulders and gave her a little shake. “Just take a breath and let me talk, would you?”

Although she kept her glare firmly in place, Rachel nodded.

Kurt slipped her arm through his and led the way toward the choir room. “It wasn't a fight,” he insisted quietly. “It was a disagreement. A very serious disagreement over a fundamental aspect of our relationship. There's really no right or wrong so there's nothing for us to talk about. Unless somebody decides to cave, and that isn't looking very likely at the moment. Don't you think it's better if we give each other some space instead of risking saying something one of us will regret?”

Rachel pulled him to a stop just shy of the choir room door. Her bitch face was gone, replaced by a look of such sincere concern that it made Kurt's stomach twist. He felt safer with the bitch face.

“I don't care what the problem is,” she said. “Are you seriously telling me that after everything the two of you have been through you can't find some way to compromise? You guys are soul mates. I can't believe you could be so mad at him that you won't even try.”

“I'm not mad,” Kurt insisted. “It's not like that. This just isn't the kind of problem you can compromise on. We have a fundamental difference of . . .”

He stopped talking when Rachel's gaze focused on something behind him and her eyes went wide in warning. Spinning around, he found Blaine just a few feet away, heading in their direction, as buttoned and bow-tied and dapper as ever. The urge to just forget everything and fling himself into Blaine's arms was even more intense than usual. It had been almost three whole days since they'd touched each other in any way, and maybe Blaine wouldn't mind. Kurt had hugged him like that the day Blaine transferred, after all, and Blaine had seemed okay with it. More than okay. But something about Blaine's expression stopped him and he settled for a breathless “Hi,” as soon as Blaine was close enough to hear him.

“Hi.” Blaine's greeting was just as tremulous, which only made the urge to hug him stronger.

“I'm just going to –” Rachel began edging away from them toward the choir room door.

“No, Rachel, stay. I wanted to talk to both of you.” Blaine said. Rachel scooted back to Kurt's side. Kurt stayed still and quiet, except for his fingers tapping out his nerves against the fabric of his slacks.

“So you know that coffee place on Beckford that does open mic on Thursdays?” Blaine began.

“Giovanni's? I love that place! Finn takes me there because they have vegan pastries that are just –”

Kurt dug his elbow into Rachel's side. She gave him another glare, but at least she stopped talking.

Blaine's gaze bounced around the hallway. Rachel's interruption seemed to have derailed his entire train of thought.

“Giovanni's?” Kurt prompted him.

“Right.” His eyes settled back on Kurt again and he looked as serious and earnest as Kurt had ever seen him. “Well I signed myself up. I've got three songs tomorrow night at eight.”

“Blaine, that's amazing!” Kurt couldn't help grinning. He'd been trying to get Blaine to do something like this for a while. He knew how much he missed being in the spotlight now that he'd left the Warblers.

“I was hoping you guys would come.”

“Are you kidding?!” Rachel said. “We'll bring the whole Glee club! Everyone will want to –”

“No!” Blaine interrupted, a little too forcefully. “They can all come to the next one. This time I just want you.” He was technically answering Rachel, but his eyes never left Kurt's. “Will you come?”

“Of course I will. As long as my dad says it's okay – school night and all.”

“He will. I mean, I'm pretty sure he will.” For the first time Blaine smiled, and the thing that had been clenched around Kurt's heart for the past three days began to loosen its grip just a little. “Great. Thank you.�

“You don't have to thank me, of course I'm going to come listen to you sing.” Kurt smiled back and even though nothing had actually been solved, he felt lighter than he had in days. They all walked into the choir room together, and when Kurt and Rachel settled into front-row seats, Blaine barely hesitated before taking the empty chair on Kurt's other side.

�

The coffee house was pretty crowded for a Thursday night, Kurt thought, as he and Rachel made their way to an empty table a few rows back from the makeshift stage. He still couldn't understand why Blaine didn't want the rest of the glee club there for his big debut, but he had to admit it made him feel very special being the only one asked. Well, technically, Blaine had asked Rachel too, but Kurt knew that was only because Blaine knew he wouldn't feel comfortable coming alone.

There was no sign of Blaine in the noisy room; Kurt assumed that was because he was going to be the first performer. But shortly after a harried young waitress took their orders a pretty blonde woman with a guitar appeared behind the standing mic, settled herself on a tall stool, and began to play songs that she announced she'd written herself. She wasn't half bad, Kurt thought, but most of the patrons seemed to be more focused on their drinks and companions than they were on the singer. The waitress didn't even bother to lower her voice when she dropped their lattes on their table with a bright, “Here ya go, dolls,” and sailed off across the room.

“I'm starting to think this might not have been the best idea,” Kurt whispered to Rachel.

“What do you mean?”

“Blaine's used to everyone paying attention when he sings. This doesn't really seem like that kind of crowd.”

The blonde sang three songs, and after each of them Kurt clapped as hard as he could, sympathy alone prompting him to try to make up for the lackluster reaction from the crowd. But the singer seemed happy enough with the response and was smiling as she vacated the stage. Almost before she was gone, Blaine appeared, with no fanfare whatsoever, and began moving things around on the stage. He put the standing mic to the side and roled the keyboard and bench right down center.

His appearance alone was enough to catch the attention of some of the crowd. Kurt hadn't even realized he was nervous until he saw Blaine up there, looking so young with his slicked back hair and his tight red polo. He didn't have a bow tie tonight, but aside from that he seemed to have dressed specifically for Kurt, in the tight jeans that he knew Kurt loved and a pair of crazy zebra-striped saddle shoes that managed to work perfectly with the overall look.

It wasn't until Blaine was settled at the keyboard and looked up to search the crowd that Kurt realized Blaine was nervous too. That made Kurt's heart hammer even harder in his throat. Blaine was never nervous. He was the consummate performer. Without thinking, he reached out and grabbed Rachel's hand. Then Blaine's eyes found him in the audience and relief lit up his face and Kurt couldn't help smiling back. That seemed to be the encouragement Blaine needed; he leaned into the mic and spoke softly but confidently.

“Hi everybody. I'm Blaine. Um, this is my first time here so, you know, don't be too hard on me.”

A few people laughed at that, which drew the attention of others, so that by the time Blaine's fingers settled on the keyboard the room was actually starting to quiet down a little. Then the first chords of “Walking in Memphis” filled the space and people began to murmur again. Kurt could see raised eyebrows and shaking heads; it seemed like half the crowd thought it was brave for a teenager like Blaine to attempt such a soulful song, and the other half found it ridiculous.

By the second verse they were all listening. Blaine's voice and his presence and his undeniable love for the music he was making cast the same spell they always did and by the time he got to the jungle room the whole place was with him. People standing against the walls were bouncing along to the music and there were even a few enthusiastic whoops. Blaine was a dervish on the piano stool; his fingers flew over the keys and his voice hit every note perfectly, gravelly when it needed to be and soft when soft was called for. By the time the last chords echoed from the keyboard, he had the full attention of everyone in the room.

Blaine didn't speak between the first song and the second. He didn't even look up when the crowd exploded in applause. He just played through it, bringing the loud, ringing chords down to quiet improvising that finally, as the noise from the crowd died down again, resolved into the opening notes of George Harrison's “I Live For You.”

And God, it was beautiful. It was so sweet and earnest and no one was talking now, everyone was watching Blaine work his magic on stage. Blaine, Kurt's boyfriend, up on stage singing about eternal love, holding the attention of an entire room because he was so perfect and talented and honest and real.

“Oh my God, I'm such an idiot,” Kurt breathed.

“What?” Rachel whispered close to his ear.

“I'm such a jerk,” he said, not taking his eyes off of Blaine singing his heart out on stage. “Look at him. Look at what he is. And he loves me.”

Rachel's hand tightened in his. “Of course he does.”

Sitting there, watching Blaine sing, Kurt felt so ashamed of himself and he squirmed a little in his chair because that was a feeling he was not accustomed to. But he'd been so wrapped up in the hows and the whens that he'd lost sight of the miracle that was Blaine; Blaine's love for him; their love for each other. Yes, he still wanted to change the world, he still wanted to change Lima, but not at the expense of their happiness. As Blaine's song came to a close, he almost leapt from his chair, eager to get to Blaine and tell him how sorry he was, and that everything was going to be okay, but Rachel's hand, still holding tight, reminded him that Blaine had one more song to go. He leaned back, happier than he'd been all week, enjoying the anticipation of the moment when he could tell Blaine that they were okay.

This time Blaine stopped playing and sat looking out at the audience, waiting for the applause to die away. He fiddled with the keyboard's microphone and Kurt could see his hands shaking even from where they sat three tables back.

Rachel noticed the trembling too. “Why is he so nervous?” she whispered. “Everybody loves him.”

Before Kurt could hazard a guess, Blaine leaned into the mic and spoke.

“So, I have one more song,” he said, and his voice was shaking as much as his hands had been. “And I'm going to be really self-indulgent so I hope you'll all forgive me, but I need to dedicate this one to someone – someone really important to me.” Blaine's eyes found Kurt in the audience, for the first time since he'd started singing, and Kurt's heart leapt into his throat and he clutched Rachel's hand so tightly that she whimpered. But she didn't try to pull away.

“When we first met,” Blaine continued, his face unnaturally pale under the stage lights, “I told him to have courage, which was pretty stupid because he's always been the bravest person I know. He's helped me do things I never thought I could do and be things I never even imagined.” Blaine's voice got stronger as he spoke, and his eyes never left Kurt's, and nervous as he was, Kurt could see iron determination in him as well. “He rescued me from the tower I'd locked myself up in and helped me understand who I really am. He makes me want to be better. Better for him, but better for myself too.”

He paused, and he glanced around the room, looking almost surprised to find himself still on stage in front of dozens of people. But he came right back to Kurt and managed a slightly shaky smile. “So this is for you Kurt. I love you. And I want everyone to know it.”

Kurt wasn't breathing. He couldn't move at all as Blaine sat down at the piano and began to play the gentle notes of a song Kurt didn't know. He'd been nervous speaking, but of course when he sang his voice was pure and strong as ever.

�

I think that I just might stay

Just for a life, just for a day

Women are complicated that way . . .

�

“Oh my God, he's as bad as you are with the girl songs,” Rachel muttered.

A strangled “shh” was all Kurt could manage because his throat was blocked and his eyes were full of tears.

�

. . . We lay on our backs beneath the trees

The wind is blowing songs in minor keys

Before I can even say the words

Your arms around my neck, I am of this world . . .

�

There were people looking at him, Kurt knew, he could feel their eyes on him but there wasn't a force in the universe that could have made him look away from Blaine singing him a love song in front of a roomful of strangers.

�

. . . I want to stay forever

In your grace, in your charm

All wrapped up and never

Leave this place in your arms

Where I belong . . .

�

“Oh God, this is really happening.” Kurt finally managed to force the words through the tightness in his throat. “Does anyone look like they're about to riot?”

“The coast is clear so far,” Rachel whispered back.�

Kurt was shaking now, not from fear, but from the intensity, the magnitude of this thing Blaine was doing for him. The notes coming from the keyboard were clear and sweet and Blaine's voice so soft, loving the lyrics, loving him.

�

. . . You deserve much more than me

I'm a Charlie Brown Christmas tree

You fix me up for everyone to see . . .

�

Kurt finally managed to tear his eyes away from Blaine, he had to, just for a moment, just to see for himself that what Rachel said was true. And although those eyes he'd felt on him were real – there were more than a few people craning to get a look at him through the crowd – most of the audience was just watching Blaine making magic on the stage. He looked back just in time to catch Blaine lifting his gaze from the keys to sing the final chorus directly to him.

�

. . . I want to stay forever

In your grace, in your charm

All wrapped up and never

Leave this place in your arms

Where I belong . . .

�

As the last notes of the song rang clear in the silent room, Kurt's tears finally spilled over. The room blurred and Kurt was so focused on Blaine that the applauding crowd faded into the background. Blaine started, like he'd forgotten anyone but Kurt was there. He stood up and sketched a bow then jumped off the little stage and made his way directly for Kurt, who finally let go of Rachel's hand and almost ran to meet him.

The came together halfway between stage and table, Kurt still trying to see through tears. Blaine's eyes blazed with love and fear and unshakeable determination.

“That was so incredible,” Kurt began, but Blaine interrupted him with a sharp shake of his head.

“I'm not done yet.” He reached for the back of Kurt's head and stretched up to press their lips together.

It was hard and swift – more collision than kiss – and Kurt was sure he heard at least a couple of whistles lift above the applause that hadn't quite died down yet. When Blaine pulled away he looked not quite there, dazed, and even in the dim light Kurt could see that he was too pale.

“Breathe, Blaine,” Kurt ordered, trying to sound firm and in charge and keep Blaine from passing out, even though he was still crying and laughing just a little hysterically himself.

Blaine obeyed, gasping in loud, shuddering breaths that were barely more reassuring to Kurt than his lack of breathing had been. “I can't believe I did that,” he panted.

“I think we'd better sit down,” Kurt said, and he took Blaine's hand and steered him back toward their table.

“Where's Rachel?” Blaine asked, lowering himself unsteadily into a seat.

“Apparently she's being uncharacteristically tactful and giving us some privacy.”

They were silent for a moment; Blaine's eyes moved in wide, almost comical arcs, like he was trying to somehow look at the entire room without actually moving his head. “People are staring at us, aren't they?” he asked.

“Honey, you just sang me a love song and kissed me in the middle of a coffee house. People are going to stare. But I sense no immediate danger.”

And he wasn't even lying. Not all the looks they were getting were completely friendly, but the majority were more curious than hostile and nothing was setting off any alarm bells. Even as he looked, most of the patrons turned their attention back to the stage, where the next performer was setting up his guitar.

“Hey doll, can I get you something?” The harried waitress appeared beside Blaine, startling him. He stared up at her, confused, as if she'd spoken in a foreign language.

“Drink?” she repeated “Coffee? Tea?”

Blaine looked at Kurt, still a little shell-shocked. “Coffee?” he asked, as if only Kurt knew the answer.

Kurt smiled up at the waitress. “Better make it decaf.”

“Coming up. Hey kid,” the waitress poked at Blaine's shoulder to get his attention. “You were really good. One of the best I've seen in here. Ten bucks says Gio asks you to come back next week.”

That seemed to be what Blaine needed to hear. “Thank you,” he said, in a voice that, for the first time since he'd come down from the stage, actually sounded like Blaine.

The waitress wandered away and Blaine looked at Kurt, really seemed to see him for the first time since he'd finished singing. “Did you really like it?”

“Oh my God, Blaine, who wouldn't like it? You declared your love to a roomful of strangers. It was pretty epic. But why didn't you want everyone to come? You were so good, and they would have loved it.”

Blaine shook his head. “I didn't want you to think I was trying to be safe, you know? Like when I sang with the Warblers. I didn't want to fill the room with our friends so we'd have a lot of back up. I wanted you to know that I really meant it.”

“I definitely got that message.”

The waitress reappeared and set a mug of hot coffee in front of Blaine. He managed to add cream and sugar without once letting go of Kurt's hand.

Rachel made her way back to the table eventually, full of effusions about Blaine's romantic expertise, but they only stayed long enough to finish their coffees. As they drank and talked Blaine's shock started to ebb and by the time they were ready to leave, he was buzzing with frenetic energy, high on his success. No one bothered them, and they even got a few smiles as they wove through the crowd toward the door, Kurt and Blaine hand in hand. The owner did indeed call out from behind the counter that Blaine was welcome back any time, and Blaine smiled and nodded but whispered to Kurt that he thought it would probably be a while before he'd be ready for anything more stressful than glee practice.

There were only a few people coming and going in the parking lot and Rachel hugged them both then climbed into her car. She started the engine but didn't pull away, and Kurt appreciated her gesture, staying to make sure they were safe, but he didn't feel like he needed it at all. Standing by his car with Blaine's hand in his he felt invulnerable. Maybe that was naive, but the kind of love Blaine had shown him in the coffee house – what could possible ever hurt him when he was loved like that?

Still bouncing with excited energy, Blaine pressed Kurt back against the Navigator and kissed him for real this time, not too deeply, of course, they hadn't lost all caution, but softly, with lingering gentleness, and when their lips parted they stayed close, smiling into each other's eyes.

“I like this public thing,” Blaine said happily.

“You don't have to, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

Kurt pulled back just enough to lean his head against the car door. “I realized tonight that I was wrong, Blaine. I shouldn't have pushed you into anything you weren't ready for. This was the most amazing thing anyone's ever done for me, but if you're still worried, I get it. We can wait. I mean, I'm holding you to that Jumbotron thing, but I can –”

Blaine cut him off with another quick kiss. “You weren't wrong. I wasn't listening to you. I mean, I was listening, but I wasn't really hearing what you were saying. I was trying to make decisions for you, and I can't do that. I can only make decisions for me. And I'm good with this. More than good.” His grin was almost a leer and he pulled Kurt's lips to his for a third time, the kiss heating up more than the others had. But when Blaine's tongue teased the edge of Kurt's bottom lip, Kurt pulled back again.

“Don't stop,” Blaine protested.

“Dear God, I've created a monster,” Kurt laughed. “I think we've pushed our luck far enough for tonight, don't you?”

Blaine pouted a little but said, “I suppose.”

“Besides, I promised my dad I'd be home by ten and if I'm late he might ground me and then who will you have to kiss all over Lima this weekend?”

“You make a very good point.” Blaine stretched to give Kurt one last peck. “See you in school tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

Kurt watched as Blaine walked backward to his own car, flashing Kurt a goofy, triumphant smile the entire way.

“Hey!” Blaine yelled, just as Kurt turned to climb into the car.

“What?” Kurt called back, over his shoulder.

“I love you!” Blaine was still grinning like a madman�

“Yeah, I noticed!” Kurt laughed and they both finally settled behind their respective steering wheels and pulled in a line out of the parking lot, Rachel bringing up the rear, still making sure all was well.

�

�

Kurt didn't see Blaine in the McKinley parking lot the next morning. And he didn't find him at his locker. But he did find Mercedes, waiting for him with barely contained curiosity.

“Okay, you need to tell me everything,” she said, before he even had the door open. “I got about a hundred completely incoherent texts from Rachel last night so I gather something went down with you and Blaine but honestly, I can barely understand what she says in person, never mind through a phone. What happened last night?”

Kurt slid his bag into his locker and closed the door. “Last night was –” but as he turned back to Mercedes he saw Blaine behind her, giving him that special smile that was for him alone, the one that promised things, and he completely forgot what he was going to say.

“Hey you,” Blaine said.

“Hey yourself,” Kurt smiled back.

Mercedes looked back and forth between the two of them. “Somebody just please tell me what happened!”

“What happened when?” Blaine asked innocently.

“Mercedes was just asking me about last night.”

Blaine's eyes twinkled. “And what did you tell her?”

“I was just about to tell her that it was the most romantic moment of my entire life.”

Blaine gave him that smile again, and slipped his hand into Kurt's, fingers intertwined.

“Until this one,” Kurt amended breathlessly, letting Blaine pull him away from his locker and down the hall to first period.

“I always miss the good stuff,” Kurt heard Mercedes lament as he and Blaine turned the corner hand in hand.