“I love you.”

This isn’t the first time that someone confessed their love for Blaine at an airport, but this is the first time that Blaine can say it in return.

“I love you too,” he says with a big smile that matches the one on Kurt’s face.

“It’s only for a little while,” Kurt reminds Blaine.

Blaine nods. He knows this, but that doesn’t make it any easier. He’s been dreading this moment for a while. Blaine is going back to Los Angeles, leaving Kurt behind in Ljubljana.

Well, it’s not like Kurt’s staying that much longer. He’s flying back to New York tomorrow. But it is the end of an era. He’s moving away and the time that he’s shared with Kurt in this city, in this country, is about to end.

Kurt’s right. They will see each other soon. Blaine will return to LA to fix whatever mess he and Quinn have made and then he’ll visit Kurt in New York. Kurt also doesn’t know this yet, but Blaine’s looking into getting a position in his dad’s business’s New York office. Only Quinn knows of this plan. Okay, and Sunil, because Blaine just couldn’t keep his mouth shut. But Kurt doesn’t know it, because Blaine doesn’t want to possibly disappoint him. Blaine’s dad was satisfied with the work that Blaine did in Ljubljana, although Blaine can hardly call it work, so there’s a chance, but a position in New York would be bigger and Blaine’s not sure his dad will let him do it.

But first, Blaine will just visit Kurt.

“Alright, this is it,” Kurt says, and Blaine hears that he’s trying not to cry.

“I ljubim te you,” Blaine says back and they share a private smile. They know it is grammatically wrong, but this is their thing now.

“I ljubim te you too. Have a safe flight. Text me when you get home.”

“I will.”

“And say hi to Quinn and Denise for me.”

“I will,” Blaine repeats.

Then, Kurt pulls him into a warm embrace. Blaine breathes in Kurt’s scent. They’re acting as if they’re never seeing each other again, but that is how it feels in this moment. Blaine almost wants to plead to some higher power to let them stay here, just for a bit longer, but Kurt’s semester has come to an end and Blaine’s job is also done. They can visit Ljubljana again, and they will, but they won’t be living here.

It's time to go, but before Blaine moves, he kisses Kurt. Kurt wraps his arms around him and kisses back. It sucks to leave, but it is how it is.

It really, really is time to go. Blaine breaks apart and says a quick goodbye. He can’t dwell on it any longer. Kurt understands.

Blaine turns around and walks towards customs.

A couple of hours later, he’s at LAX. As promised, he texts Kurt to say he’s landed safely, and he also texts Quinn to say that he’s going to the baggage claim.

QF: Okay, we have a situation here

BA: Are you stuck in traffic???

QF: No

worse

BA: ???

QF: we’re stuck with your fucking brother

BA: ??????????????

Blaine frowns deeply. Cooper? Blaine had let Cooper know that he’s returning home today, but he also very clearly told him that Quinn is picking him up. He meant to imply that he wanted “a private moment with his girlfriend” or something, since Cooper doesn’t know that they’re broken up and that Blaine’s gay. That, and Quinn asked if Denise could join them and Blaine agreed. How on earth did Cooper get mixed up in this?

He assumes that Quinn tried to hold Cooper off, but if Cooper’s put his mind on something, it’s hard for anyone to convince him otherwise.

Blaine braces himself. This is the last thing he needed. He wants to call Kurt, but it’s past midnight in central Europe now. Kurt said he’d try to wait up, but he hasn’t replied to Blaine’s text, so he probably failed. Blaine doesn’t mind.

So, after half an hour, he’s face to face with Quinn, his best friend and ex-girlfriend, Denise, his ex’s new girlfriend, and Cooper, his brother who doesn’t know he’s gay. This must be some kind of slapstick.

 “Blaine!” Quinn immediately runs towards him and she throws herself on him.

Blaine spins her around. He’s missed her, even though he last saw her in April. Blaine puts her down and moves his attention to Denise.

“And you must be the famous Denise Jackson-Smith,” he holds out his hand.

“The famous Blaine Anderson,” Denise says back and she shakes his hand. Quinn’s told him that Denise didn’t always like him, but that was before the whole gay realisation and break-up happened. Denise’s warmed up to him, and this is the first time they’re meeting.

But they can’t spend too much time on why that is a big deal, because Cooper breaks in.

“Welcome home!” Cooper also hugs Blaine, which admittedly is nice.

“What a surprise,” Blaine feigns happiness.

“I haven’t seen you in so long, squirt!”

Blaine’s touched, truly, but the timing is just icky. Cooper must pick up on some of Blaine’s displeasure, because he leans in to whisper something in Blaine’s ear.

“Sorry for crashing your reunion with your girl, but if Quinn’s new bestie can crash it, so can I.”

“Right.”

My girl, Blaine thinks. Meanwhile, his boy is on the other side of the world.

Cooper pulls away and he takes one of Blaine’s suitcases.

“Shall we?” he nods towards the entrance.

 Blaine takes a deep breath. It feels so silly, but when he leaves the airport, then it means his adventure is over and that he’s back home to his old life.

He’ll see Kurt soon enough. That’s what he needs to remind himself. He feels like a love sick puppy, but the thought does put him more at ease. The Ljubljana chapter of his life might be over, but his story with Kurt is only just beginning.