Disclaimer: Glee, not mine. Kurt and Blaine, much as I dream, not mine. Storylines you recognize, not mine. Sarcasm and storylines you don’t recognize, mine. Beta and comma-corraller: GLee68.

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Chapter 2

“KURT HUMMEL! You’re HERE!” A tiny long haired brunette threw herself into Kurt’s arms.

“Miss Rachel Berry, hello. I must say, it’s almost good to be here,” he said with a small smile.

Rachel stood back and looked into Kurt’s eyes. “You’re thinking about Blaine, aren’t you?”

Kurt fought back a few tears as he replied, “Yes. I can’t stop thinking about him. I can’t help thinking that it was so unfair that he finally found his way to me, and then just a few days later, a wrench was thrown into our happiness. I can’t be mad at Dad and Carole. Dalton tuition is so expensive and it’s not their fault they can’t keep me there anymore. It just feels too soon for us to have obstacles to overcome.”

“I’m so sorry Kurt. I know you want to be at Dalton, but I do need to tell you that we are ecstatic to have you back. We love you and we love your talent, and with you back, Glee club will just seem right again. We held our own while you were gone, but I think we will be absolutely killer with you here. And now you can go to New York with us!”

Kurt cracked a smile. “Yes, there IS that. I’ve always wanted to go.”

Rachel and Kurt walked down the steps to the main part of McKinley’s outdoor common area. As they neared the bottom, Kurt noticed a piano and some of the orchestra kids setting up with their instruments. Curious, Kurt looked around. From behind him he heard a very familiar voice begin to sing. Kurt inhaled sharply. Blaine.

I walked across an empty land

I knew the pathway like the back of my hand

Blaine was about halfway down the steps, and he had Wes and David on either side of him. The rest of the Warblers began to walk down the steps to join them.

I felt the earth beneath my feet

Sat by the river and it made me complete

All of them continued down the steps to join Kurt where he stood standing, frozen and in disbelief of what was going on. He was being serenaded.

Oh simple thing, where have you gone?

I’m getting old and I need something to rely on

Oh tell me when you’re gonna let me in,

I’m getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

Blaine then ran down the steps to the curiously placed piano. Oh, that’s what that’s for, thought Kurt. He’d never seen Blaine play piano before and he couldn’t help but think that it was kind of hot.

And if you have a minute why don’t we go

Talk about it somewhere only we know

This could be the end of everything

So why don’t we go, somewhere only we know

Somewhere only we know

At this point in the song Blaine left the piano to grab Kurt’s hands and pull him the rest of the way down the steps. Kurt’s fellow, well, former fellow, Warblers began to file past him to offer hugs, handshakes, and well wishes to him along with their goodbyes. Oh god, he thought. Not only was this a romantic gesture from Blaine, it was also a farewell from Dalton. Tears began to fill his eyes and he was finding it a bit harder to breathe. The New Directions took over the song to give the Warblers a chance to bid Kurt adieu, and Blaine stood nearby, his vocals floating on the oohs and ahhs.

Finn was next and gave his stepbrother a big smiling hug. It was wonderful for Kurt to see that Finn so pleased to see him. His bestie Mercedes was next and offered a quick welcome back embrace, but quickly released him so he could go back to making eye contact with Blaine.

This could be the end of everything

So why don’t we go somewhere only we know

Somewhere only we know.

Blaine had been remarkably calm during the entire song, but he broke into tears as he finished the last note. Kurt immediately threw his arms around Blaine, and Blaine returned the hug fiercely.

“God, I’m going to miss you SO MUCH, Kurt. We’ve only been together a few days and you’re already like my own personal sun. And I’m going to be so worried about you – what are you going to do about Karofsky?”

“My dad and Carole have already made arrangements with Principal Figgins. Through several discussions, they have managed to make him understand that Karofsky’s treatment of me is not okay and should not be allowed to slide. Every possible accommodation has been made to try to keep us out of each other’s paths at all times. Every Glee club member has vowed that they have my back and will do everything in their power to keep me safe. More faculty members will be in the halls between class periods and have all been instructed to watch the students with eagle eyes. And Karofsky is down to one strike – one more major incident, and he will be expelled. Permanently, this time. Dad wanted to get a restraining order, but that would have prevented him from attending school, and they didn’t want that. So you see, they’ve really got me covered.”

“But Kurt, what’s keeping you safe outside of school? It doesn’t matter too much if they’re controlling your school life closely, but what about your personal life?”

“Well, I won’t be driving to and from school alone anymore. Finn and I will always be together in the mornings, and quite a few of the Glee Club members live in my general area. I can take any of them home in the afternoons so I’m not alone. Heck, Santana even lives on my street. And I think you know how scary Santana can be!”

Blaine laughed, “Oh man, ain’t that the truth? As freaked out as I was by that confrontation we had with Karofsky in the hallway, I wanted to bust out laughing when she said she would allow him to choose his right or left nut. That was the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!”

“You see why I’m not afraid if I have her around then?” Kurt grinned.

“She could always hire herself out as personal security if she ever needs to find work. I’d hire her!” Blaine stated.

“I wouldn’t let you, sweetie – I don’t need her competing for your body. She may be into girls, but she has expressed to me in the past that she would ‘totally tap that’!”

Blaine chuckled. “Unless she suddenly figures out how to grow an additional appendage, there’s no need to worry. Plus, I’ve gotta say Kurt, one of the physical things I love about you is that you blush when you’re embarrassed. It’s so cute! And I get the idea that there isn’t a thing that could possibly make Santana blush anymore. She’s seen a few too many things by now.”

Nodding his head, Kurt said, “Yes, you’re probably right about that. The term ‘village bike’ has come up a few times.”

The boys shared a chuckle and then Blaine sighed. “Kurt, the guys and I have to get back to Dalton now. We kinda made up a lunchtime nursing home performance to get out of there for a couple hours to come see you. We all wanted a chance to say goodbye to the one who made a seriously big impression on the Warblers.”

This statement again brought tears to Kurt’s eyes. Embracing Blaine, he said, “I may have to say goodbye to them, but I’ll never say goodbye to you.”

“No way,” agreed Blaine. “I will still have time with you after school and on weekends, but they won’t, so I needed to give them this. You have made such an impact, more than you know. I gotta run, Kurt. I will call you the minute Warbler practice is done for the day, okay?”

“I can’t wait. I return to New Directions today as well, so we’ll have to dish about that tonight, too. Have a good day, Blaine, and….. THANK YOU. Really, I truly mean it, and I have to say this was the most special thing that has ever happened to me.”

“Nothing I could do for you will ever be as special as you are, but I’ll keep trying. Talk to you soon!”

Blaine turned around and followed his fellow Warblers back up the common area steps. He stopped just before the top and turned around – Kurt was surrounded by his friends from New Directions, hugs and smiles all around. Blaine felt a little sad that he was not included in that circle of friends, but he was so glad that they all were there for Kurt. With that kind of support, he knew Kurt would be safe, at least during school hours. As far as after school hours, he hoped he would be spending many of those free hours with Kurt, and he would keep watch over him then. Their relationship was so new, but already he felt so protective of Kurt. He wasn’t sure what he would do if something ever happened to him.

Blaine tore his eyes away from his boyfriend and left McKinley. Unbeknownst to him, Karofsky had been lurking amongst the crowd and had seen the whole display. He tried to be disgusted, but instead he felt jealous. He wondered if he would ever be comfortable enough with himself to have such a wonderful relationship with another person. He was beginning to come to terms with the fact that that other person in his future relationship would most likely be male. And observing Kurt and Blaine together only made that realisation grow stronger.