* * * * *

The following days are difficult.

The imminent process of coming-out has both Kurt and Blaine trembling with anticipation and fear, whereas Burt and Carole are thankfully growing more attached to Blaine by the day. To relieve the stress and simply because they want to, they hide in quiet corners and explore more of each other's bodies whenever possible.

And finally the day arrives when Blaine's parents come back.

“Nothing to be worried about, honey,” Kurt tells him as they wait in Blaine's room. “I promise we'll be there for each other.”

Blaine nods absently, face blank and eyes terrified.

“Hey!” Kurt cups his face and kisses it reassuringly. “We'll make it, I swear.”

The doorbell sounds below and a maid moves to open it, making Blaine swallow audibly. Kurt laces his fingers through Blaine's and rubs over his knuckles, reminding him with a simple touch that he's not alone.

Blaine's parents are waiting in the lobby with crossed arms and belittling expressions. “Blaine, who's that?” his father asks immediately, eyes squinting at Kurt below his bushy eyebrows.

“That's... Kurt,” Blaine says as if he's already given up. “He's my... um...”

His mother, a burly woman in her late fifties, puts a hand on her hips and sighs. “Out with it Blaine.”

Kurt is dimly aware of Blaine shifting nervously and clearing his throat, but he can barely hear his boyfriend over the blood pounding in his ears. Anger has his hands clenched, adrenaline speeds up his pulse. “I'm Blaine's boyfriend,” he says loudly.

Silence.

“E-excuse me?” The question comes from both Miss and Mister Anderson at the same time.

Kurt tries to hold on to this unexpected surge of determination, but his courage is rapidly dwindling.

“That's right, my boyfriend,” Kurt repeats a little shakily, moving closer to Blaine and slinging an arm around him. “And... we've known each other for a while now, but that's not the point. I love him very much and even though the friend-boyfriend transition can be awkward, I'm so happy we made it past the confusion. Because I adore him and I never want to let him go.”

More silence. Kurt steals a glance at Blaine's face and breaths out in relief when he finds nothing but love there.

“Thank you,” Blaine mouths.

Kurt smiles. It may be inappropriate, but he slides their lips together briefly, drinking in the sweet scent of Blaine's breath, before pulling away and facing the flabbergasted Andersons.

The kiss seems to have given Blaine back his voice, because he's still staring at Kurt but speaking firmly as he announces, “I'm sorry mom, dad, but you'll have to put up with our love. And if you want me to be happy you'll let me be with him.” The words are powerful and clearly leave an impression because Miss Anderson's arms are now hanging limply by her sides, while Mister Anderson flaps open his mouth like a fish.

And with that lovely image in mind, Kurt hooks an arm around Blaine's waist and together they leave the building.

* * * * *

“I love you, you know,” Blaine says for the hundredth time, because it never loses its meaning and it simply can't be said enough. “I love you.”

Kurt laughs and shuffles closer to Blaine, pulling the blanket tighter around them. They're sitting on the roof with the usual supply of food and music, watching the sun set while snuggling into each other's arms.

Blaine is so relieved that his parents let him off easy. They called minutes after Kurt and Blaine left the Andersons', telling their son that they want to talk again in the evening, but first they need time to think. Knowing his parents, this meant a shallow conversation about boundaries and after a few sad head-shakes they'll get back to work and forget about it completely.

“Want me to come tonight?” Kurt asks gently. “Do you need support?”

“I'll be fine, but thank you.” Blaine pushes his head into the crook of Kurt's neck and rests there, gaze sweeping over the trees dipped in sunset colors. “Unless you meant... a different kind of come.”

“Oh my God!” Kurt sputters, jolting up and clearly trying to decide whether he should be angry or amused.

Blaine just smirks. “So?”

“Um...” Kurt sits back down, absently pulling Blaine's head back to his chest. “We'll see. Cross the bridge when we get there.”

They sit in silence for a bit, watching the glorious evening lights streak across the sky.

“It's beautiful,” Blaine says quietly, taking one of Kurt's hands and kissing it. “Remember the last time we were up here?”

Kurt scoffed. “Yeah. Getting drunk, very smart of us.”

“I wouldn't do that anymore,” Blaine says firmly. “I've changed to the point where I can't let anything like that happen to you. I feel less like a friend and more than a boyfriend. Like a protector or something.”

Kurt laughs; a bright and happy sound. “Isn't that interesting? How much we've grown?”

He repositions himself to look straight at Blaine, tilting up his chin and gazing into his eyes. “You're different. Ever since we got together you've... changed... and your heart has grown impossibly bigger.”

Blaine swallows dryly, eyes flashing down to Kurt's lips. He whispers, “We're seeing each other with new eyes.”

Kurt nods and moves his lips up to Blaine's, breathing warm air over his mouth. “We're the same – but we're different.”

They finally kiss, slowly and sensually, the sun's final brilliant ray of light sweeping over their entangled bodies. The orange shimmer dwindles and fades from the sky, allowing Blaine one last look at Kurt's perfect face.

Despite the beginnings of dusk, Blaine can see something dawn on Kurt - it's evident in his eyes, the sheer amazement in his gaze.

Like he's finally realized that every shred of friendship has disappeared.

This is a new era of love; a beginning.

They used to be friends and know each other better than they know themselves. But Blaine has given Kurt new eyes, and Kurt has done the same in return. They can look at each other and appreciate the familiarity, but there's a wonderful sense of unexplored and unknown territory, created by the mysterious workings of love.

In the most profound meaning of the words, to each other, Kurt and Blaine are familiar strangers.