Kurt stepped out of Blaine’s spaceship (the “TARDIS”, as Blaine had called it, oddly affectionately), and took in a deep breath, trying to take it all in. �He was on�another planet. �For the first time in his entire life, he was not�on Earth. � He was millions - billions - of miles away from everyone he knew. And it felt - incredible. Freeing. Exhilarating.

Then he looked around, properly, and his breath was taken away. �It was like pictures he’d seen of rainforests in magazines and books on Earth - but so incredibly different and weird. �As if someone had taken a painting-by-numbers and coloured it all in wrong, with no concept of trees being green and skies being blue.

He looked down, at the - well, he supposed it was sort of grass, but it looked more like velvet, or rich, thick moss. �It was a deep purple, the colour of a new bruise, and it felt soft underfoot. �They were on a hill, that much was obvious, and looking out, he could see into a valley, where overgrown plants turned into jungle. �They were tall, weird plants - strange shaped leaves, fruits hanging off them like no fruits he’d seen before. �He continued to look up, past the tree line, to the mountains in the distance - the same dark purple as the grass, spotted with bright blues and yellows of the trees. �Up, up, further, and there was the sky - a pure white. �It wasn’t like any white sky he’d seen before - not covered in clouds, but instead a bright intense white.

And then, as he took it all in, he realised - “four suns,” he said, out loud in wonder.

Kurt was almost surprised when there was an answer - he’s forgotten about Blaine, for a moment, he was so wrapped up in taking in the utter weirdness and magic of this place. �“Four suns. �Well, five suns, �but one’s on the other side of the planet. �There’s barely any night, because of it. �The locals are awfully cranky. �No sleep, you see,” Blaine said, breezily, joking, as if this wasn’t the most amazing thing Kurt had ever seen. �As if it was possible to do anythingother�than gape at it all. �But, Kurt supposed, Blaine was probably used to it.

“Come on - let’s go for a walk, eh?” Blaine said, smiling, obviously pleased to be showing off this - this�planet�to Kurt. �Kurt, dazed, nodded, and followed Blaine was he took off down the hill.

�

Two hours of exploring later - exploring through the undergrowth, which did absolutelyhorrendous�things to Kurt’s outfit, although for some reason he barely minded - Blaine had lead Kurt back up the hill, before collapsing on the purple grass.

Kurt, much more gracefully, sat down next to him, and then lay back, to look at the sky. �It was darker, now, fading into a dusky pink. �The suns had moved, dotted along the horizon.

“It’s sunset, soon,” Blaine said. “I thought you might like to watch it. �It only happens a few times a year - all four setting at once.”

“Good timing,” Kurt said.

“Well, no need for good timing when you have a time machine,” Blaine pointed out. “Although, I do seem to have alarmingly bad timing most of the time. �The number of, er,�things�I’ve interrupted - well, actually, let’s not go into that.”

“Let’s not,” Kurt agreed.

“But - sunset. I’ve heard it’s quite beautiful,” Blaine turned his head to look at Kurt. �“I thought I’d better show you something nice, for your first trip out. �No aliens trying to kill us, or getting �trapped in worm holes, we’ll save that for later. �Some nice scenery, that’s a good starter.”

Kurt couldn’t help but smile at the words ‘first trip out’, and the implication that there would be more. �Now that he’d seen things, things he’d never been able to imagine, he didn’t want to go back. �Not yet, maybe not ever. �And he was glad Blaine was apparently on the same page. Although - “wait, aliens will try to kill us?”

“Only if you make them angry,” Blaine responded.

“Right. Okay. �Hey... Blaine?” Kurt said, something suddenly occurring to him.

“Yes, Kurt?”

“You - you travel through space and time and go on adventures and stuff, right? Like, that’s what you�do?”

“Yeah, pretty much,” Blaine said, grinning. �“Part hobby, part job. Sometimes I save planets or civilisations, but you know, I don’t like to brag.”

“Then why on earth are you dressed a private school boy?” Kurt continued, ignoring Blaine’s bragging.

“Oh. �It suits me, though, doesn’t it? It’s sort of - dapper, right? I wasn’t sure I could pull it off - although I keep getting�younger, I suppose I was eventually going to pass for a high school student - but, well, it’s a bit of a long story,” Blaine said. �“Although, I suppose we have time.”

“We do,” Kurt said. �“Time machine. �I remember.”

“Good, you’re learning,” Blaine laughed. �“Well, it was a few months ago - “

“Wait, hold on,” Kurt interrupted suddenly, something occurring to him. “You keep gettingyounger?”

“Yes, of course. �Well, not of course, it was a surprise to me, but, you know - can I get to that, after the story? It’s a good story, I promise. �There’s mystery. And intrigue. And�blazers.”

“Sure, sure,” Kurt said, mentally adding it to the growing list of questions for Blaine. �

“Well, it all started when the TARDIS picked up a signal - irregular alien behaviour on earth,” Blaine started, and Kurt wanted to ask what�regular�alien behaviour was on Earth, but he had a feeling that if he interrupted every time he had a question like that, Blaine would never finish the story. “At a school called Dalton. �It’s in Ohio, I don’t know if you - “

“I’m from Ohio, actually,” Kurt said, “small world.”

“Small universe, in fact,” Blaine corrected. �“It’s a private school, all boys, and I was getting weird readings so - well, I decided to go undercover.”

“Undercover,” Kurt repeated.

“Yes, as a student. �A pretty poor student, actually, apparently,” Blaine said, sounding annoyed. “I’d�been�at half the things they were talking about in history class and yet I only got a C. I always meant to go back and complain to that teacher, actually, he didn’t have much of a grip on the Roman empire - I have Roman friends, you see,” Blaine said. �“But - I digress. Yes, I went undercover, and I figured out where the source of the activity was coming from.”

“Oh?”

“Their a cappella group. �I’d been suspicious as soon as I arrived - I mean, they�all�sung at thesame time�in the�same key. Teenage boys! Fifteen of them! Behaving! Obviously, there was something wrong. �No creases in their shirts. �Odd attachments to gavels. �I investigated a little bit more - you know, dug around, integrated myself into the group.”

“You sang?” Kurt asked.

“I even got solos,” said Blaine, as if that was actually impressive, given the fact that he travelled through�space and time.

“Wow,” Kurt said. �“Awesome. �But... the readings? What was up with that?”

“Oh, right. Well, basically, as it turns out, I was right - they were aliens. �A distant relative of the Nestene consciousness, so of course they all acted in unison. �They were remarkable, actually, how skillfully created they were. �Virtually indetectable from human boys.”

“Except their ironed shirts,” Kurt interjected.

“Yes, yes, except that,” Blaine agreed.

“So - what did you do? Took them home?” Kurt asked.

“No, no, not at all,” Blaine said, shaking his head. “After a chat with their leader, I decided they weren’t up to any trouble - their planet had been destroyed you see, and they just wanted somewhere nice to go. �So it was all fine, I left them. �I should pop back in at some point, see how they’re doing, actually.”

“You just - you left them there? Aliens?” �Kurt said, shocked.

“You’d be surprised how many aliens there are on Earth, Kurt,” Blaine said.

“But isn’t that... I don’t know, bad? Them just being on Earth and no one … knowing? �What if they’re secretly evil, or something?”

“From what I can tell, there are lots of�un-secretly evil people on Earth,” Blaine sighed, “and you’re doing okay with them. What are a few friendly aliens going to do? �Besides, there was a policy of inclusion and zero-tolerance at Dalton - the school - and we wouldn’t want to break that rule, now would we?”

“That sounds nice,” Kurt said. �

“Mmmmm,” Blaine said. �“What was your high school like?”

“Zero tolerance�in an entirely different way. �They weren’t very -�tolerant�- of me, or my - well, my sexuality,” Kurt said, flushing slightly, realising he hadn’t really mentioned this to Blaine before. “I was bullied - a lot - and … it wasn’t the easiest time. �That’s why I was interviewing for college in California - where you found me - I wanted to be as far away from there as I could. �Also,” Kurt snorted, “this is pretty good too.”

Blaine was silent, and Kurt turned his head, to try to see if he was freaked out - although, he reasoned, this man travelled though time and space - surely the thought of him wanting to kiss another boy wouldn’t be enough to worry him. �But his expression was unreadable, like he was thinking hard. �And then - “it was that bad? In Ohio, where you were?”

“Everywhere in Ohio. Outside this Dalton place, apparently,” Kurt said. �“I always knew I’d leave eventually, as soon as possible if I could, to somewhere more tolerant. �Where I wouldn’t be hated for who I loved. And Ohio - as much as it’s my home - it’s not that place,” Kurt said, sadly, thinking about his father back in their house, about all the things he was planning to leave behind. �He loved so much about his town, and some of the people there - his dad most of all, but his friends too. But his future there seemed bleak. “I mean, it sucks that I couldn’t, if I wanted to - if i ever, you know, had a family - that I couldn’t do that where I grew up. But that’s that. So, moving to California seemed like a good idea. �Or, running away with a strange blazered man to another planet.”

“It was that bad?” Blaine asked, quietly.

“Well, yes, and no. �It’s just - it’s not a�happy�place for me, I suppose,” Kurt said, suddenly feeling foolish about the fact that he was in the middle of such and amazing adventure and still complaining about his life - his life a million miles away. �“Anyway - “

“Come on,” Blaine said, standing up, and reaching down for Kurt’s hand to pull him up. �Kurt let Blaine help him up, and dusted off his pants - trying not to worry too much about potential purple-grass stains on them.

“Where are we going?” Kurt asked, as Blaine dragged him back towards the TARDIS.

“I’ll show you when we get there,” Blaine said, ushering Kurt inside and closing the door firmly behind him. �Kurt pouted briefly, wishing he’d be allowed one last moment to take in the gorgeous landscape of the planet, but Blaine looked to excited and happy he could hardly complain.

“Show me what?” Kurt said, following Blaine up towards the central console and then, with a lack of anything to actually�do, leaning back against the metal railings as Blaine ran madly to and fro, the spaceship jumping into life.

“Show don’t tell, Kurt,” Blaine said. “Isn’t that the trick to writing?”

“This isn’t writing,” Kurt said. “But, I suppose, I take your point.” �He watches Blaine - the Doctor - as he madly steers the ship (Kurt assumes that’s what he’s doing, at least, he seems awfully busy and in control of the whole thing). �He occasionally mutters to himself or shouts questions at Kurt which he quickly answers himself, leaving Kurt no time to even understand the question, much less respond.

At one point, Kurt can hear Blaine babbling what sounds like dates, punching numbers into his computer and squinting, as if thinking. �Kurt lets his imagination run wild - where could they be going? Would they see�aliens? �Would they go to the past, or the future? The beginning of time? �Dinosaurs? The end of the earth?

Then, that whooshing sound again, and a triumphant, “We’ve arrived!” from Blaine. �Kurt walked quickly to the door, waiting patiently for Blaine to open it and show him the next wonderful new world.

The door creaked open, and Kurt braced himself.

He stepped out, and then blinked.

And he blinked again.

He turned to look at the Blaine, feeling sick. �“You - you took me home?”

Blaine nodded, looking at Kurt nervously.

Kurt was confused - was this it? This man, this Blaine, this Doctor - took him, showed him one tiny fraction of the universe, and made promises, and then - this was it? He was dropping him back home, as if nothing had happened?

Then it clicked. �Their conversation. �The one right before Blaine had ushered him into the TARDIS. �The one where Kurt had mentioned that he was gay and now, oh, now it all made sense. �Oh god, Kurt thought.

“I thought - “ Blaine started, but Kurt cut him off, coldly.

“I get it. It’s fine. �I don’t know why I’m surprised. �Well, at least I got a free ride back from California. �Thanks for that. �So much for tolerance, I suppose,” Kurt said, hearing the bitchiness in his voice, and not even regretting it. �He couldn’t believe he’d let himself think this guy was different. �Just because he had a time machine, didn’t mean he wasn’t a�homophobe.

He started walking away, from this man and his ridiculous blue box, and if he wasn’t so angry, he’d be wondering why no one had noticed a giant blue fucking box appear in the middle of the town. �He was only a few miles from home, he calculated. �Unfortunately he’d stormed off in the wrong direction, but he certainly wasn’t going to let Blaine know that�now.

“Wait,�Kurt,” Blaine’s voice came from behind him, his shoes smacking loudly on the pavement, before he grabbed Kurt’s shoulder and spun him around. �“Kurt, what are you doing? Where are you going?”

“You - you took me home. After I told you I was - was�gay,” Kurt said angrily. “I get it. �I’m not stupid. Just - thank you, and all that.”

“Kurt, Kurt,�no,” Blaine said, desperately, before surprising Kurt entirely by lunging forward and hugging him, long and tight, longer than Kurt would normally hug someone, anyone, much less someone in the middle of the street in Lima. �He felt Blaine’s fingers clutch at the back of his shirt, tugging him even closer, before he pulled back.

Kurt looked at Blaine, as soon as they’d parted, and was blown away by the sheer emotion in his eyes. He looked on the verge of tears, so worried and - something else. �Kind, caring. �Sympathetic.

“I.. I thought...” Kurt said. “Was I wrong?”

“Yes, Kurt, you were - so, so wrong. �I’m sorry you felt that way. �So sorry. I didn’t mean to - for you to misunderstand. Not at all. I think it’s great that you’re gay. �Fantastic. �Brilliant. �I - that’s why I … come on, just - trust me. �It will be ten minutes, if I’ve timed it right,” Blaine said, glancing at his watch.

Kurt nodded, still reeling at the back and forth of his emotions in the last five minutes. �He was still confused about Blaine, and his motives, and what he could possibly want to show him inLima�that he hadn’t already seen.

Blaine reached for his hand, again, to pull him along, but Kurt pulled back, not wanting to draw attention to them. �He’d had enough trouble without inviting it. �Blaine glanced at him, but didn’t say anything. �Instead, they walked side by side for a few hundred feet, before Blaine stopped abruptly, and turned.

“Here we are. Right on time,” Blaine said, looking at his watch again.

“A�church?” Kurt asked. “You’re not - you’re not serious?”

“Just�trust me,” Blaine said. “I’m the Doctor.”

“You’re�Blaine,” Kurt said, before walking inside.

The church was full, packed, and they were lucky to be able to find a few spots open at the back. �Kurt looked around at the church. It was pretty, nicely decorated. He appreciated churches for their aesthetic, if not their purpose. �The people were well dressed, too well dressed for a normal Sunday service. �Kurt’s eyes wandered to the front of the room, and realised what was happening. �A man in a tuxedo was standing at the altar, looking nervous.

A wedding. A wedding? Why on earth had Blaine taken Kurt to a random wedding in Lima? It made no sense. �Kurt turned to Blaine, to ask, but Blaine just pressed his finger to his lips and whispered “shhh”. �As if on cue, music started - Pachelbel’s canon, Kurt recognised, and slightly cattily thought it was a bit cliche. �But, a wedding was a wedding, and as long as they didn’t do Corinthians, he might be able to cope.

Kurt heard the doors of the church open, and turned, with everyone else, to watch the bride walk in.

Except she didn’t.

Instead, a man in a pale grey tuxedo stepped through the doors, linked arm in arm with an older man, presumably his father. �Kurt looked behind him, for the bride, as if perhaps this was some sort of strange bridesmaid, but no - as the man walked down the aisle, slowly, all eyes followed him.

As if he were the one getting married.

As if -

Kurt turned to Blaine, who was already looking at him, studying his face, as if hanging on Kurt’s every facial expression. �Kurt opened his mouth and shut it again, not really knowing what to say.

“You see now?” Blaine said, and Kurt nodded. �He looked all around the room, like he was so used to, searching people’s expressions for hatred, danger, the potential for trouble. �But he saw nothing of the sort. �Just - people watching two men get married, as if that was a normal thing to do.

He felt his throat tighten up, and tears began to form in his eyes. �He was having trouble breathing - suddenly his collar seemed too tight, the air too thin, everything too hot. �Blaine leant in towards him, and whispered, “do you want to get some air?”

Kurt nodded, still not sure what to say. Quietly, he followed Blaine out the church’s side door. �The cooler air hit him, and he felt instantly better. �He leant against the brick wall, staring up into the sky. �Then, Blaine was standing in front of him, and Kurt lowered his eyes to look at him.

“You get it?” Blaine asked, gently, softly. “I didn’t meant to upset you. �I’m sorry if I did...”

“No, it’s just...” Kurt took a deep breath. �“This can’t be real. �I mean, this is�Lima.”

“Yes, Kurt, it is,” Blaine said, smiling a little smile.

“It’s not even�legal.”

“Not - not when you’re from. �But now, it is. �That’s what I wanted to show you, Kurt. That things get better.�So�much better.”

“What - what year is this?” Kurt asked, quickly, figuring it out.

“2017,” Blaine said. “It’s only 2017. �Six years from your time. �Six years, and no one has anything but love for those two men in there. �Are you - are you okay?”

Kurt wiped his eyes, although they are mostly dry. “Yes, yes, I’m fine. It’s just - not what I was expecting. At all.”

“I know,” Blaine said, wrapping an arm around Kurt’s shoulder. �It felt nice, Kurt realised. Solid, comfy, friendly. �Surprisingly natural and - familiar, although that was impossible. �“Are you glad?”

“Yes. �I am. �Thank you for showing me this. And - sorry for, you know, before.”

“Quite alright,” Blaine said, smiling at Kurt. “I’m just glad we’re on the same page now.”

“So - we’re in my home town,” Kurt said, slowly. �“That means - can I go and see, like, my dad? My friends? See what they’re up to? Oh god - can I go and see�myself? Although - I’m not stillin�Lima, am I? In six years time? What a horrible thought. But - can I?”

Blaine laughs, and shakes his head. “Not a chance. �You can’t know your own future, that’scheating. �Plus it would only confuse your friends if you turned up, looking younger with no memories of the last six years.”

“I... I suppose,” Kurt said, disappointed, as he’d desperately wanted to see which of the bitchy girls from high school had gotten fat since.

“But I’ll take you anywhere else in the universe you want. Your pick, since I made you cry,” Blaine teased.

“Hey, don’t give yourself that much credit,” Kurt said, pushing himself off the wall and back towards the TARDIS. �“I always cry at weddings.”

“That’s adorable,” Blaine said, and Kurt’s stomach fluttered in a way that he really didn’t want to think about, because it could lead to�very�inconvenient feelings. �So he pushed those feelings down, and grinned, and said, “race you to your spaceship, spaceman?”

“You’re on,” Blaine said, although he had no hope, as Kurt had both a head start and longer legs.