"Alright," Burt said, clearing his throat, "this isn't going to be easy for either of us, so let's just talk it out and get it over with." They both shifted uncomfortably, both unsure of who should start first.

"That boy, Blaine, he treatin' you right? I mean, I don't wanna pry or nothin', but I'm suspectin' that you two are more than just everyday friends, if the way he was lookin' at you is any indication." Burt's eyes were trained on Kurt's face, searching for any immediate sign that Kurt might be lying to him.

"Dad, he's wonderful to me, I promise," Kurt insisted, still bracing himself slightly for any sign that the conversation would start to grow awkward.

"Good. I mean, good that he's treatin' you with respect. He uh...he is respecting your wishes and stuff, right? And you two are, ya'know, playin' it safe and all that?" Kurt's eyes grew, and he sputtered. "Y-ye-yeah dad. He's the...he's the perfect gentleman."

"Good, good. Alright now that that's outta the way, I need to talk to you about somethin'." Burt exhaled and rubbed his hand over his face. He looked so tired, and Kurt was growing worried.

"Dad, maybe you should sit down. Or even lay down?"

"No. I'm having a conversation with you, and I'll be damned if my health tries to get in the way." Kurt nodded once, and waited while his dad looked as if he were trying to form the right words in his head.

"Kurt, buddy, you're not happy here." Before Kurt could interject, Burt continued. "That wasn't a question, kid, it was a statement. Look, Lima is perfect for me. I have a career, plenty o' friends, and memories here that I wouldn't give up for the world. But, it just ain't for you, kid, and I know it. I guess what I'm tryin' ta say is that I think, maybe, it's time for you to find yer own way."

Kurt looked up at him, shocked. "Are you kicking me out?"

"No! Now look kid, I would love for you to stay here so I could see you every day and know that you're alright. But I also know that I'd just be holding you back. Kurt, you need to leave Lima. Not fer anyone but yourself."

"Dad I can't leave you so soon after you've recovered-"

"Exactly, Kurt! I've recovered. Now listen here, I am a grown man and I am perfectly capable of takin' care of myself without you breathin' down my neck every hour." Burt smirked at him, and Kurt let out a stifled laugh. "Hey, maybe you should even go to Westerville. I ain't terribly excited for you to be alone with yer boyfriend, or whatever he is, but I'd feel much better knowin' you were with someone you know."

Kurt's head was spinning. A moment ago, he would have never thought that he would ever get to Westerville, at least not so soon. Maybe Blaine would come visit him once or twice until Kurt was older, but he never thought he could just up and leave. But his father had a point. Why wait when there was literally nothing tying him down in Lima? Also, the word 'boyfriend' was swirling around, making Kurt a bit dizzy. Boyfriend. Was that what Blaine was? Well, there was only one way to find out...

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yeah. I-I think I'm ready."

"You sure, kid? I don't wanna push you out or nothin'," Burt insisted.

"No. I mean yeah, I'm sure. You're not pushing me out." Kurt stood, shaking a bit. Once he regained his bearings, he circled the table and pulled his father up into a warm embrace.

"Thank you, dad."

"Never thank me for helping you follow your dreams. It's my job."

Kurt's smile was watery when he pulled back, brushing tears away that seemed to have escaped. He nodded, then left to his room. Once he got there, he saw the note and the small bag laying delicately on his pillow. When had Blaine had time to write this? Kurt thought to himself as he picked the note up gingerly, opening it and reading its contents.

"Well, Blaine Anderson, we may be meeting again sooner than we both expected."

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kurt left his home after a tedious check of all the essentials. Did he have all the clothes he needed? Did he remember to bring the money? Did his father have the list of daily chores that needed to be done around the house?

"Kurt, I've been livin' around here for years. I know what needs to get done," Burt had said while Kurt triple checked the house. Finally, they pulled in for a final hug, and Kurt promised to visit as soon as he got comfortable and settled wherever he lived.

Finally, he was making his way through town to the stable, when he heard someone calling his name.

"KURT! WAIT- oof! Wait for me," Rachel hollered, tripping over herself in haste to reach Kurt. He chuckled lightly, waiting for her to catch up.

"Please, can you do me a favor Kurt?"

"Well, it depends on what it is," Kurt said, eyes narrowing a bit in suspicion.

"Do you think you can make a detour first? I know it's completely out of the way, but I was wondering if you could take me to Brighton," Rachel pleaded, eyes sparkling.

"Rachel, that's the complete opposite direction that I'm heading. Wait, why do you need to go there anyway?"

"The Kingdom of Brighton holds an annual festival that showcases talents of performers. Performers like myself. Oh Kurt, can't you see that this is my ticket out of here? I will simply set up my own stage in the middle of the festival and dazzle everyone around with my voice, because honestly, who isn't left absolutely breathless after I've sung for them?" Rachel looked up at Kurt expectantly while Kurt managed to keep a straight face. She was a little much sometimes, but he could never deny her this.

"Alright. I hope you don't have too many things to carry because I don't think ol' Buttercup here could take it," Kurt said, gesturing to the horse that was intended for Rachel.

"Wait, I'm supposed to ride it myself?" she questioned.

"Of course. You surly didn't believe we'd be taking the same horse. Don't be daft. Now, hurry up, I wanna leave before it gets dark."

Rachel scrambled to adjust her belongings onto the horse, trying, and failing, to mount the horse three times before finally settling. The pair kicked their horses into motion, barely giving themselves time to look back before the town of Lima faded into the distance.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

A day and a half later, Kurt and Rachel finally found themselves on the outskirts of Brighton. Kurt admitted to himself that it was rather beautiful, but it failed to even compare to the wonder of Westerville.

"Alright, if you could just help me into town, then you can go. And Kurt, thank you again. You truly are the best friend I will ever have," Rachel said, beaming toward him.

The duo eventually found a spot that, while not in the center of attention like Rachel had wanted, was close enough to the citadel that Rachel might be noticed by the elites. There were hundreds of booths and stages set up around the lower town, and Kurt couldn't help but feel intrigued. While Rachel set herself up, Kurt ventured a look at a booth that immediately caught his eye. There was no sign, just a beautiful display of fabrics lining the edges.

Kurt reached the booth and hesitantly ran his hand along the fabric. They were smooth and cool, and easily the most gorgeous shade of blue Kurt had ever seen. So long he had wished he could own such fabrics, but because money was tight, Kurt realized that food had to come first.

"Like what you see?" a deep voice said, and Kurt startled and looked up to the man behind the booth, whom he previously didn't see.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just looking," Kurt replied, backing from the table a bit.

"No, wait. Allow me to run something by you." Kurt nodded timidly. "Alright, you see, I'm assisting in the d�cor of the citadel for tonight's parade, and I cannot seem to choose between an orange and green color scheme, or one of silver and gold." He bent his arms at the elbow, rested his chin on his hands, and waited for Kurt's input.

Kurt's nose crinkled. "Honestly, I think both are terribly gaudy. If I were in your position, I would choose a navy and bronze theme. It's beautiful and certainly won't have festival goers cringing."

Aldo studied him again. "You're absolutely right. You've certainly got an eye for design... I believe introductions are in order. My name is Aldo Beaumont, head designer for the royal family. And you are?" Aldo extended his arm to shake Kurt's hand.

"Kurt Hummel. And I thought you said you were just an assistant."

"Oh I couldn't very well tell you who I was. Last time I did that, I earned myself an assistant that only tried to coddle my decisions and never put in a word of her own. It's terrible to let a talent like yours go to waste."

"Well I guess you could say that design has always been a passion of mine," Kurt responded.

"Why just a passion? Why not a career?"

"I-I come from a very small town. They wouldn't appreciate my 'eye' there."

Aldo looked thoughtful for a moment before smiling. "Why don't I show you around the citadel for a while? Show you what real design can amount to?"

Kurt turned to look at Rachel who already had a small audience surrounding her. One hour couldn't hurt, Kurt decided, taking Aldo's offer.

Before long, Kurt was falling over himself, swept away by the designs, patterns, colors, and everything else his eyes could feast on. Once the tour was over, Kurt's mind was still reeling.

"Kurt, how would you like to work for me? As an apprentice of sorts?" Kurt gaped at him, wide eyed until he finally broke into a grin and accepted quickly. Aldo clapped his hands together, "Excellent. Now, let's get you situated in your living quarters."

Kurt beamed and followed after him. His mind never went to Blaine.