4 months later

Blaine recorded a demo. He sang his own songs, played his own instruments, had ultimate say in the final mastered version of each song.

Daniel was turning out to be the best thing that had ever happened to his music career. He was playing regular shows at The Attic and Joe’s, he was amassing a strong following on Youtube, and he was getting recognized for his talent.

And Kurt was thrilled for him. He would advertise for Blaine’s shows in the window of Burt’s, and he wanted to sell the demo CD there once they had copies.

Blaine and Kurt lived like a couple in love, a couple comfortable with each other and with their selves.

They went to the market on Sundays. Blaine cooked dinner every night and they would sit down at their dining room table at 6:30, maybe light a candle, and just enjoy each other’s presence.

Afterwords, Blaine usually had a gig, while Kurt would either curl up on the couch with a book or the TV remote, or go downstairs to Burt’s.

Burt’s was thriving. Kurt now had seven full time employees working at the shop, five of them were experienced baristas. Kurt also hired Maria and Julia, who took over baking duties in the kitchen.

Maria and Julia were sisters from San Juan. Julia had come in looking for work and Kurt had immediately fallen in love with the young woman. Upon discovering her aptitude for baking and the fact that her sister possessed the same, he hired them both and gave them free reign in the kitchen.

Puck was still around, too. He managed building maintenance, from broken ovens and malfunctioning espresso machines to burned out lightbulbs and stuck doors.

Quinn and Kurt alternated opening and closing. And when Kurt wasn’t around, Quinn was in charge.

They had a good system, one that worked for everyone. And the coffee shop benefitted from it. Profit-wise, Kurt was doing well. Really well.

He found his old style again, something he had given up for the coffee shop (and simply because he had no one to dress for). He bought more McQueen and less GAP. And Blaine was floored by the way Kurt looked in the practically-painted-on pants and fitted shirts that hugged his body in sinful ways. Blaine was most definitely not complaining, either.

Cooper came over often, and Kurt enjoyed his company. They had a bond, Kurt and Cooper, one that Blaine didn’t really understand. It was born from their mutual love and care for Blaine and sealed the day Blaine was shot, the day they sat by his bedside, praying to anyone who would listen that he would wake up.

Cooper got a new job teaching English at an inner city public school. He was so happy there, and he really connected with the kids. He started a glee club, bringing in both Blaine and Rachel to perform and motivate the kids.

When Cooper began dating Naomi, the four would eat dinner together every Sunday. Naomi was a freelance photographer, and Kurt absolutely loved her.

And that was their life, surrounded by people that loved them, working at jobs they loved, coming home to the person they loved. It was beautiful.

And then the phone call came.

There was a knock at their door late one evening, and Kurt answered it.

“Hey Coop! To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?”

“I need to talk to you and Blaine,” Cooper said seriously, and Kurt immediately knew something was up.

“Hey, babe,” Kurt called, “leave the dishes and come here.”

A moment later, Blaine appeared in the living room, wiping his hands on his jeans. “Oh, hey Coop.”

“Hey B, why don’t you sit. I’ve got some news.”

“Is everything ok?”

“Well, I got a phone call from our lawyer today. The trial for the man that shot you is scheduled for next month and they need you to testify.”

“Oh.” Blaine’s face fell.

“The evidence is pretty conclusive. They have witnesses and security camera footage, so it should be an easy verdict. But they still need your testimony.”

Blaine sighed heavily. “I was wondering when this day would come.”

“You alright, B?”

Blaine just shrugged.

After Blaine testified, the nightmares returned.

Kurt woke to Blaine’s screams and quickly wrapped his arms around him. But Kurt’s embrace had little effect. Blaine thrashed violently, throwing Kurt off. Blaine opened his eyes with a gasp, terrified and frantically reaching for Kurt.

He took Kurt’s face in his hands, one hand sliding down to rest above his heart to feel it beating. Then he crumpled into Kurt, sobbing.

“It was so real,” he choked out.

“But it wasn’t. It was a dream.”

“Not all of it.”

Kurt had no words, no response that could make Blaine better. So he just pulled Blaine close, as close as he could, and promised to never, ever let go.

As he was putting the last plate in the dishwasher, Kurt heard Blaine calling him from the bedroom.

“Yeah, babe?” He walked in to find Blaine struggling with his tie.

“Help?”

Kurt grinned and began the knot. “Where’s the show tonight?”

“Just The Attic. And before you say anything, I’m wearing a tie because I feel like it.”

“I wasn’t gonna.”

“Sure.”

“What’s your problem tonight?”

“I don’t have one.”

“Mmhmm. You’re glaring at your hair gel. Obviously there’s something wrong. Now, talk.”

“Are you gonna come to my show tonight?”

“Oh. Um... do you want me to come?”

“It would be nice if you did.”

“I...” Kurt scrunched his nose. “I kinda was looking forward to a quiet night in. There’s a Suzanne Collins novel calling my name. Maybe another night.”

“You say that every night.”

“Do I?”

Blaine didn’t answer, stalking to the corner to grab his guitar case.

“Blaine-”

“Why don’t you ever come to my shows?” Blaine threw his hands up in exasperation. He was yelling now, but his words were laced with hurt instead of anger. “You say that you support me, but you haven’t seen me perform since that first show at The Attic. I just don’t get it.”

The silence hung heavy in the room. Kurt didn’t have a good answer. Hell, he didn’t have any answer. Should he say that he was just used to staying in and being alone in his apartment? Or that he didn’t think he would be comfortable in a crowded bar where he didn’t know anybody? That was just... selfish. Fuck.

“Good luck, baby!” he called when he heard the door open. But it slammed without an answer. And he couldn’t stop the guilt that permeated through him.

He would fix this.

He grabbed his keys.

On the subway, Kurt searched his iPod until he found the perfect song. In his head, he concocted the perfect plan.

When he made it to The Attic, he was perfectly terrified.

Blaine’s set had just started, and Kurt stood in the back, in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment.

When the song ended and Blaine began to speak to the audience, Kurt knew it was now or never.

He quickly moved forward, out of the shadows, out of his comfort zone, maybe out of his mind. But he made it to the stage without freaking out. And then he was on stage, reaching for the microphone.

“What are you doing?” Blaine hissed, confused and slightly panicked. 

“Sorry for the interruption guys, but I really have to say something. And it can’t wait.”

Blaine looked at Kurt expectantly, so he continued.

“Ten months ago, I met this guy who would completely turn my life upside down - in the best way. And we’ve been through A LOT, but through everything, he never gave up on us. He inspires me. And I am... completely and utterly in love with him. Blaine... this song’s for you.”

I’m calling you to say

That I’m gonna be

Anywhere you want

Tonight and forever

When Kurt began to sing, Blaine was awestruck. He gasped, eyes wide, a hand coming up to cover his open mouth.

Kurt never sang. Blaine had only the faded memory of Kurt singing to him in the hospital, but he had never been sure if that had really happened. He never asked. He heard the voice, though, in his dreams sometimes, a beautiful, angelic melody weaving its way through dream and nightmare.

I’m coming home to take

Take us both apart

And put us back like one

And bleed together

But now, hearing Kurt, he knew. And he swelled with pride for his boyfriend. He knew how long it had been since Kurt had performed in public. And he was, in that moment, completely humbled by the man standing in front of him, pouring out his heard in front of a hundred plus people. And if it was even possible, he fell even more in love.

I’m calling you to say

That I’m gonna stay

Wrapped ‘round your heart

Through time and weather

For Kurt, getting on stage, standing in front of Blaine and complete strangers, singing, those were the easy parts.

The hard part, the terrifying part that had his heart beating manically in his chest, was getting down on one knee.

I never live

I never die

Without you