After long weeks full of exams and studying came the day Blaine looked forward to and dreaded at the same time. His graduation.

Like any other high school student he had waited this day with great anticipation, since the very beginning of the study year. He had done his best - he would graduate at the top of his class, he had become a lead singer of the Warblers, he had a promising future ahead of him in New York. But at the same time, when he sat down and really thought about all of it, his heart ached. His first years of high school were far from pleasant, bullying, dysfunctional relationship with Jeffrey and the change of schools. Those were the things Blaine was happy to put behind him and hope that one day he would forget them completely. His Junior year had changed Blaine’s life in a better way. He made friends who accepted him for who he was and found a possibility to finally express himself without fear or judgment. His Senior year changed his life even more – he found love. Even if his relationship with Kurt didn’t start in the best possible way, Blaine refused to think about doing something differently if he had such chance. All the struggles they had had, filled their relationship with trust and compassion, making it stronger than Blaine had ever hoped for.

His last days of high school had passed in a delightful blur. As soon as their last exam was done, the Warblers threw a party to celebrate and to give younger members a chance to congratulate and to thank their mates. Blaine had invited Kurt, too, but the younger boy had politely refused, insisting that Blaine should celebrate the last moments with his friends. That night nobody felt like it was really a goodbye. There was still the official graduation ceremony left, and they will have a whole summer ahead of them, but everyone knew that this was the last time they all will be together. Some of the Senior Warblers had wanted to throw a graduation party after the ceremony, but the idea didn’t get a big support. Each of the boys already had made their own plans for the special night. Blaine would have a dinner with his family. It maybe wasn’t his dream and he didn’t understand the reasons behind this decision, but Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had insisted that they should spend this night together.

During the summer each of the Senior boys will start leaving for their universities. Blaine himself will leave in the end of July, to settle in his new dorm room, since the preparatory classes for Freshmen students started already in August. All the time until then Blaine was going to spend with Kurt as much as possible. They still hadn’t talked much about what will happen after Blaine left, but about one thing both boys were completely certain – they will try to maintain a long distance relationship during the school month and spend their holidays together in one place or another.

All these thoughts lead to the significant day – June 22nd, Blaine’s graduation. All the friends and families of graduating students had gathered in the auditorium of Dalton Academy. Among them was also Kurt. He was dressed in a simple yet elegant black suit and held a bouquet of white roses to give his boyfriend along with a neatly wrapped present.

When he entered the auditorium, he noticed Blaine’s family nearby, but decided against approaching them. Even if Kurt had spent quite a lot of time in Blaine’s house, he still felt a great deal of reservation from his boyfriend’s parents.

Kurt was looking for a free seat when a cheerful voice greeted him.

“Hello, Kurt!” Elise joyfully exclaimed and hugged the boy.

“Hey, El,” Kurt smiled and took a good look of the girl in front of him. She was wearing a light purple dress and her dark long hair were neatly braided and fixed with a beautifully decorated hair slide that Kurt had given Elise for her birthday.

“You look gorgeous,” he added.

“Thanks, you look amazing, too,” she smiled. “Blaine’s going to be very happy,” she remarked giggling quietly and causing Kurt to blush. “Would you like to come sit with us?”

“No, I don’t think I should,” Kurt looked at her apologetically hoping that the girl will understand his reasons. The look in Elise’s eyes and the slight nod of head told him, that she indeed did. “Maybe you know if there are some free seats left?”

“Oh, I saw a few seats in the front. Come, I’ll show you!” Elise said and grabbed Kurt’s hand dragging him along.

Kurt managed to find a seat in a really good seat in the front row and was sure that his boyfriend will definitely notice him from the stage.

As he sat down, the lights in the auditorium started to dim. Ceremony started with the headmaster’s speech in which he expressed his pride about the young men and hope that their future will be as bright as they deserve. After the headmaster had left the stage Wes took his place to give as speech as a student council president. He talked about the great experience that the Dalton Academy has given all of the students, about friends they have made here and about the memories they have shared.

After this emotional moment it was time for students to receive their diplomas. Blaine Anderson’s name was called one of the first, since all the boys came on stage in an alphabetical order. Blaine, and the rest of the graduates, was dressed in the Dalton’s uniform. Shortly before the graduation, all the boys had decided against wearing dark blue robes, but show their school pride instead for the last time.

Blaine came on stage with his usual elegance and composure that he embodied each time he wore the blazer. He thanked the headmaster as he accepted the diploma and went to stand on the left side of the stage, granting Kurt a bright smile.

As soon as all diplomas were handed out and the official part had ended, Blaine jumped off the stage and rushed to Kurt.

“He-“, Kurt couldn’t finish his phrase, because Blaine’s lips were already on his.

“Well, that was… hmm… unexpected,” the younger boy tried to compose himself, as Blaine stepped back, still beaming with joy. “These are for you. Congratulations, Blaine,” Kurt said, handing his boyfriend the roses and the present.

“Oh, Kurt, you didn’t have to,” Blaine’s voice was full of amazement. He lowered his head closer to the roses and deeply inhaled their sweet perfume. “Thank you, they are so beautiful,” he said, looking at Kurt.

“Open your present,” Kurt shyly spoke as Blaine put the flowers and his diploma on a chair next to him and started to carefully unwrap the present. When all paper was gone, Blaine was holding a thick notebook with brown leather covers in his hands.

“You mentioned wanting to start writing your own songs, so I thought this could be useful,” Kurt quietly explained.

“Thank you so much, Kurt,” Blaine said kissing him one more time. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” his boyfriend replied blushing slightly. Since that fateful night, they had been telling each other these words quite often, but Kurt’s heart still faltered each time he heard Blaine’s love confession. He simply couldn’t understand how he managed to get this lucky.

“Shouldn’t you go see your family?” Kurt asked.

“I saw them this morning, I’ll see them tonight. This moment I’d rather spend with the man I love,” Blaine replied nonchalantly.

But before Kurt could object, Elise was next to Blaine and was crushing him in a thigh hug. “Congratulations, big brother!” she cheered and kissed Blaine’s cheek. By the time when she pulled away, Blaine’s parents were standing next to them.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson,” Kurt politely greeted them offering, what he hoped to be, a light smile.

“Hello, Kurt,” Maria Anderson answered in her usual calm tone. That took Kurt aback a little bit, since Blaine’s parents had never referred to him by his first name or even actually talked straight to him. Mrs. Anderson usually spoke to Blaine and asked about “his friend”, but never asked her questions directly to Kurt himself.

When his mother spoke with Kurt, Blaine immediately reached for his boyfriend’s hand, like instinctively trying to protect him from anything that might follow.

“Blaine, we would like to talk to you for a minute,” Mr. Anderson said, hinting to Kurt and Elise that this would be a private conversation. Understanding her cue, the young girl immediately left her brother and smilingly approached other graduating Warblers that she knew. Kurt also turned and tried to pull his hand out of Blaine’s grip, but the older boy held in more firmly not letting him go.

“Anything you want to say, you can say to Kurt, too,” he calmly explained looking at his parents.

Blaine’s father looked at their joined hands for a second but didn’t comment on it and turned his gaze back to his son.

He took a deep breath and spoke: “We just wanted to congratulate you, Blaine, with your excellent results in Dalton Academy and your graduation.”

“We know our relationship isn’t the best, Blaine,” his mother also spoke, “and we know we haven’t been the very best parents to you,” she glanced at her husband who was looking straight at Blaine with tense shoulders, “but we want you to know that we’re very proud of you,” her voice cracked a bit in the end of the sentence. “We’re proud of everything about you,” she added quietly.

Blaine couldn’t believe the things he had just heard. He was looking at his parents with wide eyes, his hand clenching Kurt’s. All the past years he had wanted nothing more than to hear his parents say they were proud of him. All the week-end he had avoided going home and all the school breaks he had spent alone in his dorm room. He had just wanted to feel the appreciation from his parents.

“Thank you,” was all he managed to whisper as his eyes filled with tears.

“I know you’re not happy about the family dinner tonight,” Mr. Anderson continued the conversation, “but we really wanted to spend this night together with you, as a family.”

“And, Kurt, you’re welcome to join us,” Maria added now looking at Kurt, who had stood silently all this time, looking at the scene before him. The young boy unsurely looked at Blaine, who raised his eyebrows hopefully at him. Kurt simply smiled and nodded turning back to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson.

***

July 27th

It was Blaine’s last night in Lima. All his bags were packed and ready for tomorrow morning, when he would leave to New York. Unfortunately Blaine wasn’t able to take his aquarium with him, so he had left that to Kurt, who was very surprised, but happy to take care of Paul.

Tonight Blaine had decided to spend with Kurt. Only with Kurt. They still hadn’t spoken much about their future and everything that will happen now that Blaine was actually moving. But neither of boys even thought that this conversation was necessary. They both believed in each other and their love. And somehow it was enough.

They were sitting in Somewhere Only We Know, Kurt was slowly sipping his coffee and Blaine was sitting at the piano. “There is no better place for the end, as the place where it all begun,” Kurt had said.

„My name is Blaine, as some of you might know,” Blaine addressed the small audience in front of him, „and this is my last night in Lima. At least for some time. So this is also the last night you’ll have to tolerate my performances here.” This part of Blaine’s speech caused the people sigh in disappointment.

„And my last song I would like to dedicate to a very special person, who has helped me this year more than he can imagine. Kurt, this is for you,” he finished and looked down at the piano keys starting a quiet melody.

No warning sign, no alibi
We faded faster than the speed of light
Took our chance, crushed and burned
No, we’ll never ever learn

I fell apart, but got back up again,
And then I fell apart, but got back up again, yeah

Blaine’s voice was quiet and gentle; filled with all the emotions he had been carrying in him. His eyes were fixed to the black and white piano keys.

We both could see crystal clear
That the invitable end was near
Made our choice, a trial by fire
To battle is the only way we feel alive

I feel apart, but got back up again,
And then I fell apart, but got back up again
And then I fell apart, but got back up again
Way oh, way oh, way oh,
Way oh, way oh, way oh

Kurt looked at his boyfriend with tear filled eyes. He always loved to watch the older boy peform, but this song was something so much more. This was Blaine at his most vulnerable and honest form; all his fear, pain and love enclosed by lyrics and melody. Ad Blaine’s voice grew more and more powerful as he closed his eyes, completely immersing himself in this moment.

So here we are, the witching hour,
The quickest tongue to divide and devour
Divide and devour
If I could end the quest for fire
For truth, for love, for my desire
My desire

And I fell apart, but got back up again
Way oh, way oh, way oh, way oh, way oh,
Way oh, way oh, way oh, way oh

I fell apart, I fell apart, I fell apart,
I fell apart
I fell apart, but got back up again.

***

July 28th

In that morning Blaine and Kurt woke up together in Blaine’s room. His parent’s had left last night to visit Maria’s sister and would meet him in the airport. It was their way of letting the boys say goodbye to each other.

“It’s time to get up,” Kurt whispered as he moved in Blaine’s arms and checked the time on his phone.

When Blaine turned his head, he saw tears shining in his boyfriend’s eyes. “Hey, nothing of that! You hear me? No crying in my bed!” he smiled and gently kissed Kurt. The younger boy didn’t answer, but instead just nodded and pressed his lips to Blaine’s one more time.

They both got out of the bed and collected their scattered clothes from the floor. For the first time in his life Kurt really didn’t care about wearing the same outfit twice or not having his hair perfectly styled.

None of the boys felt hungry, so they started to load Blaine’s bags in his boyfriend’s car without breakfast. Too soon for Kurt’s wanting they were sitting in the car and driving to the airport. The drive was awkwardly quiet and filled with unspoken tension.

When they pulled up in the airports parking lot and got out of the car, they were met by Blaine’s parents and Elise, who helped to bring all of the bags inside.

Kurt stood aside as Mr. and Mrs. Anderson said goodbye to their son. He waited while Elise hugged her brother and wished him good luck. When it was his turn to approach Blaine, Kurt couldn’t find the strength in his legs until his boyfriend smiled at him breaking all the walls he had put up around him.

“I love you, Blaine,” he said as soon as he reached the older boy.

“I love you, too, Kurt,” Blaine warmly smiled, swallowing back the tears that were forming in his eyes. “I guess it’s time to say goodb-“

But he couldn’t finish the sentence, as Kurt quickly pressed his fingers against Blaine’s lips and rapidly shook his head.

“Don’t you dare!” he said through the tears that were now freely rolling over his cheeks. “Don’t say goodbye to me, because I’m never saying goodbye to you,” he firmly said and replaced his fingers with lips. They kissed like it would be their last kiss ever, not caring who might be watching. This was their moment.

When they pulled back, Blaine reached his hand to Kurt’s face and gently stroked his cheek. “Well… then until next time,” he smiled and kissed the younger boy one last time.