This would be not only his classmates, but probably a large selection of Lima residents as well. Blaine had texted him “courage” several times during the course of the day – to the point where Kurt asked him to stop because seven texts in five minutes was a bit much.

He knew a lot was riding on this performance – Coach Sylvester was narrowing down her final choices for routines for Regionals, and Kurt knew if he did well tonight, he could take lead there as well.

He let himself into the house after school, another day where Karofsky had thankfully left him alone. Kurt didn’t know what was going through the bully’s head, but as long as he didn’t come near Kurt, it didn’t matter. He was just happy not to be shoved into the lockers every day.
He heard voices in the kitchen and headed in there, hanging his coat up in the hallway as he went. He took two steps into the kitchen and froze.
His dad was sitting at the table, a mug in his hands, casually chatting with Blaine.

Blaine, who was now grinning at him, rose from his chair. Kurt took two steps and then practically flung himself at Blaine, who managed to catch him.

“Hi,” Blaine laughed in Kurt’s ear.

“You’re here, you’re here,” Kurt chanted, holding Blaine close. “Wait – why are you here?” He pulled back, looking into Blaine’s eyes.

“I didn’t want to miss your big night,” Blaine told him. Kurt kissed him then, forgetting his father was in the room with them. Burt cleared his throat and Kurt practically jumped backward, blushing.

“I’ll just let you two have a few minutes,” Burt said, taking his coffee mug with them as he left.

“Thanks, Dad,” Kurt told him. “And that better be decaf.” Burt made a waving ‘whatever’ motion in Kurt’s direction and then disappeared into the living room.

“How long are you staying?” Kurt asked, still excited. He felt like he asked that question every time Blaine was in town.

“Sunday,” Blaine replied. “We had a light shooting schedule this weekend.” He smiled. “And the best part is that your dad said I could crash on the couch.”

“You’re kidding?” Kurt looked at him with wide eyes.

“Nope,” Blaine replied. “He said he didn’t see the point of me getting a hotel room when you guys have a perfectly good pull out couch in the living room.”

“This the best day ever.” Kurt practically bounced and then leaned forward and kissed Blaine again.

*

The game was brutal. Kurt didn’t even know who they were playing, nor did he care. All he could focus on was the half time show, and his performance. He repeatedly paced the sidelines when they weren’t doing their usual football cheer routines, and then searched the stands to watch Blaine with his family.

Finn was playing a hell of a game, even Kurt knew that much, as he was distracted by the sound of helmets cracking together on the field. Kurt was so glad he’d given up football after the one game he’d played in last year, as he couldn’t imagine playing in game like this one.
McKinley was up by a touchdown though, so they could actually win the game.

He found Blaine in the stands again, and waved. Kurt smiled when Blaine waved back.

The crowd chanted down the last few seconds of the half and then the football teams left for the locker room.

Kurt took a deep breath. The other team’s cheerleaders took the field and he watched their routine in a detached sort of way, playing out in his head every movement he needed to make, and every note that needed to be sung.

He could do this.

He would do this.

*

Blaine clapped politely as the opposing team’s cheerleaders finished their routine and ran off the field. He was nearly bouncing in his seat, anticipation of Kurt’s performance coursing through him. Until today, Blaine had never actually seen Kurt in his cheerleading uniform, and Blaine never thought he’d like uniforms considering his private school days and the fact that he wore one daily at work, but Kurt in his uniform was a sight to behold.

The arena went dark, and Blaine could barely make out the group of Cheerios as they rushed onto the field and got into formation.

The music pounded loud and sudden.

The lights turned on.

Kurt opened his mouth and started to sing.

*

Kurt rushed through his post-game shower, scrubbing his face quickly, and washing his hair. Most of the football team had gone already, but he didn’t want to take the chance of being caught naked in the shower by anyone. Finn was still out there getting dressed – Kurt could hear him talking.

Normally he would have waited and showered at home, but with Blaine there, and Kurt’s parents taking them all out to dinner, he’d had to do it in the locker room. He rinsed off hurriedly, stepping out of the shower in a towel and walking briskly to his locker. He could still hear Finn talking – presumably to one of his teammates, and began dressing rapidly.

He was just finishing up his hair when he sensed someone behind him. Tensing, he turned around. His inhalation of surprise seemed loud in the suddenly quiet room, and Kurt realized that he couldn’t hear Finn’s voice any more. His brother must have gone out to meet their parents and Blaine.

That meant he was alone – with Karofsky.

“What do you want?” Kurt muttered, shutting his locker and picked up his Cheerios bag.

“I need to talk to you,” Karofsky said quietly.

“You’ve seen me all week at school,” Kurt replied.

“I can’t talk to you with other people around,” Karofsky hissed, looking panicked. Kurt sucked in another breath, feeling light headed.

“Why?” Kurt asked, feeling himself getting angry. “You don’t want any witnesses?” Karofsky shifted uncomfortably. “Look, is this going to take long? Say what you need to say so I can get going. Being this close to you is giving me hives.”

“Will you shut up for a second?” Karofsky snapped. Startled, Kurt stared at him. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

“Then what do you want?”

“T-to apologize,” Karofsky stuttered.

“What?” Kurt wasn’t sure he’d heard the other boy correctly.

“I’m sorry, Kurt,” Karofsky murmured. “I know what I did to you was wrong, and I know that apologizing won’t make up for it, but I am.”

Kurt sank down onto the bench in front of his locker and just stared at Karofsky in shock.

“I just wanted you to know,” Karofsky said as he turned to go.

“Wait.” Karofsky turned back around to look at Kurt. “What brought this about?”

“My dad put me in therapy,” Karofsky answered, averting his gaze.

“So, what, two weeks of therapy or whatever and you’re cured?” Kurt asked, incredulous. “Do you know what you did to me, David? Do you?” He purposefully used Karofsky’s first name, and enjoyed it a little when he flinched.

“Yeah, I do,” Karofosky admitted. Kurt didn’t know what to say to that.
“I just… I’ve been so… angry.”

“Clearly,” Kurt replied softly. “What did I ever do to you? Why did you take it out on me?” Kurt looked up at him, and caught Karofsky’s suddenly intense gaze.

Kurt had seen a similar look on Blaine’s face a couple of times when he’d caught Blaine staring at him.

Oh.

Oh.

Kurt shuddered delicately, his eyes widening.

“You realize that – that’s never going to happen, right?” Kurt asked breathlessly. Karofsky just nodded.

“Kurt?” He heard Blaine’s voice call out. Blaine rounded the corner, and Kurt stood up. Blaine came to a stop. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Kurt replied. “Great, actually.” He slid his hand into Blaine’s and squeezed it. “David was just…”

“Yeah,” Karofsky muttered again, eyeing their clasped hands. “I’ll see you.” With that, he turned and walked away.

“Who was that guy?” Blaine asked, as they headed for the locker room door.

“I’ll tell you later.”

*

“You were both just simply amazing,” Carole said for what had to be the tenth time since they’d been seated at the restaurant. Kurt smiled his thanks, blushing again. His parents had insisted on treating him, Blaine, Finn and Rachel to dinner to congratulate them. Kurt’s performance had gone off without a hitch, his mash up of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions” was a big hit with the crowd. Coach Sylvester had even smiled at him afterward. To top it off, McKinley had pulled off a win, and Finn was a championship quarterback now.

Dinner passed smoothly, and the six of them talked and laughed over what Breadstix called “gourmet.” Blaine was amused by the fact that the breadsticks were awful, something he and Finn went on about for ten minutes until Kurt made them change the subject.

It was hard to be in public though – Kurt wanted nothing more than to reach over and hold Blaine’s hand, but he didn’t dare. There were so many reasons - aside from the fact that Blaine was famous and if recognized, would have to explain why he and Kurt were holding hands – there was also the fact that this was Lima, Ohio, and boys holding hands in public was still frowned upon (or worse).

That didn’t stop Blaine from helping Kurt with his coat at the door to the restaurant when they were leaving though, the others ahead of them saying their goodbyes. Finn and Rachel were headed to an after party to celebrate the win. Kurt would normally be going too, but with Blaine in town he was content to go back to his house and snuggle with Blaine on the couch.

“Excuse me?” a timid voice spoke up behind them as the stepped out into the lot. Kurt turned at the same time as Blaine, and he was surprised to see a girl of about twelve standing there. “I wanted to wait until you were leaving,” she continued. “You’re Blaine Anderson, right?”

Kurt stiffened.

Someone had recognized Blaine. He tried not to show his panic.

“That’s me,” Blaine replied, sounding cheerful. Kurt glanced at him. Why wasn’t Blaine more upset?

“I just wanted… can I have your autograph?” The girl bit her lip, clearly nervous.

“Sure,” Blaine agreed, taking the pen and paper she held out. “What’s your name?”

“Susie,” she answered. Blaine scribbled on the paper for a moment, using Kurt’s back as a writing surface.

“Here you go, Susie,” Blaine said, handing the paper back to her.

“Susie,” she read, “Fans like you light up my life. Blaine.” Susie squealed then and promptly looked mortified. “I’m sorry.” Blaine just smiled. “Could I have a picture?”

“Sure.” Blaine agreed, and somehow Kurt found himself holding the girl’s cell phone and snapping a photo of her and Blaine together.

“I should… go,” Susie finally told them. “My parents are probably wondering where I am.” She suddenly lunged forward and hugged Blaine, and then took off back into the restaurant, throwing an excited “Thank you!” over her shoulder.

“That happen a lot?” Kurt asked as they headed to where Carole and Burt were waiting.

“Occasionally,” Blaine laughed. “Just depends on where I am.”

“Sorry about that,” Kurt said as they got into his parent’s car, sliding into the back seat. “Blaine’s adoring public was lying in wait.”

His parents just laughed and Blaine poked him in the side.

“One day it’ll be you getting all the attention,” Blaine threatened teasingly.

“You think?” Kurt asked, having divulged his dreams of going to New York to Blaine back when they were still just friends.

“You’ll see,” Blaine replied. “What you should really be worried about right now is retribution for that comment.”

“Promises, promises,” Kurt waved his hand in a dismissive motion, holding in a grin. “You’re all talk, Anderson.”

“We’ll see about that.” Blaine smiled. “We’ll see.”

Kurt couldn’t wait until they got home.