He and Blaine spent the trip nestled in a seat together, sneaking kisses and small touches when no one was looking. He couldn’t believe how well everything was going. He’d aced his audition (his acceptance letter was due any day now), they were on their way to Nationals and he had Blaine by his side.

*

Watching New Directions rehearse was an experience. There was fighting and name calling but when push came to shove they buckled down and just… went for it. Blaine had never been more proud of Kurt, watching them run through the same numbers again and again.

They went back upstairs to break for dinner and to go to bed early. Because Blaine wasn’t technically a member of New Directions, he’d provided his own accommodations (which meant Julie had called and reserved a room for him), and though Kurt was meant to be sleeping in the boys’ room, no one blinked an eye when the two of them disappeared into Blaine’s room.

Kurt pulled him into the bathroom the minute the door shut behind them, kissing him desperately as they stripped and stepped into the shower. They took their time, washing each other, touching each other. When Blaine sank to his knees, sucking Kurt’s cock into his mouth, Blaine knew he’d always remember the way Kurt cried out.

Once sated, they went out into the room, dressing in pajamas with the intent to order room service (and possibly get naked again). Kurt’s phone suddenly went off, indicating a text message.

He picked it up and read it aloud. “Mandatory group meeting. Practice room, ten minutes,” he said. “It’s from Finn.”

“Let’s go then,” Blaine replied. He handed Kurt his robe, and the two of them slipped on slippers before making their way back downstairs.

They were the last ones to arrive, Blaine choosing to sit behind Kurt, against the wall, while Kurt joined in the circle New Directions had formed. They went around the circle, talking and laughing and sharing stories. Somehow, Kurt was talked into leading the group in the “Single Lades” dance (which Blaine had seen on video by complete accident – he’d been in Kurt’s room a few days ago, bored, and put in the DVD expecting a movie. Kurt had been mortified, but Blaine had never been more turned on in his life – and he’d let Kurt know it). They ended with a rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and he saw several of them (even a few boys), wiping tears from their eyes.

Finn stood up then, getting everyone’s attention. “There’s just one last thing,” he began. “We’ve always had a reason to want to win competitions. I thought maybe we could go around the room and say why we wanted to win tomorrow.”

Blaine thought it was incredibly touching when they all decided to win for Mr. Schuester.

*

The ride back to Ohio was just as jubilant as the trip to Chicago has been. New Directions was celebrating their win, the energy on the bus practically propelling them home. Kurt had been shocked by the reception they’d gotten from the student body at McKinley – confetti and streamers and actual support.

It was an amazing moment.

He was coming down from it all now, though. Graduation was looming, just days away. He had a speech to write and give at the ceremony as Class President, and he still hadn’t gotten letters from NYADA or UDACA to let him know how his auditions had gone. Rachel hadn’t heard either, and between that and fighting with Finn about wedding stuff, she was difficult to live with.

Mercedes and Puck were going off to California, Mike was going to dance school, Finn already had his college acceptance, and even Santana had announced a sudden change in plans – she would be joining them in New York. It was just Rachel and Kurt left and their entire futures hanging on the balance of one letter (or in Kurt’s case, two).

“I found an apartment,” Blaine said, appearing beside Kurt in the hallway after his last class of the day (not that there was any actual learning going on at this point).

“What?” Kurt asked, as they headed into the choir room for one of their last performances.

“I found us an apartment – well, it’s a condo, actually. Julie sent me pictures,” he continued, pulling out his phone, and showing them to Kurt as they walked. “It’s got three bedrooms and morning light.”

“Wow,” Kurt replied. “That looks amazing.”

“It’s ours if you want it.” Blaine turned to Kurt, clearly waiting on an answer.

“Of course I want it,” Kurt told him.

Blaine grinned. “Good, cause I already closed on it.” Kurt whacked him in the shoulder. They stepped into the choir room to see Rachel standing in front of the room with a letter in her hands. The rest of the room was silent, seemingly waiting for him.

“Is that…?” Kurt asked. A pin dropping would have been as loud as firecracker exploding in that moment. Rachel nodded.

“I have these,” Blaine spoke up, pulling two envelopes out of his bag. Kurt turned around and looked at him, his mouth falling open in shock. He took the two letters and went to stand with Rachel.

“UDACA first,” Kurt muttered, glancing at Rachel and tearing into his envelope. He stared at it for a long moment, his heart sinking. “I didn’t get in.”

Blaine moved forward, putting an arm around Kurt. “There’s still one more.”

“Together?” Rachel asked, sounding breathless. Kurt nodded and they both went for the NYADA letters. The sound of paper tearing was the only noise in the room. Everyone seemed to be holding their collective breaths as Kurt unfurled his letter and started reading.

Dear Mr. Hummel,

Congratulations. You have been accepted into the freshman class at New York Academy of the Dramatic Arts…

“I got in,” Kurt managed, looking at Rachel. She was wearing a wide grin.

“I got in!” she shouted. He lifted her up into a hug and they were immediately buried into a group hug by the rest of their friends. Kurt wrangled his way out after a minute and turned to Blaine.

“I got in,” he murmured.

“I knew you would,” Blaine told him, pulling him in for a hug.