Blaine dropped off Kurt at his house and headed home. He couldn’t stop thinking about the military. None of his family had ever served in the military so there was really no one he could talk to about this. He really needed to figure out his thoughts and feelings. Was he interested because Kurt was going? Was this just a way to stay near Kurt? If he were honest with himself he would admit that everything he did – he did with Kurt in mind. He finally stopped fighting the feelings he had for Kurt. He was seriously in love with him and couldn’t even think about being without him for one minute of the day. He also knew he couldn’t tell Kurt how he felt – not when neither one of them knew where they would be next month. Kurt was struggling with a bunch of stuff and he didn’t need to burden him with his fucked up thoughts. He needed to do this by himself.

Once he got home he looked up the number for the Air Force Recruiting Office and even though he knew they were closed for the night he called and left a message and a call back number. He figured they were closed on the weekends so Monday was the earliest he was expecting a call back. He was getting ready to go spend the day with Kurt on Saturday morning when his phone buzzed. He answered and was surprised to hear the recruiter on the line.

“Hi, this is Tech Sergeant Chase, is this Blaine Anderson?”

“Umm – yeah, hi – thanks for returning my call.”

“What can I do for you Blaine?”

“My friend, Kurt, took the ASVAB test in Columbus yesterday and I tagged along as company. I ended up taking the ASVAB as well and I would like to find out more about the military. Do you think I could stop by soon to speak with you?”

“We are closed on weekends but we do check our messages twice a day which is how I got your number. How about coming in Monday morning to talk to me? Make sure you bring the print out that they gave you at the MEPS station.”

“Ok – see you Monday morning.” He debated calling Kurt and talking to him about this but he decided not to for now. He hurried out the door – Kurt was waiting.
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Blaine walked into the recruiting office early Monday morning with tons of questions on his mind. He and Kurt had spent all weekend watching movies, cuddling and just trying not to think about the fact that time was flying and it was almost time for him to go. He had finally made up his mind about NYADA and was planning on calling the school this morning to decline his acceptance. He knew that even if he didn’t pass the physical for the military, NYADA was no longer an option for him. Blaine was supportive even though his heart was breaking into tiny pieces at the thought of Kurt leaving.

“Hi,” he said to the man sitting at the desk. “I have an appointment with Mr. Chase, my name is Blaine Anderson.”

“Nice to see you Blaine, I’m Tech Sergeant Chase. What can I do for you?”

“I need you to answer these questions,” he said as he pulled out a list of written questions from his pocket.

“You made a list?” smiled TSgt Chase.

Blaine blushed, “I tend to write down important stuff so that I don’t forget what I need to do. I have a tendency to get carried away sometimes and forget whatever it is I’m supposed to be doing….like now….”

TSgt Chase laughed, “Well then, I’m glad you wrote them down then. Can I see the list?”

Blaine handed him the list and then they both sat down and they went through the list question by question. Blaine was impressed with how in depth TSgt Chase answered each question. After an hour of answering questions, Blaine was almost positive this is what he wanted do regardless of whether or not Kurt was able to pass his physical to get into the military.

“Any other questions you might have that you did not write down?”

“My friend Kurt is thinking about enlisting as well. Is there any possible way we could both end up going on the same day to basic training?”

“The Air Force has a buddy system. This system makes it possible to go to basic training together but it does not guarantee that you will both be stationed together. As always, the needs of the Air Force come first. Is Kurt someone special?”

“H-He isn’t….I mean he is special….No – what I’m trying to say that we are just friends right now but he is special – but not that special – I will just shut up now,” mumbled Blaine blushing profusely.

“That’s ok Blaine, I think I understand.”

“I can’t really discuss Kurt’s enlistment process with you but if both of you muster through your physicals and actually do enlist then I will make sure you go together. That’s a promise. Now can I see the printout you were given at the MEPS station?”

Blaine hands over the printout and sits patiently while TSgt Chase looks at the results.

“Your scores show you have an aptitude for Administrative AFSC’s.”

“AFSC’s?”

“Air Force Specialty Codes – AFSC for short. You will find that the military is a world of acronyms. AFSC is basically your job. It seems that while it is almost impossible to ace the ASVAB you pretty much scored in the top percentile in the Administrative fields. What were you going to study in college?”

“It has always been implied that I should become a lawyer or study for something in the business field so that I can work for my father’s company.”

“That doesn’t sound like it is what you want though,” replied the recruiter.

“I’m not really sure what I want to study. I really love music and performing but of course, according to my family those are really not career options. I was just going to go to school and do pre-law because that is what I’ve always been told was what I needed to do.”

“Tell you what – here are a couple of brochures on the different AFSC’s. Look through them and let me know what you decide. Let’s see today is Monday – let me know what you decide as far as enlisting or not so that I can schedule you in for a physical. Are there any medical conditions that you are aware of?

“I suffered some burns to my torso and have had skin grafts. I’ve had broken bones but they have all healed. I was supposed to undergo one last surgery before school started but that one was mostly cosmetic. My mom seems to think that girls won’t find my scars attractive. She doesn’t want to understand that most boys don’t mind them and that’s what counts. I’m sure I want to enlist – go ahead and make that appointment for me. I do want to think about the job I might want a bit more though if that’s ok.”

“That’s fine. I will schedule your appointment. Have you spoken to your parents about the possibility of enlisting in the military?”

“Not yet but I just turned 18 so I don’t actually need their permission do I?”

“Technically no – you are legally an adult but it is nice if they understand what you are trying to do with your life.”

“My parents love me but I’m not sure they will ever understand me. I will talk to them though. TSgt Chase, thank you for your help. Please call me with the information for the physical once you have made the appointment.”

“It was nice to meet you Blaine. Good luck speaking with your parents,” he said as he watched the young man leave his office. He quickly got on the phone and managed to schedule the boys’ physicals on the same day a few minutes apart. He would call them later on to give them the time and date for their appointment.
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Kurt had invited Blaine over for dinner on Tuesday. He had just gotten a call from his recruiter and he was scheduled for his physical on Thursday afternoon. His appointment was at the MEPS station in Columbus and he was planning on asking Blaine to drive down with him to keep him company.

“Blaine, are you doing anything on Thursday?” asked Kurt as he passed the potatoes to his dad silently warning him to take just a small helping.

“Umm yeah, I have an appointment Thursday afternoon,” he replied. He hadn’t told Kurt about his decision to enlist or the fact that is physical was on Thursday. “Why?”

“I have my physical set up for Thursday afternoon in Columbus and was wondering if you could keep me company but that’s okay I’ll see if Finn can go.”

“Sorry Kurt but Rachel and I are going to go see some musical in Cincinnati. Her dads are taking us and we are planning on staying up there overnight,” said Finn.

“I’ll go with you Kurt,” said Blaine knowing he would have to explain everything to Kurt.

“I don’t want you to cancel your plans for the day just to tag along with me Blaine. I can go by myself.”

“My appointment is in Columbus as well so we can both go together. I just need to be there before 2:30.”

“Is your appointment for your surgery,” asked Kurt instantly concerned. He had never seen the extent of Blaine’s injuries. Their cuddling and kissing had never gotten to the point where they needed their shirts off although Kurt really hoped to get there soon. Kurt wasn’t sure if Blaine was self-conscious about his scars. He never spoke about his burns and Kurt didn’t want to push him.

“Can we talk about this after dinner?” asked Blaine not wanting to get the whole family involved in the discussion in case Kurt didn’t react well to his announcement. He noticed Carole and Burt looking at him in puzzlement.

“Alright,” said Kurt thinking Blaine didn’t want to discuss his scars with the whole world. After helping Carole clean up the kitchen they both went to sit on the porch. It was a beautiful night and the worst of the heat was gone. There was a nice breeze as the boys sat next to each other.

Kurt held Blaine’s hand and gently caressed it, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Blaine didn’t know how to begin. “Remember when you were taking the ASVAB and I was just sitting there waiting for you?” he continued when he saw Kurt nod. “I started talking to the soldier there and I ended up taking the test as well. I started mulling over my options and on Monday I went in to the recruiting station and spoke to your recruiter. My appointment in Columbus is at the MEPS station for my physical,” he said looking at Kurt.

“I’m confused Blaine. Are you telling me you are going to enlist in the Air Force?”

“I think I am Kurt.”

“Why? Is it something you want to do or…,” he didn’t want to continue the question. He didn’t want Blaine to think that he thought he would do something like join the military for him. He knew that would sound conceited and while Blaine had told him he liked him that did not mean he would do something this big for him. He wasn’t sure what else to say.

Blaine grabbed Kurt’s hands and held on to them as he spoke, “Kurt – I’m doing this for me. I’m doing this because I believe that I survived the attack to make a difference somehow – someway. I can’t say I would have come to this realization if I hadn’t seen you struggle with the same decision. I can’t say that part of me hopes that we will somehow end up going through this together. I can say that I am doing this for me. I am also doing this because I have decided that I can’t stand the thought of being apart from the person that I love.”

Kurt froze. Had he heard correctly or did he want to hear those words so badly that he had dreamed it up all in his head.

“Excuse me?” he asked.

“Kurt, I love you. I think I’ve loved you from the moment I spotted you in Coachella. I didn’t want to say anything sooner because I knew we were both going to be leaving Ohio and I didn’t want to burden you with my feelings. It’s okay if you don’t love me – well no that’s not what I mean – ugh – I just don’t know how to explain….”

“Blaine,” Kurt interrupted. “I love you too!” They stared at each other in wonder and slowly leaned towards each other. Blaine kissed him gently and held on to him not wanting this moment to end.