The two weeks flew by. They spent every moment of the day together. After their first time together, they decided that as long as they were in the same place they would sleep in the same bed. It didn’t matter if they were spending the night at Kurt’s house or Blaine’s house. By this point their families knew that nothing they said would keep them apart so they didn’t even try.

Their last night together was spent at Kurt’s house. Blaine had already said his goodbyes to his family and since they were scheduled to fly out early in the morning they headed to Kurt’s room right after dinner.

“I’m going to miss us being together,” said Kurt teary-eyed. “I hate that we are stationed so far away from each other.”

“I know. I keep hoping that someone will swap assignments with me but so far nothing,” sighed Blaine. He knew it would be almost impossible to find someone who wanted to swap the sandy, warm beaches of Florida for the frigid, desolate Wyoming flat-lands. He would keep trying – there was nothing else to do.

“Hell, I would swap with you in a heartbeat. I know that I will be hating life in the humidity of Florida. I might even have to start my moisturizing regime up all over again.” After May 13th, he had pretty much abandoned the extremely rigid moisturizing regime he had religiously followed since he was 10 years old. The left side of his face was still puckered and he had to give up using his products while his face had been healing. No amount of moisturizing would give him back his porcelain complexion. However, he realized that the sun would make his scar worse and he wanted to make sure he did everything he could from letting it get uglier. The weeks in basic had really taken a toll on his skin. Blaine repeatedly told him the scar didn’t bother him but he never truly believed him. How could it not? Too bad he couldn’t wear a half-mask like the phantom of the opera. He realized that while he had lost many of his affectations after May 13th he had never truly lost his flair for being overly dramatic. He still tended to avoid any and all mirrors as much as possible.

“Yes, but I am not the “fighter engine whisperer” that you are so they wouldn’t let us swap. We need to have the same AFSC – engine whisperer,” smirked Blaine referring to the accolades Kurt’s trainer’s had given him in tech school. There just wasn’t an engine or mechanical part that Kurt could not bend to his will.

“Funny, funny, little, hobbit man. You are just lucky that I love your wee, little self so much!”

“Hey, I didn’t hear you complaining about my “size” last night,” said Blaine. He noticed the blush on Kurt’s face as he remembered what they had done the night before.

“True, I love everything about you and that does happens to be one of my favorite parts,” he said laughingly reaching out and tweaking his penis. “Seriously though, how are we going to manage to see each other?”

“I’m not sure. I pretty much used up all my leave already but I know that sometimes our unit gets days off during holidays. The next one coming up is July 4th. If I manage to get some time off I might try to fly to Florida. Hopefully they will let me do that without having to take any leave.”

“I’m not even sure what the protocol is at Eglin. All I know so far is that I’m scheduled to check in to the base before midnight tomorrow night. My leave is all gone as well and since I will be low man on the totem pole I’m not even sure what my duty schedule will be. Personnel is 7:30-4:30 while mine is 24 hour shifts. I am hoping I get the graveyard shift.”

“Why?”

“Less exposure to the sun.” Blaine knew that Kurt was still grappling with his scars and didn’t say anything. He made a mental note to keep telling Kurt how gorgeous he truly was.

“Right – well let me know as soon as you get your duty schedule,” he grabbed Kurt and spooned him. He wanted to just lie in bed and savor having his boyfriend all to himself for their last night together.

Kurt reached up and nuzzled his nose into Blaine’s neck. He breathed in deeply trying to internalize the smell that was uniquely Blaine so that he would have something to think about when he was all alone. He started kissing him slowly trying to press his body against Blaine’s. His body responded and before he knew it he was close to losing control. He was desperate – he wanted to pound into Blaine and claim every inch of him and he couldn’t seem to slow down or stop.

Blaine seemed to sense Kurt’s desperation and while he wasn’t sure what was happening he let Kurt set the pace. He didn’t want to think about all the lonely nights ahead of them so he just gave in to the sensations that Kurt elicited from his body.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

The next morning they boys dressed in their uniforms and said farewell to everyone that had come to say good-bye. The go to the airport in plenty of time to board their flight and before they knew it they were landing in Atlanta. They each had a layover in Atlanta so they decided to hang out at the USO. The USO provides a place for military members and their dependents to rest, eat, shower and wait for their flight in comfort rather than just waiting at the gate. They ate lunch and just sat together and enjoyed their last moments together. Eventually it was time for both of them to catch their connecting flights.

Kurt arrived at Fort Walton Beach, Florida and was met by his sponsor Sgt. Scott who happened to be his immediate supervisor. After getting his luggage they proceeded to the parking lot and Kurt thought he was going to die from the humidity and heat. Kurt hated to sweat and he was sweating like a pig. He knew that by the time they go to the base he would look like a wilted flower.

The fighter unit was manned 24 hours so their first stop was at the unit personnel office where Kurt was introduced to the First Sergeant, Master Sergeant Johnson. His sponsor explained that the First Sergeant was the chief advisor to the squadron commander. If anyone got in trouble it was usually the First Sergeant that got called. He was responsible for the morale and welfare of all the troops under his wing.

“The First Sergeant knows everything that happens in this squadron. Make sure you let him know if anything is wrong or you need advice. He will know about a speeding ticket before it is even signed by the MP issuing the ticket,” said Sgt. Scott. “Now let’s get to billeting so that we can get your dorm assignment.”

Kurt was thrilled to find that he was assigned a single room. After months of sharing living quarters he was ecstatic to finally have his own space even though it was small. The best part was that he shared a bathroom with only one other person instead of having to use the community showers they had at tech school and at basic. Sgt. Scott helped him carry all his stuff to his room and then took him to the “chow hall” as the dining hall was called for dinner. They ate dinner and Kurt got to meet a few of the members in his unit before finally getting back to his room. He had to report for duty by 7:30am and he was exhausted. Sgt. Scott promised to pick him up in the morning and left Kurt alone.

Kurt immediately picked up his phone and called his dad to let him know he had arrived safely. He described his room and what he had seen of the base which wasn’t much. He did ask his dad if maybe he could drive his Navigator down to Florida so that he could have his own transportation. The base was huge and it was spread out. There was a shuttle that he could take for the time being but he wasn’t sure if the shuttle ran at night and he wasn’t looking forward to waiting for a shuttle in triple digit weather. His dad agreed to drive his car down as soon as he could get away from the shop.

After calling his dad he quickly dialed Blaine’s number and waited for him to answer. “Hey sweetie, how did it go today?” asked Blaine.

“I reported to duty and got my dorm room. I’m lucky enough to get a single dorm and only have to share the bathroom with my neighbor, who I have yet to meet. It is hot and sticky and I should find out tomorrow what schedule I will be working.”

“I just got home not too long ago. I flew into Denver and then had to wait for the connecting flight to Cheyenne. I will make sure to ask about the 4th of July weekend as soon as I get to work tomorrow.” They talked for a few more minutes before they called it a night. They were both tired and they both had to report for duty early the next day.

“I love you and I will try to SKYPE you tomorrow,” said Kurt.

“Bye, love you too.”

xoxoxoxoxxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoox

Blaine was working on some routine Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders when he saw the name on the next set: A1C Timothy Blanken. Blaine blinked his eyes and walked over to Tim’s desk. He dropped a copy of the orders in front of Tim’s face and told him to read the orders.

“You got orders to Randolph Air Force Base in Texas.”

“Oh my GOD!!!! This is the ticket out! No more snowstorms, negative wind-chill factor, frostbite on my dick and best of all it is to Headquarters! Do you know what this means Anderson?”

“That you get paroled?”

“No dummy – it means that you now have connections. Don’t think I don’t know that you are dying to get orders to Florida so that you can be near that yummy, delicious, gorgeous man candy you call your boyfriend.”

“How do you know my boyfriend is gorgeous, yummy or delicious?” asked Blaine looking at him through narrowed eyes.

“I don’t have to be gay to appreciate beauty.” At Blaine’s confused look he continued, “The last time we played poker was in your dorm room and I looked at all the pictures you have of Kurt hanging around your room. He is gorgeous. That scar does nothing to hide his beauty – it actually makes him look hotter! Once I get to Randolph I will be able to try and help you get orders closer to him.”

“You would do that for me?” asked Blaine trying not to get his hopes up. He wasn’t sure how Tim could help but he planned on keeping in touch with Tim. “When do you report to Randolph?”

“It says July which is kind of short notice but it isn’t like I have dependents to worry about. Hell, I’m going to call and see if I can get there by the end of June. Wish me luck,” he said as he reached for the telephone. Blaine wished him luck and wandered back to his desk. He still had plenty of paperwork to do before he could go home and SKYPE Kurt.

xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxox

Kurt felt like he had just stepped out of the shower. He had always loved that moment when he stepped out of the shower and the air was warm and moist and he could just revel in the relaxed womb-like feeling before he opened the bathroom door to let the cool, crisp air shock his body back into life. Florida had ruined that for him.

He hated living in that warm, moist environment 24/7. He was not a warm weather person and he did not appreciate feeling like he was sticky and wet all day long. Kurt was right when he figured that he would get the graveyard shift and he tried to not act too excited when his supervisor gave him his schedule. His duty hours were 10:00pm to 7:00am.

It took him a while to get used to working these hours because he had always been a morning person but he was glad he wasn’t out working on the flight line in the intense daytime heat. While still hot, it was at least bearable. After a few weeks of being at Eglin he quickly fell into a routine. After work most of the guys working the graveyard shift would either hit the gym or run a few miles before heading home to sleep. Kurt would try to sleep from 9:00am to at least 4:00pm and then have the afternoon to do whatever he needed to do before talking to Blaine or his family. He had just hung up the phone when there was a knock on his door.

As he opened the door he was almost knocked down by his grandmother’s hug. “Surprise!” she shouted.

“What are you doing here?” exclaimed Kurt truly surprised as he saw his grandfather standing behind his grandmother.

“Your dad couldn’t get away from the shop to drive your car down here so we volunteered. The joys of being retired – plus we have a bunch of friends who retired in Florida. We are planning on staying in the area for the next month or so catching up with old friends. I hope we can manage to take you out to dinner a few times while we are here,” she squeezed him so hard he had to wiggle out of her embrace.

“Let the boy breathe woman,” huffed his grandfather as he hugged Kurt. “Have you eaten yet?”

“No, I was just headed down to the chow hall for a quick bite.”

“Well get your shoes on boy and we will take you to one of the best seafood restaurants in Destin.”

They made their way to Destin was about 30 minutes away and they were able to get seated right away. Kurt was amazed at how white the sand dunes were – from the car it looked like snow was covering the beach. Destin was a popular beach resort and there were plenty of tourists around enjoying the sun and surf. His grandfather asked Kurt questions about work and he mentioned that he was having dinner with the base commander the next day.

“Please don’t mention me at all grandpa. I don’t want to draw any attention to myself. I want to just do my job and hope it speaks for itself.”

“I’m proud of you son – why wouldn’t I mention you?”

“Just please don’t. I don’t want anyone comparing me to the famous General Allen. I remember how we spent a whole week during basic and tech school reading about your exploits and how instrumental you were in planning and executing the air strikes during the Persian Gulf War, Desert Storm and other classified conflicts. All I remembered was how you used to sit down and have tea parties with me whenever you visited. It was kind of hard to reconcile both images in my head. The TI’s never looked at me the same when they found out you were my grandfather. I think they were disappointed.”

“He did look handsome in his uniform sitting in a child sized chair learning how to properly hold his pinkie,” laughed his grandmother.

“Ha – I’ll have you both know that those lessons helped me when I happened to get invited to have tea with the Queen of England. She was most impressed with the fact that I knew the proper etiquette of how to hold a teacup. I never did thank you for that pinkie knowledge so as payment - I won’t bring you up in conversation tomorrow if that will make you uncomfortable.”

“I kind of just want to blend in right now especially since I’m brand new and still trying to learn the ropes. I don’t want anyone to assume I’m as smart and awesome as you are grandpa.”

“Don’t sell yourself short Kurt – you are one of the strongest people I know. Now, who wants dessert?”

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Blaine was sitting in bed studying for his promotion test. He had the television on as background noise. Leno was on and he was interviewing the mayor of New York and he saw clips of 9-11 being broadcasted. He knew Kurt’s mom had died on that day so he reached over to turn the volume up. The mayor was discussing how after 9-11 the nation’s patriotism was at an all-time high. Flags were flown from every available surface. The same was true after the May 13th bombing in LA. However, it seemed that after a while everyone went back to the business of living their normal every-day life which is not a bad thing but he wanted that feeling of unity to be a normal part of life.

“When my kids were young we used to celebrate birthday “months” not just a single day. We would actually plan activities the whole month to let them know how loved and appreciated they were and they loved this concept. I want to start a new tradition in New York. As you know, Jay, we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th every year with fireworks, picnics and barbeques. I want to celebrate the nation’s birthday for two weeks starting on the 14th of June which is Flag Day.”

“Flag Day – huh – that is a little known holiday. I don’t remember ever getting drunk on Flag Day,” laughed Leno.

“Exactly – well not the drunk part but the fact that not too much is known about this holiday. It actually commemorates the adoption of our flag and I think it should be celebrated by all Americans. I love to see our flag flying proudly on people’s lawns, cars, and businesses,” replied the mayor.

“What type of activities are you planning for this 2 week lead-in to the 4th of July?”

“We are kicking off the celebrations with a citizenship ceremony at the Statue of Liberty. We are inviting 100 immigrants who have completed all of the requirements in their quest to achieve American citizenship to celebrate this important milestone in their lives with us. We will be broadcasting the ceremony on national television.”

“That’s a lot of people when you include the immediate families. How are you going to fit everyone at the Statue of Liberty?”

“Due to space limitations their immediate families will be at Ellis Island during the actual ceremony. There will be screens set up so that the families can witness their loved ones take their oath which Supreme Court Justice O’Leary has graciously volunteered to officiate. After the ceremony everyone will be taken to Central Park where there will be music, dancing, food and of course, once the sun sets – fireworks. There will be nightly concerts at the park and we will have performances every night during the 2 weeks prior to the 4th of July. We have quite a few well known New Yorkers performing during the free nightly concerts such as Lady Gaga who has volunteered to perform her new song. I hope to see you and your family there Jay.”

“Mayor, thank you for coming on the show – I plan on being there – not sure what day but I think this is good for the city of New York as well as the nation. Count me in – and now ladies and gentlemen stay tuned for……” Blaine noticed the time and decided it was time for bed. He quickly shut off the television and sent a quick text to Kurt wishing him goodnight. He didn’t think about New York or its celebrations. The only things he wanted to dream about were blue eyes and his future with the love of his life. Unfortunately for him there were others thinking and dreaming about New York.