The lights grew dimmer and dimmer until only the glow of a few candles illuminated Kurt’s workspace. He blinked repeatedly, ignoring the sting in his eyes as he tied off the final stitch. With a smile, Kurt packed away all the fabrics in the box below his table and stood, wincing from the ache in his muscles as he stretched himself out.

Making his way down the rows of tables, he approached the Peacekeeper in charge.

“I’ve finished my work for the day sir. Request sign out.” Kurt said flatly.

“Name?”

“Kurt Hummel.”

“Request granted. Work resumes after the Games. May the odds be ever in your favor.” The Peacekeeper replied, not bothering to look up as he checked off Kurt’s name.

The slender boy exited the building, the cold chill making him tighten his scarf and wrap his arms around himself, holding his worn jacket in place. A small skip slowly returned to his step as he headed to the mill where Blaine worked.

The icy wind chapped Kurt’s lips as he reached the mill at last and passed through the rusty gates. Many workers, looking tired and worn, were packing up the final rolls of cloth into the storage closet and heading home. Bright blue eyes scanned the sorry scene in front of him until they landed on Blaine.

He was still clad in only his white t-shirt and worn jeans. Both were browned from the dust and dirt, and despite the cold wind Kurt could see a sheen of sweat on his forehead. Kurt stiffened as he watched Blaine wince under the weight of a giant swathe of black velvet, his muscles looking sore and raw as he finally managed to push the cloth into the closet. Blaine turned, and seeing Kurt he gave a small wave, a smile breaking across his exhausted face. But before he made his way to his boyfriend, Blaine approached a water trough, washing his face, hair, and arms from the dust and muttering a quiet thanks to another boy who offered him a threadbare towel to dry himself upon.

Blaine walked away from the mill, pausing in front of Kurt until Kurt gathered him up in a warm embrace.

“I’m gonna get you wet.” Blaine muttered into Kurt’s shoulder.

“I suppose.” Kurt said shortly, running his fingers through Blaine’s wet curls. The shorter boy looked up and gave him a quick kiss before breaking away and gripping his hand.

“Let’s go.” He said grinning, slinging his pack more securely on his shoulder and pulling his boyfriend down a muddy path.

“But your bike?”

“I dropped it off on the way here. Don’t worry. ”

“Me? Worry about a bike that’s going to get you killed? More like worried about you when that bike actually does break.”

“What did I say about hating on that bike?”

“Did I say anything about listening?”

“Touché,” Blaine replied with a laugh, “Now we’re going to have to hurry if we want any time to sit before the sirens.”

“Stupid curfew…”

Blaine just chuckled, keeping his hand tight around Kurt’s as they quickened their stride.

***

A few minutes later, the couple reached a splintered fence which they jumped skillfully, years of experience teaching them where it was lowest and how to avoid the cruelest thorns. Finally, they reached a small clearing, dry grass dotted with small lilac flowers. The two had been coming here ever since their first day of school where chance stood them beside each other as a Peacekeeper listed off restrictions to a group of frightened children, his voice caging in the free spirit they were all born with as he forced them to learn, to follow and to never question.

“Now before I forget…” Blaine said happily, releasing Kurt’s hand suddenly as he reached into his pack and pulled out a small bundle. Unwrapping it, he handed Kurt one of two chocolate cookies.

“Mmmm…” Kurt hummed, “This is delicious. Where on earth? How?”

“My mom. I guess she had a few extra from the bakery.” Blaine replied, his mouth full of soft dough.

Licking every crumb off their fingers, the couple made their way to a large tree in the centre of the meadow, Blaine bent over and dislodged a bundle that was hidden between the thick roots, pulling the worn tablecloth off an ancient guitar, wood made soft and smooth by generations of hands.

Kurt and Blaine sank down against the stable trunk, holding on to each other as the sun began to set in the distance. Wordlessly, Blaine pulled the guitar across his chest, Kurt laying his head onto Blaine’s knee, plucking the petals off a small flower as Blaine began to slide his hands across the strings and started to sing softly:

You're better than the best
I'm lucky just to linger in your life
Cooler than the flip-side of my pillow, that's right
Completely aware
Nothing can compare to where you send me
Let's me know that it's okay, yeah it’s ok
At the moments when my good times start to fade

Blaine looked down at Kurt, his voice gaining strength.

You make me smile like the sun, fall outta bed
Sing like a bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

Even when you’re gone,
Somehow you come along just like a flower pokin through the sidewalk crack
And just like that
You steal away the rain
And just like that

You make me smile like the sun, fall outta bed
Sing like a bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile

The two are laughing now and Kurt sits up and adds his voice to the happy melody, both their voices rising into the chilled air.

Don't know how I could live without you
'Cuz everytime that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
Oh you make me smile!!!
You make me smile like a sun, fall outta bed
Sing like a bird, dizzy in my head
Spin like a record, crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like fool, forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Oh, you make me smile…

Blaine stops strumming and leans over to pull Kurt into a long kiss that makes Kurt’s heart stop. Breaking away with a grin he whispers, “Oh you make me smile.”

Pushing the guitar aside, Kurt gently eases himself onto Blaine’s lap, letting strong arms hold him tightly. Blaine rests his chin onto the top of Kurt’s head, humming a tune softly. The two sit like this for a while, enjoying the closeness and safety that they only get while in each other’s arms.

Taking in the scent of the dusty air and Blaine, Kurt looks across the clearing and says slowly, “I’m going to miss this.”

“Hmm???” Blaine replies drowsily.

“If I get picked tomorrow. I’m going to miss this. This meadow… this old tree… you.”

“Let’s not think of that now.” Blaine says firmly, holding him tighter.

Kurt quiets and closes his eyes, feeling Blaine’s heartbeat on his back. And as the sun sank, the two boys laughed, talked, kissed and sang until the sirens and falling darkness ushered them home.