Author's Notes: Blaine entered the building the first day back at school a changed boy. He was gelling again, his injuries had fully healed, and he had taken up boxing to help defend himself. He was a man with a plan - if he had the courage to put it in action.

Blaine walked past the tall, slender, chestnut-haired cheerleader on his way to homeroom. Kurt thought Blaine looked better than he did the last time he’d seen him - he’d regained the weight he’d lost and his muscles were more defined. He also looked happier and more beautiful than ever.

“Oh my god, Rach … he’s gorgeous.” Kurt sighed under his breath, staring at Blaine's ass once he'd passed by.

“Down boy!” Rachel joked.

“I’d forgotten ...” said Kurt, lost in his own little world.

“Forgotten what?” Rachel laughed, a little confused.

“How beautiful he is … my god, that ass and hair and back …” Kurt began to rattle off a list of Blaine's many, many, beautiful attributes.

“Alright, quit drooling.” Rachel cut in, hitting Kurt’s stomach lightly with the back of her hand “Let’s get to homeroom, so you can stare some more.”

She chuckled; Kurt looked mock-offended by the accusation. They entered homeroom and Blaine smiled briefly in Kurt’s direction - the smile that made Kurt's heart melt like butter sliding along warm toast. He then returned to talking with fellow Glee club member Mike Chang. Kurt half expected him to walk over and talk to him, and it hurt a little that he didn’t - Kurt didn’t want to make the first move ... he had to be sure Blaine was ready. If they started hanging out again Kurt wouldn’t be able to stop himself from kissing Blaine's perfect, pink, delicious lips - it had been too long since they'd last kissed.

Kurt spent the whole day trying to catch Blaine's eye, but each time Blaine simply smiled his angelic smile and returned to what his was doing. It was so nice to see him happy again … he was still a bit scared to talk to Blaine. What if the smile was just a front? What if he hated Kurt with a passion? What if he was mad about the note? What if he never asked Kurt out again and started dating someone else? Kurt's heart would surely break. Even the thought of Blaine hating him stung - Kurt knew he had right to after saying ‘no’ like that, but he still thought it was the right thing to do even if it sucked.

Blaine saw Kurt staring at him, and he found it completely and utterly adorable. He wanted so much to go up and ask him one certain question, the one that had been on his mind for months - the one he desperately wanted Kurt to say 'yes' to. He’d missed Kurt terribly. Kurt said Blaine needed space, and that's what he had given him … all summer, and not so much as a text from Kurt. No contact except for the run-in at the restaurant, but still it had been a long time since they had spoken properly. He’d forgotten how perfect Kurt was, how his hair was always impeccably coiffured, how his cheerleader uniform clung to the contours of his body, the way his eyes sparkled when he smiled and just how beautiful that smile was. He loved it all - Kurt made his legs turn to jelly and his stomach do little flips when he saw him.

In last period, English, they we’re paired up for group work. Both boys were really excited but neither showed it.

“Um, hey.” Blaine smiled nervously.

“Hi!” Kurt grinned back a little too enthusiastically.

Blaine laughed lightly. They completed their work, chatting and catching up. Kurt knocked his knees against Blaine’s occasionally, elbows brushing every now and then. Kurt just wanted to reach out and squeeze Blaine's biceps - his polo shirt stretched tightly across his back and over the tops of his arms. Those newly formed muscles looked even more impressive up close.

“Uh ... Kurt? Would you maybe like to go for a coffee?” asked Blaine, wringing his hands.

Kurt wondered why he was so nervous … he hoped it was because Blaine was going to ask him out again, and not that he hated him or had decided he couldn’t be friends with Kurt any longer. But then, why would he be asking to go for coffee? Kurt’s mind was spinning with questions and possible outcomes, but he chose to not listen to any of them.

“Yeah, sure… I'd love to.” Kurt nodded.

“Great.” Blaine smiled, “Follow me?”

“Okay.” Kurt grinned again.

They drove to the Lima Bean, ordered their coffees and sat down opposite each other. They fiddled with their coffee cup lids, neither boy knowing what to say to the other, both hoping the other would say something first to assure they were still friends.

“I’ve missed this.” Kurt admitted, breaking the silence. “Hanging out with you, I mean.”

“Me too - I’ve missed talking with you … and you were right, Kurt. I wasn’t ready.”

“And now?”

Blaine nodded, a hopeful look in his eyes. “I’m ready. I’ve moved on and I have one question.” he blurted, taking Kurt's hand and smiling. “Kurt, will you go out with me?”

“Yes! Yes, I will.” Kurt beamed, taking Blaine's hand and pressing his lips to it. Blaine blushed slightly, and he smiled fondly. “You’re cute when you blush.”

Kurt continued to smile and Blaine felt his cheeks flare even more. Kurt always made him blush, but Blaine loved Kurt’s smile - it made him feel warm, special and happy.

“Um, thanks.” Blaine said coyly, the blush creeping down his neck. “So, let me take you out on Friday ... dinner at Breadstix and a movie?”

“Sounds perfect, Blaine - absolutely perfect.” Kurt nodded, thinking just like you but not wanting to embarrass Blaine any further.

“It will be … I promise” Blaine smiled.

Kurt shuffled round the table so he could brush his knee against Blaine’s; more-so he could smell him - that scent that he’d missed so much. Blaine smelled like cinnamon and sandalwood, and Kurt loved it. He would happily drown in a vat of the scent, in fact - as long as he was with Blaine, of course.

“So, I’ve been thinking, over the summer … now that things are okay between us-”

“They were never not okay…” Blaine interrupted gently. “You were just giving me space like I needed.”

“Yeah … well I’ve been thinking I’d re-join glee club - if they’ll take me back …”

“They will, Kurt. They really miss you being there.” Blaine smiled. It was more that he wanted Kurt there than that he was missed by the group, but Blaine knew deep down that they did. How could you not miss Kurt?

“Yeah - I was kind-of an ass to them though. I mean, I abandoned them before a competition. I told them I wouldn’t change, and I did … I have.” Kurt admitted sadly.

Blaine took Kurt's hand and stroked it comfortingly.

“Anyway.” Kurt added after a momentary silence “I was wondering, if maybe you’d help me with an audition piece?”

“Oh ... um, sure! I’d love to, Kurt … in fact, I have the perfect song.”

“You do?” Kurt asked, a little stunned.

“Yeah ... uh … it’s one that I’ve imagined singing with you for months.”

“Oh? Do tell.”

Blaine shook his head with a grin. “Nope, that’s a secret … but head back to mine? I’ll play it for you.”

Kurt nodded. “I love hearing you sing.”

“Likewise.” Blaine blushed again, glancing up through his eyelashes - something Kurt found incredibly endearing, adorable and a little sexy.

They left the Lima Bean, Kurt trailing behind Blaine so he got a good view of Blaine's butt - he had a perky and delicious behind that looked like it had been baked to perfection by some sort of master chef. Kurt couldn’t help but stare, and had to remind himself to breathe and actively close his mouth to prevent getting looks from the other patrons. But it felt so nice to know that Blaine was finally his boyfriend, and that they were actually dating now - he was officially allowed to leer without it being creepy.

They chatted as they drove and soon pulled up outside Blaine's house. His dad was out and Kurt was relieved - that meant they could make out on Blaine's couch … or fuck on it? Maybe that was more of a fifth date thing, but Kurt couldn’t help it - he was a teenage boy who was now dating, in his opinion, the hottest guy in school.

Blaine sat down at the piano and began to play.

“Um, so - join in when you recognise the song, okay?”

everyone’s around, no words are coming out.
And I can't find my breath, can we just say the rest with no sound.
And I know this isn't enough, I still don't measure up.
And I'm not prepared; sorry is never there when you need it.
And I do want you know I hold you up above everyone.
And I do want you know I think you'd be good to me
And I'd be so good to you.
I would.

Blaine smiled at Kurt as he saw the recognition spread across his face. Kurt began to sing along and Blaine's heart soared ... he felt light and truly happy. He could sit and listen to Kurt sing, talk, hell - breathe - forever! Everything he did was perfect, every noise he made, beautiful. Blaine loved everything about Kurt … he was constantly reminding himself that yes, he could now kiss those perfect pink lips and no-one would shout at him. He wouldn’t feel guilty because those lips belonged to his boyfriend.

I thought I saw a sign, somewhere between the lines.
Maybe it's me, maybe I only see, what I want.
But I still have your letter, just got caught between
Someone I just invented, and who I really am and who I've become.

Kurt felt tears stinging his eyes at that last line. He’d changed so much in the two years he’s been a Cheerio, but Blaine brought out the old him. When he hung out with the Cheerios he didn’t feel like himself - he used to, but not anymore. But Blaine brought back old Kurt … the real him, the one he wanted to be, not this egotistic vision in red and white. When he was with Blaine he didn’t want this popularity anymore ... the only person he wanted attention from was Blaine.

And I do want you know I hold you up above everyone.
And I do want you know I think you'd be good to me
And I'd be so good to you. Woahh
You bring me higher.
Yeah.
I would.

And I do want you know I hold you up above everyone.
And I do want you know I think you'd be good to me
And I'd be so good to you.
I'd be good to you,
I'd be good to you,
I'd be so good to you...

Blaine turned to Kurt and saw the tears in his eyes.

“Kurt sweetie, what’s wrong?” asked Blaine, wrapping an arm around his boyfriend.

“It- It’s nothing … silly, really.”

“You can tell me anything.”

Kurt rested his head on Blaine's shoulder.

“It’s ... it’s just - I’ve changed. I’m not the real me - not at school … or at least I wasn’t until you came to McKinley … and - and well, I’ve missed the old me.” Kurt sobbed.

“Oh, Kurt.” Blaine cooed and held him closer.

“I’m a fake. When I’m with Cheerios … I’m not me… and I hate the person I’ve become.”

He really did hate the person he was with the Cheerios - the one who’d left Quinn, Brittany and Santana, his best friends - the ones who helped him come out. The ones who cared for him. Kurt missed them too … getting back into Glee club would help him get back to finding himself - he hoped he could still mend the bridges between his old friends.

Blaine didn’t know what to say. He just hugged Kurt for a while, rubbing his upper arm as Kurt sobbed into his chest. When Kurt had calmed slightly, he spoke again.

“Thank you, Blaine.“

“For what?”

“Thank you for being you, and helping me.”

“Oh ... well, you’re welcome I guess.” Blaine shrugged selflessly.

“Kiss me?” Kurt asked, tilting his head up to look into Blaine's eyes.

Blaine cupped Kurt’s cheek and pressed his lips to Kurt’s in a chaste, salty kiss.

“Couch?” muttered Blaine against Kurt’s lips.

Kurt nodded and Blaine led him over to the couch, laying Kurt down and kissing him deeply as he climbed on top of him. Kurt ran his hand through Blaine’s hair releasing it from its gelmet and tangling his hand into his curls, pulling Blaine closer and wanting more - needing more. Blaine’s tongue slid over Kurt’s upper lip begging for access which Kurt soon granted. Blaine tongue explored Kurt’s mouth tasting every inch, withdrawing and letting Kurt’s into his. Kurt swiped it across Blaine perfect, pearly-white teeth, their tongues duelled for dominance, swirling around each other. Blaine pressed his thigh against Kurt’s crotch, grinding himself into Kurt’s hip. They pulled away when they felt someone standing over them, clearing their throat loudly.

“Oh, um - sorry, Mr Anderson.” Blaine stammered, standing up and straightening his shirt.

“How many times do I have to tell you keep your faggy, fairy princess activities to yourself, and if you’re going to bring other fairies back here, you stick to your room!?” His father yelled.

“Yes, sir.”

He turned on his heel and left the room. Blaine wiped his eyes quickly; He shouldn’t let his dad get to him like this. Sometimes he wished his mom would come back and whisk him away to whatever exotic place she was in with Cooper- But then he’d miss Kurt too much.

“Sorry about him …” Blaine sniffed.

“Blaine?” Kurt urged gently. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I-I’m fine.”

Kurt felt bad for Blaine - that Blaine's dad wasn’t as supportive as his. It obviously upset Blaine, but he always wore a brave face … Kurt admired that. If it was him he wouldn’t be able to be as good as Blaine was ... it must feel terrible to be constantly being told that you were disgusting and wrong by your father.

“You sure?”

Blaine started to nod but then shook his head and turned and fell into Kurt's arms. He sniffed again, hugging Kurt tightly, soaking up his scent - he smelled of rose water.

“Blaine, baby? I should go … I told Dad I’d cook dinner.”

“Y-yeah.”

“I’ll call you tonight, okay?”

Blaine nodded and kissed Kurt again.

“Bye, baby.” Blaine said, smiling at the term of endearment he just used.

Kurt left. Blaine cooked his dinner and sat up in his room. He decided to write in his journal. He loved to do that - it was where he buried all his deepest thoughts, fears and worries, but also where he documented his life.

Dear Journal,

I did it. I did it! I did it and he said yes … I know he said he’d say it but he really did it. He’s my boyfriend. Like, I’m dating the hottest guy at McKinley. Pinch me! Oh, and the look on Mr Anderson’s face when he caught us making out on the couch - man, I wish I had my camera. It was hilarious … he still made me feel crappy though … whats worse is he aimed it a Kurt too - no-one can talk to him like that. It's one thing for him to yell and put me down, but Kurt is another ... he's perfect and amazing and he doesn’t deserve it. He’s so perfect, I think I love him. I love his eyes and lips ... oh, his lips are so soft. I love when he kisses me, the way he kisses me soft and slow but so much emotion, so sweet. Fireworks explode. He's so tender and gentle with me - not like Jermaine. Kurt's so hot … have I mentioned that? His abs are gorgeous ... I caught a glimpse when his shirt rode up when we were making out. He's just so beautiful, and mine - all mine. QUEEN BEE KURT ELIZABETH HUMMEL IS NERDY BLAINE THEODORE ANDERSON’S BOYFRIEND!!!!!! Do you hear wedding bells?! No? Oh yeah … me neither … yet ;)

Blaine had just finished writing in his journal and was reading Paper Towns by John Green when ‘Mr Brightside' chimed from his phone. The screen glowed declaring it was ‘Kurt’- his boyfriend - calling him.

“Hey.” Kurt almost sang when Blaine picked up.

“Hey, you.” Blaine smiled, happy to hear Kurt's gorgeous voice.

“You okay?”

“Better now I’m talking to you. You okay?”

Kurt giggled lightly at the cheesiness of that line.

“I’m okay, and I’m glad you’re okay … but, nothing happened after I left right? He didn’t - you know … hurt you or anything, did he?”

“No, no … Kurt, baby… I’m fine.”

“Okay, good. So what’cha dooooooing?” Kurt crooned.

“Reading … missing you a bit … is that pathetic?”

“Nope, not at all. I miss you too.”

“Okay, what're you doing?”

“I’m just thinking about you.” said Kurt, a smile evident in his voice.

“What’cha thinking about?” Blaine grinned, hugging a pillow to his chest.

He’d always dreamed of having flirty late night conversations on the phone with Kurt, and now it was happening. It could happen every night ... he was allowed to because they were dating. He was finally allowed to talk to Kurt this way.

“Just about you and the way you smell, and the way you kiss me and hold me … your smile, your eyes, your hair. The way you blush when I smile … just, everything.”

“I love kissing you ... your lips are so soft.”

“I love kissing you too.” Kurt sighed dreamily. “So you teach piano now, huh?”

“Uh, yeah. Chandler heard me play and he offered me a teaching position - like you used to have.”

“Yeah …” Kurt replied sadly.

“You play guitar so beautifully, Kurt. I always used to watch your lessons.”

“Thanks ..." Kurt smiled. "My mom taught me.”

“She did?”

“Yeah …” Kurt nodded, shaking himself from the memories. “So, any chance of free lessons?”

“Hmm … teachers can't date their students.” Blaine replied flirtily. “I’m not sure I could stop myself from kissing you.”

“Oh, well - that’s a shame … you’d have been the sexiest teacher I’d ever had.”

“Hmm … well maybe I could make an exception, just for you. I like the idea of being a rule-breaker.”

“I like the sound of that too, Mr Anderson. It’d be naughty ... forbidden.” Kurt said in a rough, husky whisper down the phone.

“Um … can ... can you not call me that? S-s-sorry for ruining the mood” Blaine asked, panic evident in his voice. He knew Kurt would treat him like Jermaine had- getting mad at him for messing things up- but the fear was still there. “M-Mr Anderson is my father ...”

“Bee, sshhh - it's okay. Sorry, sweetie ... I didn’t think,” said Kurt softly, wishing he could hold Blaine right now.

“Now I’ve ruined our flirting. I'm so sorry.” Blaine sighed sadly.

“No, I didn’t think … I’m sorry, Bee”

“It's okay, Mr Hummel ... I’ll forgive you” Blaine smiled, gaining some confidence back.

“Oh, will you now sir?”

"Ah, sir… I like that. I like that a lot.” Blaine grinned, feeling himself growing hard. Why was Kurt’s voice so sexy.

“Do you now, sir?”

“Yes, very much Mr Hummel.”

“So, sir - will you be my piano teacher?”

“I will … I’m sure you’ll be my favourite student.”

“I most definitely will, I promise.”

“Yeah.” said Blaine dreamily.

They talked until the early hours.

“Bee? Its three o'clock. We’ve been talking for about five hours.”

“Oh god ... I have to be up in three.”

“Coffee before school?” asked Kurt hopefully. He wanted to spend as much time as he could with Blaine outside of school.

He knew that the freshmen Cheerios wouldn’t like Blaine hanging out with them and their ‘Queen’, especially with Chloe and James taking over. Kurt couldn’t care less really if the Cheerios dropped him, he just wanted to make sure he belonged somewhere before he quit.

“I'd love that, baby.” Blaine nodded, grinning from ear to ear.

“Pick you up at six thirty? We could grab breakfast - my treat.”

“Sounds amazing ... g'night baby.”

“Goodnight, Bee.”

The boys hung up, both falling asleep and dreaming of each other, both grinning. They finally belonged to each other. Finally.