Break for Peace
Prologue
They got their letters the same day. Kurt stared in horror at the envelopes. No, no it’s not possible. He spent the day in restlessness. He’d try to study for his college finals, but he would find his gaze wandering to those unopened envelopes. He would attempt to clean the dishes or sweep the floor, but he gave up after breaking his fourth dish. By the end of the day, he found himself on the couch in a huddled position, staring at the white slips that had magically moved to the coffee table. Watching TV wasn’t even an option.
The door to the apartment creaked open. “Hey! Honey, I’m home!” There he came in with the big goofy smile upon his face. Kurt was amazed at how everyday he managed to come home with that same smile, even when you could see the bags under his eyes. “Kurt, what’s wrong?” Another thing about Blaine: he seemed to always be able to see right through him.
Kurt just nodded to the letters and watched as Blaine frowned and reached to pick them up. “From the army?” The dark-haired boy’s frown grew deeper. “Have you opened them?” The young diva shook his head and bit his lip. There was the sound of ripping as Blaine opened the two letters at once. A gasp came from the letter-holder, just a slight intake of breath, but it was enough for Kurt to know that the news was not good.
“What does it say, Blaine?” His voice was barely a whisper.
“It’s . . . it’s not asking for us to sing to the troops, Kurt.”
“I know.” A tear made its slow path down the side of his cheek.
“I’m joining the navy.”
Kurt looked up. “And . . . me?”
Blaine clenched the papers in his fist, raw grief scraping his throat. “Nursing. We’ve been drafted.”