[mood music]

Kurt was vibrating with excitement when he left Shelbys study.  He immediately began a search for Blaine only to quickly discover that he had been called away on urgent ranch matters.  The discussion would have to wait. 

Kurt knew he should talk to Blaine before he talked to anyone else, but he was nearly bursting with happiness.  He couldnt hold it in.  When he saw Rachel in the main room, he grabbed her hand and led her to some overstuffed chairs tucked into an alcove. 

"Youll never guess what," he started. 

Kurt proceeded to tell Rachel everything, starting with confessing his love of Blaine.  He told her about Shelby barging into Blaines room and Kurts discovery of the mother-son relationship.  Then he related his conversation with Shelby in the study.  When he finished, he looked at Rachel expectantly. 

She did not disappoint.  She let out an excited squeal, leaning over to grab Kurt into a huge hug.  Then, in very Rachel-like fashion, she started talking fast, "Oh my gosh, Kurt, this is so exciting!  Its too late to audition for Julliard or Tisch or even NYADA--do you think hell apply to NYADA?--but he can come to New York and live with us.  We can put up another curtain and make him a room, or he can live with you in your room...do you think hell want to do that?  And Shelbys bound to have a lot of connections.  She can hook him up with some teachers to get him back in shape.  He can practice all year and then audition for next year, and then hell be a little bit behind us, but well be on Broadway after we graduate so we can all stay together.  Its going to be so much fun, Kurt.  I am so happy for you!"  Rachel hugged Kurt again, and they both bounced up and down, even though they were kind of sitting. 

Slightly spent, Rachel collapsed back into her own chair.  Then her eyes lit up, "Kurt, I cant believe youre dating Shelby Corcorans son.  That is amazing."

Kurt gave Rachel a closed mouth but genuine smile, "Yeah, it is pretty cool." 

"Do you think hell do it?"

"Do what?"

"Move to New York?"

"Why wouldnt he?  Shelby says they dont really need him here, and Ive seen how he longs to perform.  Of course he would jump at the chance to move to New York."  Kurt paused and reflected, "Wouldnt he?"

Rachel shrugged.  Then she laughed, "Were being silly.  Of course Blaine will come to New York, even if its only to be with you."

"Yes, Im sure youre right."

But Rachel had already sown the seeds of doubt. 

--KB--

Kurt waited all day for Blaines return, but Blaine didnt get back to the bunkhouse until well after midnight.  One look at him and Kurt could tell he was dead on his feet.  Their conversation would have to wait; what Blaine needed now was to have the sweat and powdery dust washed off of him and a good nights sleep. 

Kurt pulled Blaine into the room and sat him on the bed.  Then he pulled off Blaines boots and socks, kissing the tops of his feet when they were naked.  Walking into the bathroom, he turned on the shower to warm, and he returned to Blaine, who had managed to undo about three buttons on his shirt but not much else.  Kurt efficiently stripped Blaine of the rest of his clothes and then dragged him to the shower and stood him under the spray. 

Kurt quickly stripped off his own clothes and stepped inside the shower stall, pulling Blaine back to lean against his chest.  Kurt shampooed Blaines hair, rubbing his scalp with his fingertips and nails, and eliciting an "Mmmmm" from Blaine.  After rinsing his hair, Kurt turned Blaine around and washed his skin thoroughly, the dirt running off his body and turning the water brown.  Blaine stood limply, he arms draped bonelessly over Kurts shoulders, tiredly letting Kurt tend to him. 

Once Blaine was clean, Kurt turned off the shower and grabbed a fluffy, clean towel.  He turned Blaine so he was holding himself up with his hands pressed against the shower wall.  He dried Blaine and himself quickly and efficiently.  Then he took Blaine by the hand and led them both, naked and clean and only a little damp, to the bed. 

Blaine sank into the pillows gratefully, and Kurt reached across him to shut off the bedside light.  Then Kurt bent his head to brush a soft kiss to Blaines forehead.  As exhausted as Blaine was, Kurt assumed he would be asleep the second his head hit the pillow, but as Kurt snuggled Blaine into his arms, Blaine murmured, "I love you so much."

Kurt gave him a squeeze.  "I love you, too.  Now get some rest."

Within minutes, they were both sound asleep. 

--KB--

Kurt awoke to the feel of Blaines soft lips on his closed eyelids, then his nose, and finally his mouth.  Kurt opened his eyes slowly, blinking in the dim early morning light. 

"Morning," he murmured, cuddling more firmly into Blaines warm chest. 

"Good morning, my love," Blaine returned, kissing Kurt a little more firmly on the lips this time.  "You have to wake up, dear.  I have a surprise for you."

Kurt roused himself to full consciousness.  "A surprise?  What kind of surprise?"

"I talked with Sam this morning, and were caught up enough that I can take the day off.  Im going to take you to Malta."

"The island in the Mediterranean?"

Blaine grinned, "Maybe someday, but no, the one-horse town in the middle of nowhere, Idaho." 

Kurt grinned back, "I see.  I hear they have fabulous restaurants and shopping there." 

Blaine elbowed him in the ribs, "Smart ass.  Actually, Im taking you just beyond Malta to the Silent City of Rocks."

"The twin sister to the Noisy City of Rocks?"

Blaine tickled Kurt, and Kurt squealed "Stop, stop," giggling until Blaine stopped. 

"Youre an awfully funny man for so early," Blaine complained affectionately. 

Kurt grinned and pushed a stray lock of hair back from Blaines face, "Ive always been a morning person.  And speaking of which..."  He pulled Blaines hand over to feel his morning erection.

Blaine groaned, "You are an evil, evil tempter."  He toyed with Kurts erect penis for a few seconds, pulling a hum out of Kurt, "But if we dont get going, it will be too hot when we get to the City of Rocks to enjoy it."  Forcing himself to pull his hand away he continued, "So, up you go," he gave Kurt a playful swat on his ass.  "Were burnin daylight."

Kurt rose out of bed, wiggling his naked ass enticingly as he went.  Groaning, Blaine reached out and pulled Kurt back onto the bed, kissing him hotly and wetly before shoving him away.  Blaine put both hands in the air, "Go!  Get dressed before we waste the whole day in bed."

Kurt quirked an eyebrow, "Would that be so bad?"

Blaine covered both of his eyes with his hands, "Stop it!" he scolded teasingly.  "I will not succumb to your wicked ways." 

--KB--

Half an hour later they were rumbling down the road in Blaines pickup truck, Kurts hand resting comfortably on Blaines lean thigh.  Kurt was eager to talk to Blaine about the conversation he had with Shelby, but Blaine was unusually chatty.  Kurt figured he had all day to talk to Blaine, so he settled back in his seat and listened happily as Blaine pointed out items of interest along the drive.  He showed Kurt the remnants of the Oregon Trail and the California Trail that led the 49ers to the gold rush.  He pointed out herds of antelope and a red-tailed hawk lazily circling the sky. 

Just as the sun was coming to full brightness on the horizon, Blaine steered through the "town" of Malta--really just a few stores, a hotel, and a restaurant serving the scattered ranches in the Raft River valley and a few adventure tourists--and veered right onto a dirt road.  As they rounded a corner, Kurts breath caught.  

Dotting the mountains and rising up like skyscrapers from the sage brush and scrubby pine trees were giant batholiths rising to form spires across the valley.  

Kurt sucked in his breath, "Blaine, its beautiful."

Blaine expertly steered the pickup into a vehicle pull-out and keyed off the ignition.  He reached out with a hand and cupped Kurts cheek, "I think its the most beautiful place in Idaho, and I think youre the most beautiful man.  It seems only fair to bring them together."

Kurt pressed his cheek into Blaines palm and closed his eyes for a second in order to take in the exquisite feel of Blaines work-roughened hands and bask in the loving words.  When he finally opened his eyes he said, "I love you so much."

Blaine smiled, "I love you, too."  Then he reached across Kurt and pushed open his door.  "Come on," he commanded. 

--KB--

Kurt and Blaine spent most of the morning scrambling over rocks, walking hand and hand down the dusty road that winded through the national reserve, and following each other through a maze of sagebrush-lined trails.  They saw rabbits and hawks and laughed at the antics of the fat chipmunks that criss-crosssed their paths. 

As far as Kurt was concerned, the morning could not have been more perfect, especially now that they could make plans for a future.  Taking Blaine by the hand, Kurt led him across a large boulder to sit in the shade of a granite arch. 

As they each used both hands to ease themselves down on the slippery rock surface Kurt remarked, "I cant believe Im leaving here in two days.  Im going to miss Idaho so much."  Kurt laughed, "I never thought I would ever say that."

"It grows on you," Blaine agreed. 

"I need to talk to you," Kurt continued, taking Blaines hand in his once they had both settled into sitting positions.

Blaine looked at Kurt attentively. 

"I talked to your mom yesterday," Kurt began.  "She told me about your dad and what you did and what you gave up in order to save the ranch and keep her financially viable.  You take my breath away, Blaine."

Blaine shook his head, "Its no big deal, Kurt.  Its nothing any son wouldnt do for his mom."

Kurt squeezed Blaines hand, "Its more than a lot of sons would do, but thats not the point.  Your mom asked me to take you with me.  To New York.  When I go. 

Blaine released Kurts hand and stood.  He walked a few paces away and dragged a hand through his hair.  He turned and looked at Kurt, trouble etched across his face.  "I cant just go, Kurt.  Not anymore.  Im a rancher now."

Kurt looked into Blaines amber eyes, "Yeah, I know.  But you dont have to be.  Your mom said that Sam was capable of running the ranch now, and shes more than capable of running the guest part, especially with Santana at her side." 

Blaine shook his head, "Its not just the ranch, Kurt.  Its me.  Ranching is all I know how to do.  What am I going to do in New York?  How am I supposed to make a living?"

Kurt was taken aback by Blaines reluctance.  He had been so excited that whenever the thought that Blaine might not feel the same way crossed his mind, he had firmly tamped it down.  Now he felt fear crawling up from the pit of his stomach.  He tried to stay calm and reason with Blaine, "Well, for one thing, you can be with me.  Rachel and I have already talked about it, and we want you to live with us.  Or you dont have to, but youre welcome, if you want.  You could study violin for the rest of the year, and then next year you could reapply to Julliard and maybe to Tisch and NYADA." 

Blaines eyes widened with incredulity and began to get a little red around the rims, "You really dont get it, do you?  That dream is over.  Its too late for me, Kurt.  The kind of dedication it takes to make it...you cant take years away from it, like I did, and expect to just be back to where you were before.  Performance is a discipline, Kurt.  You know that.  Do you know whats happened since I gave up the violin?  Ive broken fingers.  Ive gotten stiff.  Ive lost my bow speed.  Im too old.  I cant get it back.  I had a dream, Kurt, and its over.  Over, Kurt.  Done with." 

Blaine walked over and squatted down beside Kurt, "Youre really sweet to think I could go back, but it was a childs dream.  I had a window, and I missed it.  Ive accepted my new life, Kurt.  You have to accept it, too."

Kurt put a hand on Blaines knee.  "Okay.  I dont mean to push you, but you could do something else."

"What?"

"Anything."

Blaine shook his head, "Im a rancher.  Its not what I aspired to, but its what I am.  Im good at it.  Its what I do.  This isnt just a job for me, Kurt.  Its my lifes work.  It is now."

Blaine collapsed back down beside Kurt, slumping dejectedly.    

Kurt laced his fingers with Blaines, "Do you know how precious you are to me?" he asked the curly-haired cowboy. 

Kurt took a breath, "Ive wanted to perform for a long time, but it wasnt my first dream--my best dream.  My first dream was to be loved.  Since I was three and would walk around in my moms heels playing wedding, I dreamed of having a man to love me.  Now Ive found one, and I need to pinch myself to remind me that its real."

Kurt turned to face Blaine head on, "If you dont want to come to New York, then let me come here.  I dont know anything about ranching, but I could learn.  Or I could work in the lodge.  I can cook and sew, and I can certainly organize and decorate and make people happy.  More importantly, I could make you happy.  Please say ‘yes, Blaine.  Dont let this--dont let us--slip through your fingers."

Blaine wrapped his arm around Kurt, and they both sat there quietly for a long time looking out at the rocks as they lined the horizon. 

"Let me think on it," Blaine finally said.