Chapter 45

6 years later

"Stop fidgeting, honey," Kurt said impatiently and took Blaine's hands into his. "Your suit looks just fine, you look amazing overall, and, most importantly, you have absolutely nothing to be nervous about."

"I'm not nervous, Kurt, I'm just really excited. We haven't seen them for years."

"We talked to Rachel two days ago, Noah called us this morning and don't even try to deny that you and Mike haven't been on Viber the whole day. Just because we couldn't touch them doesn't mean it wasn't real."

"Yes yes, of course, you are right," Blaine said and pecked Kurt's lips.

"Are you secretly worried it might not be the same? Like, now that we haven't seen them in person for so long, do you think it will be awkward or something?"

"Maybe?" Blaine asked with big innocent eyes. Kurt looked at him pointedly. "Fine, yes, I'm slightly worried about that. But don't pretend you aren't thinking the same thing."

"That thought did cross my mind but I think we shouldn't dwell on it."

"Yeah," Blaine breathed and looked around just so he would have something to distract him. "Where are they? The play is about to start."

"If Noah forgets to pick up our flowers I will skin him alive," Kurt growled and looked around as well.

As if on cue a taxi stopped a few metres away from them and soon a familiar face appeared. Puck took a big bouquet of roses out of the taxi and turned around just in time to be enveloped in Blaine's tight hug.

"I missed you so much," the man said and Puck returned a hug.

"And I see you haven't changed, still as short as before," Puck teased him. "Princess, good to see you too."

"It's time you matured enough to stop calling me that, you know?" Kurt faked a frown but seconds later smiled widely and hugged the other man. "It's been too long since the last time I was exposed to your insanity."

"Yeah yeah," Puck rolled his eyes and gave Kurt the flowers. "Here you go. You can carry them from here. I had enough trouble as it is."

"What do you mean?" Blaine asked confused.

"Well, I had to do something good for someone who isn't me and you know how much I hate it."

"Says the person fighting to ban slavery," Kurt laughed. "Just admit you are a good person and be done with it."

"Never!" Puck mocked offence and they all laughed. "Should we go in? The Asians will probably be late anyway. Tina's ultrasound was scheduled late and– Fuck, you didn't hear it from me, okay?"

Kurt and Blaine looked at the man with surprise visible on their faces but didn't question further, just agreed to stay silent about their newly found information. They went inside a small theatre and passed a poster with Rachel in the centre of it. They didn't know anything about the play since it had been written not long ago and never before been performed for an audience and also because Rachel refused to tell them much about it. She only told them that they would probably like it but majority of people wouldn't.

The theatre was full except for two seats next to them – where Tina and Mike were supposed to be sitting. "Do you think they are okay?" Kurt asked glancing at the entrance.

"Of course, they are just running late," Blaine said running his thumb over Kurt's hand. "Don't worry, just relax and enjoy the show, okay?"

"You are right," Kurt smiled and the theatre slowly turned dark.

***

During the intermission Tina and Mike came in and they all fell into each other's arms, Puck staying a bit behind since he never really got close to the duo. Tina told them she had been pregnant for four months but wanted to surprise them. Unfortunately, they didn't get to talk much because the second act began and Rachel entered the stage.

The second part was even better than the first one and the play itself was success. The audience gave the actors a long standing ovation and Kurt couldn't help but feel proud of his friend.

"It was amazing," he said when they were slowly exiting with the crowd. "Rachel was phenomenal, she should be on Broadway not in a place like this."

"It's better to shine here than have a chorus part on Broadway I guess," Blaine shrugged. "She got the lead here and what are the chances she would have gotten that in some Broadway musical?"

"Very high, actually," a voice came from behind and they all looked back to see Rachel's slave Jesse walking behind them. "Rachel was offered a part on one Broadway show but she really wanted this part."

"Which musical was it?" Mike asked surprised.

"She doesn't want anyone to know so I can't tell you this, I'm sorry," Jesse said politely. "She said she wouldn't have taken any other offer at that point because this play was too important for her. She wanted the world to see that slaves are humans too."

"I almost cried when her character was taken away from her family," Tina admitted and leaned closer to Mike. "It might be hormones but still..."

"It was heart-breaking," Kurt agreed. "And when she died trying to run away from her owners... I thought it was the worst part but it wasn't until the heaven scene that I started crying. Beautifully done."

"There was a heaven scene?" Puck asked confused. "I must have fallen asleep."

"Of course you would," Kurt said with a roll of his eyes.

***

Half an hour later they found themselves in a restaurant nearby where they had booked a table for eight, assuming Lauren would be there.

"How is she doing?" Rachel asked Blaine after they ordered food. "I was shocked she didn't make it to the Olympics this year. I mean, four years ago she was unstoppable."

"She had a rough year, a big trauma," Blaine explained. "Her mom is sick as well so she wasn't in a good place. I tried to convince her to come here tonight but I think she needs some time for herself right now. I'll try to see her in a few days."

"How long are you staying?" Mike asked. "You haven't been here for so long there must want to do many things before you leave."

"Not really," Kurt said. "We are staying for two weeks only. We are staying at Cassandra's so that we can spend some time with Cooper. There is no point in going to Lima anyway since dad is rarely ever there."

"Oh, how is the Senator doing?" Rachel asked with a big smile. "I was so happy for him and for the whole State as well. He'll do well."

"He is alright, thank you for asking," Kurt replied. "He is insanely busy but managing. Noah is helping him a lot."

"Never thought you would be into politics," Tina said. "Thought you would be the one running from the law actually."

"I'm smart, I work against the law from the inside," Puck laughed. "They would never suspect me."

"I think it's amazing," Rachel said. "I mean, Puckerman was voted most likely to end up in jail and here he is, changing the world. I admire you."

"Uh, thanks?" Puck looked at her with a light blush on his cheeks. "And you were nice to look at on that stage. Acted well. And stuff."

"Thank you," Rachel beamed. "I love compliments."

"Don't we all know," Blaine laughed and scratched his cheek.

"What's that?" Mike asked immediately looking at Blaine's wrist. "Oh my god, it all makes sense now."

"What does?" Tina asked obviously confused.

Mike pointed at Blaine. "He got his slave tattoo removed. There is only one way you can get it done. It's only when–"

"–the slave becomes free," Puck finished for him. "How did I not think of this... That's why it's the first time you came here. Why didn't you tell us?"

"We didn't want to jinx it," Blaine said. "There was a chance something would go wrong and then it would have hurt even more if you had known about it. But now that everything went okay and I am a free man I can tell you this."

"I don't get it," Rachel frowned. "How are you free? Slaves still can't be freed no matter what."

"Not here at least," Puck said, "but in Europe things are different if you are smart enough. I take it you applied for a French citizenship?"

"I did. You have to be a resident for at least five years to get it. And after I managed to get all the right documents there was still a long process of getting my status here changed as well. In the end I had to give up my American citizenship too."

"Wow, and you couldn't travel at all?" Tina asked. "You stayed in France only?"

"We did," Kurt said. "We didn't have to but we didn't want to risk either. Better safe than sorry, right? We wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible. And while it wasn't an easy way after all, it was still very much worth it."

"Well, congrats, Mr. French man," Mike said with a big smile. "It's nice to see your wrist clean."

"It's still weird but good weird," Blaine said looking at his skin. If he took a good look he could still see some faded areas but anyone who didn't know about his past wouldn't be able to notice anything."

"So, what now?" Rachel asked. "Are you two moving back now that Blaine would be treated here as a free man?"

"No, we built a life in Paris already," Kurt said. "We will only come visiting more often from now on."

"Well, next time you come here let us know, okay? I don't want to wait another six years before I see you again," Rachel pouted.

"We'll come to visit our family and you all are a part of it," Blaine said with a fond smile.

"Cheesy," Puck laughed at him and raised his glass of wine. "To family."

"To family!"

They all clinked their glasses and cheered. Blaine looked around, his eyes stopping at the sight of his boyfriend smiling impossibly wide. Hopefully they wouldn't be boyfriends for long, Blaine thought feeling a little box in his pocket. He leaned in and kissed Kurt's cheek.

"I love you," he whispered.

"Always and forever," Kurt said silently and kissed him on the lips.

***

To a place without fear, with no moonlight
All I need are trees and flowers and some sunlight
Where memories are being made and where the old one dies
Where love ain't lost