Chapter 14: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

"Please, Kurt! Pretty please!"

"I've said no, Louisa! This is the first Valentine's Day Blaine and I can really spend together and I'm not wasting it."

Callbacks wasn't at its busiest so Blaine could enjoy the two cousins entering the restaurant for lunch and wearing their fighting attitudes. He approached them to hug his boyfriend:

"What are you two arguing about this time?"

Louisa looked at him in search of help:

"Blaine, could you please convince my thickheaded cousin that you two joining me and Maggie for singing at V-Day is a good idea? We could all use the cash..."

"And could you tell my dear cousin that I deserve a special Valentine's night with my boyfriend without eye-surgery, Gap managers or being broken up?"

Blaine scratched his neck with a guilty look on his face. Kurt turned his grimace from Louisa to Blaine:

"What's wrong, Blee?"

"I'll have to work anyway on Valentine's Day."

Kurt was clearly disappointed and Blaine felt his stomach doing a twist. He knew Kurt wasn't mad at him; but he felt guilty anyway. He tried to hug Kurt in the most intimate way his workplace would allow:

"I'm sorry, gorgeous; it's that Valentine's Day is one of the busiest of the year. If I don't come; there'll be consequences for me."

Kurt was still pouting, but seemed to understand:

"I don't blame you, honey; I just wanted our night to be special."

"It can still be special even if it's on another night. The important thing is that we are together and that we love each other."

Louisa found it a good time to intervene:

"If I may... The sign we just saw outside said that they are looking for a singing quartet to be the main attraction on Valentine's night. You two could join me and Maggie. That way you still spend the night together; we'll have some fun and we go to leave home with a couple of bucks more than when we entered. Please say yes; Kurtie..."

Kurt rolled his eyes:

"Alright; I'll do it. What do you have in mind that's easy to rehearse and we all know the lyrics for sure?"

Louisa had a triumphant smirk on:

"Isn't it obvious, my also-British-worshiper cousin? The Beatles! We could be Sargent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and use it to attract more customers. We'll be a place for singles to meet and for couples to sing and dance together to the Fabulous Four's love songs. What do you think?"

Blaine raised his hand to fist-bump her:

"I'll tell my manager about it right away."

xXxXx

Rachel was concentrated on her book in the library when a pamphlet fell between her and the play she was reading. Confused, she looked up and found Brody smirking in a way that showed he was up to no good. She checked the pamphlet to see what it was all about. Why would Brody be so interested in a party for singles on Valentine's Day at Callbacks? She teased him:

"Already tired of hooking up with every girl at NYADA? I don't want to spoil it for you, but I don't think you'll not find a very different public at Callbacks that day."

"You know I only have eyes for one girl now. Read it!"

"I've read it! What's so special about a Beatles cover group?"

He chuckled and bent down so his face was inches closer from hers:

"And do you know who the Sgt. Peppers are?"

"The Beatles? Oh my God! Is Paul McCartney in New York?"

She didn't like when people face palmed in front of her; she didn't like the feeling that she was wrong. Brody looked at her with sparkling eyes:

"These little beetles we are talking about are no less than: Kurt, Blaine, Maggie and Louisa."

"Oh! I see."

Her feud with Louisa had not ended, although they've both learned to be polite with each other since none of them started dating the other's boyfriend after the break-ups. Nevertheless, watching Louisa perform, Brody drooling for her and other couples making out wasn't Rachel's idea of a good Valentine's night. Besides, lately she had learned to care for Brody like for a brother and she feared for his heart:

"Brody... I don't think this is the best idea. Your chances with Louisa are less than thin; why put your heart out there to be broken?"

"Because, dear Rachel, my heart will be nothing but very happy at the end of the night. And so will yours."

"Okay; we've been through this a million times: we're not getting back together..."

He interrupted her with a laugh:

"Don't flatter yourself, princess. I want Louisa and you want Finn. Where would a single shy guy with a fresh wound in his heart be on Valentine's Day other than with his brother and cousin?"

Brody's eyes were full of hope, but Rachel didn't have the same faith. The last time she was with Finn at Callbacks had been anything but positive. Anyway, she believed he'd be on some bar finding a busty blond to hook-up with.

xXxXx

"Hello and welcome to this wonderful night here at Callbacks. We are the Sargent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and we'll be your hosts for the evening. My name is Blaine Anderson and if you want to sign up to sing you just need to talk to me. So now, for the happy hearts lonely or together – or for the hearts that are looking for being happy: The Sargent Pepper's!"

Louisa, Kurt and Maggie joined him on the stage with matching colorful military jackets. Finn was glad that Kurt had convinced him to join them on that Valentine's Day. He was still blue for having lost Rachel, but too wounded to try to get back with her. Kurt had proven to be the best brother a guy could hope for on these last days in New York.

Truth be told, he had only moved there because of Rachel. Sure NYU was a much better school than Lima's community college; but Lima's lifestyle suited him better. He was getting a good enough education to become a teacher in Ohio. However, Rachel had thaught him to dream higher and he had learned. Then, at the moment he was feeling his loneliest, he finally understood the meaning of the word family. Kurt was there for him, Blaine was there for him and, surprisingly, he could almost call Louisa his second mother.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/7EmqoZAmxoc

It was twenty years ago today,

Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play,

They've been going in and out of style

But they're guaranteed to raise a smile.

They band had already began to sing on the stage and caught everyone's attention. Everyone's but Finn's. At that precise moment, two people had crossed the door of the bar and Finn couldn't take his eyes off them. He saw when Rachel and Brody found a reserved table for themselves and when the boy pulled a chair for Rachel to sit in.

So may I introduce to you

The act you've known for all these years

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

With a disgusted sigh, Finn turned his eyes away from the scene and back to the stage. Louisa had also seen it and winked at him. He grinned back to the girl. Finally beginning to pay attention, he saw that the four voices on the stage matched quite well during their version of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The audience seemed cheerful and entertained. He took a deep breath hoping it could be a peaceful and entertaining night for him too.

We're Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

We hope you will enjoy the show,

We're Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Sit back and let the evening go.

Sgt. Pepper's lonely, Sgt. Pepper's lonely,

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

It's wonderful to be here

It's certainly a thrill

You're such a lovely audience

We'd like to take you home with us

We'd love to take you home

I don't really like to stop the show

But I thought that you might like to know

That the singer's going to sing a song

And he wants you all to sing along

So let me introduce to you

The one and only Billy Shears

And Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

xXxXx

Brody didn't want to let Rachel see it, but he was extremely nervous that night. Louisa had seen their arrival and winked at Finn. He didn't know how much into each other they were now; he only knew Louisa belong with anyone else but him. He hadn't seen that the first song was over; he was awaken from his trance by the cheering and joined it to be polite.

Louisa and Maggie were exiting the stage leaving Kurt and Blaine to do a duet. Kurt hurried to the microphone:

"Let's celebrate love, guys! Being in love or finding love tonight, there are always people in our lives we'd do anything for. I'm glad I get to be surrounded by my loved ones tonight."

Blaine joined him in the light with that struck-by-love smile he always wore around Kurt. The two of them started singing All You Need Is Love and exchanging meaningful glances that made it clear to anyone that they were a couple.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/my8p9GPiqKs

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.

However, Brody wasn't at all interested in the love-doves on the stage. He spotted Louisa with Maggie at the bar getting a refill on their water bottles. It was a 'now or never' moment.

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.

Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.

Nothing you can say, but you can learn

How to play the game

It's easy.

He approached the two girls and Maggie, who saw him coming, made a disgusted face. Louisa turned around and pursed her lips when she saw it was him. Ignoring all that, he went on with his rehearsed line:

"Can I have a word with you?"

Nothing you can make that can't be made.

No one you can save that can't be saved.

Nothing you can do, but you can learn

How to be you in time

It's easy.

She rolled her eyes in her typical way:

"I'll never hear the end of it if I don't agree, right?"

He nodded and she shrugged. Maggie held her arm:

"Are you really okay with it? Need any help?"

Louisa smiled that genuine smile she didn't have for Brody anymore:

"It's fine. Go check that girl you were telling me about up. If I need help, I'll scream."

All you need is love, all you need is love,

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.

All you need is love, all you need is love,

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

She agreed to follow him to a quiet corner were they could actually hear each other. He tried to start rubbing her arm and asking how she was but she slipped him.

"Look Brody, please don't act like nothing has happened between us. I appreciate that you care about my health, but you're not the person I'll go to if I need to vent."

He smiled sadly:

"I wish I were. I accept your coldness towards me; but I wanted to tell you that I won't stop working to change that. I realized too late that I love you, Lou."

There's nothing you can know that isn't known.

Nothing you can see that isn't shown.

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where

You're meant to be

It's easy.

"Please, don't 'Lou' me."

He was getting more desperate every second:

"What can I do? Tell me! I'll do anything!"

She sighed and then turned on her sympathetic smile:

"I told you I need some me time. Please, respect that. I'm vulnerable and I'm avoiding strong emotions. Just leave me alone, Brody."

All you need is love, all you need is love,

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

All you need is love. (All together now).

All you need is love. (Everybody).

All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

Love is all you need.

Love is all you need

She began to walk back to her friends but he held her by the arm:

"When then?"

"I don't know..."

(Yesterday)

(Oh yeah)

(He loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah)

(He loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah)

(Oh, yesterday)

He could feel a tear forming in the corner of his eye:

"Louisa... Please..."

Her eyes were dark and profound:

"I'm sorry."

And like that she was gone.

xXxXx

A truth that only Kurt knew was that Blaine was an incorrigible romantic at heart. He also knew that the pout in his boyfriend's lips as they left the stage was caused by the view of Finn all by himself having his heart broken by Rachel once again. He chuckled and squeezed Blaine's hand lightly:

"You want to do something about it."

Blaine snorted a little embarrassed:

"You know me so well."

When they joined Finn, he gave them a smile that didn't reach his eyes and fist-bumped Blaine:

"You guys were awesome. With the gals and the duet; I'm glad you convinced me to come."

Kurt couldn't stop his mouth:

"Are you really?"

He regretted it as soon as it left his mouth. Blaine was shooting him a reproachful look from across the table. Finn huffed:

"Seeing Rachel and the boy toy together acting like it's no one's business that they are together wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I agreed in coming."

Kurt held his hand apologetically:

"I didn't know they'd be here either. If it's any consolation; I don't think they are together."

Finn gave him a quick smile and Blaine stared at him telling he'd take from now on:

"Rachel has chosen you over Brody and I think she stands by this choice."

Finn had already given up:

"I'm not the super-star-perfect-bodied-boyfriend she always dreamed about."

Blaine patted Finn's hand with his best supportive grin on:

"No, Finn. You are the real boy who stood by her and supported her in all her dreams."

Blaine's pep talk clearly wasn't working. However, Kurt knew his boyfriend couldn't see it and wouldn't give up on hope. He decided it was time to make things his way:

"Blee, is it already my time to go up stage?"

Blaine looked confused but checked his clipboard and nodded. Kurt got up in his best diva way and walked to the stage.

"Hello again. For those of you who arrived late, I'm Kurt Hummel and I'm here to celebrate the people that I love. This one is for my brother."

He was thrilled to see Finn's expression changing as he began to sing the all times classic She Loves You.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/BOuu88OwdK8

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

You think you've lost your love

Well, I saw her yesterday-yi-yay

It's you she's thinking of

And she told me what to say-yi-yay

She says she loves you

and you know that can't be bad

Yes, she loves you

and you know you should be glad

She said you hurt her so

She almost lost her mind

And now she says she knows

You're not the hurting kind

She says she loves you

and you know that can't be bad

Yes, she loves you

and you know you should be glad

Oo, she loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

With a love like that

You know you should be glad

You know it's up to you

I think it's only fair

Pride can hurt you too

Apologize to her

Because she loves you

and you know that can't be bad

Yes, she loves you

and you know you should be glad

Oo, she loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah

With a love like that

You know you should be glad

With a love like that

you know you should be glad

With a love like that

you know you should be glad

Yeah, yeah, yeah,

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

He had never seen a couple love each other so much and been through so much drama. Couldn't they see the light? Finn seemed to be getting it: Rachel loves you, you big guff-ball.

xXxXx

It hadn't been a good night for either Rachel or Brody. Unlike her friend, she hadn't tried to talk to Finn; she could see no point in it. After his conversation with Louisa, Brody had turned into a machine of drinking his sorrows. She felt completely alone.

Much to her surprise, Kurt got in the stage and dedicated a song to Finn. The biggest shock was which song it was. Could Kurt be meaning her? Or was Finn so love-sick with Louisa that he couldn't see how obviously the Latin girl threw herself at him? Maybe that was why she was rejecting poor Brody...

Her line of thoughts was interrupted by a comment from a very drunken Brody:

"Yeah; that's what I should do. I'll pull a Kurt and get on that stage to sing the obvious."

"Is that so obvious that Finn and Louisa are together?"

"Are you mental, Rachel? This song is obviously about you."

Could it be? Was Kurt really trying to get her and Finn together in spite of his cousin? The malicious smirk Kurt threw in her direction in the end left no doubt.

Before she could decide what to do about it, Brody had gotten up and was drunk-walking towards the stage. She followed him to make sure he wouldn't hurt himself on the way. He arranged everything with Blaine and went to sing.

"Good night. My name is Brody Weston and I'll be singing the obvious. Thank you very much."

He began to sing Girl.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/_uXwOw0a1IM

Is there anybody going to listen to my story

All about the girl who came to stay?

She's the kind of girl

You want so much it make you sorry

Still you don't regret a single day

Ah, girl, girl, girl

Rachel was trying to find Louisa in the audience to analyze her reaction – deep down she rooted for her and Brody, he had become her best friend and she wanted to see him happy no matter what. However, all Rachel could find was that she was incredibly close to where Finn was sitting all by himself. Gathering all of her courage; she decided to try to talk to him.

When I think of all the times

I tried so hard to leave her

She will turn to me and start to cry

And she promises the earth to me

And I believe her

After all this time I don't know why

Ah, girl, girl, girl

As she approached his table, his reaction was of someone surprised rather than upset.

"Mind if I join you?"

He gave her a fake smile indicating the chair with his hand:

"Be my guest."

She sat down and took a deep breath, still afraid to look in his eyes. It was it; there was no point of leaving anything else unsaid:

"Finn, I'll go straight to the point: did you have anything to do with Kurt's song selection?"

She's the kind of girl who puts you down

When friends are there

You feel a fool

When you say she's looking good

She acts as if it's understood

She's cool, ooh, oo, oo

Girl, girl, girl

Finn put his glass down and looked at her straight in her eyes with some kind of fury behind it:

"How about you and your little friend on the stage?"

"My friend Brody? The one who just spent the whole night drinking to forget how Louisa have dumped him? Yeah; it's right: your girlfriend has definitively finished everything that was between them!"

Finn was puzzled:

"My girlfriend? I never dated her. And if you look at her right now; you'll see that his serenade is clearly messing with her feelings."

Was she told when she was young

That pain would lead to pleasure

Did she understand it when they said

That a man must break his back

To earn his day of leisure?

Will she still believe it when he's dead

Ah, girl, girl, girl

Girl

Rachel looked to where he was pointing and saw the girl budging uncomfortably in a stool by the bar. Finn got back to talking and it caught her attention back.

"Besides, Kurt and Louisa are my family. Now; you and Brody are not related at all..."

If it was to stay there and be insulted; Rachel rather just leave. On her way to the door, however, a crazy idea crossed her mind.

xXxXx

If seen Brody singing to her absolutely drunk had been an uncomfortable experience; what followed it didn't help much in calming Louisa's nerves. Rachel had gotten up the stage and asked to sing Two of Us. Louisa was astonished at how the girl had the nerve to steal the microphone from the poor guy whose turn had come and the way she had turned her back to most of the audience to stare in Finn's direction while she sang.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/dKglq1cysTU

Two of us riding nowhere

Spending someone's

Hard earned pay

You and me Sunday driving

Not arriving

On our way back home

We're on our way home

We're on our way home

We're going home

Two of us sending postcards

Writing letters

On my wall

You and me burning matches

Lifting latches

On our way back home

We're on our way home

We're on our way home

We're going home

You and I have memories

Longer than the road that stretches out ahead

Two of us wearing raincoats

Standing so low

In the sun

You and me chasing paper

Getting nowhere

On our way back home

We're on our way home

We're on our way home

We're going home

A familiar voice coming from her back called her attention:

"Enjoying the show, sis?"

"Come on, Maggie; there was nothing to be seen."

"Agree to disagree..."

"But tell me; how was the girl you went after?"

"Straight.... But don't try to avoid the elephant in the room: how things went between you and Brody?"

If it wasn't so annoying for being completely accurate; Louisa would find it very funny the way Maggie had of hitting the spot and taking the ground off of your feet.

"Same old, same old."

"He asking you to be back together and you playing Ice Queen?"

She nodded and took a sip from her drink. Maggie knew her only too well to let her escape with such a vague answer:

"I was watching you, miss. I saw how affected you were by his performance. What exactly did you talked about?"

"He said he wanted to be there for me and I told him I was avoiding strong emotions."

Maggie made an eureka face finishing with a triumphant smirk:

"So you'll admit he means strong emotions?"

Louisa stuttered looking for a way to answer back but it wasn't necessary. She saw Maggie's mouth opening in awe and turned to see what she was looking at. She hadn't been paying attention to the last performance; but clearly Rachel was able to make her point as Finn was standing in the stage with her and cupping her face to kiss her better.

xXxXx

Finn broke the kiss to the sound of wolf-whistles coming from the audience. He smiled awkwardly at Rachel who responded with a pleased grin. He took her hand and guided them to a quieter place.

Rachel's was lighten up and her eyes were sparkling. He felt joyous as he hadn't felt in a long time. Nothing else mattered; just him and the wonderful girl standing before him. He went in for another kiss to which she responded pretty quickly.

"Tell me again why we were broken up."

Rachel chuckled as probably his breathing tickled her neck while he kissed her there. She gently pushed him to look in his eyes:

"Because we can't make it work when we are together."

She had a kind of sad smile on as if it was a decided fact that she could do nothing about. She was there for him; she wanted it too. However, something in her resigned smile broke his heart. He took both of her hand with his:

"We'll make it work this time."

He kissed her once more to let his feelings out somehow. She broke the kiss smiling:

"I love you so much."

He could feel his heart swelling to five times its size:

"I love you too, Rach. My life means nothing without you."

They weren't in such a private area as they wanted; so they had to rejoin the crowd and save the making-out for later. As they paid attention, they saw that Louisa was up for singing. They had lost her presentation, all they got was:

"... So anyway; I'll sing my feelings tonight."

She began to sing an even-softer version of If I Fell. Her eyes were gazing the horizon as if she was avoiding making eye-contact to anyone. Her singing had a sad-melody quality to it; however, they were too lost in each other to care about it.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/E58rYtqt7ow

If I fell in love with you

Would you promise to be true

And help me understand

'Cause I've been in love before

And I found that love was more

Than just holding hands

If I give my heart to you

I must be sure

From the very start

That you would love me more than her

If I trust in you, oh please

Don't run and hide

If I love you too, oh please

Don't hurt my pride like her

'Cause I couldn't stand the pain

And I would be sad if our new love was in vain

So I hope you see that I

Would love to love you

And that she will cry

When she learns we are two

If I fell in love with you

xXxXx

Louisa finished the last chord of her solo and swallowed her will to cry her eyes out right at that stage. She smiled gently and bowed; leaving the stage as soon as possible. Smiling politely to the people congratulating her on the way; she got as fast as possible to a dark corner of the room.

She had taken a few gulps from her water bottle and a few deep breaths to calm her down, but her peace was too soon disturbed by an unexpected presence. Brody got closer and closer and practically pinned her against the wall.

"What do you want, Brody?"

"You."

"You can't have me."

"That's not what it seemed up that stage."

"I didn't... It wasn't..."

She couldn't conclude her sentence because his mouth was in hers and his hands were at her waist while his body now pinned her to the wall. She was kissing him back far too eagerly for what she had convinced herself. He clearly had been drinking, but his tongue dancing against hers only left her wanting more and more.

In a sudden jolt of conscience; she pushed him away and covered her mouth. She began murmuring more to herself than to him:

"I shouldn't... I wouldn't..."

He was looking at her mouth and chuckled at her confusion. She was so mad at him that she punched him in the chest. Though, the few drinks she had had taken most of her strength away and it only made him laugh harder. Her anger was growing and she pointed a finger in his face:

"You listen up, Brody; that kiss didn't mean anything."

He laughed some more and stared at her with a smile still dyeing in his juicy lips:

"Of course it meant! It means that I can keep trying."

xXxXx

Kurt sat at a stool by the bar sipping calmly his drink while watching his boyfriend organizing some last things to close the bar. Blaine saw him watching and smiled:

"I'm sorry I've been holding you up. A few more minutes and we can go."

"Don't worry, honey; I'm enjoying myself watching you do hard work. Besides, have I told you how flattering this shirt is to your muscles?"

Blaine smirked in that cute way of his:

"I wish so much I could kiss you right now. My consolation is that I'm the one taking you home tonight."

"And then I'll be yours and only yours."

Their flirting was interrupted by Finn clearing his throat with Rachel snuggled in his arm:

"We're leaving now. You two need anything?"

Kurt shook his head and Blaine thanked him. Kurt couldn't handle his curiosity:

"Do you mind if I ask where are you two headed?"

Rachel opened up a beautiful smile and quickly stared at Finn before answering him:

"We are going to the Bushwick's apartment. We'll see if we go back to living together."

Kurt was pleased that those two had gotten over their thickheadness. Rachel's eyes were glimmering as she walked closer and kissed his cheek:

"Thank you, our dear cupid."

"It was my pleasure. But keep in mind that I'm waiting for that invitation to be the best men at your wedding."

Finn chuckled:

"As if my brother weren't already it."

They left and Kurt turned around to glance at Blaine while he arranged some cans in the refrigerator. Soon enough, a tapping on his shoulder caught his attention. Louisa smiled:

"Thank you again for agreeing to join us in the band. The manager just paid us and it will sure help on rent."

"Well, since Blaine had to work anyway, it was absolutely my pleasure. You're my valentine too, boo."

She smiled her proud-mama smile and hugged him. She yelled to Blaine from his shoulder:

"Hey, Bowtie! You better take extreme good care of this one. You know no one messes with the Hummels."

Blaine appeared from behind the counter laughing:

"If I had to fear a Hummel; it would be Burt and not you. Never to worry; I know perfectly well the jewel I have."

Kurt smiled fondly of their teasing; he got used to it. Blaine was already on his way to hug the girl:

"How are you getting home?"

"Maggie and I are sharing a taxi. We are honoring the band's name: the true lonely hearts."

Maggie chuckled:

"Some more than others."

Kurt got curious:

"Meaning?"

She firstly threw a malicious look towards Louisa and then answered him with a blank face:

"That maybe some of us have been making-out with our ex-boyfriends while we thought nobody was looking..."

Louisa blushed to a bright tone of magenta. Kurt got up from his stool in a jump and brought his hands to his waist:

"Boo, I can't believe you did that! Brody isn't worthy a dime!"

Quite unusually, she didn't storm back. She simply lowered her head embarrassed and nodded. Kurt didn't see him moving, but Blaine appeared by his side and held his shoulder:

"Come on, gorgeous; maybe Brody deserves a second chance and maybe your cousin is happy about it."

Louisa looked back up:

"No, I'm not! I may be a little drunk... I don't want to be back together with him and it won't happen again."

"I've heard that before."

Blaine must have been thinking out loud, because he blushed as soon as he said that. Kurt remembered how their last Valentine's Day had been and he felt a squeeze in his heart. The girls must have sensed something was wrong for they rushed their exit.

As the bar was empty but for them, Kurt took the courage and hugged Blaine from behind:

"Honey, it's forgiven and forgotten. You don't have to keep blaming yourself for it. You're the best boyfriend in the world and I wouldn't trade you for the whole universe. And you were right; tonight was fantastic."

He could tell Blaine was smiling even if he couldn't see it.

"You aren't escaping going on a date with me tomorrow, cutie."

Kurt laughed while Blaine turned to face him. He passed his arms around Blaine's neck and nudged his nose:

"As you aren't escaping from cuddling with me all night long, mister."

After a chaste kiss, Blaine went to store some last glasses. They got out together and their hands met each other's as soon as they were out on the street. Kurt smiled. Blaine was right: it wasn't about big gestures that made their night special; it was the little ones that showed they were in for the big hide. Not that Kurt would let Blaine get out of giving him a small present on his birthday in a couple of weeks. He smiled at the thought: Blaine would never disappoint him. Besides, it didn't matter; Blaine was the best gift of all times.