Kurt was sure he had a chance of getting out of Lima, and the encouraging words from Carmen Tibideaux had only strengthened his resolve. He’d had everything planned out, researched every detail from the closest places to buy coffee and the best designer shops to the time he’d need to wake up every morning in time to complete his morning routine and get to class on time.

But when he received his rejection letter, blood draining out of his face and shock setting in, it was all he could do not to collapse on the floor then and there and sob, his dreams shattered.

But then Rachel opened her letter, and-

She was in. She’d been accepted into their dream school, even after she fucked up her audition. She was going to go live in New York, attend one of the finest performing arts schools in the country, and all while Kurt was stuck in the town that made his life hell.

Kurt should’ve known. He should’ve known not to get his hopes up, but, like always, he did and it ended in him failing, again.

He didn’t let himself cry in front of Rachel. He wasn’t going to be that person, the person that ruins their best friend’s moment with his heartbreak. He offered congratulations that went unheard, his hollow voice not nearly loud enough to pierce through the squeals of Rachel’s delight and Finn’s compliments filling the room.

He slipped from the room silently and walked down the hall, the sounds of Rachel’s joy echoing down the corridor, filling his head and reminding him of his failure.

He managed to hold back his tears until he saw Blaine, studying quietly in the library with headphones in, lost in his own world. He stood up when he saw Kurt approach him, pulling out his headphones and a questioning expression on his face until he saw the rejection letter scrunched up in Kurt’s hand, the NYADA letterhead barely legible though the creases.
As soon as he reached Blaine he crumpled to the floor in his arms, tears finally spilling over and sobs wracking through his body, the pain too much for him to bear. His boyfriend simply held him, murmuring soft, reassuring words into his ear, rocking his body back and forth.

They sat like that for a long time before either of them spoke, Kurt’s head buried in Blaine’s chest. The library had cleared out long ago, students eager to get home after the day had ended.

They’d both been waiting for this day for months, certain of Kurt’s acceptance after his stellar performance; waiting for him to be accepted into his dream school; waiting for his dreams to finally come true.

---

Kurt didn’t remember the drive home. He’d stopped crying long ago, the tears replaced by blank eyes masking his slow thoughts, trying to determine where he went wrong. He was glad Burt would be working late that night, relieved he wouldn't have to face his father and deliver the bad news, holding it off for a few short hours.

When they got to the house Kurt briefly untangled himself from Blaine to fumble frantically in his pocket for the keys before grabbing Blaine’s hand once more when they were safely in the house, happy to be led up the stairs and into his bedroom.

Blaine set him gently on the bed with a kiss to his forehead before making his way over to Kurt’s dresser, digging through the myriad of neatly organised clothes for two pairs of pyjamas.

“She does deserve it though, you know,” Kurt said quietly, startling his boyfriend. “I just… I just really thought I had a shot,” he laughs hollowly, the smile not reaching his eyes. “I really thought I had a shot at getting out of here, of getting out of this town.”

Blaine moved quickly to his side and knelt down in front of him so their faces were level, eye to eye. “Kurt… You are one of the most amazing performers I’ve ever seen. Your passion, your drive, your confidence… No, Kurt, look at me. When you’re on that stage, no one can stop you. And I know for a fact that this won’t stop you, can’t stop you from doing what you want to do.” He paused to wipe away the tears threatening to spill from Kurt’s eyes once more, resting his hands on his cheeks. “You’re going to make it, Kurt, I know you are. You just have to believe it.”

Kurt finally smiled, ducking his head in a familiar gesture, mumbling “What would I do without you?”

“Live a lonely, sad, sexless life,” Blaine proclaimed loudly with a wide smile before his face softened, reaching for Kurt’s hand. “Come here,” he said, standing up and moving to sit at the top of the bed, pulling Kurt behind him, pyjamas forgotten. They crawled beneath the covers and Blaine wrapped himself around Kurt in a tight embrace, letting the other boy know he wasn’t going anywhere. He began to sing quietly, and while the song was unfamiliar Kurt didn’t care at all, being lulled to sleep in his boyfriend’s arms.