Kurt’s locker door slammed shut. The boy jumped, a natural reaction despite not having been seriously hassled since the previous year.

‘You know what day it is today?’ Blaine said smiling, appearing behind the closed door.

‘How could I forget?’ Kurt grinned back at his boyfriend.

‘HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!’ Blaine yelled, throwing his arms around Kurt happily.

‘You crazy puppy, Blaine. Come on, get off, I need to give you your present!’

‘NO!’ Blaine untangled himself from Kurt’s waist. ‘Me first! Here’s to twelve months of awesomeness, and to a bazillion more years still to come!’ He grinned again and Kurt rolled his eyes, when he heard music approaching. Sure enough, Puck emerged at the end of the corridor carrying a CD player. Mercedes popped out of a classroom and Rachel burst through a fire door. Within seconds, all of the Glee Club was gathered around Kurt’s locker.

Then he recognised the song playing, and didn’t know whether to groan or laugh.

You think I’m pretty without any make up on
You think I’m funny when I tell the punch line wrong
I know you get me so I’ll let my walls come down, down

Everyone had stopped to see what was going on. Kurt was bright red with embarrassment. Blaine was serenading him, on their anniversary, in the middle of school. Serenading him with Katy Perry, no less.

Let's go all the way tonight
No regrets, just love.
We can dance until we die
You and I
We'll be young forever

You make me
Feel like
I'm living a Teenage Dream
The way you turn me on
I can't sleep
Let's run away
And don't ever look back

The New Directions had joined in and Mike and Brittany were causing even more of a commotion with dance moves which, while incredible, weren’t really suited for crowded hallways in between classes.

Blaine grabbed Kurt’s hand and pulled him in to the ruckus. When Kurt shook his head, laughing, Blaine made puppy eyes until Kurt finally co-operated and started dancing with him.

I'm-a get your heart racing
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight

Let you put your hands on me
In my skin-tight jeans
Be your teenage dream tonight.

As the music faded out, the whole Glee Club began to cheer and laugh, and pulled the two boys into the middle of a huge group hug.

‘Thank you so much guys! That was amazing!’ Kurt said happily. ‘Oh Blaine, what is it with you and Katy Perry?’

‘Hey! She’s amazing! And, the artist was irrelevant! I sang that because it’s our song!’ He protested.

‘I know Blaine, I was joking,’ Kurt said, still laughing.

That song had always had a special meaning for Kurt since his failed Warbler-spying trip the year before. Blaine always knew how to make everything perfect. He took the smaller boy’s hand in his and squeezed it tightly. Blaine took advantage of this to pull Kurt into the empty choir room, away from the crowd which had grown in the hall.

‘So… You liked it?’ Blaine said, giggling.

‘I LOVED it!’

‘I was worried it was a bit over the top… So I got you something else as well.’ Blaine leaned up and captured Kurt’s mouth with his. It was supposed to be a sweet, romantic, school-appropriate kiss but, unsurprisingly, that didn’t last long at all.

‘Boys! I’m happy for you and everything, but, no PDA in my choir room, if you would! Save it for later please?’ Mr Schue smiled as he held the door open for them, and they walked out sheepishly.

‘He interrupted your present! Good job I have another one! It’s at hoe though, you can have it later.’ Blaine teased.

‘I have a present for you too, but you’ll have to wait for later as well.’ Kurt teased back.

‘Why? Can’t I have it now? I hate waiting!’ Blaine whined.

‘Ah, but it’s a surprise!’ Kurt said in a sing-song voice.

‘But I hate surprises even more!’

‘Well then, I hope it’s worth the wait! I’ll see you later!’ The boys went their separate ways to their classes.

Neither could concentrate for the rest of the day. They just wanted to go home, even more than usual

Kurt: Hey honey, my house at 7pm? Finn’s going out with Rachel and Carol & Burt are in DC til Saturday ;) xxx

Blaine: Sounds great! Don’t worry, I’ll be there! xxx

Kurt had always loved cooking. Cakes and cookies and biscuits and desserts and sweets, and the occasional meal too. Tonight, he had prepared a romantic dinner for the two of them, complete with candles and rose petals and his ‘Blaine’ playlist playing softly in the background.

‘This looks beautiful, Kurt,’ Blaine said when he arrived that evening. ‘I love you so much.’

‘I love you more!’

‘And I love you most!’ Blaine giggled.

‘It’s time for your present. Now, be quiet!’ Kurt said sternly, as Blaine snuggled into the cushions on the sofa. Blaine pretended to zip his lips shut. ‘Dork.’ Kurt muttered.

‘So much has happened in my life in the past year, good and bad. I sang my first solo at competition, I went to New York, I sang on a Broadway stage, I’m a NYADA finalist, I had my first kiss (that I’m counting), I lost my virginity…’ Kurt blushed at this. ‘I met you. And without you, I wouldn’t have done any of those things. So thank you, Blaine, for everything you’ve done to help me this past year. I love you so, so much.’ Kurt reached into his pocket and pulled out a little tub.

Blaine took it and read the label. ‘Hair gel? I didn’t think you would be encouraging it! But thanks Kurt!’ He said happily.

‘You dope. As if I, crowned king of fabulous gifts, would buy you more hair gel as an anniversary present. Open it, you ninny.’

Blaine did as he was instructed and gasped. ‘Oh Kurt…’ Blaine breathed. A simple gold ring was nestled in the tub, which Kurt had filled with heart shaped confetti. ‘It’s beautiful. Thank you so much.’ He immediately lifted it delicately from the box and slid it on to his finger.

‘It’s a promise ring. I love you with all my heart. So this is my promise to you. I promise that I will love you forever and that nothing will ever break us apart. And I promise that when we’re old enough and we’ve left Ohio for a state whose marriage laws are less close-minded, we will get married and have lots of screaming, irritating children.’

‘Definitely! I love you too, Kurt. Now, for your present,’ Blaine said as he pulled out a flat, square box from under his jacket. He held it out to Kurt, who opened it carefully.

A silver locket hung from a delicate chain. This time, Kurt gasped. ‘Blaine, it’s beautiful!’

‘Here, let me.’ Blaine picked up the chain and fumbled with the clasps for a moment as he fastened it around Kurt’s neck. The taller boy turned around and kissed Blaine softly.

‘Thank you,’ he mumbled against his warm lips, just as Blaine’s stomach rumbled. Kurt laughed. ‘Dinner?’

‘So, Hummel, Anderson, what did you two get up to last night?’ Puck asked at Glee Club the next day.

‘Honestly, I don’t think it’s any of your business which Disney movies we watched last night.’ Blaine said with mock-seriousness.

‘Didn’t watch, more like.’ Puck snorted.

Kurt narrowed his eyes. ‘Watch it, Puckerman.’ Puck rolled his eyes. ‘And I’m sure you’ll see what we ‘got up to’ last night in a minute!’

‘I don’t really want to see the hickeys, Hummel.’

Kurt glowered at him. Fortunately, Mr Schue walked in before he could respond.

‘Now, I believe Kurt and Blaine have something prepared?’ He said, smiling.

‘As you all know, and again, thank you for your help with Operation Katy Perry, it was mine and Kurt’s first anniversary yesterday!’ Blaine gushed happily. Everyone cheered and clapped, some of the few people that were happy for them.

‘So, this is for Blaine.’ Kurt said.

‘And this for Kurt.’

Brad started to play softly as Blaine stepped forward.

Here we are on earth together, 
It's you and I, 
God has made us fall in love, it's true, 
I've really found someone like you 

Kurt stepped forward and took Blaine’s hand in his and sang to his boyfriend, who smiled gently.

Will it say the love you feel for me, will it say, 
That you will be by my side 
To see me through, 
Until my life is through 

Blaine joined back in as they turned to look at their friends, who were grinning at them like idiots.

Well, in my mind, we can conquer the world, 
In love you and I, you and I, you and I 

Blaine started to twirl Kurt around in his arms as his boyfriend continued to sing.

I am glad at least in my life I found someone 
That may not be here forever to see me through, 
But I found strength in you, 

They swapped roles as Kurt led the dancing while Blaine sang to him once again. Kurt was moved by the love seeping through the music.

I only pray that I have shown you a brighter day, 
Because that's all that I am living for, you see, 
Don't worry what happens to me 

The song slowed as it reached its end, with Blaine and Kurt’s voices blending together in the final chorus.

Cause' in my mind, you will stay here always, 
In love, you and I, you and I, you and I, you and I 
In my mind we can conquer the world 
In love, you and I, you and I, you and I

The song finished and the choir room cheered.

‘Here’s to the future.’ Kurt said, as Blaine pulled him into a rib crushing hug.

This time last year, Kurt didn’t dare hope this would have worked out. He never thought he’d be back at McKinley, let alone with his boyfriend.

Kurt was happy. Blaine was happy.

‘Here’s to the future.’ Blaine replied.