Much as you blame yourself, you can't be blamed for the way that you feel. Had no example of a love, that was even remotely real

Blaine doesn’t think Kurt even notices it when he does it. It’s a little quirk he’s had since they met. This way of making small self deprecating comments, putting himself down. When one of the Warblers would compliment an accessory--a truly gorgeous Marc Jacobs broach, a colorful cufflink--he’d blush softly and make a comment about how he felt bad for the item having to share space with him--joking of course, always joking. But part of Blaine felt that maybe it wasn’t a joke, like Kurt actually felt that way deep down. As Blaine lay awake at night thinking it over, he lost whatever scrap of faith he’d had left in the world. Because a world where Kurt couldn’t see how truly wonderful he was, was a sad, sad place indeed. And so he sought out to make it his mission. He would stop at nothing until Kurt learned to love every bit of himself.

I can see the pain behind your eyes, It's been there for quite a while. I just wanna be the one to remind you what it is to smile, yeah. I would like to show you what true love can really do

It started the following Monday, when Kurt walked into their shared Calculus class looking dashing as ever, even clad in the same drab clothes as his peers. Blaine had noticed that everytime someone complimented one of his accessories, he would just play it off. Brush it off like lint from his shoulder. So Blaine tried to focus his compliment on something that he couldn’t just chalk up to buyer’s luck. Of course he had that bad habit of putting his foot in his mouth, “You have very nice cheek bones,” Blaine said as Kurt sat down. Kurt looked over at him in confusion and Blaine smacked himself in the forehead, mumbling to himself. 

It’s a few days before Blaine’s recovered from his embarrassment enough to venture another compliment. This time he plans it out in advance so that he doesn’t say another stupid thing that would be more detrimental than helpful to his mission. He had seen Kurt this morning at breakfast and had immediately known what he was going to compliment. Just not how he was going to word it. He’d mulled it over through all of his classes, finally deciding upon it as Warbler practice ended. They headed to get coffee afterwards as per usual and when they sat down Blaine said without preamble, “You have the most beautiful eyes.” Kurt blushed and faltered for a second before saying, “Oh god please don’t start singing Elton John.” Blaine shakes his head, “No--no I mean it. You have very pretty eyes.” Kurt’s mouth opens and closes in uncertainty before he takes a big hulking gulp of his mocha, chokes, and when he recovers, changes the subject completely. 

Blaine goes on like that for several weeks, complementing Kurt at random points and Kurt would blush, brush it off, and change the subject. It goes on like that for a while until one day after Blaine says something about Kurt’s hair and Kurt slams his coffee cup down. “Okay what is up,” Kurt said tightly. “What do you mean?” Blaine asked, genuinely confused. Kurt huffed, “This,” he gestured vaguely with his hand, “This thing you do. Telling me random things that are just stupid lies! What is your deal?! Why can’t you just leave it be?” Blaine frowned, a little heartbroken at Kurt’s accusation, but more for him than himself, “They’re not lies.” Kurt raised an eyebrow, “What?” “They’re not lies. I’m telling you what I really believe.” Kurt blew out a gust of air, pursed his lips, shook his head, and changed the subject. Again.

Blaine didn’t let that deter him though. He continued on with his compliments, no matter how cheesy or ill timed. And gradually he began to see a change. Slowly but surely, on good days, when Blaine would say how nice he looked, Kurt would blush and change the subject, but never down played it. Of course there were bad days, where he would make another self deprecating joke and then Blaine would purse his lips but wouldn’t comment. More and more though, there were no bad days. Kurt would still blush and change the subject most often, but on the very best days--Blaine’s favorite ever--Kurt would blush, smile, mumble a tiny ‘thank you’ and then inevitably change the subject. Slowly though, that began to change. The mumbled ‘thank you’ became a little stronger. The changing of the subject wasn’t as abrupt and far more subtle. And even though he still blushed, Blaine was beginning to think that that was more of a permanent trait than a reaction. 

And it stays at that stage for a very long time. Several years actually. Through the beginning of their romantic relationship. Through their first proclamations of love. Through their first time. Through Michael week and Prom and NYADA auditions. Through New York and working at Vogue. The whole time Kurt seems to become increasingly breathtaking. It’s as if each morning when Blaine wakes next to him he becomes even more gorgeous. But Blaine still gets the feeling that Kurt doesn’t see it all. Of course he sees the lovely clothes that enhance the natural beauty. But he never seems to get the beauty behind them. That is until their wedding day. 

The wedding itself is incredible. In Central Park surrounded by autumn leaves and friends and family. Kurt is a vision in a black tuxedo, and Blaine has gotten his fair share of compliments as well in a matching ensemble. They’re standing at the altar--tastefully draped in red and yellow roses--hands joined, taking their turns saying their vows. Blaine went first, working each and every beautiful lyric between them into it. And then Kurt. Kurt took a shaky breath and said lightly, “Well I don’t know how I’m going to top that.” The congregation laughed politely and he wiped his eyes, “But I’ll have to try.” He looks directly at the pews for a moment, saying, “There’s a song, by Ne-Yo, called ‘Let Me Love You’, and the gist of the song is that there’s this girl. And this girl doesn’t see herself very clearly, she doesn’t know how wonderful she is, and she doesn’t love herself enough.” Kurt turns to face Blaine at this point, squeezing his hands, “But this guy--the singer--he’s hell bent on getting this girl to see the truth. He sets out on this mission to love her, until she learns to love herself. And that’s what Blaine has done with me.”

And I will love you, until you learn to love yourself girl, let me love you, I know your trouble. Don’t be afraid

“When we met, I was broken, just pieces of a person, having been torn apart by a lifelong period of just being put down all the time. Told I was a lesser person because of who I loved, told how girly I looked, just generally told terrible things until I really started to believe them,” Kurt looked down at his toes as he said that. “But then I met this curly haired boy and he was wonderful. Gorgeous. Dorky. Funny. Smart. Kind. And I was immediately enamored with him. He’s taught me alot over the past few years. He taught me about Quidditch, jumping on furniture, and light sabers. He taught me the importance of kindness and how to love. But I think the most important thing I learned from him was how to love myself. Before I met him to myself I was nothing, but standing here today I feel important. And I promise you Blaine Anderson, that I will spend every day for the rest of eternity making sure you know the same thing. I love you.” Blaine gave him a watery smile as the Justice of the Peace said, “I now announce you man and husband, you may kiss your partner,” gesturing grandly with his hand as everyone clapped and let out wolf whistles.

And I will love you, Until you learn to love yourself