“Hi, Blaine. Thanks for meeting with me again…and I see you brought someone with you this time.” Blaine rose to shake the hand of the same pixie-haired, ever-so-slightly trying-too-hard interviewer that he had met a few times already, Kurt introducing himself and doing the same.

“It’s really no problem, though I still don’t quite understand why anyone wants to write anything about me. I don’t have a story like Oprah and I’d like to think I’m not as scandalous as Lindsay Lohan,” Blaine quipped.

“Blaine, stop. He’s always too hard on himself, though I am glad that he’s nothing like Lindsay Lohan; I’m sure living with her is impossible,” joked Kurt.

The interviewer chuckled before adding, “Mr. Anderson, you are far more interesting than you realize. Not everyone comes out of nowhere and has multiple records go platinum within 36 months of being discovered. But anyway, we’ve talked about many aspects of your life in a vague sense, but I was hoping that we could talk about New York today. You can start wherever, but the more detail, the better. Do remember, though, that if you at all want to stop, ask me to ignore something you’ve said, or say anything off record, I will do so. I respect that some things shouldn’t be public knowledge.”

“Um…Okay,” Blaine responded, wringing his hands in the way that Kurt had come to love. “I guess the best place to begin would be, well, the beginning. I should warn you that it, like everything else we’ve talked about, is a rather lengthy story.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got all the time in the world.”

“Me too, plus, I’ve never heard the story from your point of view,” added Kurt.

***

It was tiny, not even Blaine—always Mister Positive—could deny that. It was bare and hot and small, but it was all they could afford and as of 20 minutes ago, it was theirs. As soon as Kurt walked through the door, Blaine saw the gears turning in Kurt’s head and knew that he was planning paint colors and fabric swatches that would make it feel like home instead of the only-apartment-available-in-the-budget. Leaving Kurt in his element, Blaine worked on emptying the car they drove from Lima of the boxes they brought with them, most of which were clothes. The remaining items, some Blaine’s and some Kurt’s, would be arriving the next day; at least that’s what the moving company said and what Blaine hoped. As for now, Blaine dreaded a day of moving boxes, washing every square inch of the apartment, and painting.

Well, Blaine thought, I might as well get back up there and talk some reality into Kurt’s vision so that we can get started while it’s still early.

The following week passed in the exact manner that Blaine anticipated; Blaine and Kurt painted too much, slept too little, and fought over what went where after their things arrived 2 days late. As the sun set on Saturday evening, Blaine stood in their kitchen looking into the sitting room where Kurt was napping on the couch, a feeling of calm settled over him. The week was long and they hadn’t gotten along the entire time, but the final product was a perfect blend of Kurt and Blaine, style and comfort.

The apartment was finished just in time for Blaine’s orientation meeting at NYU. Blaine begrudgingly got out of bed Monday morning, got ready, and left with a kiss to Kurt’s forehead, preparing himself to meet with the Dean of the Steinhardt School. The meeting was quick, just an opportunity for Blaine to get general information about the School and the tracks he intended to follow, but for more information and his classes for the upcoming semester, Blaine was meeting his advisor for lunch.

As Blaine found out, his advisor, Dr. Reiner, was an older man with a serious moustache and an appreciation for vests and pocket watches. Despite his no-nonsense demeanor, for whatever reason, Dr. Reiner seemed to quickly take a liking to Blaine.

“So, Blaine,” Dr. Reiner started, “I was looking at your file and noticed that you left a teaching job in Ohio to return to school. Why is that?”

“To be honest, sir, as much as I loved English and as inspiring as some of those kids were, teaching English was never my dream.” At this Blaine paused, “I grew up in Ohio and it was never easy for me, so I thought that becoming a teacher would allow me to be there for students in the way that teachers were never there for me. I wanted, no, I want to make an impact in the lives of others and I convinced myself that becoming a teacher would allow me to do so.”

“That’s reasonable, but what changed for you?” At Blaine’s quizzical look, Dr. Reiner elaborated. “Something must have caused you to doubt the beliefs you had. You’re here now, aren’t you?” Blaine nodded; Dr. Reiner continued, “So, what was it? You still want to impact others, but I’m guessing, just not through the same way. You said teaching English was never your dream, so why music? Why music composition? Why music therapy?”

“I…” Blaine paused, took a breath, “If I’m being honest, it wasn’t until I met my…” Breathe, Blaine, breathe. You can do this. “…Partner that I realized I wasn’t happy. I was content, sure, but I didn’t wake up every morning excited to be teaching English. I think I also discovered that it’s more difficult to be what I had wanted as a kid than I originally anticipated.”

“That’s a start. Look, Blaine, I’m not trying to push. Please let me know if I’m stepping into territory I shouldn’t be. I only want to get to know you and have an understanding that will help me be as effective of an advisor as I can be. You’re extremely talented. I looked at your portfolio and you have everything going for you, kid.”

Maybe it was the term of endearment, one that he never received from his father, or maybe it was the genuine care and interest in Dr. Reiner’s words, but Blaine suddenly felt like he could trust his advisor, “I’m gay.”

“Okay…and?”

“Well, I just…I guess growing up in Ohio has made me wary of opening up to people,” Blaine sighed.

“About your sexual orientation or about something else?”

“All of the above,” chuckled Blaine. “I guess it’s a longer story than I originally thought. Are you sure you want to hear my sob story? I’m sure you have plenty better things to be doing.”

At Dr. Reiner’s nod, Blaine began. He told the man of growing up, knowing at a young age that he was different, and the confusion that developed through the years as his friends started talking about girls. He laughed as he remembered being 8 years old and asking his brother Cooper if a prince could marry another prince instead of a princess. Blaine talked animatedly about Cooper, but became bitter when mentioning how Cooper left for California, promising a 10 year old Blaine that he would call and visit whenever he could and the disappointment that came when Cooper did neither of those things.

“I’m so sorry. Here I am wasting your time; you’re not a therapist, you’re my advisor and I should be treating you as such. Really, the moral of the story is that there were a lot of things I wish I had when I was growing up and that’s what is motivating me now.” Blaine stopped and sat quietly, fiddling with his hands as he waited for Dr. Reiner to politely change the subject.

“Blaine, how many times do I have to tell you that I’m truly interested in your story?”

“But do you do this for all of your…advisees?” Blaine asked with one eyebrow quirked.

“Well, you have me there; no I don’t, but I’ll let you in on a little secret, Mr. Anderson. I find most of the students I encounter to be one-dimensional. Yes, they’re all smart and talented and most will eventually achieve greatness if they don’t lose their way first, but you, son, are the first student that I’ve sat down with that has intrigued me. I can tell that you have a story, one that you’ve only begun to tell me. A story that is different than most kids your age and that has shaped you, maybe more than even you realize.” Dr. Reiner continued, “So, Blaine, if you feel comfortable, please continue. I have a feeling we are on the brink of something important.”

And with that, Blaine continued. He told of realizing that he was gay, and missing Cooper more than ever with that realization. He skimmed over coming out to his parents and their less than enthusiastic reaction towards their 13 year old son. He visibly shrunk while revisiting his freshman year, asking Evan to go with him to Sadie Hawkins, and the mess that followed. He explained how his injuries caused him to repeat his freshman year and he begged to do so at a different school, ending with his transfer to Dalton. He mentioned needing Cooper, but finding him too busy to visit, compensating by calling Blaine every couple months during his recovery, until that stopped too. He sat up straight and smiled while talking about Dalton, the sense of security and acceptance he found there. Blaine bragged about the Warblers and smiled shyly when telling about his spot as lead soloist and eventual spot as Head of the Warbler Council. He talked about falling in love for the first time with Sebastian Smythe and the missteps that ensued. The discoveries and mistakes that came hand-in-hand, skipping many of the more graphic details, the heartbreak and betrayal he faced when Sebastian turned out to be nothing like the boy Blaine initially fell in love with. College, as Blaine explained, was nothing like what he had always dreamed of. He had wanted to escape Ohio, but when his father fell ill during the application and decision process, his mother guilted him into staying close, so Blaine ultimately committed to Ohio State and the English-not-music major that his father approved of. Blaine explained that while he did date during college, being in Ohio made it anything but easy and comfortable Not dating gave Blaine more time to focus on working, and he managed to graduate in 3 years. When Blaine began looking into career options and applying for jobs in his senior year, his father was still in bad health and Blaine once again felt obligated to stay nearby, only applying to education programs in Ohio. Blaine told of being accepted to an advanced Masters program and how he managed to get his Masters in 2 years, securing his job at McKinley High School in Lima by 24 years old.

At this, Blaine paused, taking a sip of his long-cold coffee, wincing at the taste.

“That is quite a story, Blaine, but I can tell that you aren’t quite done,” said Dr. Reiner as he called the waitress over and asked for new coffees for the both of them.

“That really is the majority of my story. Being gay made my life hard and even at Dalton, teachers that understood what I and other gay students were going through were virtually nonexistent. I made the most of what I chose as a career and attempted to be the person that I longed to have as a teenager, especially since I was stuck in Ohio,” Blaine added.

“I don’t think that’s truly the end. You’re in New York now, doing something completely different than what you seemed to have resigned yourself to do. Something had to have changed for you to be sitting here with me, Blaine. But, again, if you don’t feel comfortable, please tell me and I will let the topic drop. I already understand you so much better and I know that I will be so much more motivated to help you and ensure your success,” Dr. Reiner assured.

“I appreciate that, but this is where my story gets a bit…complicated and I think I need to take some time to figure out how I’m going to tell you, hopefully without it blowing up in my face and ruining everything before it even starts.”

“Well, Mr. Anderson, if you didn’t have my attention before, you certainly do now. I respect that. We never even discussed courses and fieldwork, so why don’t we plan on meeting again? That way you can finish your story and we can get down to business,” proposed Dr. Reiner.

Blaine quickly agreed and the two men set up another time to meet; before parting, Dr. Reiner said; “Now it’s time to go see the beautiful love of my life about some dinner.”

“You’re wife is one lucky woman.”

“Oh no, my partner isn’t the lucky one. I’m lucky that he’s stuck with me for the past 46 years.” And with that and a wink, Dr. Reiner started up the street to hail a cab.

***

“I remember being so shocked by what he said that I just stood there, in the middle of the coffee shop, until someone ran into me and yelled at me for being in the way,” Blaine laughed.

“He came back to the apartment and was acting strangely. He always says romantic things, but he kept talking about how he hoped we’d be like ‘them’ in 46 years and how ‘he’ was incredible. I started to worry Blaine had met someone new and was going to leave me,” Kurt said with what he hoped was a fond and not at all bitter sentiment.

Blaine knew that Kurt had been insecure for so long about men in New York, just as he had. Fear of being left dominated many arguments between the two for months after moving to the city. Blaine was worried that Kurt would want someone his own age or would want to experiment and be with other people before he had to commit. Kurt was worried Blaine would want someone older, more mature and experienced, someone who could be more of a financial contribution with a steady job.

The interviewer noticed the shift in mood and the exchange between the two men, the smallest of squeezes to the other’s hand, the reassuring and adoring smiles, silently taking note while giving the two a moment to themselves.

***

“Thanks for meeting with me again, Blaine.” Dr. Reiner shook Blaine’s hand as they met up outside a little sandwich shop a few blocks from NYU.

“I should be thanking you, sir, you’re the one who has to listen to me drone on and on about my life,” added Blaine.

The advisor brushed aside the comment and they both made small talk as they decided what to order and waited for the waitress to come.

Once their orders were in, Dr. Reiner enquired, “So, I know you said you needed time to think about this next portion of your story, but I have to admit, I’ve been trying to come up with what it could be that has got you so worried about my reaction. I’ve decided that you were a spy for another school, or you were selling drugs to kids on school property, or, well, I don’t even know what that ‘or’ could be.”

“I guess I’ll start at the beginning and figure it out,” sighed Blaine. “But be warned, you might change your view of me and if you do, please let me know so I can find another advisor.”

With a shaky breath, Blaine began retelling what was potentially the most life-altering experience he had faced, “My first day at McKinley had been what I imagine is typical for new teachers. I was anxious. I wanted to leave a good impression with the principal and other teachers but I also wanted respect from the students. I could tell it would be an interesting year during the first period of the day. It was my very first class and there was a mix of students, despite it technically being a senior AP elective course. When I began introducing the first book that was to be discussed, a kid in the front row looked up and raised his hand to answer the question I had asked the class. His answer was so thoughtful and informed that I was taken aback. Kurt turned out to be the student that not only did every assignment, but did each well and with careful insight.”

***

Blaine paused, gauging the interviewer’s reaction to hearing Kurt’s name, but he was met with a neutral expression and a reassuring squeeze from where Kurt’s hand rested on his knee.

“You want to take a break?” The interviewer noticed Blaine’s distress and did not want to lose the whole story by Blaine bailing at the last minute.

“No, no sorry. Just give me a minute.” Blaine took a couple of steadying breaths and listened as Kurt whispered, “You can do this, I know you can, but if you decide not to, I will still support you.”

“Okay, I’m ready. Sorry,” continued Blaine, “I explained to Dr. Reiner about my classes, mentioning struggles I encountered with some students and how others, in addition to Kurt, proved to be standouts that I hope went on to pursue English in college. Again, I asked Dr. Reiner if he was sure he wanted me to continue. I asked him to let me know if he would like me to stop my story at any time, to which he agreed.”

***

“I developed a camaraderie with a couple of my students, the ones who went above and beyond what was expected, but none more so than Kurt. Kurt would come to my office in the afternoons with questions from the lecture or about upcoming assignments; through these interactions, tidbits of information were exchanged. We got to know each other as more than a teacher to a student. We discovered a mutual love for music and an appreciation for Vogue. He was in the school’s glee club and I shared stories of my time as a Warbler. We got along very well and I forgot that he was only in high school more frequently than I should have. He was so mature for his age.

“Kurt and I made a deal during our meetings, especially once assignments were due, that I would give him piano lessons in exchange for help grading papers. He had mentioned that his mother began teaching him how to play the piano when he was young, but he was 8 years old when she died, and he never tried to take lessons after that. This was a symbiotic deal. He got lessons and I got help with basic grammar and spelling corrections on essays for my freshman and sophomore classes. Things went smoothly for a while, the two of us getting to know each other even better, until everything changed one Friday afternoon during our normal piano lesson. I was teaching him a new song, moving his hands with mine to show him the key placement and when I looked at him, I didn’t see the intelligent student that I respected, a saw a young man that I could…could…uh.” Blaine stopped, not sure if he should, or even could, continue.

“It’s okay, Blaine. I haven’t asked you to stop, but take your time,” Dr. Reiner reassured him, putting pieces together and forming an idea of where the story was most likely going.

“I, uh, I saw someone that I could seemyselfloving,” Blaine said in a rush, anxious to just get the words out. Picking at the napkin, Blaine continued, “This realization terrified me. I acted like nothing happened and just counted down until the lesson was over. I couldn’t be feeling this way. Not about Kurt, not about a student. I wasn’t even sure if he was 18. All weekend, I thought about the options I had. I was tempted to march into school that Monday and immediately resign, but I had no reason and I had no other job, so I couldn’t. For weeks, I tried to act normally, but it got harder and harder. I began to notice things I hadn’t before. Things about Kurt that were entirely inappropriate for a teacher to be noticing about a student. How he dressed impeccably, how he chewed on his lip when he was concentrating during a test or an essay, how he maintained eye contact a little bit longer than necessary in class and just how strikingly blue his eyes were. Things got worse, well… okay not worse, but worse is the only word for it really, during another piano lesson about a month later. I’m not even really sure what happened. I know we had been talking about music and he was asking about why I chose English when I was obviously so passionate about playing and composing music. At some point during my answer, our hands intertwined without realizing it and by the time I noticed, it was too late. I knew it was time to confess. I jerked back my hand and told him that I was in a difficult position and my feelings were being compromised. I told Kurt that I thought the piano lessons should stop, as well as the help with grading, that I knew it was too late for him to get another teacher, so I would do my best to continue to ignore my feelings. I think I apologized with every other sentence.”

***

“And I looked at you and said, ‘Well, what if I don’t want a different teacher? What if I’m not uncomfortable?” Kurt reflected.

Blaine smiled, once again thankful that Kurt always knew when to step in to save Blaine. Kurt continued, “You gave me the most puzzled look before I asked you how you felt.” Looking at the interviewer, Kurt said, “You know what his response was? ‘About what? How do I feel about what? Right now? Well, right now I’m rather confused.’” Kurt laughed, “It was then that I decided that rules are meant to be broken sometimes, so I asked Blaine again how he felt, how he felt about me. And I thought he was going to turn blue. He stopped breathing and I really almost called 911. Could you imagine what that call would have been like? ‘Hello, 911? Yes, my teacher that I just realized I might be in love with isn’t breathing because I just asked him about his feelings. I’m fairly certain he’s also having a heart attack. What school? I’m not at school; I’m at his house. No, not for that, he was giving me piano lessons. No, real piano lessons; I can play you a song if you’d like, but I really think an ambulance is necessary.’ Oh God, at least that would have made a funny story.”

As the three laughed, Blaine gathered himself to continue the story, “Once I remembered to breathe again, I tried every way I knew how to change the subject, but you wouldn’t let me.” He turned his attention to the interviewer. “I should have known right then and there how our relationship would be.”

***

“I told Kurt that my feelings were less than professional, that I found him captivating and was far more interested than I should have been. He asked me what I would do if he felt the same, if he were to pursue his teacher. In that moment, Dr. Reiner, I never wanted to kiss someone so badly, but I didn’t. I made the most risky decision of my life, though, when I followed my heart and decided to try to make things work with Kurt,” Blaine sighed. “You know what, I should just go ahead and appeal for another advisor. I’m sorry.”

“Blaine, stop. I’m not rushing into judgment about you. Of all people, I know how powerful love can be, but that’s another story for another time. Please continue; I know there’s more to this story.”

Blaine loosened the bow tie he had carefully picked out that morning, one that Kurt had made him the year before, “I told Kurt I wouldn’t so much as kiss him until he turned 18. It was already reckless enough that I wanted this, but in case things exploded, I didn’t want the court or a lawyer to have any means of bringing up sexual activity with a minor. Kurt protested, saying he would be 18 in 2 months, but I held fast. We set up some ground rules. We decided to continue our piano lessons and grading as normal, realizing that a change in behavior would have the potential of creating suspicion. Things went… surprisingly well after that. We occasionally used the piano lessons as chances to talk further or watch a movie together. Kurt didn’t make keeping my promise easy. He wanted it just as badly as I did, but I wouldn’t do that to him, especially once I learned that he had never had a boyfriend before. In class, it was harder to keep myself from lingering on him, but I never gave him special treatment in the classroom or in his grades. He earned every single on of the A’s I gave him.

“Things were great, but not perfect. We fought,” to which Dr. Reiner sounded his understanding with a, “Don’t we all,” before allowing Blaine to sink back into the memory of the year before. “It wasn’t easy. We were constantly worried about being caught and the closer to 18 Kurt got, the more nervous I became.

“On the day of this 18th birthday, we had planned for him to come over, under the pretense of working for extra credit by helping me grade a few additional hours a week. I wanted it to be special, so I cooked him dinner and we watched Cabaret afterward. I gave him his present, a beautiful Michael Kors watch I had seen a couple weeks prior and told him I had one more thing for him. When I kissed him, I felt like flying. I know how clich� that is, but I had never felt like that when kissing someone ever before.

“Things continued as normal after that night, but now we shared kisses in private. Kurt helped me rediscover my absolute love for music and I finally had a new muse for writing. It was cathartic to be playing and writing again; I hadn’t realized how much I relied on music as an expression of my emotions until Kurt pushed me back into it. I should have known things were too good to be true, because a single night in February almost ruined everything for us.

“We had… uh… decided to… um… take things to the next level. Kurt crafted a plan that I was never completely comfortable with to tell his dad he was staying at friend’s and come over. It was, for lack of a better word, magical. However, I guess some guy that Kurt had a long-standing issue with saw him go out to his car early the next morning and came to the school about it. I was so ready to just admit to everything; it would have been the honest, professional thing to do, but when Kurt was called into the office, he lied. He reminded the principal of the issues the other kid had with Kurt, the fact that he had threatened to kill Kurt, and asked whom the principal believed. I thought it was over until the police came in, followed shortly by Kurt’s father. Everything escalated quickly and I wanted nothing more than to tell them everything and deal with the repercussions, but somehow Kurt convincingly denied the whole thing and everyone left, problem apparently solved.

“I was scared. No, I was more terrified than I had ever been. What we were doing could not only ruin my life, but it could also ruin Kurt’s. I ran in the only way that I could while staying at McKinley. I stopped the piano lessons, stopped the grading help, and stopped all contact with Kurt outside the classroom. I told him it was over, that I made a mistake; he was just a kid and he was far more invested than I was; I lied. I tried to hurt him as badly as I could.

***

“And if I’m being honest, he did. At first I knew it was because of what happened, so I gave him space, but then I realized that maybe it really was over for good. He broke my heart like only he knew how. While I understand it now, I thought it was going to kill me then. We loved each other. We had made plans for after graduation, plans that involved being together. We didn’t know how that was going to work. I was set on going to New York and Blaine had a steady job in Ohio, or he did until that day. To avoid further drama, Blaine was asked to resign at the end of the year, something I didn’t learn until much later.”

“I can tell this is a sensitive subject, so you don’t have to answer this, but Kurt, how did you feel through all of this?” asked the interviewer.

“Like I said, I had my heart broken. Blaine said some pretty terrible things—that I know he was and still is sorry for,” Kurt reassured Blaine, “but it didn’t stop it from hurting. I settled for going to class, keeping my head down, and just getting through the year. Time passed slowly with almost zero contact until I got a paper back and, unhappy with the grade, stormed into Mr. Anderson’s office. I yelled at Blaine. Thank God the school was mostly empty by that time, because I was enraged and not at all keeping my voice down. The one thing Blaine and I had sworn to agree to was that if the relationship went south, it would have no impact on grades in the class, and I thought he was ignoring that promise. I accused him of many things that I’m ashamed of and was quickly put in my place when he told me that I earned that grade. My inattention in class and borderline-crude comments were causing my grade to suffer; feelings had no part in a shitty analysis of Utopia.

“After that encounter, I worked for months to get Blaine back. I had come clean to my dad and after much arguing and many silent family dinners, he realized that I wasn’t okay, that Blaine and I had loved each other and there was more to the relationship than he realized. I just couldn’t deal with the silence anymore.”

***

“Kurt started weaseling his way back into my life, whether I liked it or not. He would bring me coffee; he started contributing in class like he had before. It was nice and I began to think that maybe the rest of the year wouldn’t be so miserable. After being forcibly talked into resigning, I had to consider my options. I remembered what Kurt had told me about music and how much he could tell I loved it. I realized that music was my passion. I wanted to help people, so I considered music education, but it lacked the lasting effect I had so often wanted. That’s what led me to music therapy.”

“And here we are now. See Blaine, I told you you’re story was one worth hearing. Love, as they say, is blind. Although I do hope Kurt is happy. Do you know where he is now?” asked Dr. Reiner.

“Actually, he’s probably back home working on some sketches.”

“Oh, so you….”

“Yeah, I, uh, realized that I wouldn’t just stop loving Kurt, so after he was handed his diploma, I pulled him away from his family and told him that I still loved him and that I wished him well. That I was off to New York and I knew he was too, so I hoped to run into him sometime. He wanted to talk in private, so we went back to my nearly empty classroom and he basically kissed away my fears. We moved here a few months ago. He’s going to be starting at Parsons and he has an internship at Vogue.com.”

***

“So Dr. Reiner didn’t care at all that Kurt had been your student?” questioned the interviewer.

“Apparently not. He thought our story was romantic, even going as far to say that he wished the story of how he met and got together with his partner had as much drama,” laughed Blaine.

“I guess that sums up most of your past. And the start of your time here in New York, but what happened after you and Dr. Reiner got to know each other? How did you end up here and accomplish everything you have?”

“I think those are kind of loaded questions, if I’m being honest. Dr. Reiner, Peter, from that lunch meeting became someone I could trust, someone I knew I could talk to, even now. I started my graduate classes around the time Kurt started his design classes at Parsons. He had already been working at his internship; no, working doesn’t describe it correctly. Kurt was kicking ass at his internship and his boss loved him. I had been performing a couple sets a week at a local bar and was starting to gather a small group of regulars. About two months into classes, a local music producer approached me and proposed a meeting after telling me he had seen me a couple of times and thought I had great potential. I talked with Dr. Reiner because the opportunity was amazing, but I was also committed to my classes and getting my degree. Dr. Reiner reassured me that the school would be flexible if something came of this, but that I should go for it. He saw something in me that I never could see. He said to me, ‘Blaine. You are 25 years old. What is the worst thing that could happen? Nobody likes the demo. No harm done. But that won’t happen. You’re good, kid; you’re going to be something big.’

“Over the next month or so, I met with the producer and we formed a deal. I recorded a demo that he sent out to studios for potential pick up. While we waited, and boy did we wait, he and I met with songwriters after I made it very clear that I wanted to write my own music. AJ, the producer, wanted me to record a few more songs, in case a label expressed interest, so that way we had more material to share. I split my time between the recording studio and class.”

At this, Kurt decided to interject, “Not much happened for a couple months after that. We were both busy with classes and other things that I really even forgot about it and I know Blaine had given up hope. Blaine still performed the occasional set at the bar, never one to disappoint his fans,” Kurt added with a wink. “Blaine became involved with a music therapy program for children with learning disabilities and he really found his element outside of performing. It was amazing to have him walk through the door every evening with another story to tell. Not everything was easy for him, but Blaine fell in love with the kids he was working with. I went with him one day and the way the kids would light up when Blaine played his guitar and sang for them was inspirational.”

“That’s why when I got a call one afternoon from AJ saying he had gotten three offers within the last 12 hours I thought I was hallucinating.”

“I’m pretty sure your exact words were ‘Am I being Punked? I feel like I’m being Punked,’ honey.” Kurt added

“AJ and I met with each of the label representatives throughout the week and had deals proposed to us. I was overwhelmed by how quickly things were happening. I talked to Kurt and he told me that no matter what, he would support my decision and that he was proud of me, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the kids I was working with. If I took any of the deals, I would have less time to spend with them. I didn’t want to abandon them. I met with Dr. Reiner and he, as usual, reassured me that things would work out. It’s not like I’d be in the studio all day every day and the kids would probably enjoy hearing about how well I was doing. I got coffee with AJ a few days after the proposals came in and we made a decision as to what to do.”

“Is it safe to assume that you chose the label you are currently signed to?” replied the interviewer, interest shining in her eyes.

Blaine huffed out a laugh. “Yes, it is indeed the same label. While I was busier than ever in the studio and continuing my degree, Kurt was making a name for himself at Vogue.com as well as showing everyone up in his classes. I was convinced that Kurt would be better known before I was, and I don’t think I was totally wrong, was I?

“No honey; as usual you’re always right,” Kurt replied sarcastically. “I was doing okay for myself, I guess,” to which Blaine made a noise of disapproval. “Okay, I was pretty damn successful. Isabelle, my boss, had asked to look at some of the sketches she saw me working on and to my utter shock, proposed some of them in a meeting. Everything catapulted from there, basically.”

“By the time my first single was released to the radio, which, by the way, was extremely bizarre to hear myself on the radio, Kurt was well-known through Vogue.com and had a weekly fashion column on the website. Kurt had also gotten it into his head that I was going to be on the red carpet every week, so he was designing more suits than any one man needs, though I found the gesture to be extremely romantic,” Blaine broke off and lovingly taunted Kurt.

“So what happened from there? The interviewer reluctantly interrupted the boys’ banter, prompting them back on topic.

“From there? Things happened pretty quickly. Kurt sent out sketches, per Isabelle’s persuasion, to various design houses, but the feedback, although positive, was not what he wanted. Trying to keep him positive was hard when things just weren’t going anywhere, but I definitely knew it was my turn to be the support system. Kurt had been there through the months of waiting before I was signed and I had just as much faith that he would become something great, just as he had…has…in me. After months of excruciating nothing, Isabelle pushed him into another direction-starting his own label. Keep in mind that Kurt was barely 20 years old at this point, but he had been working with Isabelle for two years and I was only months into being discovered and signed. But with Isabelle’s name attached, Kurt had financial backers for his line, Hummel, and his first show during New York Fashion Week was 18 months later.”

***

“Kurt?” Blaine walked backstage calling Kurt’s name again before he realized just how chaotic the scene was. “Hey, Angela, do you know where Kurt is? Does he have a second?”

Kurt’s petite assistant turned to look at Blaine, clearly frazzled, “Uh. He’s somewhere in the racks of clothes. One of the models never showed up so Kurt’s trying to alter the clothes so that some of the models can walk three looks instead of two.”

“Okay, this is obviously a bad time. If you get a chance, can you just tell him good luck for me? And that I love him?” Blaine asked as he began to exit the back of the tent to go find his seat in the crowd.

Just as he was about to exit, Blaine heard Kurt’s frantic voice, “BLAINE! Shit.”

“Hi! I was just coming to wish you luck, but Angela explained what was going on, so I don’t want to keep you. Good luck. I love you and I know the show is going to look absolutely amazing.”

“Blaine I need your help.” Kurt responded, a look in his eyes that Blaine knew meant trouble for him.

“I really don’t thi-...“

“Blaine, please. The pants will be a little long, but everything else will fit you perfectly. You know I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t really need your help. Please, baby?”

“Ughh…Kurt you know I can’t say no when you look at me like that. Fine, but only because I love you.”

Blaine was pushed into a makeup chair and Angela gave him a run-through of what he should do, though he knew the attitude of the show already. He was dating the designer, after all.

Once hair and makeup were done, Kurt had Blaine quickly try on the pants to be shortened, but not before flirtatiously squeezing his ass and saying, “I’ll make it up to you later. Thank you again, baby.”

The lights in the tent dimmed and the show began. Despite the initial panic, everything was flawless. The audience responded with an uproar of applause as the models began their final walk; Blaine, per Kurt’s request, hanging back and walking with him hand-in-hand down the runway to close the show.

***

“Blaine enjoys bragging, but now it’s my turn. Yes, I was 21 during my first show and yes, my success was amazing and I’m so, so thankful for it, but this guy over here? Not only would that fashion show have been a disaster without his help, but he was discovered and had three singles go platinum from his first album all while finishing graduate school and obtaining a Ph.D. I mean, who does that?”

“True, and you mentioned going platinum, can you talk about the inspiration for those songs and for your first album, Blaine?”

“Well, Not Alone, Jealousy, and Muse were written at very different points in my life. Jealousy was from my time at Dalton during the relationship I mentioned earlier. I don’t want to go into detail, mostly because it wasn’t a good point in my life, but also because I’m so far past it that it’s almost irrelevant. The lyrics are pretty self-explanatory, though, and it’s definitely a more angry song. Muse came from my love for literature and history. I have this theory that Medusa had a great-great-great-great, etc. granddaughter that uses her beauty to seduce men before breaking their hearts, solely because she’s bitter about how her great-great-great-great, etc. grandmother was treated. Part of my theory is that there must have been someone who could stand up to her and not fall under her spell; they couldn’t change her, but they showed her she wasn’t invincible. Not Alone is probably my favorite song on the album. I wrote it for Kurt a couple of years ago when he was going through a hard time while his dad was sick. I knew that there was nothing I could say that would make things better, but I wanted to be there for him in any way I could be so that way he knew he always had someone he could fall on. Being nominated for a Grammy for Song of the Year was something I never imagined possible.”

***

Blaine sat in the audience, his foot tapping increasingly faster as his category approached.

“Blaine, you really need to calm down. You’re going to wear a hole in the floor with that tapping,” Kurt gently scolded. He knew how nervous Blaine was and was trying to be reassuring, but frankly he was nervous too.

The announcer for the category approached the microphone, introduced the nominees, and opened the envelope. It could have been seconds or hours, Blaine hadn’t a clue, but the next thing he heard was Kurt’s voice.

“Blaine! You did it; you won! I knew you would. Babe, I’m so proud of you! I love you so much!”

Too shocked to move, Kurt and whoever was on Blaine’s other side pulled him up and Kurt’s loving shove got Blaine stumbling over his feet on his way to the stage.

Always eloquent, Blaine opened his mouth to say, “Uh…wow. Um.” Clearing his throat, Blaine tried again. “Okay. Well, I promise I’m usually better with words. I also know how clich� it is to say ‘I didn’t have a speech prepared,’ but I honestly didn’t. Kurt warned me about what would happen if I didn’t and, as usual, he was right. Wow. I can’t believe I won. Thank you so much to the voters and to my fans; without you I’d probably be sitting in my graduate classes right now.”

Using the audience’s laughter, Blaine fell intro stride, knowing his time at the microphone was limited. “I want to say ‘hey’ to the kids at the Carefree School—how am I doing, kids? I owe a huge thank you to Dr. Peter Reiner; without him I might have never taken advantage of the opportunity with which I was presented. Lastly, and most importantly, Kurt, this is for you. I know for a fact that without you, I wouldn’t be here. We both know where’d I’d be, and it’s nowhere near as sweet as this. I love you so much and thank you for being the kick in the ass that I needed. Thanks again everyone!”

***

“I was so honored that The Trevor Project approached me about not only performing my song, but also using it as a sort of anthem for the association. I wish that when I was in high school there had been something like The Trevor Project and the hotline for me to turn to, so for them to use a song to represent what they stand for, it’s one of the biggest honors I could ever receive.”

“Speaking of The Trevor Project, the work you both do with the group is amazing. I think it’s safe to say that you’ve saved countless lives with your support and advocating for the cause.”

This time, Kurt spoke for the couple. “Thank you so much. To even think of having an impact on kids who grew up in situations similar to or worse than ours is an incredible thought. I can honestly say that neither of us set out with the goal of representing such a large cause; we simply wanted to give the support that we never had. Being chosen by a foundation is an incredibly humbling experience that we are both so grateful for. I think when Blaine performed Not Alone at Trevor Live was the moment in which any doubt I had about spending the rest of my life with Blaine was erased.

“The work you two have done and the awareness you have created, 10 years ago, was unfathomable. Things sound like they were pretty perfect, is that true?”

“Life is never perfect. Despite all of our success, we’re human therefore we make mistakes. We went through a rough patch pretty early on that resulted in us separating for 6 months. We were both stressed and tensions were running high. It was in the middle of the discovery and doubt of our career futures as well as the future of our relationship; unfortunately, words were exchanged, words that were meant to hurt. We decided to take a break and as for myself, it was the longest 6 months of my life. I was hurt and my pride prevented me from seeking Kurt out, apologizing, and listening to him. We were both vicious. Unfortunately, it’s true that Kurt had experienced that side of me before, but I was shocked that he had been harboring the feelings he had been for so long without saying anything.”

***

“Blaine, I’m home!” Kurt called out to his boyfriend as he entered the apartment after a long day of work. “Blaine?” Kurt walked into the living room to find Blaine curled up on the couch, a blanket wrapped around his legs and the TV on mute. “Hey, handsome. I’m so glad to be home.” Kurt sat down next to Blaine, propping his feet up on the small coffee table in front of the couch.

When he was met with silence, Kurt looked at Blaine only to find the other man working to avoid eye contact. “Blaine? What’s wrong? Did something happen today?”

“You could say that,” mumbled Blaine.

Kurt didn’t know how to respond to Blaine’s comment, though it was pretty clear that Blaine was in a rotten mood. “Well, do you want to talk about it? Did something happen in one of your classes? Was it a tough day at the music therapy clinic? You only just started working there, I’m sure it’ll get better. From what you’ve said, the kids love you!”

Blaine’s response was full of venom. “No, Kurt, I actually had a great day of classes and I didn’t go into the clinic today. If you actually listened to things I said, maybe you’d know these fucking things.”

“O…Okay. I guess I don’t understand.” Kurt shrunk into himself as he responded.

“After how much you’re around, I wouldn’t really expect you to. I take it that you don’t remember our plans for tonight?” What started as a bitter response faded into a quiet hurt.

“What?...Oh, shit. Blaine. I’m so sorry. I got caught up at work; Isabelle and I were going over those designs I’d been making for the models. I completely forgot about dinner.”

Kurt sounded genuinely upset over his mistake, but Blaine was too, “Kurt, you promised me that you’d be home tonight. I made that chicken dish you love so much and your favorite cheesecake for dessert. I thought we’d finally have a night to ourselves.”

“Blaine. I’m so sorry. I’ve just been so busy lately that I...”

“We both have, Kurt. That’s why I thought we’d agreed upon tonight to just have a quiet night no phones, no work.” Blaine was getting angry again. He had managed his work so that he could take the night off without falling too far behind and he just didn’t understand why Kurt hadn’t done the same.

“I told you I was sorry. I can’t really do anything else and I don’t understand why you’re so angry. I messed up. I’ll make it up to you.” Kurt was pleading with Blaine at this point. He wanted to make things okay.

“That’s not the point. The point is that you’re never around anymore and when you are around, you don’t listen. You’re so caught up in your job and Isabelle. I’m taking a back seat to everything else. I’m glad you’re becoming something, Kurt, I am, but I don’t know if I can do this.”

“Do what, Blaine? Do what? Be with someone who may be more successful than you? I’m sorry that I’m no longer the student, Blaine, but you aren’t my fucking teacher anymore either. We’re in a relationship, act like it.” Kurt was infuriated. How could Blaine be upset just because Kurt was doing well and making progress at work? How selfish was Blaine being?

“I was going to say that I can’t keep fighting with you over things we can’t control, but if you want to do it that way, fine. Contrary to your apparent belief, I’m not jealous of your success. I’m pissed at how you’ve been treating me. Just because your talent is being recognized doesn’t mean you deserve to be an ass and to treat me like your subordinate, Kurt. Like you said, we’re in a relationship. You need to start acting like it. You’re acting like an immature bitch.” Blaine knew how to fight back. These feelings had been building for a while and Blaine couldn’t hold them back anymore. “Maybe this relationship wasn’t a good idea. Maybe you were right when you were worried about the difference in age between us. Maybe I do need someone more mature, someone who won’t act like this and who respects me.”

“No, Blaine, please. I’m sorry. I’ve been out of line. I love you; don’t do this.” Kurt pleaded with Blaine; scared to lose the life he had been working so hard to build.

“I love you too, but right now I can’t be here.”

As the door shut behind Blaine carrying a hastily packed bag, Kurt dissolved into tears, crumpling to the floor. He regretted everything he had just said. Blaine was right; he was being immature and he hadn’t been there for Blaine in the way that Blaine evidently needed. The person he loved more than anything, more than any success he could ever dream of having, had just left and Kurt had no idea how to get him back.

***

“It was definitely a long six months,” Kurt cut in, “but in the end, we realized that talking things through instead of bottling them up was important. We still bicker, but we never go to bed angry. We take time to cool off, let the initial anger subside, but we always come back to figure things out before the end of the night,” Kurt continued. “What it comes down to is that we love each other and we know that. We tried the separation thing and it didn’t work for us. We both have a bitchy side that will occasionally arise, but we also realize this and we love each other too much to ruin what we have.”

“So everything worked out in the end, I see. What’s up next for the two of you?”

“Well,” Kurt started. “My next fashion show will be during Fashion Week again this year. It’s my new collection for Hummel that I’ve called Blackbird after The Beatles’ song my mother sang to me and it’s also the first song that Blaine taught me on the piano I’m also designing Blaine’s suit for the Grammy’s next month.

“Of course,” laughed the interviewer.

“As for me,” Blaine said, “I’m working on my second album. Pavarotti, an ode to the Warblers that deserve the credit of helping find a lost boy and giving him the confidence to be who he was meant to be. I know it’s 2 years too late, but I’ve had a lot on my plate. I’m also working with The Trevor Project and am honored to be hosting Trevor Live this year. I’m doing more work with the music therapy school that I started just about two years ago now, Music is Power, that gives special attention to children with learning disabilities and offer treatments through the use of an exploration of music. I don’t really know what to expect after that. Let’s face it, Kurt’s the real talent in this relationship,” Blaine laughed and squeezed Kurt’s hand before leaning in to kiss his cheek.

“You both are going to continue to accomplish great things, I’m sure of it. Any final comments?”

“I know this isn’t about our relationship, but I just hope people will understand that while our story is unconventional, Kurt really is the love of my life. He captured a searching man and helped him rediscover a passion he had long given up on. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have Kurt. “

Upon looking up, the interviewer saw tears in both men’s eyes and quietly turned off the tape recorder. Success, she realized, was not possible without happiness, and for Kurt and Blaine, happiness was found in not so unrequited love.

***

It was large and perfect and so full of love, so different from that first box they lived in when they came to New York. As Kurt and Blaine stood in the middle of the kitchen, swaying as Blaine whispered the lyrics of an old classic, Teenage Dream, into Kurt’s ear, neither man could help but reminisce on all that had happened since they moved into that first place together. Now, Blaine’s three platinum records hung in his office with plenty of wall space for more; some of Kurt’s first sketches were framed and placed throughout the apartment. Both represented how far the two men had come and what they had to overcome in the process: rejection, betrayal, and hurt. New York hadn’t been everything that the men expected when they arrived; it had become more in every sense of the word. The past few years hadn’t always been easy; there had been failures and fights, sleepless nights and hurt feelings, but there had also been success and progress, lessons learned and comforting words spoken. Through it all, Blaine and Kurt had been both teacher and student. Blaine achieved his dream of having an impact on others, albeit not in the way he had foreseen, and Kurt did the same.

As the new day dawned in New York and light flooded the apartment with the crisply painted rooms and perfectly placed furniture, a magazine lay on the bed next to two sleeping figures, open to the page on the culmination of a love story. The two men slept on, oblivious to the rising sun, dreaming of endless possibilities and the gentle touch of love.

“From graded papers to moments shared on red carpets, runways and beyond, the love that two men share is truly everlasting and their adventures thus far show that some things are simply meant to be. The telling of one man’s accomplishments is impossible without doing the same for the other. The two men seem to be a single entity while still maintaining individuality. Separating their tales is an impossible task. These two, if given the time, will have a love story better than they could have ever expected.