Kurt, for the decent part of 6 months, had been educated in Dalton. It didn’t remain permanent, which was obvious for he was wandering along deserted McKinley hallways in attempt to find his boyfriend who explained that he was staying after school hours to work out.

Dalton had a sports program, of course, but it was more divine and polished than anything this public school could offer. Although Dalton had never before offered weights class and as a result of McKinley doing so, Blaine had jumped at the chance. Kurt couldn’t complain as he had recently taken up the hobby of mesmerising Blaine’s arms. Move aside Vogue, Kurt had others things to read.

But his reading material was put aside when he heard grunting echo from the familiar red door that led to the majority of sports rooms. He led tentative steps to the door before pushing it open and slipping inside quietly as he heard another grunt followed by a dull thud. He crept further until he was faced with Blaine’s back, covered in a grey hood whilst his gloved hands rested on the punch bag Kurt assumed he had been punching just a moment ago, as did his forehead.

By his body language, Kurt could see he was deflated from something other than the exercise.

In his time knowing Blaine, he had come to learn that Blaine kept a lot to himself. If he was upset, he wouldn’t show it for long because something inside of him told him he needed to keep up appearances. They were without a doubt the most honest couple in McKinley yet it didn’t stop Blaine from cowering under his inner demons, some of which Kurt didn’t understand why they were there.

He decided to stop the observation before Blaine noticed him first. Kurt imagined he would be angry over the fact that he was secretly watching him in a vulnerable position without Blaine knowing. “Hey.” He said softly, walking closer to his startled boyfriend.
Blaine had jumped when Kurt’s voice broke through the mess that was his thoughts. He turned to look at Kurt, stunned by the contrast he created from looking so beautiful in such an ugly place. “Hey.” He replied, dropping his arms from the punch bag so he could stand straight. “You didn’t have to wait for me.”

“Why would I wait for you? It’s not like you hold any significance to me.” Kurt teased, a tongue edging out from his smiling lips.
Blaine laughed breathlessly, his own smile shy around his lips. It was a start, Kurt thought. “Mmm. True. I guess you came for the show then.” After their first time together sexually, the pair found comfort and happiness in flirting more.

“That I did.” Kurt nodded once as he chuckled whilst he stepped closer. He was able to see the prominent frown between Blaine’s eyebrows better now. A curious finger brushed it out of its place. “Talk to me.” He cooed, using his fingers to tickle Blaine’s cheek slightly, his expression softening as Kurt did so.

There was a fragile silence for several moments before Blaine decided to speak up, eyes burning into Kurt’s. “Why doesn’t he like me? What did I do to him?”

It was Kurt’s turn to frown; he had no idea as to who Blaine was talking about and how they were able to make him look like a helpless child. “Who? Who doesn’t like you, Blaine?”

“Finn.”

“He does li-“

“It’s like I can’t catch a break.” Blaine’s face scrunched into a look of confusion and pain, it made him step back from Kurt and take another hit to the punch bag. “My dad doesn’t like me for something I can’t control and the same goes for Finn! I’ve never purposely gone out of my way to annoy him.” He shook his head that was downcast to the floor.

“I’m tired of having to prove myself.” His voice broke, catching in his throat as the overwhelming desire to cry reared its painful head. “But that’s what I got myself into, right?” His head shot back up to look at Kurt with a menacing look in his usually warm honey orbs.

“I’m gay so my life is going to be spent proving others that I’m good enough, equal. Do I need to shoot someone with a rifle to show I’m worthy for the army? Will I have to save a baby from a burning building to have the world accept gay parents? If I can’t get my dad or F-Finn to see then I’m surely fucked for the rest of the world’s garbage!”

Kurt had stayed quiet throughout Blaine’s outburst. It wasn’t out of choice, more like he was speechless. Earlier he had worried at Blaine keeping things to himself; turns out there had been a lot hidden but not enough to hold it back anymore.

“Blaine..” Kurt whispered before he threw himself into an embrace with his defeated boyfriend. It reminded him of their hug when he realised Blaine had transferred, only now the strength Blaine put into the hold was out of fear he would crumble in Kurt’s arms. “Staying true to who you are is worth this. If I didn’t believe that, I’d still sport a plaid shirt and trucker’s crap.” He murmured whilst running loving fingers along Blaine’s curly head.

“You have to take an attempt at life before giving up.” Kurt carried on, pulling away from their hug to grasp Blaine’s biceps. “This..” His eyes darting around the room in a gesture. “This isn’t living. You have to put up with me and Rachel in our tiny New York apartment before you can draw the white flag and even then I’ll assume it’s an accessory you’re suggesting to me.” The corner of Kurt’s lips perked up in an inviting grin, Blaine couldn’t help resist replying with his own small smile.

“They can’t touch us, remember?” The taller boy squeezed at Blaine’s arms whilst he kissed at Blaine’s warm cheek quickly. “I’ll even let you wear my crown, if that helps.” A certain twinkle in Kurt’s eyes lit as he stretched his grin further. Since the day they met, Blaine knew he didn’t want to live without that light ever again.

“That won’t be necessary.” The shorter boy said into a quiet laugh.

“Y'know it was always drilled in to me that blood was what made a family, as if DNA excused the homophobia.” His next laugh was nothing like his earlier one; this was filled with bitterness and irony. “But then you came along and you defied the meaning. You put your own stamp on it. I expect nothing less from you, of course but what I guess I’m trying to say is thank you.”

"You gave me everything without me having to ask and that-.. that makes me believe we'll always be tied to each other in some way. Senior, Junior, NYADA, McKinley. The future isn't as scary as I once thought it was because I'll always have the mark you made on my life."

Kurt could say nothing in reply, how could he when Blaine was usually the one to take the pipe and smoke it? He was always the one to trump Kurt in romance and affection; Blaine's earlier "I'm not very good at romance" quip usually made Kurt rolls his eyes nowadays. But as intimidating as it could be at times to top Blaine's words, Kurt melted into the comfortable, cosy rhythm they had. "A mark with glitter?" A twitch to his lips made him smirk.

"A mark with glitter." Blaine nodded with a triumphant smile.