Blaine couldn’t remember being this nervous or excited in his life. And that was really saying something, because he was a performer. He had sung in front of huge audiences countless times, yet this was a totally different type of nervousness and excitement. He felt the buzz of adrenaline as he set the last envelope in its place.

The year Kurt had started studying at NYADA caused a mix of emotions for Blaine. He was happy that his boyfriend was enjoying all the school and the city had to offer, excited that Kurt was one step closer to his dream of being on Broadway, yet he was sad because he missed seeing his boyfriend every day. He could safely say that when it was his turn to apply to colleges, Blaine’s decision to only choose schools that were located in Manhattan was strongly swayed by the fact that he’d be reunited with his boyfriend once more.

Kurt was now a junior at NYADA, while Blaine was a sophomore at Mannes College The New School for Music, majoring in voice. The couple was sharing an apartment together, the rent for which was paid mostly by Blaine’s parents and the rest by Kurt and Blaine themselves. 

Blaine checked to make sure that the envelope was hidden from the eyes of everyday passers-by before pulling out his cell phone and sending a quick text message to Kurt.

Almost home? -B

Kurt had spent the entire day in rehearsal for his self-written one-act musical, which was a huge part of his grade. Blaine knew that Kurt was stressed out about it because he took his academics very seriously. Kurt had spent almost every night that week second-guessing every minute detail of his piece, from the actors (“what if they’re not good enough?”) to the songs (“the assignment says to use songs that are already written, but what if the songs I chose are all wrong for the storyline?”) to the stage directions (“do you think Emmeline should exit stage left instead of down the aisle through the audience like I had planned?”). Despite Blaine reassuring him that his one-act was brilliant, his boyfriend had second thoughts.

So, understandably, Blaine was second-guessing his own plans for the evening. What if Kurt was too stressed and tired from rehearsal, and just wanted to sit at home and relax? But then Blaine’s phone buzzed with a reply,

Yes. I’ll be home in a few minutes. Rehearsal went great! :) –K

Relief washed over Blaine at Kurt’s words, though nervousness was still biting away at his insides a little bit.

I’m glad. Hurry home! –B

I’m almost there. -K

Sure enough, a few minutes later, Blaine’s phone started ringing. Taking a deep breath, he answered it.

“Hey.”

“I got your note that said to call you. What’s up? Where are you?” Kurt said.

“Can you open our mailbox? There’s something in there for you.”

“I was just down there!”

“You can go back. It’s just downstairs…”

“Okay but if you knew there was mail for me, why didn’t you take it upstairs?” Kurt asked, confusion in his voice.

“Just do it, please?” Blaine said.

“I will. But you didn’t answer my question. Where are you?”

“Never mind that. Tell me when you’ve opened the mailbox.”

“Hang on. I’ve got to find the key.”

“You didn’t lose it, did you?” Blaine asked. He closed his eyes; that could ruin everything.

“No, no. I’ve got it; it’s right here. Hang on,” Kurt said. Blaine sighed in relief as the sounds of Kurt’s footsteps echoed through the phone. “Okay. I’m at our mailbox. Oh! Wait….this envelope is addressed to me but it’s in your handwriting. Blaine…?”

“Just open it,” Blaine urged. “You’ll see.”

“Alright…” Kurt said. There was silence for a moment, and then, “You want me to go to Magnolia Bakery?”

“Yep. Right now.”

“But-“

“No buts. Just go. And stay on the line with me; don’t hang up. Tell me when you’re there.”

“Blaine, what is this?”

“Think of it as a treasure hunt. Just do it.”

“Fine,” Kurt said. Blaine could practically see him rolling his eyes, which made him chuckle. “Good thing we have free mobile-to-mobile on our phones.”

“I know.”

Luckily, the bakery was not far from where the boys lived, so Kurt reached his destination in a matter of minutes. “Okay, Blaine, I’m here. Do you want me to get you a cupcake? The line is wrapping around the block as usual….it’ll take a long time…”

“No, don’t get me a cupcake. Just go inside and tell the lady at the counter your name.”

“What?”

“Kurt, please?”

“Okay,” Kurt said, sighing. Blaine heard Kurt open the door and then muffled sounds of the phone being lowered. Kurt’s voice sounded farther away, “Um, excuse me…I was told to tell you my name…I’m Kurt Hummel…?” A female voice greeted him, and then told him to wait just one moment. A few seconds later, Kurt said into the phone, “She gave me another envelope.”

“Well open it. What does it say?” Blaine said. 

“Umm…it says….hang on,” Kurt said. There was the sound of paper tearing. “It says, ’Go to the box office at the Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.’ So….are we getting tickets to a show or something?”

“Nope. “

“I’m seeing a connection to these places you picked,” Kurt said suspiciously.

“Of course you are. That’s part of the whole idea,” Blaine laughed. 

“What idea are you talking about, exactly?” Kurt asked.

“Kurt! No questions! Just go! It’s three blocks away!”

“I am, I am. But I would really like to know what’s in your head, Mr. Anderson.”

“Do you trust me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then be patient and you will find out soon. I promise,” Blaine said. “Tell them your name just like you did at Magnolia.”

“I’m sensing a pattern there, as well.”

“Nothing gets past you,” Blaine grinned. “Are you there yet?”

“No. Now it’s your turn to be patient!”

“I am. Just tell me when you’re there. I’ll wait.”

“Almost there.” A few minutes later, Kurt spoke again, a little breathless. “I’m here. I’m going inside now.”

“Good.”

Once again, Blaine heard the door open and Kurt tell the box office attendant his name. “Another envelope. This is getting more and more intriguing, yet bewildering, by the minute.”

“I bet. Open the envelope and read it. You know the drill.”

“Yes, sir,” Kurt said. “It says, ‘Next stop: Picholine Restaurant’. Now I definitely know the theme to these destinations.”

“I should certainly hope so. Now go.”

“Bossy!”

“Sorry. Please?”

“That’s better. I’m going.” Kurt said, the sounds of him walking filling the air. “By the way, these locations aren’t in the right order.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

“You mean it doesn’t matter in the end? Wherever this treasure hunt of sorts ultimately leads me?”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” Kurt took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m getting tired. I had a long day. Am I almost done?”

“Almost. Are you at the restaurant yet?”

“Just getting there now. Okay, I’m there. Let me guess. Go inside and tell them my name?”

“You’re learning fast.”

“It’s not that hard,” Kurt said. He went inside and told them his name. “Blaine, this is getting kind of repetitive. I hope I’m almost done.”

“Shut up. You are having fun and you know it.”

“I’d be having more fun if I wasn’t wearing my Michael Kors boots.”

“Sorry, but whose fault is that?”

“When I put them on this morning, I didn’t know I’d be doing this much walking, Blaine!”

“Kurt, you live in New York City. Walking a lot is a given!”

“Yeah, but usually I don’t walk this much!”

“Be quiet and open your envelope.”

“Okay, Mr. Bossy Pants. This one says, 'Enter Central Park and go to the Angel of the Waters fountain in the Bethesda Terrace.' Okay. But there won’t be an attendant there to give me my envelope.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“Okay. I’m walking there now. It’ll take a little longer to get to than the other places.”

“Take your time.” Blaine said. He was getting more and more nervous with each passing second. 

“I’m here,” Kurt said a little while later. “Now what?”

Blaine smiled to himself. “See the statue on top of the fountain?” 

“Yes. I’m looking at it right now.”

“Walk over to the left side of the fountain, or more specifically, the angel’s left side. Your envelope is there.”

“Unless someone took it.”

“Go see for yourself.”

“Okay. Okay, I found it. I’m opening it now….” Kurt said. Blaine held his breath as he waited, his heart pounding. “It just says, “Look up.’ Um…up where?”

“Look towards the stairs.”

“Okay…?” Kurt said. Blaine swallowed…and locked eyes with his boyfriend. Blaine smiled as he saw Kurt almost drop the phone. “Blaine?”

“Yeah.”

“You’re…”

“Yeah.”

“This whole time?”

“This whole time.”

“But-“

“Come here, Kurt.” Blaine said quietly. He took a deep breath as he watched his boyfriend make his way towards him. With every step Kurt took, Blaine’s heart pounded in his ears. He swallowed thickly just as Kurt approached him. Blaine smiled and lowered his phone. He ended the call and shoved it in his pocket. Kurt did the same, never taking his eyes off of him. Wordlessly, Blaine handed Kurt something. Kurt took it, and then reluctantly tore his eyes from his boyfriend’s to look down at his hand. Another envelope. Kurt looked back up at Blaine questioningly. “Open it and read it out loud, just as before,” Blaine said.

Kurt nodded and tore open the envelope, taking out the piece of paper. His eyes widened at the words. “It says…’Will you marry me?’” he whispered as Blaine said the words right along with him.

Kurt looked back at his boyfriend who was now down on one knee, holding open a velvet box containing a beautiful-yet-masculine ring. He was smiling, albeit unsurely. Kurt shook himself out of his shock as he realized that Blaine was waiting for an answer.

“Yes! Absolutely yes! Yes, yes, yes,” Kurt said over and over, launching himself into his boyfriend’s - now fiancé’s – arms.

Blaine laughed and kissed him before slipping the ring on his finger and hugging him tight. 

When they pulled apart, Kurt said softly, “This is the best treasure hunt prize ever.”

Blaine grinned and kissed him again. “Thanks for playing.”