Epilogue

New York City, NYE 2014

"Are you sure this is how you want to spend New Years Eve?" Finn asked as they walked towards Times Square again.

"I'm sure," Kurt replied from where he was tucked in against Finn's body. His arms were wrapped tightly around Finn's torso, and Finn's arm was across his shoulders, Finn's hand rubbing lightly at his upper arm. "We were home in Lima for the holidays last year, including New Years, and it was fun, but I thought it would be nice to come back here."

"It's our first not-a-date; same thing, same place, same time," Finn laughed.

"Exactly," Kurt agreed.

"At least you've dressed warmer this year," Finn said.

Kurt shrugged. "I know you love me just the way I am," he sing-songed.

"You don't need all that fancy stuff to be perfect for me," Finn agreed.

"I still might end up a frozen Kurtsicle by the end of the night though," Kurt complained. "I might need you to thaw me out when we get home, with some of that skin on skin contact you're so fond of." Kurt waggled his eyebrows suggestively at Finn.

Finn pretended to think about it for a minute. "I think I can handle that." They stopped for a stop light, waiting for the crossing signal and Finn leaned down and kissed Kurt. Finn ran his tongue over the seam of Kurt's lips, eagerly licking into the warmth of Kurt's mouth when it opened. When they pulled apart, the crowd around them jostling them as the signal changed, Finn whispered to Kurt, "We could have spent all night at home doing that."

"We don't want to be one of those couples Finn," Kurt chided. "A couple that never goes out, that never socializes with their friends, that just gets so wrapped up in each other and in fooling around and having sex."

"Speak for yourself," Finn huffed. "That sounds exactly like the kind of couple I want to be. Besides, you were the one that didn't want me to invite anyone else along with us tonight."

Kurt laughed. "I concede. I didn't want to share you with anyone tonight."

"Wouldn't happen, never going to happen," Finn replied at they reached Times Square. "I'm yours. Just yours."

Kurt looked around, taking in the lights, the music, the people, and the snow falling softly. He wrapped his arms around Finn's neck and leaned up to press a chaste kiss against Finn's lips. "2014 has been a good year."

"It has," Finn nodded. "I got spend it all with you."

"Two years ago, when we were here, I wondered just what 2013 would be like," Kurt said. "I was freaking out about a bunch of big changes in my life; I was terrified for Dad. And you told me you could feel that 2013 was going to be my year."

"Did I?" Finn asked, smiling at Kurt. "It wasn't all that bad, but there are parts of 2013 I am glad are over."

Kurt nodded. "Me too. You also told me it might be the year I met the love of my life." He chuckled softly. "I wasn't expecting it to be you."

Finn chuckled, as well. "I don't think I was either. Not that night anyway."

"To be fair, we didn't meet in 2013," Kurt said.

"Nope," Finn agreed.

"But we did fall in love," Kurt said softly. He closed his eyes and rested his head against Finn's chest, trying to catch his breath as his heart beat faster and faster.

Finn nodded in agreement, "we did." He tilted his head down, and put a finger under Kurt's chin to tilt it up so he could kiss Kurt.

"You've done so much for me," Kurt said. "More than I think you even know. And sometimes I feel so overwhelmed because I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"Hey," Finn scolded. "I do things for you because I love you. And I know you love me. I've never doubted that. Even before I loved you, I knew you loved me. Even when you were engaged to Blaine, I had to believe that deep down somewhere locked away in your memories, you still loved me."

Kurt unwrapped his scarf from his neck and dropped it to the ground.

"Kurt?" Finn questioned.

Kurt reached into his jacket pocket and then got down on one knee, kneeling on his scarf, and then looked up at Finn.

"Kurt, what are you doing?" Finn asked. "Get up, get up before you get trampled." Finn pulled at Kurt's arms, but Kurt wouldn't get up. Finn changed his stance, going into full protective mode and trying to shield Kurt from most of the crowd. He pushed gently on some of the people surrounding them. The crowd shifted, seemingly realizing before Finn did, just what was happening.

Kurt reached up for Finn's hand, tugging on it gently to get his attention. "Finn."

Finn started laughing. "What are you doing Kurt?"

"There's one thing that I know I can do, and I know I can do it forever," Kurt said. "That thing is loving you. And I'd love for you to give me the chance to do that." Kurt pulled a small black box from his coat pocket, opened the lid, revealing Finns' Dad's ring and put it in Finn's hand. "Finn Hudson, marry me, please?"

"Oh my God Kurt, get up, get up," Finn exclaimed. He wrapped his arms around Kurt and lifted him off the ground, pressing kisses over every inch of his face. The crowd around them cheered and clapped.

"You never answered me," Kurt said seriously when Finn put him back on the ground.

Finn picked up Kurt's scarf, shaking it out and then wrapping it around Kurt's neck again. "Well it wasn't a no," he laughed.

"It wasn't exactly a yes either," Kurt countered, smiling.

"You're so picky," Finn mock huffed. "Yes, ok. Yes, I'll marry you." Finn pulled out the little box that had migrated into his coat pocket and opened it. He slipped off his glove and slid the ring onto his finger.

"Good," Kurt replied, holding tightly to Finn's hand. "I hope you don't mind I took your Dad's ring from your box of stuff on your desk."

"I didn't even know it was missing," Finn confessed.

"I didn't take it until tonight," Kurt admitted. "But I've been looking for it for a couple of weeks now."

"It's perfect," Finn said. He leaned in and kissed Kurt. "Wait, was all to this tonight, the re-creation and anniversary of our first not-a-date, was that all part of your proposal plan?"

"Hmmm," Kurt nodded.

"In that case, since you did it and I said yes, we can get out of here now? And go home?" Finn asked.

Kurt laughed. "Only if you're going to warm me up."

"You better believe it," Finn said. He pulled Kurt to him and started quickly walking away from the crowds in Time Square. "Isabelle is going to be so mad at you though." Finn shook his head.

"Why?" Kurt asked. "What did I do?"

"You ruined the New Years proposal she helped me plan for tomorrow," Finn said. "I went to her about advice for a ring and it kind of snowballed from there."

Kurt stopped and looked up at Finn. "Really? You were going to ask me?"

Finn nodded. "The ring is sitting in it's box in the toe of my old Cons in the closet."

"I promise I'll act surprised tomorrow," Kurt said, smiling as he started walking again.

"Deal," Finn said. He pulled down Kurt's scarf and kissed the back of Kurt's neck, on the left side, just under his hairline, a silvery sliver of a scar left over from the accident.

000

This time, This place

Misused, Mistakes

Too long, Too late

Who was I to make you wait

Just one chance

Just one breath

Just in case there's just one left

'Cause you know,

you know, you know

[...]

I wanted

I wanted you to stay

'Cause I needed

I need to hear you say

That I love you

I have loved you all along

And I forgive you

For being away for far too long

So keep breathing

'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore

Believe it

Hold on to me and, never let me go

~Far Away, Nickelback