Chapter 20- Centre Stage

"You know, I actually forgot about Regionals," Kurt said, grimacing at the camera seeing the expression that was looking back at him.

Per Sebastian's unrelenting orders, Kurt was on bedrest for the next two days after the Karofsky incident so his wounds could heal and he could begin to process everything that had happened. Elliott had decided to organise a New Directions Skype session so Kurt could begin to reconnect with those he had thought he had no choice but to pull away from. Of them all, only Sam, Santana and Quinn knew what had happened. Kurt had called them all the previous night and told them the whole story via a four-way phone call. They had all predictably been furious and Santana had pulled out the Spanish words. Kurt had assured them that the situation had been resolved and he was going to start looking to the future.

Members of New Directions crowded around the screen in front of him now. Everybody was smiling at him except for Rachel and the new girl, Lauren. Rachel was evidently furious that he hadn't been putting every single fiber of his being into preparing for Regionals. Ever since Quinn accidentally let slip that Kurt had yet another solo at competition, Rachel had been making sure everything was perfect. She had seen him at Sectionals and now she finally knew how good he was. Kurt was happy about this. Rachel had been underestimating him for too long and now she finally knew.

"You mean you haven't been practicing all day, every day since you realised you were going to be singing solo against me? I mean…us."

Kurt rolled his eyes at her theatrics. "Hello, Rachel. Nice of you to pipe up. In case, you haven't noticed, I'm bound to my bed for the next twenty-four hours. You of all people should know that you cannot possibly sing at your optimum potential whilst sitting down. What would Broadway think?"

Those around Rachel smirked at her.

The cover story, for those of the New Directions not in Kurt's inner circle, was that he had tripped and fallen down the stairs one morning and injured his entire body in the fall. It wasn't the furthest thing from the truth. He had fallen, only with two hammy hands on the other end pushing him.

The loathing. The malice. The intent.

Kurt shook his head quickly, caught up in his own world for longer than he had wanted to be. The New Directions were staring at him. Santana snapped her fingers.

"I miss you guys. I know that I haven't kept in touch as much as I would have liked. School is quite literally kicking my ass and doing the Warblers has kept me busier than expected. So busy that we only get to see each other during competitions. Which, by the way, the Warblers are going to win."

Rachel looked outraged that Kurt would be rooting against them, even though he was an active soloist for the other team. It never made sense to Kurt how downright competitive she got. He knew that was immensely competitive, but Rachel was on a different level, accusing everybody of spying on the New Directions. If Kurt thought about it, she wasn't completely crazy for being paranoid. After all, their set list had been pilfered and handed out to other teams only last year. Fair enough, it had been Brittany, but that was neither here nor there. Coach Sylvester had been orchestrating it behind the scenes since the Glee Club began.

"Kurt, you can't possibly be supporting the enemy."

"I'm not sure what you think I've been doing all year, but I'm currently one of the lead soloists for the Warblers, Rach. Of course I'm going to root for us to win."

"You said 'us'. Is this about Sebastian?"

"Rachel! This is about the team that I'm performing for. I love you guys dearly, you're my family, but I can't support you at Regionals. I'll cheer and applaud and will only throw things if you butcher a Patti LuPone number, but my allegiance is with the Warblers. Is anyone else finding this a difficult concept to grasp?"

"Move out the way, goblin," Santana sassed and grinned at Kurt. "You'd better get ready for the performance of your life, Lizzie. Because the New Directions are ready to smash the Warblers out of the park. Even if Rachel is soloing for us."

"Santana! These are trade secrets!"

"Who the hell is Lizzie?"

"Me," Kurt rolled his eyes. "My middle name? Elizabeth? Do none of you pay attention? And Rachel, no need for the dramatics, Mr. Schuester already told me who was singing. I don't know the songs or the parts, but I know who's leading the club. I have to say, I'm very excited. But you won't win."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."

"Okay, this could go on forever, let's just agree to disagree," Quinn mediated.

"Thanks, Q. Well, it's been great chatting to you all, by you all I mean Rachel since she didn't let the rest of you speak, but I can feel myself fading a little bit. I'll see you all at Regionals, so prepare for a devastating loss against the Warblers."

"That sounded intense."

Kurt looked up, surprised to see that it was Blaine walking into the room instead of Sebastian. His boyfriend had said that he would give him some time to talk to his friends and then let him rest, also giving him time to himself before the buzz of Regionals began. "Blaine. Hey."

"I'm sorry, Kurt."

Kurt looked down at his bed-ridden self and shrugged. "It's not like it's your fault, Blaine. You don't have anything to apologise for."

Blaine nodded. "I do. I believed everything he said to me and I doubted you, even though you've been nothing but great to me since we became friends. I wasn't loyal to you, Kurt. Even when I should have been."

"Do...do you know how he is?"

Blaine's face paled. "He lost a lot of blood after what happened but he's going to be fine."

Kurt's stomach swelled in relief. "You can't beat yourself up for this."

"I just...I let him in so easily. It seemed like we were connecting really well. He just got me."

Kurt's mind tapped at something he really didn't want to be thinking about. "The reality, Blaine, is that he might have been watching you. My guess is that he broke into your room and started looking for things that you liked, so it would make it easier for him to form a bond with you."

"I feel sick."

"I know, it's a horrible thing to have to process. I've started going back on everything I remember from McKinley and also here to see if I was actually alone after all while it happened."

Blaine chuckled darkly and shook his head. "I'm so fucked up. The first thing that ran through my head was that...I can't even say it, it's too shitty of me."

Kurt put his hand on Blaine's. "Blaine, you can tell me anything. I know we've had our ups and downs this year, but I consider you one of my best friends. Whatever it is you can say it."

"The first thing I thought was that this was just another guy who wanted you and not me."

Kurt paused.

"I know, it's a horrible thing to think, but it was just becoming a pattern and..."

"Blaine, you're digging yourself a hole. Stop talking. I get it. You've had a lot of relationships and crushes that haven't exactly worked out. So when one came along that looked like it was, you were willing to cling onto it at any cost. There's no need to beat yourself up over this. Karofsky is out of our lives. I handed evidence over to the police and they're expelling him from Dalton. I doubt they'll let him enroll at McKinley either, so he'll be paying for what he's done to both of us. I don't know what went on behind closed doors in your relationship, but I know Karofsky and I'm willing to bet that it wasn't all nice. So if you need me, I'm here to listen and to talk. Okay?"

"Thank you, Kurt. And I'm sorry again. I'll let you get some rest if you want."

"I would say that I'd come and find you a little later, but Sebastian's strict bed rest means that he'll kill me himself if he catches me out of bed. I'll probably just see you tomorrow for the last rehearsal."

Blaine nodded, patting Kurt's hand lightly. He turned, making his way out of the room before doubling back. "Kurt?"

"Yes, Blaine?"

"You have picked a song, right?"

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Yes, Blaine. I have. Even if I hadn't, I have about fifty that I could belt on the fly. Have a little faith, Hobbit."

Blaine stuck his tongue out before leaving the room.

Kurt sighed, finding his first true moment of conscious peace since before he went to confront Karofsky. He knew it was a stupid move and that it would end in disaster for at least one of them, but it was the only way he could think of to get Karofsky off his back. He didn't regret it, because he knew that it had to be done, but he regretted what happened. Stabbing Karofsky was in self-defense, as he had told the authoritative staff at Dalton and subsequently the police. After he had woken up in Sebastian's arms, he had collected the notes he had received which correlated with the bully's handwriting. Furthermore, Sebastian had taken the initiative to record the conversation between Kurt and Karofsky that was taking place over the phone on Adam's cell, just in case the police refused to believe Kurt's story. They had with little doubt, it turned out, partly due to the help of Santana, who had rallied Sue to be on backup, giving the police a history of Karofsky's time at McKinley. That had been enough for them to deal with it. Karofsky was still a minor, so expulsion from Dalton and a spell at juvie was all they could do for him. Kurt knew that Sebastian had a different outlook, but Kurt himself was fine with just getting Karofsky away from him. He didn't need him to be locked up for the rest of his life or anything like that, he just needed distance. And no contact. If he surfaced again, Kurt would look into a restraining order.

But for now, everything was going smoothly. Or at least it would be, once Kurt was allowed to move from his resting spot. Damn protective boyfriends.

Kurt startled slightly as his phone rang. There was a second's hesitation as he wondered who was on the other end, but he had since changed his number and was only giving it out to those who really needed it. His close Warbler friends, the New Directions and his Dad and Carole. That was his life and he was perfectly happy with those in it. He had jokingly blanched at the thought of Rachel Berry having his phone number, but no malice was intended.

Kurt looked at the caller ID and smiled. "Hey, Dad."

The story that they were giving to Burt was that Kurt was practicing some choreography and since the Warblers did not have a dance studio, he found an empty classroom. He was light-headed and fainted, falling into the window. It was a pretty unbelievable story, but Burt had fallen for sketchier. Like the time Kurt had gotten a slushy attack and told his father that it had rained, even though it was a perfectly sunny day in Lima, Ohio. Kurt had no idea how he had even remotely gotten away with that mega lie, but Burt had just grunted and let him dry his clothes.

"Hey, kiddo! How are you feeling?"

Kurt took a deep breath. "I'm fine. I'm pretty much healed, Sebastian's got me on a strict eating regime."

"You're usually so good at looking after yourself, you need to be eating three meals a day, Kurt. Don't they cater at that fancy school of yours?"

Even though Burt couldn't see him, Kurt kept the smile off his face and subsequently out of his voice. "They do, it's just that Regionals has gotten me a little bit stressed out. It turns out that having solos in competition takes a lot more work than simply just harmonizing in the background. I gotta start giving more credit to Rachel."

Burt laughed. "I'm damn proud of you, kid. Two solos in a row? These Warblers have better taste than the New Directions. I'm excited to see you at Regionals, but if it's causing you too much stress..."

"No, Dad it's fine. Honestly. I'm doing okay. I know I can't let it happen again."

"You'd better not. I'll come and disband the Warblers myself if they're putting your health in jeopardy."

Kurt rolled his eyes. "Dad, stop. It's nobody's fault but mine for overworking myself. I just need to find a balance." Kurt couldn't stop himself from yawning.

Burt coughed. "I can let you go if you need to rest."

Kurt shrugged to himself. "I don't mind. I could just call you tomorrow if you want."

Burt smiled. "I'd like that. Hey, I'll be seeing you at Regionals in a few days anyway. It'll be nice to see you and Sebastian again."

"Give my love to Carole and Finn."

"I will, buddy. Talk to you soon. Love you son."

"Love you too, dad."

Kurt tossed his phone onto the bedside table as Adam walked through the door. Kurt irrationally rolled his eyes at the lack of peace, but he guessed that it was Adam's room too.

"Sorry if you were sleeping," Adam grimaced.

Kurt shook his head. "I've been awake for a while. I was talking to the New Directions and then I spoke to Blaine and then my dad called."

"Someone's a busy bee today."

"You know what they say, everyone wants to talk to you when you get injured."

Adam frowned. "Who exactly says that?"

Kurt smirked. "Me. I said that. I haven't thanked you, have I?"

"Did I do something?" Adam perched on the edge of the bed as Kurt patted it.

"You listened and let me talk. You've been here for me ever since I got here and I don't think I've thanked you properly for that. Plus you gave me two competition solos."

"That was the council's decision," Adam countered.

"We all know you make the final decision, Adam, it's not a secret. The council votes, but they vote based on what they think you would do."

"I don't think that's quite true, but anyway, I'd always vote for you. Your voice is unlike anything I've ever heard."

"That's sweet of you. I just hope I do a good job at Regionals." Kurt fidgeted slightly in his permanent seat.

"I'm sure you will. Are you hurting, Kurt?"

"No, I just...um...need to use the bathroom and my leg hasn't fully healed and it still hurts to walk on it. Sebastian's on his way over anyway, I'm sure I can wait."

Adam nodded. "I could always help you, I'm sure you're desperate. Just so you don't have to wait for Sebastian."

As Kurt nodded rather reluctantly, Adam walked over and hesitated.

"Bridal or fireman?"

Kurt smirked. "It's only across the room. Bridal is fine."

"Oh, Kurt. I knew it was always me you wanted."

Kurt wanted to wince. That statement could have been rather awkward considering Kurt and Adam had never quite discussed Adam's feelings that they both knew were there but had never fully been expressed. But Adam was smiling and Kurt took that as a good sign.

"How about I ditch Sebastian and we run away together?"

Adam smiled as he lifted Kurt. "My family have an unused cottage in England we could hide away in."

"I'd like that, you big strong man."

Adam chuckled and Kurt felt his stomach vibrate as they walked (well, Adam walked) over to the small en-suite bathroom they shared.

"You can just put me down here," Kurt instructed.

"Yes, sir," Adam replied mockingly. He laughed as Kurt shut the bathroom door and perched on his own bed.

As if on cue, Sebastian entered the room, holding a sizable stack of movies. Sebastian's eyes immediately moved to the bed, where Kurt was not.

"Where's Kurt?" Sebastian breathed quickly.

Adam stood, putting a hand on his chest. "Seb, relax. Kurt's in the bathroom. Like literally just a few seconds ago. He'll be out in a second."

Sebastian visibly deflated and squeezed his eyes shut. "Oh god. I just keep worrying. I know Karofsky isn't here anymore, I just panicked. I've been having nightmares about it all and I just can't get that image out of my head."

Kurt chose that precise moment to emerge from the bathroom. "Bas, its fine. I'm fine. We're all going to be okay, I promise."

Sebastian walked over and wrapped him a wordless hug.

Suddenly Kurt believed his own words; they would all be okay. And he would be okay because Sebastian would always be there for him and that love meant more to Kurt than he knew how to properly express.

Regionals turned out to be a shockingly normal affair. Despite the Warblers stellar vocals and set list, Kurt couldn't shake the feeling that they were going to lose.

Part of him wanted them to, considering the New Directions would be disbanded if they didn't advance to Nationals, but he also wanted to be at Nationals with the Warblers. It was a tricky situation and it was only when he properly thought about it that Kurt realised he would be happy with any outcome. It was fairly clear to everybody involved that Aural Intensity were not about to win the competition. It was either going to be the New Directions going to New York or the Warblers making history as the first all-boys acapella choir to compete at Nationals in the history of show choir. Rachel had looked it up when Kurt had asked about the precedent of what they were doing.

"Nervous?"

Jeff sidled up to Kurt, nudging his arm lightly.

"Oddly enough, I'm not. There's the usual pre-show jitters, but I know I'm going to kill my solo and Sebastian will kill his and it's be fine. As long as we don't mess up, we have a good chance of winning."

Jeff leaned in, smirking. "You don't really believe that, do you?"

Kurt conceded. "I know how good we are, but the New Directions are planning something really special for this competition."

"Ooh, pray tell," Jeff replied quickly.

"They're performing an original song."

Jeff's eyes widened. "Yeah, we're gonna lose."

Adam chose that moment to walk past, frowning. "Jeff! None of that. Positive attitudes only in this green room."

"But Kurt told me—."

"I know what Kurt told you, he told me too. This may work in our advantage if they can't write songs well."

Over the next ten minutes, the word about original songs had started to spread around the group. Blaine was discussed something heatedly with Alex, probably debating who could write the best song or something, Kurt didn't know. He just hoped Blaine was behaving himself and taking some time for himself. He did deserve it, after everything.

"Okay, Warblers," Elliott clapped his hands. "Places! Sebastian's solo is first and we go into Kurt's. You ready, Seb?"

Sebastian looked across the room to Kurt. "Never been more ready in my life."

When Kurt and the Warblers walked out onto the stage, the applause was loud and steady. Most of the audience had clearly seen them at Sectionals. Kurt gave a quick wink to the New Directions before taking his place in the formation for Sebastian's solo.

He was smiling proudly as Sebastian stepped forward, grinning at the audience. "Ladies, gentlemen and those of non-binary gender identities, we are the Dalton Academy Warblers."

Kurt grinned at the polite opening as the Warblers began their opening harmonies. Sebastian walked in a circle on the spot before singing his opening lines.

"Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup. They slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe."

Kurt tried to remember his part while smiling, being immensely proud of the stunning vocals that were coming from his boyfriend.

Sebastian stepped backwards as the Warblers branched out into a new formation. "Pools of sorrow waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind, possessing and caressing me"

Kurt stepped up alongside Sebastian as he sang the next lines. "Jai Guru Deva Om.

"Nothing's gonna change my world." He sang it like a promise, like a warning to anyone else that might step in Kurt's way, a protective oath that floated around Kurt like safety net.

Sebastian changed direction and walked up to Adam. "Nothing's gonna change my world."

Sebastian turned to approach Blaine. "Nothing's gonna change my world."

" Nothing's gonna change my world," Sebastian sang another time at he put his arm around Elliott, who was grinning wildly whilst harmonizing.

The Warblers shifted formations again, the alternations being Kurt's idea during a rehearsal in which he had wanted Karofsky far away from him while Sebastian performed. Considering its origins, Kurt thought it had worked rather well.

"Images of broken light which dance before me like a million eyes and call me on and on across the universe," Sebastian sang out, projecting his voice.

"Thoughts meander like a restless wind inside a letter box. They stumble blindly as they make their way across the universe."

And this was where Kurt's artistic risk would either pay off or fall flat. As Sebastian sang, "Jai Guru Deva Om", Elliott's beautiful falsetto echoed the words an octave higher.

Kurt listened in relief as he realised it was working, they sounded flawless.

"Nothing's gonna change my world," Sebastian sang a final time as he ended their shortened version of the song.

The applause definitely reflected their performance. The New Directions were on their feet, cheering and whistling. Kurt stood, basking in the reaction, even though it wasn't his solo yet. As it looked like the Warblers were closing in on themselves, their low harmonies started up once again. Kurt stepped forward quickly, his stage presence radiating charisma.

Once the harmonies replacing the piano came in, Kurt took a deep breath and smiled. "Dancing scars from long nights, I've been bruised by your light."

Kurt tilted his head up, singing the next line a plea from a long time ago, something he hadn't realised he was going to find. "Help me now, lonely lover! Show me how to uncover!"

"Freak of mother, nature's game, I could blame her for my brain," Kurt sang as the Warblers took up the oohs and ahs beautifully, a stunningly unconventional six-part harmony for this song. It should not have worked, but the talented members of the show choir made it work. Kurt was still in awe of their talent and skill level.

Then he thought about what the line meant to him. He supposed that he could blame his mother for the things that had gone wrong in his life, for her not being around, but what good would that have done? She died, hit by a stupid drunk driver whom Kurt wished he would never set eyes on, for he didn't know what he would do. Would he kill them? He rather thought he had in him to take the life of the person who took the one person who fully understood him. He loved his father, but he had a bond with his mother unlike anything he had experienced, even to this day.

Sebastian loved him, but it was different. He still didn't know everything about him. Sebastian was still left stoic at some jokes about his past with the New Directions, but that would all come in time.

Kurt vocalised along with the Warblers, adding another harmony into the mix before the next verse kicked in. This was the one that meant everything to Kurt. The words resonated with his past, with everything he needed to let go. He was singing to David Karofsky. He was singing to the drunk driver. He was singing to everyone who had ever hurt him badly enough for it to linger. He glanced at one Noah Puckerman in the audience and wondered if he was still singing to the boy. Judging by the proud smile on his face, Kurt would have said that Noah was over his issues with Kurt and had come to see him in a completely different light.

"Days of darkness make me smile," Kurt reflected through the song. "No one's safe here for a while." Kurt thought about all the times he had been truly mean as a result of his emotional trauma. Even if it was just a savage comment to one of his friends or a time he had blown up at his father for something that was insignificant. There was a period in sophomore year where he was truly broken up. The end of the year was a strange one, with his crush on Finn going drastically wrong, his father seeming to prefer the taller boy to him, Glee Club gearing up for a defeat, the bullying was worsening still and it was nearing the anniversary of his mother's death. It was a confusing time and one which Kurt had admitted to himself that he wouldn't have been too pleasant to be around. He liked to smile at those times, though, for they had made him stronger. He knew his limits, and he knew how to not let himself get to the point where his problems would fester. He had to express them in whatever way he saw fit. Through the arts or writing or even exercise. It all worked, it all helped him to let go. Which was exactly what this performance was doing.

With every note, Kurt felt a little part of his story melt away into the spotlights.

"Say you're happy, yeah for real. Come to my side, got time to kill," Kurt sang, relishing in the fact that he was truly happy, or at least he would be when he went back to his therapist and talked away his Karofsky issues and had time to heal.

The Warblers joined in with the next chorus. It was still Kurt's solo, but the song was a duet in a lot of places besides the verses, so their underlying backup provided a boost to Kurt's main vocal. "Freak of mother, nature's game. I could blame her for my brain. Oh, oh, ooh, ooh, oh!"

Kurt stepped forward still, the lights dimming down slightly. The Warblers lowered their volumes as Kurt sang the bridge, making it more heartfelt and somber. Kurt sang it as thought he was Karofsky, having been told that sometimes thinking about the other side of things can help with recovery.

"Love made me do crazy things, loving life turned me insane," Kurt sang, thinking about whatever what Karofsky felt for him was love or just deluded...something. Maybe the boy thought that was the way to get Kurt to love him and the only way Kurt recognised him to express feelings. He wasn't sure and he doubted that he would ever know. He wasn't sure he actually wanted to know.

"Love shoots the pain though my veins, loving life turned me insane. And maybe it's beautiful, maybe it's beautiful," Kurt rasped, improvising a run that paid off. Once again, his impromptu choices were paying off. Maybe he was born to do this, after all.

As Kurt prepared his voice for the biggest part of the song where he would be belting over the Warblers chorus, he looked at his friends in the audience who gave him a big thumbs up and a grin.

"Freak of mother, nature's game! I could blame her for my brain," Kurt sang, diverting the rhythms and melodies slowly but effectively, singing tangentially to the Warblers. They vocalised together, Kurt's voice soaring higher than theirs, into new heights.

"Freak of mother!" Kurt belted above the chorus. "I could blame her! Oh!" Kurt projected his voice right to the back of the audience, being careful not to strain himself and lost himself in the notes he belted. He descended back to a comfortable range as the Warblers slowed down simultaneously as the makeshift piano vocals took their place once more, like at the beginning of the song.

"Dancing scars...from long nights. I've been bruised...by your light. Oh, oh."

The Warblers provided the final cadence as Kurt's vibrato tapered off into the silence. The auditorium paused for a second before erupting into applause, everybody unanimously raving. They whistled and shouted for him. He saw his dad in the audience subtly wipe tears from his eyes. Someone threw him a rose. Kurt picked it up as the Warblers moved from their positions and swarmed him, lifting him into the air and carrying him offstage. Kurt waved one last time at the audience before they emerged backstage.

The green room was raucous. Everyone was cheering, even though Kurt still wasn't sure they would win, he was happy with their performances. Sebastian wrapped him in a tight hug.

"I'm not sure you've ever sounded better," he commented.

Kurt handed him the rose. "I could say the same. Both songs were risky to perform at a competition, but I think they paid off."

"They definitely did. I never thought I would hear a Broods song at a show choir competition but you really nailed it."

Kurt checked his watch. "Crap. We've got five minutes until the New Directions go on. I was going to go and see them but they need to focus. Let's go take our seats!"

Everyone muttered their congratulations to Kurt as they walked out to the seats and prepared themselves for the performances they were about to see.

Kurt went to sit with Burt and Carole as New Directions opened up, with Rachel's solo of Ariana Grande's Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart, Kurt was impressed that they had incorporated the dancing once again into their routine.

Kurt was also pleasantly surprised at their next song, which had Sam and Santana, his best friends, singing a duet together. Their rendition of Us The Duo's Telephone was a shocking choice, but they performed it beautifully. Finn's backing vocals had improved and Kurt was impressed.

He made a face as Rachel began to sing in their group number too, an original that Kurt wasn't sure about until the chorus. The lyrics were oddly specific to their experiences, probably with Coach Sylvester, so Kurt wasn't how they would be received.

When he saw the slushy cups, he gurgled and choked on his laugh. When he saw the confetti pouring out of them, he knew that the New Directions had won and were advancing to Nationals.

"We lost," Kurt whispered to his dad. Carole smiled politely, but obviously thought so too.

Kurt turned to the team and patted Elliott's knee.

"What?"

"I think we just lost," Kurt explained.

Elliott nodded shortly like he thought the same.

When New Directions were announced at the winners, nobody was surprised. Their set had been great and different, something that Kurt had wanted to see since Sectionals. The Warblers had indeed taken second place as predicted, but that wasn't enough to take them to Nationals.

"Another tie would have been wonderful," Blaine grumbled as they took their places on the bus. Kurt was sitting with Jeff once again.

"It's fine, Blaine," Sebastian replied. "They wrote original songs, I think they deserve it."

Adam nodded. "At least we know what to do next year."

Kurt shook his head. "I wouldn't do that. If I'm correct, Vocal Adrenaline will get to work writing an original ballad for Nationals and by the time next year rolls around, it'll be gimmicky and the judges won't appreciate the copying."

Adam and Elliott exchanged a look. They definitely knew who was taking a spot on the Council for next year.

"You don't seem too upset about losing," Jeff commented. "And to your old club as well."

Kurt shrugged. "This year has been a lot. It would have been nice to win, but I can't complain when everything has finally worked out for me. I have a great group of friends, a wonderful boyfriend and I'm also hitting New York at the end of the year just like New Directions. So it's not Nationals, who cares?"

"I care," Blaine tried, but nobody was listening.

"As far as I see it, I won. Just not the competition."

Kurt looked back and Sebastian and smiled.

Sebastian beamed back and winked.

Kurt settled in his seat as Jeff launched into a conversation about something Kurt wasn't really listening to. He tried, but he was too distracted by all of the positive thoughts running around his head. He wasn't used to it.

As he thought about his life, he guessed that he better start getting used to good things, because as long as he had Sebastian, everything was going to be good.

3 Months Later

"Are you almost done?" Sebastian sighed.

Kurt grumbled. "I swear, carry-on luggage does not provide efficient amounts of things that I might need. I'm almost over my weight allowance and I still have to pack alternative outfits!"

Sebastian sighed. "Do you want to put them in my case?" He had packed efficiently, only taking what he was really going to need. If he forgot anything, he would just buy it in New York.

Kurt beamed up at him. "I knew I got with you for a reason."

"Oh, so it had nothing to do with my rugged good looks and charming sensibilities?"

Kurt waved a hand in mock indifference. "Oh they were just add-ons. I have to put up with them if I want the extra luggage space.

"I tell you, this trip could not have come at a better time. Everyone at McKinley is up in arms about Quinn being Prom Queen because apparently she won't shut up about it, they're heading to Nationals next week and they're not the greatest communicators right now. And I just had my ass handed to me by finals week, so New York is the only place that can sooth my soul right now."

Sebastian rolled his eyes at the melodrama. "Anywhere you're with me would work. I know just how to calm you down." Sebastian stepped behind him and rubbed his shoulders.

Kurt sighed. "It's not working. I think I need to draw from The Kurt Locker."

Having almost forgotten about his Christmas gift, Sebastian fetched it from the other room. "Pick a number, sweetheart."

Kurt withdrew number four.

"Ah, that one reads...a shoulder rub!"

"You're kidding," Kurt groaned.

"I am," Sebastian winked back. "Number four is...I have to let you style my hair."

Kurt's eyes sparkled. "Really? I've been wanting to do this for so long now but you're always so particular. Yes! Okay, come here. Trust me, you are in the best hands."

Sebastian grinned at Kurt set to work. "Oh trust me, I know I am. Who could be better than you?"

"Nobody. That's the point." Kurt's hands roamed through Sebastian's hair as the latter moaned at the contact.

"Don't do that," Kurt snapped. "It makes it so hard not to act on what I'm feeling."

"So do it," Sebastian suggested.

Kurt whispered something surreptitiously that sounded like "on the plane" and Sebastian shivered, now having a reason to look forward to their journey.

"I love you," Sebastian uttered, leaning back into Kurt's tender touch.

Kurt kissed his head and beamed. "I love you too."

"Next stop, New York."

Kurt was looking forward to New York more than he was letting on. It was his chance to find out once and for all if he was destined to live there after graduation when they enrolled in college. Sebastian would surely get into Columbia, his dream school, and Kurt would try his hardest for Juilliard or Tisch, somewhere where he could focus on his vocation and hone it so he could perform on Broadway. That was still the dream, after all.

But now Sebastian was with him and he had a new dream, of marriage when it was legal and children and living a long and happy life with Sebastian.

Because after all that happened in his life, this year alone, he rather thought he deserved it.

Author's Note: Yes, that is the end. Sadly. I've loved this fic for a very long time and I'm sorry for the wait, but this chapter was hard to write. I had to conclude things neatly whilst staying true to the characters. I hope you're all satisfied. If not, I'm sure I could be persuaded to write an epilogue ;)

Songs from this chapter:

Sebastian sang "Across The Universe" by Rufus Wainwright, a cover of The Beatles, obviously.

Kurt sang "Freak Of Nature" by Broods ft. Tove Lo, a stunning song in my opinion.

Rachel sang "Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart" by Ariana Grande

Sam and Santana sang "Telephone" by Us The Duo, a criminally underrated duo.

And obviously, ND sang "Loser Like Me" by Glee Cast

I've loved writing this and I'm sad to see it end. Thank you all for the overwhelming support and reviews, y'all are the best!