Today was the day, Regionals competition. With a member short, Mr. Shue had asked Jacob Ben Israel to fill the numbers, much to Rachel's chagrin. As the glee club made their way into the green room, they could barely conceal their excitement. Santana and Puck were quietly whispering, almost in a heated argument. Rachel and Finn were holding hands, both gleaming with affection. Mercedes was pacing the floor while Tina and Artie were jittery with nervousness. Quinn was working on Brittany's hair and Matt and Mike were bouncing in their seats.
Mr. Shue walked into the room. "Alright everyone! We're up! Rachel, Finn: You guys are up first with "Faithfully', everyone else get ready on stage!" He said excitedly.
The two mentioned got up and followed Mr. Shue to the back of the auditorium hall, while the rest of the club went to the stage. Mr. Shue looked to his two 'stars' and sighed.
"Come on you guys, I know we didn't get Kurt and Henry back but don't worry, you two will do great! Now Rachel you're at this curtain while Finn, you're at that one. Enter at each of your lines alright?" They both nodded. "Alright, belt it out of the park!" And then he was gone.
Finn looked to Rachel, "You ready?"
Rachel beamed. "Of course!"
The beginning piano notes echoed through the auditorium. Each glee member trembled in anticipation. All that melted away as the first verse was belted out by Henry.
HENRY:
Highway run,
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round,
You're on my mind
Mr. Shue spun his head around. What the hell? Is that…Henry? What's going on? That should be Finn! Did they… or did Rachel and Finn…
Henry sang and walked down the aisle brimming with confidence. This is it, he thought, our song, our moment.
Mr. Shue's anger morphed into concern and worry as the next verse was started by Kurt.
KURT:
Restless hearts,
Sleep alone tonight
Sending all my love,
Along the wire
Mr. Shue's jaw dropped as Kurt walked out of the curtain he left Rachel at. They…they're singing the song…to each other… Mr. Shue quickly surveyed the room for any sign of the audiences' feelings about all this. Any boos or slurs. Everyone had looked just as shocked as Mr. Shue did.
Kurt calmly strolled down the aisle as he sang, looking straight ahead. We're here, we actually made it. Henry and I, singing our song for the world to see. Not even Mr. Shue can stop us.
Then the two boys walked towards each other at the intersecting aisle, eyes never leaving the other.
BOTH:
They say that the road
Ain't no place to start a family
Right down the line it's been you and me
And loving a music man
Ain't always what it's supposed to be
At 'you and me' both boys pointed to themselves and the other, with soft smiles. As Kurt met Henry, their hands gently mingled as they moved past each other. You could practically feel the affection they were giving off.
KURT:
Oh boy you stand by me
I'm forever yours faithfully
The two continued down the aisles as the next verse began; still their eyes never left the other.
KURT:
Circus life under the big top world
BOTH:
We all need the clowns to make us smile
KURT:
Oh, through space and time (HENRY: through space and time)
BOTH:
Always another show wondering where I am lost without you
Kurt and Henry began to make their way to each other again, returning to their starting aisles. Both were harmonizing perfectly with each other, Kurt smiled at Henry who, in turn, beamed at him.
BOTH:
And being a part ain't easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy of rediscovering you
As they made their way to the front of the audience but not on the stage, their hands connected again. But this time, they both had remembered where they were and what they were doing. They both glanced out to the audience to check for any booing or flying items or people leaving the auditorium, but everyone seemed in stunned silence.
HENRY:
Oh boy you stand by me
I'm forever yours faithfully
As Henry finished his line, they both climbed the stairs to the stage, walking towards each other.
BOTH:
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh,
Oh, Oh, Oh,Oh
KURT:
Ohhhhhh
HENRY:
Faithfully
Then the curtains rose and the rest of the glee club, including Finn and Rachel, sang along.
GLEE CLUB:
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh,
KURT:
Faithfully!
GLEE CLUB:
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
KURT:
I'm still youurrrsssss (Kurt nailed the note, soaring high above the rest of the glee club.)
GLEE CLUB:
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
GLEE CLUB:
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh,
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh,
Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh
HENRY:
I'm still yourrrsssss! (Henry belted as high and as loud as he could, putting all his emotion, all his love, into it.)
KURT/HENRY:
I'm still yourrrrrsssssss!
Faithfully.
Kurt's forehead rested against Henry's, both beaming at each other. As the piano keys died away, Henry's mind was racing. What Logan had said to him, what he had been thinking of for a while now, and what crossed his mind as he tucked Kurt into bed after they had quit glee. Henry shook his thoughts away, no use thinking now, it was now or never.
"I love you." Henry whispered to Kurt.
Kurt's eyes widened to the likes no one has seen since Kurt had thrown up on Ms. Pillsbury's shoes. Kurt's breath stopped short. Oh….my….god. He, he just said he loves me. That's…it's all I've ever wanted. And now I know he feels this way…I, I just… this is amazing.
"I…" Kurt tried to speak, but was still too stunned. "I love you too."
The piano notes died as Kurt and Henry stood face to face in front of the glee club. Both boys had tears staining their faces. Kurt could only beam at the taller boy as they finished the song. We did it, Kurt thought, Quinn's plan is actually working, but… the audience.
Kurt and Henry looked out to the audience, waiting for something; applause or boos, it didn't matter, they just wanted some sort of recognition. Then, the audience exploded in applause. The deafening roar of their claps sent the boys into awed silence. They…they're really applauding, for us. Henry said inwardly. We finally made it…but we're not done yet!
Henry gently took Kurt's hand, a mega watt grin on his face. Henry looked out to the crowd and yelled, "Ladies and Gentlemen! New Directions!". Then he led Kurt to their new starting positions, for the mash-up.
Before they started Kurt relished on a moment back when they were going through Quinn's plan.
"Alright, so once you two finish "Faithfully", Henry you announce us and get ready for the "Any Way You Want It/Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" mash-up. That's our major dance number." Quinn said from her hospital bed.
Artie rolled up. "Yeah, about that." He started. "Since it's the dance number and we have and odd number of people, I'm just going to step out of this one and play the guitar."
Everyone looked at him with concern, they all knew how he loved dancing just by the gleam in his eyes when they did the wheelchair number. "Artie, that's sweet, but you really don't have to do-"
"I want to." Artie interrupted Quinn. "And besides, I have a plan that can go along with yours." Artie said with a smirk.
Quinn smirked back. "By all means, take the floor."
"Alright, since the plan is to showcase Kurt and Henry, and prove to Mr. Shue that it doesn't matter that they're two dudes in love, I was thinking that since it's a pairs song we could have Kurt dance with the girls and Henry the guys." Kurt looked at Artie like he held the latest collection of Burberry scarves. "Kurt, I know how much you wanted to join the girl's team for the mash-up boys vs. girls competition, and you'd really love the dancing the girls do! Please don't be mad! I know you have a thing about being an honorary girl and also wanting to be a part of the guys, but doing this will totally work, but I can understand if you don't want people to think you're-"
Kurt silenced his rambling with a tight hug. Artie, having been friends with Kurt for a long time, had no qualms about touching Kurt, he returned the hug easily. "Artie, thank you…so much."
"No problem!" Artie smiled.
"One problem." Quinn said. "That will make the girl side odd and more than the guys side. One of the girls will have to dance the guy's part."
A silence filled the room, but then, "I'll do it." Brittany said. "I'll do it for you Kurt."
Kurt almost started tearing up right there, he hugged her close. "Thank you too Britt." He said.
"Sure." Birttany chirped. "Anything for my gay boyfriend." That had tripped Kurt over well. He was left sputtering while Henry just laughed.
Now, as the mash-up started, Kurt could barely hold his excitement.
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Anyway you want it
(whoaaaa oooh)
FINN:
She loves to laugh, she loves to sing
She does everything
She loves to move, she loves to groove
RACHEL/FINN:
She loves lovin' things
RACHEL:
It won't be long yeah til you're alone
When your lover (MERCEDES: loooveeer)
Oh he hasn't come home (MERCEDES: Ohhhhoa)
'Cause he's lovin (lovin) ooh he's touchin' (touchin)
he's squeezin' another (another)
During, Rachel's verse, Kurt danced just as well as the other girls, getting his sassy diva attitude out for everyone to see. He could hardly contain himself, smiling the entire time.
GLEE CLUB:
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Anyway you want it
(he said)
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Anyway you want it
(ooooooh)
Na na nana na-na, Na na nana na
Na na nana na-na nana nana nana
PUCK:
I was alone I never knew
What good love could do
KURT/HENRY:
Ooo, then we touched, then we sang
about the lovely things
'Cause he's lovin (lovin) ooh he's touchin' (touchin)
he's squeezin' another
At 'then we touched' Kurt and Henry gave a perfect display of how they 'touched'. A simple slide of the hand down each other's arm was good enough to work and PG enough to not get disqualified.
GLEE CLUB:
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Anyway you want it
(he said)
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
Anyway you want it
(ooooooh)
Na na nana na-na, Na na nana na
Na na nana na-na nana nana nana
Everyone randomly danced during Artie's guitar solo. As the boy himself, jammed out with his guitar, Kurt and Henry danced with each other, spinning wildly and Henry lifting Kurt into the air.
Any way you want it
That's the way you need it
The song ended with everyone having their back's facing the audience. Finally, they were going to send off with their club's theme song.
FINN:
Just a small town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train going anywhere
RACHEL:
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train going anywhere
PUCK:
A singer in a smokey room
SANTANA:
The smell of wine and cheap perfume
PUCK/SANTANA:
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on
FINN/RACHEL
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding, somewhere in the night
KURT:
Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
HENRY/KURT:
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
When Kurt sang his lines, he looked right into Mr. Shue's eyes. As he and Henry joined together, broad smiles covered their faces. They were about to step back and let Puck and Santana continue with the song, but as they spun around Santana grabbed Kurt and Puck grabbed Henry. They both motioned Kurt and Henry to sing along, taking their solos.
SANTANA/KURT:
Some will win, some will lose
PUCK/HENRY:
Some were born to sing the blues By then, Kurt and Henry understood, and took over.
KURT/HENRY:
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on
As Kurt and Henry sang, Santana and Puck whispered in Kurt and Henry's ears, "You know our dance for this next verse, I know you do. So do it, but make it sluttier…for us." Both boys smiled and nodded.
KURT/HENRY:
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding, somewhere in the night
Kurt thought that their dancing was what Mercedes would deem 'ghetto fabulous'. They were shaking their asses and circling each other somewhat seductively. They couldn't believe that Santana and Puck had just given up their solos to them. That must have been what they were whispering about in the green room. Kurt mused. Maybe they aren't as bad as their high school reputations make them out to be. After all, Santana and Henry had been through huge arguments and a quick make out session, as well as him and Puck getting into more than a few fist fights. Maybe their having a change of heart. As their verse ended, they rounded in on Mercedes, pulling her up to the front. She may just be wailing on the last note, but that doesn't mean my girl isn't going to be front and center when she does!
MERCEDES:
Don't Stop!
GLEE CLUB:
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlight people
Woahhhh
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to that feeling
Streetlight people
Ohhh, woahhhh
Don't stop
Hold on to that feelin'
Streetlight people
Woahhhh
Don't Stop!
The crowd burst into applause and cheers as McKinley High's New Directions finished their most memorable performance. The glee kids panted and smiled at each other as they made their way back to their green room. As they entered they came face to face with what they had planned on taking head on at the end of Quinn's plan: Mr. Shuester.
Their excitement died as they entered and faced their glee club director. His face was unreadable, but his eyes looked tired. Each member seated themselves for whatever Mr. Shue might dish out, but no one had a clue as to what he might say.
Rachel decided, that now was her chance. She shot out of the loveseat her and Finn were occupying, a heated glare sent to her teacher. "Mr. Shuester. I know what you might think. We have gone behind your back before, but what you did to Kurt and Henry was wrong." Mr. Shue was about to speak when she ran right over him. "As you know, I have two gay dads, one of which is a lawyer. They both have strong connections to the ACLU, and none of them would be happy to hear about this. Mr. Shue, controlling what two boys can and cannot sing based solely on their sexual orientation is hurtful, wrong, and not to mention against the teacher code of conduct! I even checked!" Rachel then pulled the school's handbook. "Here, page 127, section 9, third addendum. 'By no means is a teacher to express their beliefs, opinions, or values on topics such as Religion, Politics, Sexual Preference, etc.'. You see? Sexual Preference!" Rachel was red faced by then, panting with a fervor never seen before, they twitch in her left eye prominent. "What you did was wrong Mr. Shue and we took action. Now it's your turn to make things right!"
With that, Rachel stormed back to her seat, arms crossed and a mean pout set on her face. Mr. Shue looked around at all his glee kids and sighed. "Alright, before we start talking about everything, will someone explain how you were able to pull it off?" Mr. Shue asked, no anger in his voice, just concern.
Quinn spoke up. "Mr. Shue, it was me. With the whole glee club at the hospital with me, I came up with the plan. After all that happened two weeks ago, when Kurt and Henry quit, I knew that it needed to be fixed. So we all had a huge fight over it at lunch the day after they quit. Mostly everyone was mad at the boys for quitting, not even caring as to why they quit. But after a huge shouting match and a few punches…and not to mention me going into labor, we were all able to sort everything out. After that, we planned for Henry and Kurt to sing 'Faithfully' today. That was the main plan, we just needed to get them on the team list for the Regionals paperwork."
"Since Rach and I are the co-captains, we put their names on the list of the paperwork. It was kinda easy, you just left it on your desk." Finn said sheepishly.
"With that, we began to have outside of glee practices for them, getting them up to date on our choreography." Mike added.
"I stepped aside during the mash-up so Kurt could finally be on the girl's team you never let him on like he wanted when we did the boys vs. girls mash-up competition." Artie supplied.
"Puck and I gave our solos to them in 'Don't Stop Believin'', they deserved it after all the crap they've been through. Though that was not really planned out until today." Santana quipped as Puck nodded with a frown as Mr. Shue.
"So that's where we are. We decided to make up for your mistake, Mr. Shue. We couldn't let them just leave like that, we're a family and we all decided to include them, with or without your consent." Quinn said with a firm finality in her voice.
Mr. Shue stood there and took it all in. The kids had conspired against him, but to make up for what he had done, what he was too ashamed, confused and afraid to do. They've really come a long way, to be a family like this, to do whatever it took to keep them all together, to risk their chances at Regionals and the future of the club. Mr. Shue thought. What have I been doing?
"Well, I suppose it's about time I man up and explain my actions." Mr. Shue started. "First, though, you all did great out there, all of you. But, what happened, what I said, when you guys sang 'Faithfully' I do apologize." None of the kids' faces softened, I guess I have that coming, he thought. "Now, I am not condoning what I did, it was hurtful, wrong, and against the student-teacher conduct rules, I now see that. But back when I had said it, I had no clue as to why, but Ms. Pillsbury told me to find what I had a problem with, and I realized I didn't. I didn't have a problem with you guys signing it, I had a problem with how people would react to you guys singing." Several eyebrows shot up, at least he was getting somewhere.
"Now, I'll still say what I did was wrong, but I had remembered, when I was in glee club. It was Sectionals, 1992. A rival glee club had done a rendition of "So Happy Together" by The Turtles. They had two boys sing it to one another. They must have been a couple, you could just tell. They had the same gleam in their eyes as you two did today. But it didn't sit well with everyone. The audience booed and shouted vulgar slurs at the boys, forcing them off the stage mid song. I don't know why it took me so long and a horrible conversation with Ms. Pillsbury to remember that, but I did. And I realized that you two are the same as Finn and Rachel, or Artie and Tina, you two being guys didn't and shouldn't change anything. But I was and still am concerned that something might happen to you two. Going out there and singing a love song to each other… people might not like it…and might do or say something awful. That's why I tried to push the song on Finn and Rachel. You guys understand right?"
"But it is our song." Kurt said softly.
"What do you mean?" Mr. Shue asked.
Kurt stood up. "That song, in all honestly, I had never heard it before I met Henry. We…on our first date, he opened up to me about that song, how it was the song he and his brother used to sing to each other. His little brother died from leukemia a while back. That song is special to him… and to us…he wanted it to be out song, we sang it together that night. And it's been our song ever since."
Henry nodded. "It's true, the song means a lot to us, I had felt that maybe performing it to an audience might not be the best idea. But Kurt and I had talked about it, we thought that singing it for the club first would be alright, and we'd go from there. I was afraid that something bad could happen. And well…." Henry trailed off. "You said what you said…but, I know where you're coming from, Mr. Shue. We were concerned that something like that rival club you talked about would happen to us…but we realized we shouldn't have to hide ourselves like that, in fear of rejection or hate. We get why you said it, but you don't need to worry about us. And it wasn't just that was it?"
Mr. Shue frowned. "I don't know what you're getting at."
"Why you pushed the song on Rachel and Finn." Henry answered. "It was more than just making sure Kurt and I didn't get booed off the stage, wasn't it?"
Mr. Shue sighed. "I…I'll admit, you're right. That wasn't the only reason. Emma called me out on this too. She said I played favorites." Santana and Puck both scoffed. "And I realize now, that I do. I have always been pushing all the leads on Finn and Rachel, and you and Kurt have both called me out on it, several times, and even threatened to quit if I didn't change. I…I just really want glee to last more than this year, we need to win today to keep it alive. But now I see that this club is full of talent, not just from Finn and Rachel, but from all of you. I know that's not a good enough excuse, but that's my messed up reasoning for what I've done. But me yelling at you two, saying that we shouldn't have the song sung by two boys, was horrible. And I am ashamed of myself. But it seemed you all had been in the right while I was stuck in the wrong. Seeing you all team up and plan a way to get everyone singing together again, while I was upset for you all going behind my back at first, I really am proud of you guys."
With that, it seemed that he glee club had softened up a little. They smiled at their coach.
Mr. Shue continued. "While, it will take a little longer for us to be back to where we were before all this… I will be making changes to the way I run the glee club, and again, I really do apologize. I hope you two will consider coming back to glee."
Kurt looked to Henry and Henry smiled back. "I think you'll be seeing more of us again." Kurt said happily.
Everyone released the breath they'd all been holding. It was finally over, all the drama of the past few weeks finally came to a close. Mr. Shue apologized and explained himself and the boys seemed to understand. With the glee club back together, everything would be alright. As they sat in the green room, all smiles, the lights went on and off and a bell sounded somewhere off in the distance.
That was when they remembered where they were; they were still at Regionals! They had an awards ceremony to go to.
As Sue Sylvester read off Vocal Adrenaline as the winner, New Directions couldn't help but fall apart all over again. Rachel burst into to tears as soon as they left the stage. Luckily Finn was there to keep her from jumping out a window. No one said a word as they rode back to McKinley. Everyone had different thoughts as to why they lost.
I knew Sylvester would screw us over. Puck thought vehemently.
I didn't sing loud enough. Tina sighed inwardly.
No glee club would win with a kid in a wheelchair. I can't even dance! Artie berated himself.
Maybe telling them to 'slut it up' wasn't such a good idea. Santana thought.
Of course we didn't win! We barely used my steamy hot chocolate voice! Mercedes ranted.
There must have been a homophobic judge. Henry sighed.
I guess the judges thought two boys signing to each other was a bad idea too. Kurt thought sadly.
Glee club was falling apart, no one felt like talking. They all figured that glee club was over, that their family would be again split, but this time, by the high school hierarchy. Quinn, Finn, the football players and Cheerios would go back to being the 'it people' and the rest would stay in loser-ville.
The next day at school, Rachel came billowing down the hall, frantically grabbing and dragging the glee members into the choir room. As all 13 members were seated, Rachel began.
"Fellow glee club members, it had come to my attention that without glee club, our family will be over, not to mention the ability to showcase my fabulous talent and rocket me to Broadway." Rachel started.
"Man-hands, what's your point?" Quinn asked, clearly annoyed.
"My point is-" Rachel started exasperatedly until she was stopped by Mr. Shue rushing into the room.
"Oh, you guys are all here! Great!" Mr. Shue started. "I have some good news…we got another year!"
Everyone sat there in silence, too shocked to utter a word.
"Come on! We got another year!" Mr. Shue shouted again, finally eliciting shouts and cheers. Everyone began to jump and scream with one another. They somehow got another chance, glee was saved.
After the excitement died down, Rachel couldn't help but ask. "Mr. Shuester, how did we get another year? I thought we had to place at Regionals to keep it going?"
Mr. Shue smiled. "Well Rachel, it seems that Sue was able to convince Figgins otherwise." Everyone looked surprised by this, eyebrows hitting the ceiling. Mr. Shue knew, deep down, that Sue had a heart after all. Lucky for him, that Sue was also an expert at blackmailing, but he didn't need to tell the kids that.
Everyone began to jump and cheer again. Finn and Rachel hugged and kissed, love gleaming in their eyes. Birttany and Mike started dancing. Santana and Puck instantly started making out in celebration, while Quinn and Mercedes hugged and laughed. Kurt looked over to Henry, and Henry looked over to Kurt. As soon as their eyes met, a fire was ignited within them. Kurt got up slowly while Henry shot up and charged over to his boyfriend. They collided with each other in a tight embrace.
"We did it." Henry murmured into Kurt's hair.
"We did, didn't we?" Kurt hummed into Henry's chest.
"Yeah, we finally made it. Through all the drama this year brought us, after all the shit that's happened between you and me, between singing our song and losing at Regionals, we still made it. And now we have another year."
"And now, we have all summer to really be a couple. No glee club drama to get in our way." Kurt said happily.
"No homework to do."
"No annoying Rachel to hound us down to practice for glee."
"No more stupid jocks."
"No more slushies."
"Except the ones we're going to eat by the pool!" Henry exclaimed.
"Of course. We have a whole 3 months to ourselves."
"Finally." Henry sighed.
Kurt just laughed.
They both looked into each other's eyes again. Neither one could stop themselves from grinning like a fool. Kurt quickly tip toed up to catch Henry's lips in his own. A deep passionate kiss, and with it, the room forgotten. Everything faded to only them, kissing, loving each other. They had finally made it. All they worked for, all they fought for, was for this. This kind of moment when the world fell away and all that was left was Kurt, Henry, and love.
As their kiss ended, Henry looked down at the boy he loved. The boy he worked so hard to get, to keep, and to love. The boy, even though a very outspoken, sharp tongued, sarcastic, fashonista and diva, was the boy that melted Henry's heart when he sang. They boy he knew he wanted, but never had the courage to get, until now.
Kurt looked up to the boy he had fallen in love with. The boy, although somewhat dorky, hot headed, and almost always vulgar and obscene, was the boy that made his knees go weak every time they kissed. The boy he never knew he wanted until he had him.
"I love you." Henry whispered lovingly into Kurt's ear.
"I love you too."
A.N.: And that's it everybody! I finally finished! I hope you all liked the conclusion. I tried to do the best I could but still make it real. Now, I'm going to start on my Summer Arc! I'll tie any loose ends you guys see! So let me know! Also, it will be full of fluff and crazy shenanigans, so give me any requests you want to see happen! I'm a people pleaser so never hesitate to ask! The Summer Arc, which won't be nearly as long as this, it will be just a bunch of one shots in a single story. After that will be Season 2! All that's happened in season 2 so far is going to give me a hard time. I have HUGE plans in store for Kurt and Henry! With this being such a Kurt-centric season, I am going to have a freaking field day! Alright loves, I hope you all enjoyed my story! Bye bye now!