A/N: Just a quick reaction fic for the finale of Glee.

Great Expectations

"I love you." Three little words, and Kurt's world comes grinding and crashing to a halt. The cup tilted up to his lips stutters a little, the coffee searing his mouth and throat as he quickly takes a gulp to steady himself and then lowers the cup again. Across the table, he can see Blaine's lidded, trusting eyes, a small smile playing slowly across his lips at Kurt's reaction. Kurt's attention is drawn to the room around them, to the cheery walls and the bitchy women huddled in the corners. The barista behind the counter is sneaking biscotti where she thinks no one will she them, her hands darting out and stuffing the treats into her already full apron pocket. All Kurt can smell is coffee, and air freshener, and for a moment, he wants to cry.

This isn't how it's supposed to go. They were supposed to be on a romantic date somewhere. The lights would be dimmed, there would be soft music and Blaine would hold Kurt's hands in his, thumbs stroking over the soft skin between Kurt's fingers, and whisper those three words. Those three words that Kurt has been dreaming of his whole life, that he has read in books and seen on stage and watched in films. It's the best part of the film for Kurt, the romantic conclusion where the boy finally gets the girl, and they kiss, and for a moment, the world seems like less of a dark place.

Declarations of love are not supposed to be made in cheap coffee houses in Lima, Ohio, while the object of your affection is rambling about their recent failings. They were meant to take place in Paris, London, New York: exciting places where things happen and shift and change constantly.

And then Kurt looks back over at Blaine's smiling face, and he knows, as surely as he knows his own name, that he's being an idiot. Why does it matter that they're sitting in a coffee shop? Why does it matter that they've only been dating for a few months, or that Blaine just came out and said it, no romanticism at all? Why would any of that matter when Blaine is sitting across from him, still smiling and gazing at Kurt like he's the most important person in the world? Blaine, who is smart and funny, and a bit of an idiot sometimes. Blaine, who jumps on the furniture and sings inappropriate songs in clothing stores and develops alarming heterosexual tendencies when drunk. Blaine, who's in love with Kurt.

Kurt stares back for a moment, taking in the tilt of Blaine's eyebrow, the swell of his lips, the twinkle in the corner of his left eye. The stupid impulsive, scared teenage boy that Kurt suddenly knows he loves. As soon as he realises, the desire to tell him builds like a wave, gaining momentum until: "I love you too." It comes out too fast, too hasty, too high and light and flippant, and for a moment, Kurt wants to kick himself. But then Blaine's smiling back, and the conversation turns again and Kurt finds himself relaxing back into his seat. Maybe it wasn't the fairytale moment that he'd always hoped for. But it was theirs: and that made it perfect.