Epilogue: 6 Months Later

Blaine hmmed as he read the headlining article of the Sunday newspaper.

"I've read it three times already. It's not changing," Kurt said. He was sitting on the opposite end of the couch, feet propped up in Blaine's lap.

Blaine flipped the paper down and observed the grinning man. "Well, it's good news, isn't it? Shouldn't we revel?"

"Sebastian Smythe in a lethal private jet crash. Police are ruling it an accident… but I'm not sure about accident, though?"

The last question was directed with a raised eyebrow at Blaine.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said with a smirk, and then leaned towards Kurt to share a kiss. Kurt met him halfway.

"You two are so domestic," Santana said, the eye roll evident in her tone, from an armchair across the room.

Kurt and Blaine ignored her.

"With Sebastian gone, does this mean I can be free to do whatever I want around the city now?" asked Kurt, lightly.

"As long as you have two bodyguards with you," Blaine said, flipping back open the paper.

Kurt considered for a moment. "I'll make them carry my shopping bags."

"Wait, a shopping trip's happening?" Santana said, "Because I am totally on board for that."

"I'll let you know," Kurt told her. To Blaine again, "Actually, I think I want to go visit my dad at his shop today."

"I can go with you," Blaine offered.

Kurt shook his head no. "Don't want to scare the customers away," Kurt said in a teasing whisper.

Blaine nodded in concession. "True."

They went their separate ways for the most of the day. On his way home from a longer than planned visit to his father, Kurt received a text massage on his phone reading, "Dress nicely and meet me by the front door by seven." Never needing a reason to have fun with clothes, Kurt did, after showering, pick out a careful ensemble. Time, of course, got away from him, so it was five minutes delayed that he made his way downstairs.

Waiting for him was Blaine, dressed in a black tuxedo, although tie-less, the top two buttons of his blouse undone. Kurt's eyes were drawn to the small reveal of skin, nothing naughty, but somehow still tempting.

"What's going on?" Kurt asked, although a smile was already in place.

"I know we were joking about it this morning, but ever since you came back, I have been overly protective…"

"You had a good reason," Kurt said. He understood, especially after the car crash. Sebastian hadn't been done with him. And really, protective Blaine was better than the alternative, which was no Blaine at all.

"Even so… It's time for a proper evening out. You and me." Blaine then offered his arm.

Kurt took it. "You could have used manners like this when we met."

Blaine led them out of the front door and down the front steps to an awaiting limo. Sam stood by the door, holding it open for them to get in the back seat. Sam threw a quick wink.

The engine revved up and they were moving. The panel was up between the driver's seat and the back occupants, so the two lovers had their privacy.

Blaine scooped up Kurt's hand and kissed the knuckles. "This is kind of our first date."

Kurt tilted his head. "I think of the backyard picnic as our first date."

"I suppose it was," Blaine said, curling his hand around in Kurt's so their fingers interlaced. "When's our anniversary, then?"

"When you were boxing and you told me to I could leave and I said no."

Blaine smirked. "And then we had really hot sex?"

Kurt shushed him, placing his fingertips to Blaine's lips. "I don't want Sam to hear."

Blaine lightly kissed the pads of Kurt's fingers. "He can't hear anything, Gorgeous. It's the whole point of the panel... he can't see anything either."

He cupped his free hand on Kurt's cheek and pressed their lips together. They were soft kisses, unheated, and not needing wandering hands or the implied promise of sex after. They were romantic, comfortable, familiar, and content.

"I was going to wait until we were at the restaurant, but I can't wait," Blaine said as they moved back for breathe.

"Wait for what?" Kurt asked. His eyes were still lidded.

"Marry me."

Kurt opened his eyes. "What?"

Blaine traced his thumb along Kurt's bottom lip. "Marry me, please."

"Okay," Kurt breathed.

Blaine raised his eyebrows. "Okay what?"

Kurt laughed behind his hand. "Okay, I'll marry you."

They kissed again and both of them felt as if they were pleasantly drunk. How couldn't they not? Seatbelts be damned, they sat brush up against each other on the bench seat. Blaine let out a little huff, perhaps an aborted laugh.

"Hmm?" Kurt questioned him, content petting his fingers down the loose curls at the nape of Blaine's neck.

"I just never expected anything like this to be the outcome of asking you that night to…"

"I didn't either," Kurt said, quickly but lightly cutting Blaine off. Blaine often still got into this funks of self-hate and regret in regards to how his relationship started. And Kurt completely understood, and Kurt didn't seek to fix that. It was something Blaine would have to work through, as long as he didn't try to pull away from Kurt definitely. And he wasn't, not after this.

He kissed the corner of Blaine's mouth. "But you just gave me an offer I couldn't refuse."

Aki- I would have posted this earlier tonight, but I was distracted by the election.

This is the end. I liked this story and it was definitely a learning experience for me, because I definitely incorporated more of an action/intrigue plot than I have ever written before as well as a larger cast of characters as I have in previous fanfics. And, no, before you ask, there is not going to be a sequel. If I do ever dabble back in this verse, it will probably to be to explore other characters (like Santana or Rachel/Jesse), but I am not sure I am going to do that at all. I do have many ideas for more klaine fanfics, but I plan to take a little break writing them to focus on some original fiction.

Anyway, thank you all for reading this to the end. Hugs and kisses!