This is just so wonderful. I adore this whole verse and this chapter has given me so many feelings - excitement and worry for them both in equal measure. Brilliantly well done. I feel like I will need to read it through several times before I can fully appreciate all the layers.

One thing I was wondering if you could explain, I am sorry to be so dense! But it's gone completely over my head. In this conversation at the end, what is it that Kurt's referring to, that makes Blaine feel like he's been punched in the gut?

“I don't understand,” Blaine says slowly.

Kurt raises his head and looks at him like he's stupid. “Pay attention, then. I never thought I'd see this,” he says with a sneer.

Blaine feels like he's been punched in the gut.

“Yeah,” Kurt says, confirming what he's thinking.