The last time I felt like I was seeing something so sweet and special and raw and lovely, a show which made me do this:

Was more than a decade ago when I witnessed this:

And this:

Followed by this:

It’s been more than a decade of Klaine, but I still feel the echoes of how I felt seeing their relationship for the first time in new shows today.

Kurt and Blaine were revolutionary at the time. It’s difficult to explain how true this is to the younger generation, because you have had the hard earned privilege to grow up with a far superior representation in media, as a result of choices like Kurt and Blaine. To truly understand just how brave Klaine was at the time (because we’ve all since witnessed an unprecedented growth in representation that was ridiculously slow to come to fruition before), its important to understand how scarce true and kind representation was before.

Sympathetic and authentic portrayals of LGBTQ’s+ characters were few and far between. They were nearly always comedic stereotypes intended to appeal to the heterosexual masses, and the battle to move beyond them was hard won.

These days Heartstopper seems inevitable, but back when Glee created Kurt and Blaine, offensive stereotypes were the norm. Daring to treat gay men as loving and sympathetic and caring and not just as comedic sidekicks, was still controversial. Kurt and Blaine were flawed in the way they were written, particularly in later seasons (although Chris and Darren put 100% into their portrayal regardless), but they helped pave the way for the current norm. Seeing lgbtq+ characters is the new normal in media and I’m so grateful. My parents are so much more accepting as a result, as a personal example.

But please never take for granted how difficult the path to get here was, and how easily the clock can roll backwards if the right ignorance rears its ugly head.

Don’t take this wonderful age of representation for granted. Please. For too long this kind of representation was unusual. It’s only been one decade and the other side are ruthless and cold. They will take it back from us if you let your guard down.

Don’t.

They attac

But most importantly

They eat figs as snacc

It seems to me, that Blaine doesn't agree with Kurt's assessment of his feelings during that time of their relationship. And I don't either.

We know from Silly Love Songs, that Blaine wasn't aware of Kurt's feelings for him up until that point. (I think he might have known Kurt was attracted to him, but that's different to actual emotional feelings) As he says, "Wow. I really am clueless."

But at no point does Blaine say that he doesn't reciprocate. Instead, he goes out of his way, to make sure that Kurt understands that isn't the reason they can't be together at that moment. "I don't know what I'm doing...I know how to act it out...I'm no good at romance...I don't want to screw this up." Meaning of course the relationship they already had, "I really really care about you."

Blaine has just been through a rejection, realising he had made the whole thing up in his head. And now, here is his best friend, telling him that he wants to be in a romantic relationship with him. This same best friend who he started off as a sort of mentor/defender to. Blaine recognises this later on in s5. And I can't help but think that that is what caused Blaine's confusion so early on.

Right from the beginning he showed signs of attraction to Kurt.

He sang Teenage Dream to Kurt. Directing the rather sexual lines at him. Like, it becomes obvious as the song progresses that the lyrics are meant for Kurt and him alone.

He is constantly flirting with him and Blaine doesn't even deny it when Kurt calls him out on it.

I mean, what even is this Blaine? He's literally staring at Kurt's lap as he moves in.

I think it's fair to say, Blaine fancied Kurt from the beginning.

Look at his little smile here after they've sung their flirty duet...

The only other time I can recall a smile like that from him, is right after he kisses Kurt for the first time. He's shy, embarrassed. Because he likes him.

However, he didn't think Kurt wanted more from him than what they already had. He was afterall aware that Kurt had been through a traumatic experience with Karofsky.

So he backtracks a little, he flirts with him, but doesn't expect anything in return.

And by the time Kurt acknowledges his own feelings to Blaine, Blaine panics. He doesn't want to mess up this good thing they have going. But he seems to know that they will get together at some point.

"Don't they get together in the end?" He says this after Kurt's comment regarding how they are like the plot of When Harry Met Sally. He's basically confirming to himself, Kurt and us, that he would like to try for something more in the future. But they both needed time to sort their heads out.

And it's during Blackbird that Blaine realises his mistake. He looks at Kurt during the boy's grief, and sees that stuff is always going to happen. There was never going to be a perfect moment, in which they would both be miracleously healed in themselves. It's about grasping the opportunity as it arises. Despite what hurt might follow.

Blackbird, was for Blaine, that moment of understanding that he and Kurt already had everything they needed for a romantic relationship.

"Oh there you are. I've been looking for you forever."

He's not saying that he's only just realised he likes Kurt that way. He's saying, "What is it we are actually waiting for? I'm here, you're here. Let's just do this. To hell with waiting for everything to be alright."

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