Author's note: So... this is Courage. Just so any new readers just finding this story know, this is a sequel! The first one is on my profile. Its title is Out. It's still in the editing progress, but I just got tired of editing and wanted to write this, so here it is! Okay, here's a freakishly long author's note where I talk a lot about all of my excuses, myself, my plans for this story, and my replies to my amazing readers who have been waiting for, like, months! First of all, just about this chapter, I've always had issues with writing honeymoons. I'm terrible at fluff and smut, and that's pretty much all a honeymoon is. This chapter is pretty much them just getting settled in and then having a serious conversation. I'm not sure if I like the last part that much, but whatever. The seriousness shouldn't last, but there are still some things that Kurt needs to know about what happened with Blaine during those ten months, because Blaine has obviously changed. It also includes baby!Klaine! Baby!Klaine. The cutest thing ever. I think I'm going to try to do a baby!Klaine memory in front of every chapter, but if you guys feel differently about them, I won't do that.
Excuse time! Over the past few months I've turned seventeen, gone on vacation, been violently sick to the point that it's painful to twitch my fingers, gotten into fights with my family (mostly my brother), and I've been dealing with this thing called OCD. Basically, I went down to NC to see my brother (who's in the Marines) and I had to share a hotel room with him (which meant no writing on vacation.) And he started saying things like "fucking tranny" and things got worse from there. And I have absolutely no idea about the sickness... I don't even know what it is. It's just really painful... so yeah. And, about the OCD, if I'm going to be honest, I've been dealing with the symptoms for about five years. I've always had it, but it's gotten worse. If you're wondering, I have two disorders called trichotillomania and dermatillomania, and a few other issues. I can't control them and I can't stop them and sometimes they can last for hours. I don't really like talking about them so that's all I'm going to say. And then I've been trying to read Fifty Shades of Grey (probably not a good idea before the honeymoon) but that kind of failed. My inner goddess was not doing the tango about those books... oh my. (Fifty Shades of Grey reference... I do not and will not ever talk like that.) -_-
Okay, so time to tell you guys about my new plan for this story. There will be five "books" total. Out, this one, and then my next one which will be about Archer and Hunter as teenagers. And then I'm planning two other, shorter stories, one about Everett and Keegan's love story, and then one completely from Karofsky's point of view. It'll probably be from right after he kills Everett to when he meets Blaine, but if you want me to go farther than that and show the kinds of things he did to Blaine to make him the way he is now, I could.
Before I reply to my amazing reviewers, I want to take a moment to mention Land of Stories 2. Chris makes me happy with everything he does. If anyone EVER finds out he's going on a book tour for that, tell me because it is my dream to meet him. Speaking of meeting people... I did not meet Darren Criss but I saw him in concert :O It was the most beautiful night of my life and I never wanted it to end. He started singing Teenage Dream and it was the most emotional moment ever. He was PERFECT. Apparently my friend recorded my reaction to him walking on stage because it was so funny. I think I screamed and cried a little but it was just... Darren. And the weekend after that she took me to Wicked and one of the munchkins sounded exactly like Chris and Fiyero was gorgeous. Ohmygosh. #Lucky
Okay, guys, thanks for the input on my questions and giving me ideas. My lovely and adorable picture was sent to me by one of my amazing readers, Klainer-C. I will keep Santana around, by request, and I'm using the Christmas episode (I think from season three?) house as the honeymoon house inspiration!
Review reply time! I've missed replying to these :')
kathrynevie21: I've been excited to write this! Oh my gosh, I've missed making new material :) But, okay, I've been thinking about your review and I actually have no idea what all of the abuse scenes are going to be. I do know (as of now) that there will be child rape, beating, threats of drowning, cutting with a knife (like what happened to Kurt except probably worse), burning, chains, whips, and locking in a cage. It all sounds really bad but for some reason angst like that is in my writing comfort zone. I'll try to keep it pretty downplayed in this book (because the victim is still a child in this one) but it will probably get worse in my next book. I'm really sorry that you were hurt as a child. No one deserves that, especially someone as amazing as you :) And there will be more Keegan and the Warblers in this book! Keegan is my love, so I will never get rid of him :P and the Warblers are also mine (and Blaine's) loves.
Klaine forever and ever 3: Thanks! I really like Blaine thinking of Kurt as his beautiful thing. Blaine's so cute :P
ObsessiveGleeSyndrome: THE SEQUEL. Who would have ever thought it could come? I didn't. I thought my editing would last forever (and it's still going on) but I just got so tired of it that I wrote this instead :P Ohmygosh. I've missed your birthday, McFly, and a dance competition. First of all, happy really really really belated birthday! And how were McFly and the dance competition? I bet McFly was perfect, but did you win? Btw, I love that you're my #NumberOneFan! And, ohmygosh, Out puns. Me and my beta love those! We're all so Out of style :P
deshaunwalker: I actually just wrote this about five hours ago :P I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing with this story!
KlainesSecretChild: Thank you so much! :D
alwaysariyana: Thanks for the encouragement. This has been one of the hardest decisions to make with this story. I'm glad you think it's actually nice to keep writing about him :)
P.S. Cory is still on my mind. I miss him a lot and hope everyone is doing okay. He was a great person and deserved to be one of the main stars on Glee :)
A pair of bright, blue eyes peeked up at Blaine from over the edge of a story, shimmering, beautiful eyes that crinkled with a hidden smile. Blaine slowly lifted his head from his lunch, meeting the blue gaze. The pretty eyes widened, and then they ducked behind the book again. He heard a melodic giggle, so high pitched and musical that it sounded like a bell ringing. Wrinkling his nose as he wondered what was so funny, he got to his knees, trying to get a better look.
After a few seconds, the playful eyes appeared over the top of the book, and then the little boy giggled again. Blaine jerked away, not sure if he was what was so humorous or if he had missed a joke. His curiosity got the best of him, and he hesitantly turned his gaze to where the blue eyes once were. But, to his surprise, they were gone.
Looking around for the boy, Blaine fell backwards on his butt when he saw him only a few inches away. He was looking at Blaine with a very gentle expression, but an amused one. Blaine thought he was pretty, small and fragile, skin as white as snow. He had the pinkest, plumpest lips, and the roundest, bluest eyes. He had a pink bow in his dark blond hair, and a pink dress was wrapped around his tiny body.
Suddenly, he scooted a little closer, making Blaine back away. Plopping onto his bottom, the little boy lifted his hand to his mouth and giggled behind his fingers. "Aren't you going to say hello?"
Blaine was shocked by his voice, the same sweetness to it as his laugh. He didn't say anything for a few seconds, so the little boy tilted his head, a piece of blond hair falling across his forehead. "Hello."
Blaine still didn't know what to say, and he could feel himself getting redder in his cheeks as the little boy moved so close to him that their knees brushed. Now that he was closer Blaine could see the shade of blue of his eyes, so light and glittery.
The little boy leaned closer to him, so close that the tips of their noses almost touched. Suddenly blushing and pulling away, the little boy giggled and hid behind his book. Blaine remembered that he still hadn't said a word, so he managed a small, "Hi."
Brushing a wrinkle from his pink dress, the little boy batted his lashes at him, thick, blond lashes, "I was having a tea party with my teddy bear and saw you sitting here all alone, so I thought I'd come visit you." A cute smile curved his pink lips and he held his hand out, "You can call me Kurt."
Blaine stared at the little boy's hand, a pale, slender hand with oval nails. Reaching out, Blaine touched his fingertips, and Kurt laid his hand on top of Blaine's. The blush in his cheeks got brighter, "Your hand is very warm." He cooed, batting his lashes again.
Pulling his hand away, Blaine set it in his lap, then he stared at the grass by his feet. Kurt wiggled closer to him again, sitting so that they were side by side and their legs were pressed together. "Would you like to have tea with my teddy and me? He's very friendly and he loves making friends."
Blaine remained silent, still nervously trying not to make a fool of himself. Reaching for his juice box, he stuck the straw in his mouth and sucked the sweet drink, doing anything but having to speak. He noticed Kurt frowning at his drink, and then he heard his stomach gurgle. He rubbed his belly and stuck his bottom lip out in a pout.
Opening his mouth, Blaine let the straw fall off his tongue, "Are you hungry?" He finally said.
Kurt nodded, "Well… my daddy was going to make me and my teddy muffins and tea for our tea party, but then he had to leave for work and I have no muffins and I had to fill our tea cups with water because I don't know how to make tea! Now my teddy thinks that water is tea because that's what I told him. Do you know how disappointed he would be if he knew we didn't have tea for a tea party?"
Blaine was trying to understand, but it was hard to keep up. Glancing at what was left of his lunch—half of a sandwich and a few sips of a juice box—he grabbed the sandwich and held it out for Kurt. He looked surprised but very pleased, "That's so nice of you! Are you sure you won't be hungry?"
Shaking his head, Blaine leaned back on his palms and watched him take a small bite of the sandwich, peanut butter and jelly squirting out on either side. "I love peanut butter and jelly!" He chirped, "Did you make this? It's very good."
Blaine shrugged, his eyes on his mouth as he chewed, his cheeks getting bigger with every bite. The little boy giggled again, "You have a talent."
Offering Kurt his juice box, Blaine was fascinated as he sipped on the end of the straw. His movements were so graceful, even drinking from a juice box. After he finished, he batted his lashes at Blaine, "Thank you for sharing your lunch with me."
Blaine pushed his mouth to one side of his face, still eyeing the little boy as he patted around himself. He found his book behind him and opened it, and Blaine leaned slightly closer. Kurt lifted his blue gaze and smiled, "Do you like stories? I love stories about princes and princesses and true love." He hugged the book to his chest and sighed, "My maman says I'll marry a prince one day because I'm pretty enough. Do you think I look like a princess? All princesses are beautiful and I want to look just like one."
Moving closer to the little boy, Blaine looked at his story, a picture of a monster showing his claws to a princess on that page. There were words below the picture, all of them in a language Blaine couldn't read. "This is my favorite part." He pointed at the picture, "He's really a prince who did very mean things. An enchantress made him look like a beast, but he can change back if he meets a princess and falls in love with her." His finger traced over the words, "He's saying that she could never love such a beast, but she says she does." He flipped the page, and the picture showed a prince and the princess kissing. "And then he changes back and they live happily ever after."
Blaine raised a brow at the book, and Kurt looked at him, his eyes very kind. "Do you have a favorite story?"
Shaking his head, Blaine wrapped his arms around himself. Kurt laid the book in his hands, "Maybe I could read this to you sometime. Do you want to keep it?"
Blaine hugged the book to his chest, pulling his knees up as if to guard it. The little boy smiled from ear to ear, then he was suddenly distracted by a car turning down their street. He waved at it, and it slowed to a stop in front of his house.
The window rolled down, revealing a balding man with a baseball cap on, "Kurt, what are you doing over here?" His voice sounded amused, and he grinned at his son. "You and your adventures."
The little boy popped to his feet, bouncing on his toes, and he pointed at Blaine, "Daddy, I made a friend!"
The older man chuckled, "That's good, honey. Come on, Kurt. I brought dinner home and I don't want it to get cold." He looked at Blaine, "Do you want to eat with us?"
Blaine shook his head, recoiling into a small ball as if to hide himself. Kurt waved at him, then he scampered away and climbed into the car. He started to buckle himself in, then remembered something and hopped back out. "Wait!" He cried, scurrying back over to Blaine. "You didn't tell me your name."
Blaine stared at Kurt, all of his pink ruffles and bows. He thought he was very pretty. "Blaine." He said after a moment, and the little boy's smile widened.
He leaned down to kiss Blaine's cheek, a soft peck on his warm skin. His lips were so sweet. "I like that name… I'll be back tomorrow, Blaine, and I'll bring you tea and muffins!" Skipping across the yard again, Kurt boosted himself into the car and waved at Blaine, blowing him a kiss. "Goodbye!"
Blaine gazed out the window at the towering buildings, each with bright lights on them, even so blinding through the morning mist. He watched the places he'd never seen before pass below him, getting dangerously closer to him every time the plane lowered an inch. He heard a loud speaker announce that they were about ten minutes from landing, and that was when his stomach started to twist. He uncomfortably shifted, careful not to stir Kurt, who was bundled up in his arms and snoozing.
Lowering his gaze to him and finding comfort in his sweet face, his rosy lips slightly parted and blond lashes fluttering against his cheeks, he tried to take deep breaths to calm himself down. He dared a glance out the window again, the city so close to him that he could make out people walking around. Everyone was so classy, so well dressed, and he felt very plain in his dark sweatshirt and jeans.
The plane finally hit the ground, their seats shaking with the smack, but Blaine held onto Kurt tightly so it didn't startle him. After a few moments, the plane came to a stop and people started getting up, so Blaine turned his attention to Kurt and smoothed his hair. "Sweetheart…" he whispered in his ear, pressing a kiss to his forehead, "we're here, little love. Open your eyes."
His lashes lifted, and the bluest eyes looked up at Blaine, sleepily batting. "Oh!" Kurt finally remembered what had happened and where they were, and he scrambled across Blaine and pressed his nose to the window. "Where are we?" He chirped, and after a few seconds his eyes lit up.
He turned around, his eyes wide as he looked at Blaine. "You brought me to Paris?" He whispered, a small smile tugging the corners of his lips when Blaine slightly dropped his chin. He wrapped his arms around his neck, "Oh, Blaine, I've always wanted to show you my other home." Pulling slightly away, he nipped his bottom lip, "But aren't you nervous?"
Blaine shrugged, holding onto Kurt tighter, "I am… I know I don't belong here." Nuzzling Kurt's face with his own, Blaine muttered, "But this is a part of you."
Kurt shook his head, his eyes becoming damp, "You belong here because you belong with me. Don't worry." He cooed, kissing Blaine's eyebrow and smoothing his hair. "You'll be happy, I promise."
Blaine rubbed against Kurt one last time, then he grabbed the bag by their feet and swung it onto his shoulder. Getting to his feet, he helped Kurt up and held onto his hand as he led them off the plane and into the airport.
It was crowded, people hurrying everywhere, chaos that Blaine had never seen before, not even in New York. He got lost in overheard conversations, quick words of French being passed from person to person. He couldn't understand any of it, and he couldn't read any of the signs.
"It's okay," a soft voice murmured in his ear, and he looked down at Kurt, who gave him a comforting smile. He tapped his chin with concentration, then pointed at a row of sliding doors. "The parking lot is over there. And… I think I remember Aunt Laurice going over there to get my bags." He pointed at a desk where a few other people were gathered.
"Okay." Blaine muttered, keeping his arm around Kurt as they went over to the desk.
After Kurt asked for their bags, Blaine took him over to the exit doors. They got in one of the taxis waiting at the exit. Blaine said the street name of the house they were staying in, and the man managed to understand him through his American accent.
Resting against Blaine's chest, Kurt looked out the window as they drove farther from the city, his eyes widening when they passed places he knew. "This is where I grew up." He murmured, smiling at a narrower street, "And that's where Aunt Laurice lives."
The area was beautiful, much quieter than the middle of the city, but still full of rushing people. Small shops decorated the sides of the road, and Kurt seemed fond of all of them. Blaine wanted him to tell him stories, his favorite memories, show him this beloved place of his. He was intimidated and scared, but he felt fine whenever Kurt held his hand.
About ten minutes later, the taxi slowed in front of a large, white house that stretched three stories tall, flowers and vines climbing up the walls. Some of the front of it was made of glass, showing a wide and tall living room with pillars holding onto the ceiling. "Blaine, this is for us?" Kurt's little jaw dropped with surprise. "Oh, it's so lovely!"
Blaine paid the man who drove them, and then he stepped out and went around to Kurt's side. Opening his door, he helped him out, then walked around to the back to collect their bags. Throwing them over his shoulder, he waited until the car pulled away to turn to Kurt, who still looked amazed over their house.
"I like it because it's quiet. The website said it was secluded from everything." He told Kurt, who glimpsed at him. "Is it okay for you?" Going up to Kurt, he put their bags down and wrapped him in his arms.
"Blaine, it's perfect." Kurt sighed, turning his head to kiss Blaine's cheek, "It's more than I ever wanted. You're so spoiling of me."
Kurt giggled when Blaine scooped him up into his arms, carrying him up to the glass door. Looping his arms around his neck, he laid his cheek against his chest and gasped as they went inside. "This is so beautiful!" There was a piano off to the left of them, and a curved staircase a few feet away. The kitchen seemed to be to the right. A few pale couches were gathered around a glass coffee table in the middle of the room.
Blaine set Kurt down so he could explore every room, and he darted away from him and disappeared into the kitchen. After a moment, he appeared again, his cheeks flushed with excitement. Nodding at the staircase, Blaine said, "You can go up. I'll be right back… I have to get our luggage."
Kurt ran away again, and Blaine immediately heard a door open. Turning away, he headed back outside, shoving his hands in the pocket on his sweatshirt. It was a little chilly, and when Blaine blew out, he could see his breath.
Bending down, he picked up his black duffel bag and Kurt's pink suitcase, taking them back into the house. He brought them upstairs, where Kurt was still searching. Setting them down by the bathroom, he glanced inside the dark space. It was nearly three times bigger than any bathroom he'd ever been in, with a porcelain tub in one corner and a hot tub in the other. A shower was next to the tub, one that would fit him and Kurt comfortably.
Stretching out his muscles, he thought about how good a bath sounded, so he turned around and said, "Baby, where are you?"
"Blaine!" Kurt squeaked from a few doors down, his tiny feet patting on the floor. He ran out of one of the rooms and over to Blaine, almost jumping into his arms.
"Mm…" Blaine held onto him tight, brushing his hair with his fingers. "Do you want to take a bath? I can rub your shoulders." Taking Kurt into the bathroom, he flipped on the light and went over to the tub, kneeling by it. He turned on the water and watched the steam start to rise.
Getting up again, he pulled off his sweatshirt and threw it aside, then tugged Kurt into his arms. He gently slid his red dress off his body, leaving it in a pile with his shirt. Kurt reached for the button on his jeans and undid it, and Blaine pushed them down. Blushing from his cheeks to his toes, Kurt let Blaine hook his fingers in his panties and slide them down. "You're so pretty." Blaine muttered, shoving his boxers to the floor.
He pulled Kurt to his body, feeling his soft skin brushing against his, the slow rise and fall of his stomach. He was so smooth and silky, and Blaine stuck his tongue out to taste him. Licking between his nipples, he picked him up and threw one leg over the edge of the tub. He sat down and put Kurt between his thighs, hearing him whimper when he pressed his palms to his shoulders.
Kurt was quiet for a few minutes, only making soft sounds when Blaine tickled him with his fingertips or massaged a sweet spot. Sliding his hands down to Kurt's bottom then running them over his sides, he wrapped his arms around him and whispered in his ear, "Is something on your mind, my little sweet? Are you unhappy?"
"Oh, no." Kurt shook his head, giving Blaine a very sincere look. "I'm so happy in your arms. I'm just… confused, I suppose."
Blaine raised his brows, "About what, honey?"
Kurt frowned slightly, his bottom lip trembling, "Why didn't you come to France with me before? What changed your mind?" He ran his fingertips up Blaine's powerful arms, making him shudder.
Sighing heavily and knowing that something about this would have come up eventually, Blaine leaned back against the hard wall of the tub and pressed his lips together, "Kurt… sweetheart…" He had to be honest… he couldn't keep lying. He knew he had to change his ways or else he'd never fully get better. "When we slept together at your dad's wedding… after you fell asleep… I left."
Kurt's lips parted, "But… you were there when I woke up—"
"I know. I came back when I realized what a stupid mistake I was making." He brushed Kurt's cheek, trying to soothe him. "I left because… I thought I was too horrid for you. I was a monster… I was disgusting. I went back to Santana's… she thought I was going to get on a plane to go back to California. But I knew I wasn't going to go back. After she left to take Brittany to the doctor… I was going to kill myself. I was going to break the mirror in the bathroom and take a piece of glass and slit my throat."
Kurt's eyes widened to the size of saucers, his hand flying up to his mouth. He shook his head, "No—"
"Kurt, honey… shh." He pulled Kurt's head to his chest, feeling him shake with tears, "I was going to die, anyway, if I left you. Those ten months… were the worst I've ever been through, and you know that. I knew I wouldn't be able to live much longer than that without you… I was weak and clawing myself and I wasn't eating."
Kurt's soft voice was frantic, "But after we saw each other at the wedding, you knew how much I still loved you. You knew I wanted to be with you."
"But I wasn't right for you." Blaine ran his hand over Kurt's back, "I knew I wouldn't be able to avoid you, even if I went to California. So I thought… if I killed myself, you could move on and find another man to love you."
A single tear rolled down Kurt's cheek, "But you're the only man I love."
Blaine turned his head, taking a deep breath as he covered his face with his hand, "I know… I know. And… while I was staring at that mirror, I realized that my scars had healed." He held up his hands and showed Kurt his ruined palms, wrinkled from the water. There were deep, black scars, ruts ripped through his skin, but they had all closed up. "Such an ugly thing like this—" he traced one of his scars with his fingers, "—had healed. And I saw how much you wanted me to get better. I remembered the way you kissed me and the way you smiled at me, and I realized that I'm not a monster to you."
Kurt shook his head, cupping Blaine's cheeks in his palms and twisting around so their noses almost touched, "You're beautiful to me, even with your scars. I'm so happy you came back to me." Curling up against Blaine's chest, he whispered, "I could never be without you."
Blaine rubbed Kurt's back and shoulders, breathing in his sweet scent, holding his tiny, slippery body, and he felt a tear drip from his eye. "I won't ever let you go, sweetheart." Kissing Kurt's damp mouth, he whispered, "I won't hurt you. I promise, my beautiful thing."