Set after Kurt & Blaine return from Radio City Music Hall - Between Episode 14 (Bad Things) and Episode 15 (Come In ...)
Part One - 'Whose is the face in the mask?'
Those who knew Kurt well knew that he didn't have the easiest time growing up. From losing his mom, the constant stress in Glee Club at McKinley, to almost losing his dad and then the awful continuous bullying, sexual harassment and finally death threats. All of this had given Kurt an excellent poker face. A mask to hide behind.
Kurt was used to wearing this mask day in and day out. From the moment his alarm went off in the morning (with Katy Perry crooning about Valentines, sheet forts and going all the way - not the most usual music choice but it had been Lady Gaga before so the change wasn't quite so unusual in the Hudmel household) until he laid his head down on his pillow at night after finishing his moisturising routine. That's when the mask would slip and he would sleep.
Those who knew Kurt really really well, such as Burt and Blaine (Finn was getting there, or so he liked to think) were often able to see when he was hiding something and see straight through his pretence as if it were nothing but a layer of Kurt's funny smelling face-masks. They knew what he was feeling and when he was lying, even if they weren't quite sure of the reason behind it.
This is why Blaine loved moments like this. Moments when Kurt's mask was completely down. Sure when it was just the two of them, alone in Blaine's room or alone in Kurt's room the mask was placed to the side, but occasionally it would flit back on if someone said the wrong thing or if Kurt was reminiscing about the past.
Blaine wasn't surprised that Kurt was exhausted. After the 'excitement' of waking up to discover that half of your friends had broken into your room and decided to spend the night, being flown in a private jet to the other side of the country (Blaine had never experienced that much luxury before he'd met the twins. Not that first class was bad, but Private jet has its perks) and then seeing New York for the first time in such a luxurious way, well Blaine thought, anyone would be a little worn out.
And Kurt was more than a little worn out. After returning from the Radio City Music Hall, Kurt thanking Blaine every few minutes, they had grabbed a tub of coffee ice-cream from one of the freezers in the kitchen, a couple of spoons and hidden inside one of ht bedrooms, Blaine coaxing Kurt into eating the ice-cream he knew Kurt adored every now and then. However, as the ice-cream levels in the tub decreased and the frequency of Kurt's yawns increased, Blaine decided that he should go check on the others and let Kurt get ready for bed, to which the brunet agreed.
He left Kurt to it and went to find Shane. After an awkward discussion where Blaine tried to ask a giggling Shane that he would like copies of the videos Shane made of Kurt on stage - and possibly the ones of him and Kurt together or when all the Warblers swarmed down the seats and invaded the stage. When he had finally finished spluttering our his request, Shane smirked and told him that he was sending it to Han as he'd requested the videos to be put on a disk for Blaine and Kurt already, in HD and that Blaine asking him in such an flustered way was just hilarious. After a shove to the giggling younger brother, Blaine left for a quick wash in the power-shower. Leaving the bathroom in a cloud of steam, towel over his head trying to scrub his curls dry and desperately not to swear as he'd just stubbed his toe on something and it really hurt when he looked up to see Kurt, fast asleep on the bed. A soft smile pulled the corners of Blaine's mouth upwards and his eyes crinkled at the edges. Throwing the towel into the bath behind him, he slowly approached the sleeping boy.
Kurt was lying on his back on top of the duvet and blankets. He'd obviously ignored Blaine's parting comment as he's collected his pyjamas and tried to wait up for him, to say goodnight and fallen asleep. With his midnight blue silk pyjamas and his head laying on one of the golden cushions, Kurt's resemblance to an angel was all the more pronounced. Light from the bedside lamp spilled across his face, brushing over his features and making them appear all the more otherworldly.
Kurt's eyelashes cast long, fluttering shadows across his cheekbones, which were more pronounced, more defined, as was the slight flush across the pale flesh. And his lips, pink and pouting as usual looked a little more full. A little more kissable-
Blaine wrenched back his hand from where it had been about to slowly trace the boy's lips and instead leaned forward a little more and simply brushed a piece of hair back from Kurt's forehead which had been lying over one eye and tucked it behind one ear, all the while being incredibly careful not to actually touch Kurt's porcelain skin. But his hair! It was so soft! Softer than anything Blaine had ever felt. His fingers itched to thread themselves through those silky brown locks again and again. But the hand stopped short. Best friends don't do that. Best friends don't want to run their hands through their best friend's hair, or over their best friend's smooth skin, or trace their profile, following the rise to the tip of the nose, the dip to the cupid's bow, the plump lips just waiting to be tasted- The first clenched and Blaine turned away, closing his eyes. If he and Kurt were going to be anything, he couldn't freak him out.
Carefully, Blaine reached over and picked up the spoons from where they rested on the upturned ice-cream lid. He cut through the bathroom so as not to wake Kurt from the lights in the main hallway and quickly put the remaining coffee ice-cream back in the freezer and the spoons in the dishwasher.
After re-entering the room and his eyes had readjusted, Blaine saw that Kurt was still asleep in the exact same spot he had left him. Blaine liked that. The idea of returning and finding Kurt asleep, waiting for him. Stop it! His brain screamed, snapping Blaine out of his little fantasy. Kurt gave a little shiver and turned his face away from Blaine, revealing more of his smooth, pale neck and strong defined jaw.
He must be cold Blaine realised. Kurt was, after all, wearing thin silk pyjamas and even though they were in a well heated penthouse it was winter and Kurt hadn't blow-dried his hair after his shower so it was probably still damp and cold underneath. Blaine gave a sigh and stepped towards the bed.
After pulling down the duvet on the other side of the large bed, he carefully manoeuvred Kurt over, before pulling the duvet back up. Or at least he tried. Kurt's fingers were wound tightly into the material of his T-shirt and Blaine has having a hard time prying him off.
When he had very nearly succeeded Kurt gave a quiet little 'No' and Blaine froze. Asleep Kurt used this to his advantage and tried to squirm in closer to Blaine whilst wrapping his fingers even tighter into Blaine's clothing.
"Shhh. It's ok, it's all right. I'm not going anywhere, Kurt." Blaine whispered soothingly, rubbing small circles on the back of Kurt's hands. "I'm right here, OK?" And then Kurt's grip loosened just a little. Blaine quickly scooted around and slipped in beside Kurt in the bed, stretching over so that he could turn off the lamp.
A strip of moonlight slipped through the curtains and softly illuminated the room. Blaine looked across at Kurt who was now facing him. The mask was definitely off, he thought as he studied the porcelain face in front of him. They were close now. Close enough that Kurt's eyelashes fluttered with every breath Blaine took. Close enough to feel the heat Kurt's body radiated. Close enough to- oh! For Kurt had rolled over a little in his sleep and pressed himself against Blaine, cheek against shoulder, hip to hip, leg thrown over leg and oh! Hand on chest. Right over his heart. Blaine wondered if Kurt could tell how fast it was beating under his palm.
With his right arm, careful not to jostle the slumbering boy, Blaine reached over to briefly brush through Kurt's bangs once more as they obscured the face, brushing his bangs to the side and just looking. It was almost like Blaine was trying to memorise Kurt, though this was not the case. Blaine knew Kurt, probably better than anyone else. Blaine knew what every facial expression meant. He knew that when Kurt's eyes widened, the eyebrows went up and the mouth formed that adorable little 'o' shape, you better put down that shirt/jacket/hat and move fifty paces away before Kurt burned you for even touching it. He knew that after every kiss, hug or touch of the fingertips Kurt would have this little smile but his eyes would get this incredible sparkle to them. But this face? This face so completely at peace and happy, this was his favourite of all.
Kurt was sleeping in his arms. He was safe and he was happy. This thought alone meant that Blaine fell quickly to sleep.
Thoughts please? And I think we all know which photo that was. So adorable!
I hope that you like it. There are two more parts to this story. :) Part two and an epilogue - it's just an outtake after all.
And no, I haven't forgotten about Edelweiss. I've just been crazily busy. I'll be updating soon. Promise!
Remember, reviews (even if they're just a couple of words/a smilie face) get sneak previews of next chapters/what I'm working on. Also, Kurt cookies for anyone who got the chapter name reference.
Sarah xx