So, I know it's been awhile but I'm back! I really wanted to publish the first chapter of this story and get some feedback from all of you! I've been working on it for months on and off and have really come to love writing it. But I can't promise consistent updates. I have through chapter 16 planned out and I've written multiple chapters and will try to do so as much as possible. I'm currently a quarter of the way through my senior year of high school so things are pretty hectic right now considering I'm taking some hard classes and homework takes up a lot of my times. So, I can promise to try to post as frequently as possible, but there might be a very noticeable time in between some chapters because I'm still working out how I want them written. I have already gone back an rewritten a few chapters, chapter one and two included but I didn't want to keep doubting this idea running through my head. I just wanted to get it out. So thank you to anyone who still even realizes I exist. And I promise you, this story will be much better (I truly hope) than my first one. Oceans of Honey was fun to write, but to me.. it sucked. Bad. So I'm hoping I do my writing skills justice and produce a great story. My best friend keeps telling me to write more because I'm good at it (though i think she meant write my original stories). Anywayyyy.. Thank you to everyone and I really hope you enjoy this story.
Oh and this one actually has buckets of tensions and angst so I'm pretty proud of that. My others have been fluff fluff fluff so that's an accomplishment!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Don't own. Never owned. Wish I did. I would change so much. Except the Klaine proposal. That was perfection :3
Sometimes it's easier to pretend to hate someone than to admit you still care.
Chapter One
It had been a hectic day, and the only thing Kurt wanted to do was get home and relax. Spend some quality time catching up on the latest Vogue issue or watching Project Runway. Was that too much to ask for? Apparently, it was.
The rain was down-pouring, dropping sheets of water on New York City. Kurt inwardly scolded himself for parking so far away from the entrance of his workplace. He flicked off all the lights and locked the door of the Vogue dot com building behind him before he raced through the heavy rain. He took cover under his small shoulder bag, though it wasn't enough to keep the rain from splashing into his eyes and blurring his already hazy vision. When he came closer, he pulled out his car keys and stamped his thumb across the small button on the remote, unlocking the doors. He jumped into his car, throwing his bag into the passenger seat as he started the ignition. His Navigator roared to life and he quickly pulled out of the small parking lot and onto the road.
The drive was short, but treacherously slow in the New York traffic. He would have almost preferred walking the short distance in the rain, but he had taken his car to work today instead of taking a taxi like he normally did, so he had to tough out the traffic that was moving only inches at a time.
It took nearly twenty minutes to make the regularly two minute drive. Hell, it only took him ten minutes to walk the distance! He breathed a large sigh of relief when the lock on his apartment door clicked open and he could feel the warmth of the air inside. Rachel was home, then. He pushed the door the rest of the way open, dropping his keys in the bowl by the door, removing his soaked-through coat, before noticing the candles lit dimly around the apartment and the half-naked couple that was intertwined and completely oblivious on the couch. Kurt really wasn't in the mood to deal with Rachel and Finn so he rolled his eyes, throwing a plush pillow that had ended up on the other side of the room at the two before moving into the kitchen with a loud snicker. This was a regular occurrence for him.
Kurt rummaged through the cabinets and refrigerator, pulling out ingredients for a salad. He heard the shuffling of clothes and the whispered scolding of Rachel to Finn about not locking the door. He was so engrossed in the preparation of his salad that he missed when Rachel entered the small kitchen and cleared her throat. The second time she cleared her throat, though, Kurt looked up, a look of annoyance plastered on his face. Rachel stood, hands on her hips, a deep frown on her face. They had been through this numerous times. She would yell at him for interrupting and Kurt would retort by stating that this was also his apartment. They would eventually get over it and move on to another subject.
"Kurt. There is this thing called privacy! Maybe you should try knocking!" Rachel nearly screeched. Kurt abruptly let the knife he had been chopping vegetables up with clatter to the counter and glared hard at Rachel.
"Maybe you should try using your bedroom! Or maybe you could go to Finn's apartment because honestly, I'm tired of walking in on the two of you every time I come home from work. This has become an everyday occurrence Rachel! You'd think you would learn by now," Kurt shook his head and once again began chopping up a tomato. He loved Rachel to death, but she really should be familiar with the times in which Kurt came home from work, and she should learn to use her bedroom. Honestly, Kurt couldn't see the appeal of a couch when you had a perfectly comfortable bed to make out on.
Rachel stomped her foot and huffed out a sigh before Finn joined them in the kitchen. "Hey, dude."
"Don't call me 'dude', Finn," Kurt said with little emotion, expecting Finn's greeting line as he did every day. Finn nodded before turning to Rachel and explaining that he had to get back to his apartment. He had received a text for an immediate guys night with Puck, Mike, and Sam. An event that probably involved getting wasted at a club, Kurt guessed.
"Kurt, you're always wel-"
"I'm good, Finn. Thanks anyway." Kurt had no desire to engage in whatever they had planned for a 'guys night'. Kurt put the finishing touches to his salad before cleaning up and hurriedly moving out of the kitchen to catch the end of Project Runway. Rachel and Finn said their goodbyes at the door before Finn disappeared, the room completely silent aside from the buzzing of the TV.
Rachel made her way to the couch and slumped down next to Kurt and sighed loudly, trying to catch his attention. When Kurt's eyes remained glued to the television, she sighed again, louder. Kurt rolled his eyes, knowing what the girl was going to say and not really wanting to get into the conversation. The silence that followed lasted a few minutes before Rachel sighed, unnaturally, a third time. Kurt snapped his head to scowl at her, trying to convey that he wasn't in the mood, but she only took the action as a way to begin the inevitable conversation.
"You need a boyfriend, Kurt," she stated, a small frown on her lips. Kurt clenched his eyes closed, taking in a few deep breaths. Because that ended well the first time. Kurt's mind immediately flickered to Blaine. Anger quickly bubbled into his stomach. He bit into his bottom lip, biting down to repress the memories. He tasted the blood pool in his mouth. He hated Blaine. Still. After five years, Kurt still couldn't stand to think about everything that had happened between the two. It made him physically sick. That was over so long ago and to this day, Kurt remembers everything crystal clear. And it still haunts him. It still hurts more than he's willing to admit. All he was sure of was that he hated Blaine Devon Anderson.
Kurt's eyes shock open and he huffed, trying to tame the anger and sadness in the pit of his stomach. "I'm perfectly fine by myself," he grumbled, avoiding her gaze as she scrutinized him. She knew that the subject was hard on Kurt, but she hated seeing her best friend lonely. She hated seeing the look of envy that was impossible to miss every time he caught her and Finn making out on the couch. Or when she had a date or just stayed in cuddling with Finn on the couch watching a movie. The look on Kurt's face always said it all, even when it was brief and easily looked over, she always caught it. And every time she saw that look, she felt her heart rip open for her best friend a little bit more.
"No you're not. Ever since Bl-" the loud shrilling of the phone cut her off instantly. Kurt reached over to the side table where the land line sat and answered the phone, happy to avoid further conversation with Rachel.
"Hello?" he answered, a bit annoyed.
"Kurt!" A familiar voice spoke through the phone. Kurt's mood instantly raised.
"Mr. Schuster! How are you?" Rachel seemed surprised at the old teacher calling them this late. Must be important. Kurt stood from the couch and walked into the kitchen, cleaning off his empty bowl and leaned his back against the counter. Rachel followed him in and raised her eyebrows.
"I'm great! What about you? Are you and Rachel enjoying New York?"
"It's amazing. Everything we ever wanted. But every dream has got it's rough spots."
"Look, I know this is short notice, but Emma and I finally got around to the wedding and it's next Saturday. And we would really be grateful if you could come. And I would love if you could be a groomsman."
Kurt was baffled. It had been almost six years since they had gotten engaged. He just assumed they had gotten married already. He looked at Rachel and smiled widely. "You're finally getting married, that's fantastic! I will definitely be there and I would love to be a groomsman. I'll book a flight to Ohio on Wednesday!" Kurt looked at Rachel questioningly, mentally asking her if she was free. She nodded, bouncing in place with a huge grin plastered on her face. "And Rachel will be coming down with me. We can't wait to see you again Mr. Shue! It's been far too long!"
"It has! Well, I'll see you soon, Kurt. Emma sends her regards. It was nice talking to you again."
"You, too." Kurt ended the call and Rachel squealed.
"I love weddings!" she shouted, twirling in a circle before rushing to her room to pack a suitcase. It was Friday evening. That gave them five days to pack. Five days would do.
O-o
"Come on, Kurt! We're gonna be late for our flight! Grab your suitcases and let's go," Rachel screeched, going through her mental checklist just in case she forgot anything. Kurt sighed and carefully zipped his suitcases shut and exited the apartment with a blabbering Rachel on his heels. There was a cab waiting in front of their apartment building. They threw everything in the back and were on their way.
They met Finn at the airport and nearly missed their flight. Finn had been pulled aside for setting off the metal detector which held them up ten minutes they couldn't afford. As soon as they were cleared, the were nearly sprinting to the terminal. They made it in the nick of time and took their seats, breathing heavily.
Kurt hadn't had time to eat breakfast before they left, leaving him lightheaded after the extreme exertion of energy. His vision was flooded with black dots and his head was pounding. He took a deep breath as the plane began down the runway. He had the seat next to the aisle, the seat to his left empty due to Rachel and Finn's need to sit with each other. Kurt welcomed the silence and break from Rachel's constant nagging, though. He quickly fell asleep, dreaming only pleasant dreams.
O-o
After receiving the call from his old Glee Club director asking to attend his wedding, Blaine was ecstatic. Until he thought of who else would be there. Kurt. Kurt would surely have been invited, and Blaine knew him enough to know that he would never pass up an opportunity to be at a wedding. Running into him there would be absolutely inevitable. Unless I don't go. Blaine thought to himself. No, he had to go. He wanted to go. If not for Mr. Shue, then to see his old friends. Although Blaine would never admit it to anyone, he missed Finn's childish behavior and Rachel's diva attitude. He missed Santana and her bitchiness and Brittany and her antics. One this was for sure, though: He sure as hell did not miss Kurt Elizabeth Hummel. Blaine sighed loudly, looking out his apartment window over the city of Manhattan.
Blaine had a bag packed along with the suit he had hanging in his closet and was off to the airport. He was one of the first to board the plane and took his seat in the back corner. It was a window seat and he was seated next to a woman who looked fairly young. Maybe a few years older than himself. She had obvious taken an interest in Blaine as she couldn't help but let her hand inch closer and closer while her eyes connected with his far too often than was comfortable. When she had finally rested her hand on Blaine's thigh and winked at him, he jumped, not expecting the touch. The movement caused the woman to pull away and raise a perfectly-waxed eyebrow. He blond hair fell gently across her shoulders and her mud-brown eyes were glued to Blaine's lips.
"I... I'm sorry. I'm not interested," Blaine squeaked, returning his attention out the small window to his right.
"Oh, really? Doesn't seem that way." Her voice came off how Blaine assumed was seductive as she began to move her hand once again toward his thigh. Blaine wouldn't have any more of it. He was already anxious what with the upcoming reunion with his ex-boyfriend.
"I'm gay, lady. So can you please try and keep your hands to yourself?"
"Oh, dear. I'm sorry," the woman gasped, pulling back into her own personal space and blushing furiously.
After another couple of minutes, Blaine stood to use the restroom, the girl avoiding any and all contact with him due to sheer embarrassment. Once he had relieved himself, he took one step back into the aisle and stopped dead in his tracks, caught off guard by the familiarity of the coiffed chestnut hair he could see poking above one of the seats toward the front of the plane. He must have been seeing things. That must be it.
He scanned the rest of the plane, and sure enough he spotted the tall, gangly figure of one Finn Hudson and heard the voice of one Rachel Berry silently (at least for her) belting out the lyrics to whatever song she was listening to at the moment. Blaine's heart leaped from his chest and felt like it was stepped on multiple times with the realization. Before he could be noticed by any of the three, he took his seat and slouched down, leaning his head against the window. The last thing he wanted to do was let Kurt know he was on the same plane, let alone have him knowing they were living in the same city. He almost felt childish, holding a grudge for so long, but he couldn't help it. He had a legit reason to hate Kurt, and he would avoid him at all costs.
Blaine remained slouched in his seat the rest of his flight, feeling all the resentment that he had felt five years prior take over. If Blaine had to spend more than couple hours for a wedding in the same building as Kurt, this week would surely turn out to be the worst of his life.
o-o
Kurt woke just as the plane was landing. He allowed his eyes to adjust before scanning his surroundings as if they would've changed during the flight. When everyone was cleared to exit the plane, he shot up, glad to finally stand on steady ground again. Kurt Hummel did not have a fear of flying, but that didn't mean he particularly liked it. Flying had always made him dizzy and a bit nauseous, which is why he tended to sleep as long as he could during flight.
He found Rachel and Finn easily and the three made their way to the baggage claim. They were eager to get home to their families. None of the three had been home for what seemed like forever. And no matter how much they used to hate this place, they were glad to be back for a little while.
Kurt became giddy as he rolled his suitcase through the large building and out to find his dad. He looked up and down the road, looking for him, and as he looked to his right, he swore he saw an all-too-familiar head of curls duck into a BMW. He shook the thought away. It was just the thought of having to be in close vicinity to Blaine for an uncertain amount of time screwing with his mind. When he turned his head in the other direction, he spotted his dad and smiled widely. He dropped his stuff next to Finn and Rachel and took off down the paved sidewalk. He slowed when he came closer, pulling his dad in for a tight hug. He had missed him more than words could express. He had been feeling particularly lonely these days, and having his dad around would definitely help.
"I've missed you, kiddo," Burt muttered into Kurt's ear, squeezing his son tight against his chest.
"I know. Me too, Dad." They stood that way for minutes before Finn came barreling their way, pulling Carole into a tight hug before turning to Burt and embracing him the same. The family was finally back together and Kurt couldn't be happier. It was exactly what he needed to get his mind off of other subjects.
"Let's go home, kids," Burt sad, huddling everyone into his car and driving off toward the small town of Lima, Ohio.
O-o
Blaine hurriedly shuffled into the waiting BMW and wasn't surprised to find his father's driver sitting in the driver's seat. He gave the man a small smile before turning and glancing out the window, only to see Kurt standing just a few feet away. He barred his teeth, wanting nothing to do with the man but at the same time, he let himself regret everything. He mentally scolded himself after letting his eyes linger too long and asked the driver to begin their trip home.
His brother always told him he would move to New York and find a nice guy and fall in love and get married and blah blah blah. None of which had ever happened. Sure he'd had quite a few hook-ups over the past few years, but none had ever turned into anything serious and he sure as hell couldn't have seen him self loving or ever settling down with any of them. He was too busy to settle down. At least, that's what he kept telling himself.
Blaine sighed, resting his head against the window, watching as the skyscrapers became scarce and the town houses grew in numbers. Despite everything, he was glad to be home.