Everything in Between
Sorry for the long introduction, but I thought I'd explain what this story will entail, considering I usually only do one-shots. Everything in Between is going to be a series of one-shots (sometimes two-shots) based off an emotion. So, this time it's unconvinced, followed by a one-shot, and then at the end of the story, I'll post the emotion for the next one-shot.
gleebles A/N; Not going to lie, this scene is a tad bit AU, only for the fact that Blaine hasn't been slushied by Sebastian. Yet. Every other chapter should be canon. I should've worked around it, but I had already written it and…didn't want to fix it! Whoops! Hope you can forgive that aspect and enjoy!
This story takes place after Yes/No. SPOILERS!
Unconvinced.
"Proposed," Kurt repeated as if Blaine hadn't heard him correctly. "Asked her to marry him. Got down on one knee. Popped the question."
"I got it," Blaine exhaled with a slight laugh and placed his biology textbook into his messenger bag.
"Aren't you shocked?" Kurt asked incredulously. "He's eighteen years old."
"He is?" Blaine wondered as they stood to transfer classes. "When was his birthday?"
"Blaine." Kurt snapped
"Well…I'm surprised," Blaine admitted, "but I'm not sure if I'm totally shocked."
"Wait, did you know about this?" Kurt asked suddenly and Blaine threw him a look as he readjusted his bag. Kurt held the eye contact for a moment as they headed down the hall and then shook his head. "Fine. But how can you be so—so calm about this?"
Blaine exhaled with a laugh as students passed by.
"I told you that I'm surprised, but, come on, this is Finn we're talking about. And Rachel. They're both head over heels for each other and terribly dramatic people. And with graduation just around the corner, it's a surprise to me that it didn't happen earlier."
Kurt came to a halt in front of Blaine's next class and turned to face him.
"Don't make this out to be the logical next step in their relationship," Kurt criticized. Blaine bit his lip to hide his amusement at Kurt's outrage, leaned against the wall and slipped a hand into his red skinny jeans. "Getting hitched," Kurt whispered harshly, glancing at passing McKinley students, "as eighteen year olds is insanity. Sure, back in the day, it would've been completely ordinary for a pair of thirteen year olds to be planning their honeymoon at the lunch table and during recess, but this is the 21-century! Thirty is the new thirteen!"
Blaine raised his eyebrows at Kurt.
"Don't you think you're exaggerating a little?" he wondered and Kurt gave him a stern stare. "I mean, just because they're young doesn't mean—"
"Blaine."
"Okay, just because their engaged," Blaine revised and Kurt crossed his arms, "doesn't mean they're getting married tomorrow. Maybe they'll have one of those long, five-year engagements?" Kurt nodded and glanced down at his feet. Blaine stared at him for a moment.
"Maybe…I could talk to him?" Blaine wondered and Kurt glanced up to present his adorable, yet naïve boyfriend with a dubious expression. This made Blaine more adamant. "Yeah, I could talk to him. He and I got a lot closer after you and I started dating and we sort of had a heart-to-heart after Regionals. Maybe he'll listen to me?"
"I appreciate the help, Blaine, but I don't think so," Kurt exhaled as the bell rang. "Mercedes and I promised Rachel not to tell anyone and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't appreciate me telling you who'd tell Finn," Kurt ended his convoluted sentence and shared a smile with Blaine. "Anyway, I don't want to drag you into this mess."
Blaine shrugged and reached out to squeeze Kurt's shoulder. Kurt smiled at him weakly and touched Blaine's hand.
"Have fun in Ms. Edenbury's class."
"Not likely," Blaine responded and gave his boyfriend's upper arm one more squeeze before entering his next class. "I love you."
Kurt's heart soared upon hearing those words and wondered if he'd ever get used to them.
"I love you too," he exhaled and headed down the hall.
"Blaine!"
Blaine turned upon hearing Rachel Berry's voice and smiled.
"Hi Rachel—"
"Have you seen Kurt?" she interrupted and flipped one of her brunette, wavy locks over her shoulder.
Blaine fumbled, which he found himself doing around Rachel quite often.
"I think— he should be in English class with you right now."
Rachel raised her eyebrows at him and folded her arms. Blaine spotted a girl's bathroom pass in her left hand.
"Yeah, he should be," she remarked and glanced around. "But quite obviously, he is not."
"What?" Blaine asked with a confused smile. "Kurt's not one to skip class."
"He left halfway during class with a bathroom pass," Rachel explained and waved hers in the air. "I'm trying to track him down."
"Why are you so worried?" Blaine wondered. "Maybe he's actually in the bathroom."
"He's not," she assured and Blaine gave her a look. She rolled her eyes. "I pulled Jacob Ben Israel out of class and paid him to check for me. I would've checked myself, but if I made a habit of making risky choices like that, I'd earn a similar reputation as one Lady Gaga. Future People magazines will feature yours truly on the cover with the caption "Star Actress and Singer Rachel Berry a Hermaphrodite?" under it and a photoshopped…thingy between my legs."
A beat passed and Blaine stared at her like she had grown an extra head.
"Well…I don't know where Kurt is," he continued slowly and she exhaled sharply. "But I do have something to talk to you about."
Rachel looked over Blaine's shoulder and shifted her weight back and forth.
"Make it quick."
"I was just curious…I mean, we're closer after West Side Story, right?"
Rachel smiled slightly and crossed her ams.
"You know, a lot of actors fall in love during romantic scenes on stage. It's only natural that our past love affair would rekindle after our roles in West Side, but, although I'm flattered, I'm afraid to inform you that I'm unyieldingly dedicated to Finn and I could never do that to Kurt—
"Whoa, no, no," Blaine intercepted her outrageous train of thought with a laugh. He could do dramatic, he was dating Kurt Hummel after all, but Rachel Berry was something he could not do…again. Plus, Kurt was pretty irreplaceable. "That wasn't the point I was trying to make."
He took a breath to clear his head of the Rachel rant that came so readily to her lips and then glanced up at her.
"You and Finn—"
"Kurt told you, didn't he?" she asked blankly and Blaine's eyebrows shot up, startled. Was he that obvious?
"No, I—," he stumbled, not wanting Kurt to get in any trouble.
"It's my life," Rachel exhaled, sounding as if she had argued this point many times, "but I appreciate your concern."
"Kurt and I just don't want you two to jump into anything," Blaine explained, wanting to get a word in edgewise. "You know, you two have your whole lives ahead of you."
Rachel's eyes fell to her feet and were hidden by her heavy, blunt bangs.
"We all love you and Finn," Blaine continued. "And yes, Kurt may have a strong aversion to young couples getting married, but he's just concerned for you guys."
"Aversion?" Rachel asked, raising her head. Then, her entire demeanor shifted and Blaine braced himself. "He is such a hypocrite! You know I asked him what he would do if you were to drop on one knee?"
"Really?" Blaine wondered, shocked, his heart skipping a beat. "What did he say?"
"Nothing," Rachel exclaimed. "He couldn't even give me an answer! And he goes and blabs to everyone about how we're too young and that Finn—"
Rachel gasped.
"What's the matter?" Blaine asked, startled.
"Finn has lunch right now…but he skips sometimes to work out" she paled and Blaine understood immediately.
"Do you think Kurt would really—?"
"What do you think?" Rachel asked and started down the hall.
He stood there and watched her as she attempted to intercept Kurt's confrontation with Finn. Blaine exhaled, deliberating if Dalton ever had this much drama.
No, he decided, and began toward the lunchroom.
He and Kurt had separate lunch periods, so Blaine usually sat with Mike, Finn, Artie, Tina, Quinn, and Sugar. Sitting with a large group of friends was good for a number of reasons and it was proving itself very useful today. Blaine found himself quietly nibbling on his sandwich and chips as he let the rest of the group carry the conversation. He smiled and threw in a few remarks here and there at the appropriate times so no one would accuse him of being troubled. As they joked, laughed, and even sang around him, Blaine thought about what Rachel had said.
Why did Kurt not answer Rachel when she asked him what would happen if Blaine proposed? Of course Blaine had never considered asking Kurt to marry him before; they were both teenagers and gay marriage wasn't even legal in the state of Ohio. But Blaine found it curious that Kurt had no answer for Rachel. Kurt always had something to say.
Blaine contemplated this. Maybe Kurt had been caught off-guard, like Blaine had. Maybe he had no answer because he too had never considered it.
Blaine tried to push away the thought that...maybe Kurt hadn't answered because he couldn't. He couldn't tell Rachel the truth that the idea of spending his life, outside of high school, with Blaine didn't appeal to him. Kurt was a very theatrical person and maybe an exciting and forbidden high school romance was all this was. Blaine honestly couldn't picture Kurt wanting a long distance relationship with a boy still in high school from Westerville, Ohio when he could date a man his own age in New York.
Blaine tried to shake that thought away. Maybe Kurt didn't answer because he was embarrassed. Maybe Rachel was right and he was a hypocrite. Maybe if Blaine proposed today Kurt would in fact…say yes.
It seemed unlikely.
Blaine suddenly noticed Tina watching him and he quickly shot her a smile. She stared at him, then, very slowly, returned a sad and knowing smile. Blaine watched as her gaze turned to Mike and she slipped an arm around his waist, as if scared he'd disappear.
Blaine's eyes turned back to his lunch.
Yes, it seemed very unlikely.
"I can't believe you actually confronted him," Blaine shook his head. Glee club had ended for the day and Kurt and Blaine walked side-by-side to the back parking lot.
"It was inevitable," Kurt sighed. He tugged his sweater closer as they exited McKinley High and entered the biting chill of January in Lima, Ohio. About an inch and a half of snow layered the brown grass and few cars parked in the back lot. Glee club had run a bit late and most of the students in clubs and sports had already gone home by now. "He took it well though."
"So he doesn't want to hunt Rachel down and strangle her for telling you?" Blaine wondered as they started toward his car. Finn, Mike, and Puck went to shoot hoops after Glee club despite the chill, leaving Kurt with Blaine as his ride home.
"Not at all. He did said he couldn't believe she told me, but honestly I think he expected it. She's basically my hag anyway."
Kurt gave Blaine a sideways smile and Blaine reflexively smiled back. His heart seemed to suddenly beat harder and he quickly looked away from Kurt.
The previous debate during lunch came back to the forefront of his mind and with it brought panic. He was probably being irrational. Marriage and dating were two entirely different topics and although Blaine knew that Kurt loved him, Kurt didn't think about marrying him. Which was fine.
Well, it should be...but Blaine couldn't help but have hurt feelings by that idea. He was probably just being overemotional and immature...
But did that mean Kurt wasn't as serious about their relationship as Blaine was? If he wasn't, what would happen when Kurt graduated? Would they break up?
"Something bothering you?"
Blaine broke from his thoughts and looked over at Kurt, flashing a smile.
"Oh yeah, I was just thinking about that Spanish test we have coming up," Blaine exhaled a laugh and fumbled in his bag for his keys.
"Ah," Kurt conceded with a nod, "that would be a reason to frown."
"Mhm," Blaine hummed and climbed into the driver's seat. Once in the car, he waited for Kurt to situate himself in the passenger's seat.
"Hey," he asked and Kurt glanced over at him. "What would you say if I told you my house was empty for the next few hours?"
Kurt gave a surprised smile and cocked his head to the side.
"Well, well. I'd have to say I'd be inclined to invite myself over."
Blaine smiled at Kurt and for a moment, he didn't say anything. Then, he reached over with both of his hands, grabbed Kurt by his collar, and pressed his lips gently against Kurt's. Kurt gave a surprised squeak, but quickly melted into the kiss.
Blaine slipped his hands behind Kurt's neck and angled his head in his signature way to deepen the kiss.
Then, anxiety began to build up in Blaine's chest. He spread his fingers through the back of Kurt's hair and he felt Kurt swat at his hands, not appreciating Blaine mussing up his immaculate do.
Blaine pulled even harder at Kurt. Fear caused his heart to thunder in his chest, as if he was afraid that Kurt would disappear under his hands and lips if he didn't hold him tight enough. Time with Kurt was running out and if Kurt didn't want to spend the rest of his life with Blaine, then Blaine had to make the most of their time together now.
"Blaine—" Kurt mumbled against his mouth and struggled. "Come on, we're still at school…"
Blaine released his lips and pressed his forehead against Kurt's, breathing heavily. He squeezed his eyes closed, not wanting to explain the assault of kisses he unexpectedly released.
"I love you," he said after some time and finally allowed Kurt some space to breathe properly.
Kurt, flushed in the face and hair slightly disheveled, stared at him in shock.
"I love you too," he affirmed in feeble exasperation. Blaine remained quiet, feeling quite unconvinced. Kurt allowed a pause before asking, "Is everything alright?"
Blaine gave a small smile and nodded, but Kurt could see him thinking of something.
"Are we alright?" Blaine asked after a bit and Kurt's eyes widened.
"I think so?" he spoke slowly. "Why? Do you think we aren't okay?"
Blaine shook his head.
"No…I'm happy."
Kurt shook his head slightly and gave his boyfriend a heartbreakingly sweet and confused smile.
"I'm happy too."
Blaine sat back and allowed this to process through his mind.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Kurt asked again, watching Blaine think in silence and saw him give a half nod. "Then…let's go."
Blaine glanced at Kurt and watched as he pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. He held the phone to his ear and, while the phone rang, he pulled down the mirror on the passenger side and tried to fix the back of his hair. Blaine smiled as he observed the slight irritated crease form between his eyebrows and then disappear as he acknowledged his father's voice on the other end.
"Hey Dad," Kurt spoke. "Blaine and I have this huge test tomorrow in biology and we were going to study for a couple hours in the library. Do you think you or Carole could handle dinner tonight? We'll probably grab something on the way home and Finn is playing basketball with Puck and Mike. Not that he would help with dinner anyway."
Blaine heard Burt's gruff voice reply on the other end and Kurt peeked over at Blaine and winked.
Was it crazy that his heart dipped?
"Sounds good. Love you."
Kurt ended the call and reached over his shoulder to pull on his seatbelt. He grinned at Blaine.
"This is getting mighty dangerous," Blaine warned lightly and he too pulled on his seatbelt and started the car.
"What he doesn't know won't hurt him," Kurt shrugged and rapped the dashboard in a drumroll. "Let's go!"
Blaine gave Kurt an unsure smile before it relaxed into something more natural. He decided to drop his fears for the moment and pulled out of the McKinley parking lot.
If their situation wouldn't push Kurt away, nagging him certainly would.
gleebles A/N; A bit of a bittersweet ending, I do apologize. But please alert or favorite or review! Any feedback at all is appreciated! :)
Thanks for reading!
Next emotion: Touched.