Author's Note: So I've sort of been accidentally neglecting this one. Sorry about that. This is sort of shorter than I intended for it to be, but I had to cut it off where it ends there. Possible Blaine POV next chapter.
Shine Like Diamonds Buried Underground
Chapter 3
Kurt walked into his first period class the next day with definite eager anticipation plastered all over his face. Sleep had eluded him for most of the night and his grumpiness had stuck with him all morning until he set foot in the busy halls of McKinley and remembered whom he shared his first class with. Though he had only gotten, maybe, a grand total of two hours of sleep it had certainly been enough time for his mind to wander. And wander it did. To the deepest, dirtiest corners of his subconscious where he and Blaine danced a forbidden tango that immediately made the colour rise up into his cheeks. Despite his morals and personal order of: boyfriend, fall in love, marriage, sex…
But the last word of his mantra had been all he thought about last night. Even if it had been unconsciously.
He was undoubtedly absentminded as he and his father went about their morning routine of breakfast and coffee, having to ask "what?" more than once whenever his father had spoken. Mr. Burt Hummel didn't hesitate in furrowing his brow and inquiring about the reason for Kurt's strange behaviour. Kurt merely shrugged in response though and chalked it up to a "less than thrilling first day of school."
"Yeah, about that. Your principal called me yesterday," Burt began. "Something about you talking back to a teacher and missing some of your classes? What's that about? That isn't like you."
'Busted,' Kurt's mind presented immediately and he stammered, evidently at a loss for words.
"Grounded for a week. And you have detention for the next week as well, so come straight home after that," Burt said matter-of-factly and walked over to the sink to rinse off their dishes. Kurt's scowl had been fixed on his face on the entire drive over to school.
He slid into the chair he had chosen yesterday and gave the room a once over: no Blaine Anderson in sight. He wasn't exactly surprised by the discovery though. After all, Blaine had been late coming to class the day before. That was the reason he was in this entire mess of detention at school and detainment at home. He propped his head up on his hand and studied his blank notebook as classmates started filing into the room. Mr. Smith walked in and Kurt was certain the frown on his teacher's face was meant especially for him.
"Take out your books, class. We'll be discussing the Four Letters prelude to chapter one, which I've trusted you all read last night," he announced before scribbling themes to be discussed on the whiteboard.
'Crap,' Kurt had completely forgotten they were assigned homework.
He dug Frankenstein out of his satchel and discreetly cracked it open to the first page where he began skimming through the next twenty-five pages. At the same time he began jotting down quick notes in a hurried, very un-Kurt like manner. Thought he tried to remain inconspicuous, Mr. Smith singled him out immediately.
"Mr. Hummel?" Kurt raised his head at the mention of his name. "Care to explain one of the themes we're presented with along with an example?"
Unfortunately he only managed to make it through Letter 1 and had not picked up on much of anything at all during the speed-reading through those five pages. He looked to his notes, where he had really only copied down quotes he deemed interesting rather than actual insightful interpretations. The morning was definitely back to its initial awful start.
"U-uh," he stammered and looked between his copy of Frankenstein and his notes again. "Well," he had absolutely nothing to present.
"The parallels between man and the monster," came a sleepy drawl from the doorway and twenty-one pairs of eyes snapped their attention towards the source. "Suggesting that the two aren't as different as they seem," Blaine Anderson continued as he crossed the room to take the empty seat beside Kurt. "As for the example, Walton turns to dear old Dr. Frankenstein, or 'the stranger' as he's presented in the beginning, for companionship which mirrors the monster's desire for a friend and mate later on. Though, I suppose not everyone is up to speed with that part quiet yet, huh?"
Mr. Smith's jaw grew slack and not long after, his mouth was hanging open slightly in surprise. Kurt stared between the two of them and the entire class waited, rather impatiently, for their teacher's reaction to Blaine's brazen interruption. "Try to make it on time, Mr. Anderson?" Mr. Smith conceded before turning to the board to paraphrase what Blaine had said. The smirk that adorned Blaine's face as soon as Mr. Smith's back was turned came quickly and confidently. Kurt returned his attention to his book and continued skimming over the rest of the Letters, making sure to take notes a bit more carefully this time. He was so engrossed in his frantic writing that he barely noticed the slip of paper that Blaine had left on his desk until he shifted in his seat and their arms brushed together. He looked to Blaine curiously before turning his attention to the paper.
Theme: destructive knowledge
Ex: pg 22 Letter 4 "You seek for knowledge…"
Kurt set the slip of paper down and fanned through the pages until he found page twenty-two. He scanned the page until his eyes settled on the beginning of the statement Blaine had started: "You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you, as mine has been." He looked to Blaine again just in time for Mr. Smith to announce, "Mr. Hummel, you're not off of the hook. A theme and an example, please."
Kurt averted his attention to the front of the room, "Um the… theme of destructive knowledge?" Mr. Smith sported a second expression of surprise for the morning. "And we see this when the stranger explains to Walton about seeking knowledge and wisdom on page twenty-two. In the fourth Letter."
Kurt swore he saw Mr. Smith's mouth twitch as he forced a stiff "Yes, very good," and turned his attention back to the board to scribble down the theme and example for the rest of the class. Blaine yawned beside him and propped his head up on the desk; he wasn't trying very hard to stay awake as his eyes fluttered open every so often when the lids had just been too heavy for him. Kurt was back to watching the mysterious boy between Mr. Smith turning his back to the class to write. He took note of the dark circles under Blaine's eyes and couldn't help but wonder about them. It was at this point that Blaine decided to give up trying to stay awake and now resorted to resting his head on his folded arms. Kurt could hear the light snores to his left and he wondered if Blaine had stayed up late to do the required reading.
Mr. Smith paid no attention to Blaine though and the remainder of the class was a hazy blur of repeated themes and examples. Kurt found himself daydreaming instead and, once again, thinking back to his time spent at Blaine's. The bell signaling the end of class brought him back to his senses and by the time he realized his classmates were making their way for the door Blaine was already gone. He frowned, more than a little bothered over not having the chance to speak to him at all to find out if they at least had any other classes together. But there wasn't much he could do about it now so he checked his schedule and slumped off to his next class.
He didn't see Blaine again until halfway through the day when he realized they shared lunch together. Blaine was sitting at a table and peering around, as though he was scoping out somebody to prey and pounce on. Kurt approached him cheerily, probably too much so based on the unimpressed expression Blaine was now gracing him with, and sat beside him.
"Late night?" he asked as he set his bag on the table. Blaine grunted in response and started to lower his head, pulling Kurt's bag closer to use as a pillow. "Aren't you going to get lunch?" it suddenly dawned on Kurt that Blaine had absolutely nothing with him, not even a backpack. Blaine merely waved him off and shut his eyes, hugging Kurt's satchel close. Kurt watched him curiously for a few brief moments before walking over to the line of people waiting to buy lunch. He kept an eye on Blaine and had to be reminded, more than once, to move up once a gap had formed. These distractions just simply wouldn't do…
He piled some extra food onto his tray and navigated his way back over to their table. Blaine's face was still buried, but Kurt decided to prod his side lightly. To say Blaine's reaction was violent would have been a severe understatement. He sprang up, still in a daze, and raised his fists. His eyes were unfocused and Kurt sat, frozen, gazing up at him.
"Blaine, it's- it's just me," he managed to choke out.
A brief flash of panic washed over Blaine's face as he looked around before flatly saying, "I have to go."
"Blaine," he started, but Blaine was already walking away. Kurt snatched his bag and hurried after him, still calling his name.
"What, Kurt?" Blaine all but snarled and Kurt was taken aback by the very detectable anger in his voice.
"Just- I just wanted to see that you were okay. You're so tired today and…" he turned his attention to the floor momentarily before forcing himself to look up at Blaine again. "Are you alright? I mean you can talk to me. If you wanted to," he added, nervously.
"Yes, Kurt. I'm okay," Blaine responded, calmer this time, his back still to him. "It was a long night, that's all. Nothing to panic about."
"What other classes do you have? Maybe we share some," he asked with hope creeping into his words.
Blaine ran his hand through his thick curls and rattled off his last three classes of the day, "Gym next, Social Studies with whatshisface… uh, Mr. Taylor? And then Spanish with Mr.- "
"Schuester?" Kurt interjected.
"Yeah, you have him too?" Blaine yawned and turned to look at Kurt.
"No, I take French. But he's in charge of Glee club. We're in the next two classes together though!" Kurt could hardly contain his excitement and Blaine stared back at him with tired eyes.
"Awesome," was the only response he offered. "Might just skip again though. Who knows?"
Kurt gaped at him, but decided not to press him for a reason why. Instead he redirected the conversation, "So what kept you up last night?"
"Went out. We didn't get back until late," the forcefulness of Blaine's yawn this time caused him to sway and he decided to lean against the wall for support.
"We? Were you on like… a date… or something?" Kurt was no genius when it came to fishing for answers. He had absolutely no tact and often asked things more directly than he usually wanted to.
"If you would call my shoving his dick repeatedly up his ass a date, then sure. A date," Blaine waited for Kurt's reaction with something implacable flickering in his eyes; it was almost as though he was challenging Kurt.
"Oh, I see," Kurt responded, trying to sound apathetic and failing miserably. "Well," he considered coming up with something witty in response, but he felt inexplicably and immediately very tired. "Guess I'll see you next period if you decide to show up," he added formally before retreating to the choir room to spend the rest of his lunch period. His stomach growled as he walked, reminding him that he'd left his tray of food in the cafeteria when he left to chase after Blaine.
He didn't look back at Blaine over his shoulder. He was afraid he'd start crying if he did. What had happened at Blaine's the previous day was not beautiful or an act of trust, and now it made Kurt feel dirty and used. Unless, of course… Blaine was merely stating such things to fuck with his head. The uncertainty nipped at Kurt's subconscious and he spent the rest of the period plucking piano keys and singing along to work on his pitch.
Blaine, Blaine, Blaine. When will you learn?
