Kurt lifted his head from his hands, his eyes strained from staring at the chucky silver band in front of him, a single simple white diamond shone brilliantly from the centre of the ring, reflecting the light shining above his head. Anyone who knew Kurt would assume he would be less than impressed with such a 'modest' ring, but the truth was – it was utterly perfect. Kurt was known for his outside-the-box choices in apparel and accessories, but in Kurt's eyes, this ring symbolized everything that was their relationship – subtle, sophisticated and most of all – precious. He had fought a little with himself on deciding whether or not to open the box in the first place but curiosity had gotten the better of him. He wouldn't dare to take it from its box though; all he allowed himself to do was to stare at it. He really wanted to, but a voice inside of his head kept telling him no, and he went with his gut instinct.
Another thing that had made Kurt's heart swell about the ring was how it had Blaine written all over it. It was humble yet beautiful with little or no effort at all.
Kurt was so entranced by the shining piece of jewellery that he failed to hear his father come up the stairs and enter his bedroom, where he sat at his vanity table.
"Hey kiddo" his father chirped, removing his worn faded baseball cap. Kurt, slightly startled, turned sharply on his chair, pushing the little black case behind some bottles of hair products. "Hey dad" he smiled, swallowing harshly to quench his quickened heartbeat. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, Carole just wants to know if you'd like to go shopping with her for a little bit. She needs to pick out a dress for that shin-dig she's going to on Saturday and she says she needs your expert judgement." Kurt pursed his lips, holding back a quiet laugh in expense of his father's age old vocabulary.
"Dad, I love 'the-days-of-old' as much as the next guy, but shindig is a little too outdated, don't you think? Never-the-less, there are two elements of that sentence that can claim to be my kryptonite – a shopping trip with a purpose and my step-mother. Tell her I'll be down in five minutes."
Burt smiled warmly. Kurt and Carole had a wonderful relationship, even before she and Burt were married. And what pleased Burt the most was the fact that Kurt didn't like Carole because he 'had' too, but because he wanted too and there was really nothing more he could have asked for. Before he turned to leave, Burt's expression turned serious once more.
"Kurt?"
Kurt turned back toward his father, a bottle of hairspray tightly in his grasp.
"Yeah dad?"
"Is everything okay? I mean, with the Blaine stuff. How are you feeling?"
Kurt, placing the bottle back down on to his dresser, heaved a sigh.
"I've stopped crying, if that means anything." Burt nodded knowingly. He knew more than anyone how Kurt felt about Blaine. Hell, even Burt himself loved Blaine like a son. He was a great kid, unfortunately though, emphasis had to be placed on the word 'was'. Burt couldn't comprehend it when Finn had told him what had happened. Blaine was such a perfect gentleman – and it definitely wasn't an act. It was just how he was. Burt almost always got a kick out of watching Blaine and Finn interact. Blaine always spoke in such a polite and charming manner, a manner that confused the hell out of Finn. And while Kurt would sit shamelessly gaping at Blaine, Finn would just sit there and stare at him like he was from another planet.
"Well, you know if you want to talk, I'm right here. I know I'm not exactly educated in the whole gay love.. um, department, but I understand what loss feels like. And I'm here."
Kurt wanted to point out that his father's choice of words had a slight undertone of morbidity to them, but he decided against it; instead he settled for, "Thanks dad."
"You're welcome. Just remember, worst comes to worst, I have a shotgun."
"Dad! You're not going to shoot Blaine."
"I'm just reminding you! Besides, I wouldn't shoot the kid. I'd scare him… Graze him at the worst."
"Dad" Kurt pointed towards the door, a small smile playing on his face.
"Fine, just remember - I love you." Kurt smiled up at his father warmly. "Love you too dad."
With that, Burt headed out the door, pacing down the stairs and into the kitchen where Carole was putting the finishing touches on Burt's lunch. Stepping toward her, he placed a kiss on her cheek taking the plate from and sitting down at the table, which had been set for one.
"Give him five minutes to do whatever the hell he does to that hair of his, and he'll be down." Carole playfully smacked Burt's shoulder, her gentle touch barely noticeable.
"I asked him about Blaine." Carole turned on her heel, causing Burt to snort a laugh. Although she refused to admit it, Carole adored the relationship between the two boys. Her heart was almost as broken as Kurt's when Burt had told her of Blaine's wrong-doing.
"And…" she quirked, motioning for her husband to elaborate.
"He wouldn't give anything away. He just said he's stopped crying, if that means anything?"
Carole smiled sadly, placing her hands on Burt's shoulders. "They're going to be just fine."
Burt leaned his head back to stare up at his wife, placing a hand on hers. "What about that thing they say about your first love? You know, how it doesn't last?"
"They also say your first love is the one you never forget."
Just as Burt was about to answer, Kurt trod down the stairs, adorning a completely different outfit, fixing a few stray strands of hair into place.
"I'm ready when you are." Carole smiled warmly at him.
"Just let me grab my purse."
Kurt nodded quickly, heading for the front door, "I'll be waiting in the car."
Blaine hated shopping.
Okay, so that wasn't exactly true. He loved to shop, but now stepping into a department store was like stepping into a house of horrors. Everything reminded him of Kurt. Every item of clothing he saw was greeted by a voice in his head saying, "How great would Kurt look in those jeans?" "Wouldn't that shirt go great with that baby pink knit cape Kurt brought a couple of months ago?"
He was driving himself insane.
Artie, however, was completely unaware of Blaine's inner conflict and was more than a little annoyed with Blaine's lack of enthusiasm towards helping him find the perfect gift for Brittany's upcoming birthday.
"Dude… Blaine? Blaine!"
Blaine was too busy staring at the floral print scarf hanging on one of the display mannequins. It was the same one he had brought for Kurt a week before he left for New York. He wore it to the airport the day he flew out and it looked so good on him, the natural colours of the scarf standing out so well against his snow white skin. He was dragged out of his daydream by Artie poking him in the stomach with a clothes hanger.
"Hey!"
Blaine squint his eyes, casting them downwards to meet Artie's less than impressed glare through his thick framed glasses.
"Sorry, did you say something?"
Artie rolled his eyes, placing the hanger back on its railing, wheeling himself around to examine another stand.
"Not that I really want to know what you're day dreaming about, but could you please focus for, like, two seconds? With Kurt in New York, you're all I've got."
"You know, not all gay guys are into shopping? In fact, that's actually quite stereotypical."
"…Says the gay man infamous for his extra tight brightly coloured corduroys, bowties and crocs with no socks."
Blaine took a second to look over his ensemble, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Way to break the stereotype."
Blaine narrowed his eyes at the smug look on Artie's face.
"Gee, thanks friend" Blaine mocked, sulking past Artie toward the ladies section.
Parking the car in the second level of the multi-storey car park, Carole turned in her seat to face Kurt.
"Kurt, I have a confession to make."
Kurt stopped fiddling with the seatbelt and looked up at his step-mother, a curious expression on his face.
Taking his silence as a motion to continue she explained, "I brought you here because I wanted to get you out of the house. You haven't been out of your room in days and we were starting to worry. We wanted to talk to you about it, but we felt it wasn't really our place to stick our noses in your love life, so we thought getting you out in the fresh air was the best idea. I hope you're not mad, sweetie?"
Kurt just smiled simply, a twinkle of affection in his eyes.
"I don't mind at all. And, you're right. I need to get out for a while. Thanks Carole."
Reaching across to pull his step-mother into his embrace, he rested his chin on her shoulder lightly. Pulling away, Carole presented him with her credit card.
"Now, you go and buy yourself a few nice things."
Kurt looked down at the rectangle of plastic, hesitant to take it from his step-mother's hand.
"Go on, enjoy yourself."
Finally after a little deliberation, Kurt complied, smiling freely for what felt like the first time in months.
"Thank you… Mom."
Carole pursed her lips tightly, a flicker of elation in her eyes.
"You're very welcome. Now get out before I change my mind."
Kurt shook his head playfully.
"You murdered out moment."
Hopping out the car with a slight spring in his step, Carole felt a small hint of self-pride wash through her. She mightn't be Kurt's mother by nature, but it felt like Kurt was her son, and she wouldn't even dare to deny the happiness that feeling brought her.
Drumming her fingers along the steering wheel to the tune she hummed quietly to herself, her eyes darted toward her watch. Kurt had been in the store for a good fifteen minutes and she had already gotten several picture messages from the boy of various items of clothing and pictures of Kurt's one true love – scarfs. She was delighted to see Kurt finally smiling some sort of genuine smile again.
Hearing her phone beep again, she reached over to release it from her handbag, her gaze falling on the automatic entrance and exit doors of the department store, eyeing the various shoppers coming and going with their various sized bags and shopping cart loads of groceries. Noticing a very familiar figure slowly walking out of the exit doors, his shoulders slumped, head bowed, she couldn't help herself but to coo forlornly.
Carole knew how it felt to be cheated on. Before she had met Finn's father, she was involved in a two year relationship with a guy she had met in college. She was absolutely head over heels about him, thinking that he was 'the one', and it was that infatuation that blinded her from seeing the truth. He was a complete tool. He was having so many affairs on the side; she couldn't count them on both hands. He didn't care about her, and he certainly didn't lose any sleep when she ultimately left him. She had to learn heart break the hard way, and it was through that, that she knew what Kurt and Blaine were going through was a cause of heartbreak that wasn't developed through spite; it developed more through a misunderstanding of how difficult long distance relationships could be. Blaine was lonely and felt isolated, Kurt was busy and engulfed by his new life in New York City.
It was plain to see that both of them were as miserable as could be without the other. For teenagers, they had a beautiful relationship which, to Carole and Burt's surprise, was built on a very traditional and almost 'old married couple' territory. It was adorable to see a young relationship so healthy and not built upon just the physical side of romance. They're relationship had a heart and soul to it.
Carole made up her mind, and without a second thought rolled her window down.
"Blaine, sweetheart, over here."
Blaine caught sight of the silver SUV, Carole's smiling face peering through the open driver's window. Straightening his posture as only he knew how, he sauntered across the walk way to back row of cars where the SUV was stationed, clutching the strap of his brown leather satchel for dear life. Mentally, he was preparing himself for the worst; a tongue-lashing at the minimum. As difficult as it would be hearing Carole tell him off, he hoped and prayed that Burt was nowhere near, he really couldn't handle that right now.
Upon reaching the car, forcing a small smile, he stood facing Carole's casually sat appearance and bowed his head.
"Yes ma'am?"
From the back seat, Kurt scoffed quietly; typical Blaine, always so courteous.
"Blaine, since when exactly did you start calling me 'ma'am'?"
Blaine took his chance to look up and caught Carole's amused expression.
"I'm sorry, please, just say what you have to say and be done with it. I can handle it."
Kurt felt the need to punch the seat in front of him. Even when Blaine wasn't trying, he could still make him feel so guilty. Carole, on the other hand, looked almost upset at Blaine's dejected manner.
"Blaine, did you think I was going to tell you off?"
Blaine meekly nodded in response, his eyes softening to their usual puppy dog form.
"On the contrary, I wanted to know how you were. Burt and I haven't heard anything from you since your trip to New York."
Blaine was silently thanking his heaves she didn't stay 'since you're break up with Kurt'.
"I didn't think you'd want to hear from me. In fact, the last thing I thought you want is me hanging around."
It couldn't be humanly possible to hate and love a person all at the same time, could it? Because that was the only way Kurt could begin to describe what he was feeling at that very moment. On the one hand, he wanted to jump out of the car and punch Blaine square in the face, while on the other hand, he just wanted Blaine to stop sounding so utterly repulsed of him.
"Blaine! You can't think we'd just neglect you like that! I thought you knew us better than that."
"It's not that, it's just, after – after what I did, I thought – I was sure you'd both be glad to see the back of me. I did such a horrible thing and I – I hurt Kurt so bad.."
Blaine tried in vain to abruptly blink away the tears that were threatening to fall but choked a sob in defeat as they spilled down his face.
"I'm sorry" he apologised, furiously rubbing his face with the sleeve of his cardigan. "I've developed a habit of making a scene lately."
Carole cast her eyes downward, where her fingers where mindlessly fidgeting with the material of her blouse, giving Blaine a few moments to gather himself again.
Clearing his throat, Blaine sniffled harshly, running a hand over his gelled hair.
After a few moments Carole heard Blaine whisper.
"Carole? How is Kurt?"
Carole sealed her eyes shut. This was the question she was hoping Blaine wouldn't ask, though she should have known it would come up eventually.
She hated lying to him, but she knew she had too. When Kurt was ready to talk to Blaine, he would do it on his own terms and not hers.
"He's… he's doing as well as can be expected. He calls us most days."
"…Is he coming home for Thanksgiving? No, that's none of my business, I'm sorry for being so nosey."
"Stop apologising for everything, Blaine, it's okay. We're not sure yet, he still hasn't decided."
Carole tried telling her guilty conscious that she wasn't lying, exactly; Kurt still hadn't decided if he was going to stay for Thanksgiving or not.
"Oh, right."
Silence fell upon them once again, until, like before, Blaine broke the silence. If Carole thought she felt bad already, that was just the tip of the iceberg.
"..Um, does – does Kurt ever talk about me?"
Carole cast her eyes upward, internally cursing. Turning to Blaine with her most sincere face possible, she motioned for him to give her his hand. Taking a hold of it, she replied.
"Blaine, do you really want me to tell you what he says?"
Blaine already knew what to expect with that question, but it still felt like a punch to the stomach.
"No. Not really."
Hoping to change the subject, Carole, still holding Blaine's limp hand in hers asked, "How are you Blaine? Anything new going on with you?"
Thinking for a moment, Blaine shook his head gently. "Nothing that's worth talking about."
"Okay… What are doing for Thanksgiving? Spending it with your family I suppose..?"
Again, Blaine shook his head.
"No, my parents are out of town."
This caught Carole's attention like nothing else, especially as her motherly-intuition started acting up.
"Blaine, where are you parents?"
It was as if Blaine had suddenly been possessed by a completely different person. Pulling his hand back from Carole's immediately, he said, "I've gotta go. I'm sorry. Um, homework and all. Thanks for talking to me Carole. Happy early Thanksgiving."
Carole's stomach twisted nervously. She had for some time suspected there were things about Blaine's family life that he was less than inclined to share, and with Blaine's reaction to that one simple question left no doubt in her mind that that was the case.
"Happy Thanksgiving, Blaine."
Watching Blaine step away from the car and back onto the car park walkway, her anxiety subsided as she watched Blaine turn around to face her again.
"Carole?"
"Yes?"
"Um, he probably won't even care, but, next time you're talking to Kurt, could you tell him I said hi? And that I miss him terribly."
Carole chewed her bottom lip trying to hold back the tear-jerking feeling bubbling up inside of her.
"…Sure."
"Thanks."
After almost two hours of browsing the various stores, Kurt ventured out of the mall with a few bags in either hand. A satisfied smile adorned on his face. Placing the bags of different sizes and colours into the trunk of the car, Kurt slid back into the front seat of the car, handing Carole back her credit card.
"Have fun?" Carole smiled playfully at him.
Nodding swiftly, he handed Carole a small bag.
"A thank you."
"Kurt!"
"Don't open it until we get home, I got Dad something too."
Placing a soft peck on his pale forehead, Carole sat the bag in the glove compartment, sliding the key into the ignition.
"Thank you honey."
"Think nothing of it, you deserve it. Wow, I was two hours?"
"Yes. But you're father's working at the shop today so; it'll be our little secret."
"Thanks" he replied with a chuckle. "So, do anything fun while I was gone?"
Carole gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, her smile slowly fading.
"No, just… reminiscing."
Glancing up from his phone, Kurt smiled genuinely. "Cool."
