I know I've been in a pseudo-hibernation recently, but I'm going through a bit of a real life rough time, and it's been hard to write. I won't bore you all with the details, but I just wanted to let you know because I think those of you who follow my writing deserve it.
So, if this is a little off it might be because I'm a little off, but I'm trying to get back to a place where writing is a successful escape.
Blaine had always prided himself on his ability to keep his Dalton life separate from his home life. In fact, he didn't run into a situation of direct interaction between the two until a few months into his relationship with Kurt.
The trappings of his parent's life may not have been Blaine's 'thing' per say, but there was still something to be said for a weekend home, and he did find a certain comfort in Anderson Valley's dress code (or lack thereof). Blaine always thought of it this way; you can eat vegetables without being a vegetarian. You can enjoy being naked without being a nudist.
Not to mention, being home meant that he could take advantage of the full kitchen that he always missed living in the dorms—with an apron for safety of course. Blaine was just tying his mother's 'never cook bacon naked' apron around his waist when he heard his phone ringing on the counter. The ringtone told him that it was his boyfriend.
"Hello," Blaine answered immediately, obviously without thinking as this was the first time he ever talked to Kurt naked—even if it was over the phone.
"Hey there," Kurt said cheerily from the other end, "how's it going at chateau Anderson? Are you having a nice time with your family?" Kurt asked.
Blaine tucked the phone between his ear and his shoulder so he could continue the process of cooking breakfast, busying himself to avoid thinking of the sheer nakedness of it all, "um...it's been good. I'm just making breakfast right now," Blaine said, cracking an egg and gently pouring it into the hot pan.
"What are you making this time? I still dream of those orange cranberry muffins you brought back after Thanksgiving break," Kurt said, Blaine could here him flipping through a magazine in the background. He loved that they had such an easy friendship and relationship. Chatting with Kurt was so natural, it was easy to forget that he was keeping a huge secret from him—too easy.
"Just some eggs and bacon," Blaine replied, opening the package and separating the strips to go in the pan next to the eggs. "It's my dad's favor—holy crap, OW!" Blaine shouted right into the phone, quickly dropping it on the counter along with the rest of the bacon and running to the sink to splash water on his shoulder. "Sorry, sorry, bacon grease splatter," Blaine said into the phone while still attempting to sooth his shoulder where he remained un-protected from bacon grease.
"Oh my god, you can't just do that to a person," Kurt scolded into the phone. "I thought something really terrible had happened. And anyway, what are you even doing making bacon shirtless? No wonder you got burned."
Blaine nearly choked on air at that questions. In retrospect, Blaine would see this as the perfect opportunity to come clean. And to be frank, how many times in your life does your boyfriend give you the perfect segue-way to explain that you aren't just shirtless, you're naked, and that's how you spent your entire young life, "I don't know. I just woke up," is what actually ended up coming out of his mouth.
"Well, put on a shirt next time. You know I'll love you no matter what, but I like your skin the way it is," Kurt teased. "Anyway, there is a reason I called, besides the charming conversation. You left your wallet in my car from our date the other night. I'm assuming you don't want to go the whole weekend without it?"
"Oh thanksyou! I hadn't even realized it was missing," Blaine said, placing the rest of the food in the pan (gently this time). "Do you want to meet at the Lima Bean in a few hours? Or, I can just come pick it up if you—."
"I was...I was actually sort of hoping I could come bring it to you. It's just I've never seen where you grew up or met your parents or anything, and I..." Kurt tapered off for a minute, unsure how to continue, "You're really special to me Blaine, and I'd love to finally meet them."
Blaine was quiet for a moment, totally unsure what to say, "I...Kurt I..."
"Unless you're not ready!" Kurt said quickly, obviously noticing Blaine's discomfort. "I just thought—."
"No, no you're right. You should meet them," Blaine replied. "I want you to meet them. It's just...They're sort of...they're not what you would expect, I think."
"What do you think I'm expecting?" Kurt asked with an easy laugh. "Muffy and Blaine Sr., regulars at the country club and Lily Pulitzer and Brooks Brother's biggest customers respectively?" Kurt asked, affecting a, uppity, posh accent. "I know you're a prep school boy, but it doesn't mean I think your parents are uptight. Don't forget, I'm a prep school boy and my Dad's a mechanic."
"I'm...really not worried you'll think their uptight..."
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"Oh my goodness, Blaine honey, why didn't you tell us you bagged such a cutie!" Mrs. Anderson said, swooping in, and giving Kurt a bone crushing hug and a wet kiss on the cheek. Blaine had convinced Kurt not to come to Anderson Valley that day, deciding to meet at the Lime Been instead. But, it was only under the condition that the four of them would go to dinner at Breadstix the next week.
"Nice one son," Blaine's Dad stage whispered, nudging his son with a wink. "Nice to meet you, kiddo," Mr, Anderson said, turning his attention to Kurt and giving him a slightly less forceful hug.
"It's um...it's nice to meet you too," Kurt said, looking slightly alarmed, but smiling none the less. Blaine had convinced his mother that they shouldn't host the dinner at the resort, forcing everyone to be fully clothed, but his dad was wearing one of his strange billowy dress shirts that he had purchased on a trip to Argentina, and his mother looked like she was ready to head to a folk music festival.
Blaine adjusted his bow tie and prayed to whoever might be listening that his parents would keep their promise to let Blaine be the one to tell Kurt about the retreat when he was ready, "shall we?" he said with a sigh, anxious to be sitting down where the menus would present a welcome distraction.
Kurt, for his part, still looked like he was in a state of shock, but was making a valiant effort not to show it, "that sounds good. Let's grab that corner booth."
"So, Blaine tells us you're a singer as well," Mr. Anderson said, once they were all settled in and the drinks had been ordered.
"Oh, um...yeah. We're in the Warblers together," Kurt said, taking a sip of his coke. "He and I had a duet during regionals. We didn't win, but..."
"We were robbed," Blaine said nudging Kurt with his shoulder and giving him a smile.
"Well aren't you two sweet," Mrs. Anderson said, smiling into her iced tea. Blaine and Kurt immediately looked down and blushed, "no need to be embarrassed kids, young love is a beautiful thing—as long as you play safe," she said with a wink, taking another sip of tea. She could admit that she enjoyed embarrassing her son a little bit...or a lot a bit.
Blaine had never seen a spit take in real life before, but he guessed there was a first time for everything as coke sprayed out of Kurt's mouth, "mom!" Blaine exclaimed.
"Now, now, hon don't embarrass the poor kids," Blaine's Dad admonished half heartedly, an amused smirk on his face.
"Mrs. Anderson, I we're not...I...Blaine and I aren't..." Kurt sputtered.
"No need to be embarrassed sweetheart. I'm just saying that at your age it's perfectly natural to be curious," she said with a shrug.
"Uh...Mom, not everyone is as uh...open as you and Dad are," Blaine said through gritted teeth, wondering where the hell the waiter was.
Blaine felt a hand on his knee, "it's alright," he reassured Blaine. Kurt wasn't any more ready for sex than he was before, but since having 'the talk' with his own father, he had a new appreciation for parents who were open and understanding enough to broach those topics with their gay son. "I'm...um, I'm glad you guys are so..."
"Accepting?" Mr. Anderson offered.
"Yeah," Kurt agreed. "I must confess, it took Blaine so long to introduce us, I was a little worried that...well, that he didn't want his parents to know he had a boyfriend."
"As opposed to a girlfriend?" Mr. Anderson guessed. Kurt nodded, a bit embarrassed at his confession, "our children are free to be whomever they want, as long as they aren't hurting anyone or themselves. We have no problem with um...alternative lifestyles," he said, side eyeing his wife who was holding in a laugh, "but I don't see being gay as one. Trying to find a partner who you love and want to spend your life with seems pretty standard to us," he said squeezing his wife's hand on the table.
Blaine's gave his dad a soft smile as the waiter came over to take their order.
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After dinner, Blaine's parents went home, and Kurt drove he and Blaine to the local park for an evening walk, "so that was interesting," Kurt said, looping his arm through Blaine's and giving him a wry smile. Blaine was about to respond, and probably apologize for not giving Kurt more warning about his parents, but Kurt didn't let him, "and wonderful. Your parents are great," he reassured.
Blaine smiled and squeezed Kurt's arm, "they thought you were pretty great, too," he said, leading them to a nearby bench to sit down, "Kurt, I...I just wanted to tell you that...I love you," Blaine said softly.
"I love you, too," Kurt replied, soaking in the first time they exchanged those word.
Blaine took Kurt's hand, "I'm so happy to hear that, and that's why I want to tell you something I've barely told anyone else before," Blaine said taking a deep calming breath.
"Is everything okay?" Kurt asked, panic seeping into his voice.
"Yeah, everything's great, I just...there's no easy way to say this," Blaine said, reaching for a pamphlet from his bag that he had taken earlier, on the off chance that he would work up the courage for this tonight. "There's a...reason—that I've never taken you to my parents house before."
Kurt cocked his head in confusion, "Blaine you know you can tell me anything. I'm not going to—,"
"Just, take a look at this," Blaine said, cutting him off so he wouldn't lose his nerve, and handing him a brochure that his parents used for marketing purposes.
"Anderson Valley Nudist Retreat?" Kurt said, confusion in his voice. "What is this?
"That's my parents resort. They've been running it fro close to thirty years," Blaine said, as calmly as he could, "and...it's where I grew up."
Kurt looked down at the pamphlet and then back up at Blaine several times, "I..." he said trailing off, not really sure what to say next.
"I know I should have told you sooner. I just didn't know how, and I'm really sorry for springing it on you right after such a big night, but I thought I should just do it you know? Pull the bandaid off, and...please say something?" Blaine said, realizing he was rambling.
"I...," Kurt started again. He had an odd expression on his face, but Blaine was happy to see that it wasn't one of anger. "I just have so many questions."