A quick note before I start. I don't know how many people who read this also read Dreams, but I announced that I recently found myself a beta, irishflute. Just want to say she is amazing and she's officially beta-ing all my stories from here on out. So all those annoying grammatical errors should be gone. Again, can't thank you enough for doing irishflute! (We like to joke that our author-beta relationship is like a marriage. Our registry can be found at stores near you—we're hoping to get both a moon bounce and a kangaroo, lol).
His recent visit to Figgins's office is difficult for Kurt to handle. Being in a situation in which his rights are questioned? Not really new for him, but usually it's in a more discrete way than outright telling him he can't bring someone to prom. Lucky for her, Emma stays clear out of his way every time he sees her in the hall. He knows she really had nothing to do with Figgins's decision. That being said, he's absolutely livid she tried to stop him. He even considers the positives and negatives of throwing up on her shoes again. The fear of ruining his new jacket wins out every time.
Sue is less discrete. She walks right up to him and starts giving him advice on how to keep Blaine satisfied. Kurt tries walking faster but Sue can't be shaken off. Kurt damns her for being so fit for her age. "Usually, you don't want your man going off and sleeping with other gals. The most appealing thing about matrimony is that it gives women or in your case, more feminine men, the ability to manipulate their husbands life with the anvil we like to call abstinence. In your case, I'd recommend letting him get a few floosies on the side—makes excellent blackmail material. Just make sure you check the merchandise before putting it in your store. Notorious whores tend to collect herpes like beanie babies."
Kurt heads for the nearest boys bathroom, but shouts over his shoulder. "How are you an educator?!" He slams the door shut, thanking Gaga that that the bathroom was empty. He understood the meaning of "be careful what you wish for" now. Kurt still couldn't wait to go to prom with Blaine. If anything, meeting Blaine had strengthened that desire. However, he is nowhere near prepared to handle the media calling his house asking for an interview or people showing him more respect than he had ever known in his entire life. No one on the football team even tries to lay a finger on him out of fear Blaine would do something. There're so many good parts and equally as many bad parts, and Kurt's not sure what to think of it all. How funny that was, when weeks ago, it was all he ever dreamed of. Although the biggest negative for him was the fact that this newfound fame was because he was supposedly dating Blaine and not the other way around. Blaine deserves his fame and Kurt knows probably more than anyone how hard he's had to work for it. That being said, Kurt doesn't want to ride on his coattails, he wants his own jacket, damn it!
Kurt jumps when his phone starts to vibrate. He's even more surprised when his dad shows up on the caller ID. He thought maybe it was one of the New Directions wondering when he was going to show up to Glee club (he is officially three minutes late, but his friends members were always more cautious about him due to the bullying). Kurt answers with an unsure voice. "Hey Dad."
"Kurt. You need to get home right now." Burt says immediately. It's the first time in days Burt has said anything to him without the lingering tone of disappointment. There's very little Kurt's done in his life to make his father upset so he supposed this whole punishment thing is new for both of them. Still, because he didn't make his father upset that often and vice versa, Kurt has a hard time accepting all the anger that's been geared towards him. While his father doesn't sound angry, he seems very worried, so, annoyingly; Kurt doesn't find comfort in his words.
"Glee practice just started."
"Miss it. Something happened and we need to talk about it. It can't wait." Kurt really has no choice but to agree considering all the trouble he's gotten himself into recently. He stops by Glee club to make sure Finn has a ride home. Sugar volunteers out of the blue and before Finn can insist on going with Kurt, Kurt agrees and leaves. Maybe he can empathize with how his dad felt—when someone did something really hurtful (or in Finn's case, stupid) to you, punishment was a nice way to get those feelings out.
Kurt walks out to his car and pulls out his keys. Usually, he has the right key between his fingers before he even realizes he's got it. Today, his fingers are fumbling. He can't stop thinking about what could be so important his Dad dragged him out of Glee club—the one activity his father hadn't banned in his grounding spree. Whatever it is, it doesn't sound good and his luck as of late tends to agree with that statement. Also, he feels like someone is watching him. He's been watched a lot lately, considering he's all anyone can talk about but this isn't the same. It feels heavy and uncomfortable. It makes his stomach twist until the acid is burning him. He swallows a gasp of air and looks up.
That explains it: Dave Karofsky, King Neanderthal, is staring at him from his own car. Ever since his suspension for threatening to kill Kurt last year, he's stayed mostly out of Kurt's way. Sometimes, he'll catch Karofsky looking from him from afar but the instances in which Kurt catches him are confusing to say the least. Most of the time, it's the same angry look of disgust he uses towards Kurt when they're in a crowd. However, the times when they're alone—kind of like this—he's staring a Kurt with this curiosity. This deep-seeded wonder that's both unexpected and creepy. The difference? It seems to be a mixture of the two this time. He's wearing this look of bitter consideration and it's so nerve-wracking that Kurt would almost prefer he toss him in the dumpster.
Kurt doesn't waste another moment staring back—he climbs into his car and races towards home. For once, much more willing to face whatever foul mood is dad might be in than Karofsky's weird stares.
()
Being Sebastian Smythe has its perks. For starters, whenever Sebastian walks into a room, everyone stops to look. For another, if someone wants him in their portfolio or in their magazine ad, they immediately accept that he doesn't come cheap or easy. Contrary to popular opinion, he has a similar policy with his men. He doesn't waste time on boys who have nothing to offer him; as a general rule, he stays away from normal people. When he was a teen and he still lived in a cow town where gay men were in short supply, he was a little more flexible with whom he took to bed. Now, he could have his pick of the litter, although one of his dogs had run away recently. Not just that: he apparently found someone else to throw him a bone. Or so he had heard in the paper. Blaine, while very naïve, was one of his favorite boyfriends. Yes, maybe he never intended to be in a monogamous relationship, but he never planned on getting caught either. Until that point, Sebastian believed Blaine was sleeping with his groupies on the road—it was just an unspoken rule of always being on the move. However, the hurt and betrayal in Blaine's eyes when he caught Sebastian in that very compromising position said it all; Blaine didn't even look at other guys. Sebastian also made the mistake of believing that just because Blaine hadn't taken it to the media, they would eventually get back together. It turns out, Blaine really didn't want vengeance for what happened—but he also didn't want Sebastian.
That isn't acceptable to Sebastian, especially when he read in the news that Blaine is seeing one of his fans—a teen at that. He might have disregarded it as gossip if he didn't recognize the look in Blaine's eyes in the newspaper photo. Blaine stares at the elfish-boy like he used to look at Sebastian. If not for the stage, that look might have the viewer asking who was the fan and who was the singer. It's disgusting. He should be the only person Blaine looks at like that; not some pale freak from Get-Me-The-Fuck-Out-Of-Ohio. Although he didn't quite phrase it like that on T.V. last night…
Sebastian's phone goes off. He grabs his coffee and glances down. A wide smiles spreads across his face. Well, speak of the devil. Sebastian hits the answer button and switches it to speakerphone. "Hey hot-stuff, what can I do you for?" Sebastian puts extra emphasis on the do. Blaine however, is not amused.
"You had no right to say that Sebastian!"
His smile doesn't fade. "Oh? All I was doing was stating my opinion."
"You called Kurt a gold digger on national television! Then you accuse me of being a pedophile? That's almost as disgusting as you are."
Sebastian rolls his eyes. You could never say Blaine had a quick tongue. "I didn't say you were a pedophile."
"You said that I've always been a cradle robber for god's sakes!"
"Well, I am two years younger than you, sweetie."
"Don't call me that! The thing I think is really ironic is that you say you're worried about me because Kurt's supposedly 'only after my money and fame', but in trying to hurt me, you've hurt that poor kid too. He didn't ask to be in the middle of this."
Sebastian can't help but laugh. "He asked for it the minute he sent you that video. I AM worried about you, you know. I'm afraid you've gone stupid over a groupie!"
"We're not dating!" Blaine growls and Sebastian starts to shiver. There it was; the reason Blaine was one of his favorites. He could go out and find a hundred sexy men but none of them could compare to the raw passion that lay somewhere beneath the good guy exterior. The very alluring man that came out with enough prodding—whether that be the good kind or the bad kind. "Even if we were, it has nothing to do with you! What I do with my life is my own business, not yours! Stay the fuck away from me and don't ever talk about Kurt again!"
Sebastian smiles. "It's just personal opinion Blaine. Like you said, it's my business and not yours."
He hangs up the phone without another comment. Sebastian knows this isn't exactly making Blaine rush back to him. He knows that, for the moment, Blaine hates him for what he's doing. However, soon enough he'd learn the very same lesson Sebastian had to learn in his younger, more naïve, days: that everyone, normal, superstar, or otherwise, has a price. This Kurt Hummel would make him pay—and Sebastian would gladly pick up the pieces.
()
Kurt doesn't know what to say when his dad shows him the printed article. He can hardly breathe; his head is dizzy from the emotions he can't even begin to process. Why would someone he didn't even know say such awful things about him?
Right, because he's Blaine's ex-boyfriend. He had heard rumors that Sebastian Smythe could be ruthless, but he thought that only applied to his modeling. Until now, Kurt never once suspected that beyond the media, the world of the rich and famous would give him any trouble. He was just a stupid kid, after all; no real competition. That's not how Sebastian saw it.
Q: What do you have to say about the rumors that your famous ex, Blaine Anderson, is dating Kurt Hummel, a high school student from Lima, OH?
A: Well, frankly, I'm concerned for Blaine. He's always had a soft spot for the young guys—a bit of a cradle robber if you ask me, so I think with the right age and the perfect amount of charm, it'd be easy for any gold-digger to sink their teeth into him.
Q: So you think this kid is out for his money and fame?
AN: Just saying it's a dangerous world. You've seen what fans are willing to do to get close to their idols. Just a year ago, Justin Bieber had a woman claim he was her baby's daddy. Blaine's a sweet guy—he'd do anything for a fan that's been through a lot. You've seen reports that this kid was bullied and had no one to take to prom. Sure, it sucks but who's to say he's not using it? I grew up in a town not so different from Lima and I didn't get that much flack for being gay. Maybe he's just preying on Blaine's soft spot.
"Blaine once said in an interview that Sebastian went to a private school with a no-tolerance policy against bullying. No one would have taken a chance at him!" Kurt screeches, clenching his fist to keep himself from ripping the paper to shreds. Burt doesn't say a word as Kurt continues his outburst. "His parents were super rich, too! He lived in a gated community with a dad who would have sued anyone who dared to look at his son funny. What the hell does he know about what I've been through?!"
"I know, kiddo, but it's not what he said that's the issue right now, believe or not. It's the response." Burt points over to the phone, blank where the number of messages or calls should have been. "Five people called my work today with some not so great words and god knows how many called here just in the time I was home. I had to unplug the phone! Thank god Carole didn't hear it because she'd have no idea how to handle this!"
Kurt took a deep, stuttering breath. He was so close to tears right now that the only stopping him from crying is his father. It was obvious that even though this whole thing freaked Kurt out, his father was even more flustered. "So it's my fault Blaine's crazy ex-boyfriend thought we were dating and decided to take it out on me?"
"No. Well…I don't know, Kurt. I didn't know you wanted to take this kid to Prom until one of my employees showed me it, today! A little warning would have been nice before some grandma called me to say my son was a gold-digging tramp!" Kurt blinks and takes another breath. Dear probably-non-existent-god, do not cry. His dad's seen him cry too many times over stuff like this. At least before, it was a sadistic bully who had nothing better to do with his time than make a homophobic call. This time, it was at a national level; by dinner time tonight, most of the country would be deeply discussing whether or not he was using Blaine for his money or not. The not-crying technique didn't seem to be working. A tear rolls down Kurt's face and then another. Before a third one comes, his father is by his side. Burt wraps a big protective arm around his son and sighs. "Kurt, come on, buddy. You know it's not true so don't get worked up about it."
"How can I not? Celebrities are calling me names, you're mad at me, people are calling your work and our home to get a shot at me, the school tried to stop me from taking Blaine to prom, and it seems like everyone who doesn't want us to go because I'm gay is against it because-"
"Whoa, whoa." Burt interrupts, pressing Kurt back enough to look him in the eyes. "The school tried to stop you from taking this Blaine kid to prom?" Kurt manages a nod. Burt's face goes red again. "Because you're gay?"
"Well, kind of but not really…"
"Which is it?" Burt gives Kurt that stern you-can't-lie-to-me-because-I-created-you look. Kurt's resolve breaks in an instant.
"It wasn't so much because we're gay as it was that we were bringing bad publicity to the school and their inability to protect me from homophobes. They decided the best way to stop it was to stop me from bringing Blaine to prom." Burt arms tense up. His father's jaw tenses and Kurt knows his dad is seriously considering giving that school a piece of his mind. "I told them they couldn't stop me. I-I may have told them that I'd sick you and Rachel's dad on them if they tried."
Burt's tension breaks. Actually, Kurt's almost certain his dad looks impressed. Burt pats his shoulder. "Good. Glad you stuck up for yourself kiddo…. although, I guess there's no way to talk you out of doing this now, is there?"
This time, Kurt freezes. "Do you want me to call it off?" If anyone can talk him out of going to prom with his idol, it's his father. He wants to beg Burt not to. What's happening now is terrible, but it won't go away just because Kurt changes his mind. If anything, it'll reaffirm that Kurt only wanted Blaine's attention for his prestige and not because he believed him to be the sweetest, kindest human being he's ever known. Leaving now would leave Blaine high and dry to deal with the consequences while Kurt retracts slowly back into the safety of normal life.
His dad's dealt with enough though. He's accepted Kurt without a second thought and has defended him when no one else would. It was one thing to lie so Mercedes could go the concert; it was another to subject Burt to more pain just because Kurt wants to prove a point. If Burt says the word, Kurt will text Blaine and call everything off.
Burt shakes his head. "I just don't want you to get hurt. I don't want one of these crazies to go after you because you're with Blaine and I don't want this rock-star-god or whatever to take advantage of you."
"Oh my god, we're not even dating!"
"It doesn't matter. I don't want you to be his next publicity stunt." Burt states. His voice is firm but his eyes are showing weakness.
"I'm not. He's doing this for me…he's really sweet Dad. The thing that irks me the most besides that people are bothering you are that people are bugging him too. Honestly, I wouldn't blame him for calling me right now and calling the whole thing off but I know he won't because…." How did exactly Kurt know? Blaine had never backed-out of an obligation before but he's also never gotten this much crap from one. Something just told Kurt he wouldn't—something he couldn't identify or begin to understand. "He just won't. If you want me to stop, though…I'll understand."
Burt scratches at his temple. Just like Kurt doesn't want him to say no, Burt really wants to take the out. In the end, he can't. "I want to know everything that goes on from this point on— I don't care what it is or how embarrassing it is, I need to know. Also, you need to be careful. I need to know where you are at all times. Really, I'd prefer it if you didn't go anywhere alone for awhile." Kurt bites his lip and nods. He wants to throw himself at his father and hug him. He'd thank him for once again supporting him except he's not sure if he could ever summarize his gratitude. Burt finally smiles and squeezes Kurt with another hug. "Oh and before you go to prom with this…uh…"
Kurt rolls his eyes. His dad's just as bad as Finn. "Blaine Anderson."
"Right, before you go to prom with him I want to meet him. Probably over dinner."
()
"You're kidding me, right? You've got to be FUCKING kidding me!" Trent cringes. He never hears Wes use that particular curse word, not even at his maddest. Then again, he was just as shocked when Blaine called them into his trailer to make this announcement.
Blaine swallows and nods. "I have to do it Wes. I can't leave him to deal with the media storm alone."
Wes throws his hands in the air. "Then hire him a PR agent! Send a couple bodyguards! Call Sebastian a fucking liar like we all know he is but don't cancel your last concert to run to Westerville! Are you stupid?!"
Trent can see Blaine grinding his teeth. Wes's response was predictable but Blaine's patience is frayed. Trent can't say he blames either of them for being so on edge. Cancelling the last concert would entail a full refund for each seat, plus the refund to the venue (and the additional cost for cancelling); just add all that to the mad storm of rumors it will cause once everyone realizes he's back in his home state where one Kurt Hummel also lives. "Sebastian screwed us, okay? I'm not denying that but all calling him out is going to do is have people dig into our relationship, and the last thing I want people to know is why I dumped his ass."
"And why the hell shouldn't they? It has to be a little better than having everyone think you have a thing for high schoolers or thinking Kurt is this shallow mess." Wes brings up. It's a valid point but Trent knows exactly why Blaine won't come forward about the end of his relationship with Sebastian. For one thing, Blaine just didn't like hurting people, no matter how much they had hurt him. For another, it was embarrassing for everyone. Blaine admitting that Sebastian cheated on him made him look pathetic; whether that was because his boyfriend was cheating on him or people would pity him because of it- that was the dealer's choice. If there was one thing Blaine hated more than feeling weak, it was feeling pitied. "Look, just think rationally for a minute. You go back to Westerville; it's a pretty safe bet you're going to check in on Kurt. Then the media turns it into this big huge saga and they'll storm Kurt's place like sharks to blood. This is a bad choice for both of you and you know it."
"So I just ignore him until prom comes around?" Blaine asks. Wes snorts.
"If I had it my way right now Blaine, you wouldn't be going AT ALL." Blaine shakes his head and looks deliberately away from Wes—a strategy Wes calls the little-kid maneuver. "I know how important this is to you, Blaine, and it's not like I hate Kurt. I absolutely hate that this happened to him, but there's nothing you can do about it. The best thing you can do for that kid is back off and hope this thing passes by."
"Then it looks like Kurt left him because of the bad publicity, and people think Sebastian was right," Trent finally chimes in. Blaine shoots him a grateful look. Wes groans out loud as he rubs a hand over his face. Trent usually doesn't get involved with these things but he knows Blaine. He knows this must mean a lot if Blaine's willing to cancel his concert to help out this kid. "And maybe it isn't such a bad idea."
Wes gives Trent the most unamused look. "All right. Tell me, Trent, how exactly do you think Blaine going back home is a good idea?"
Trent's quiet. His mind draws a blank. Blaine gladly takes over for him. "I'll be hiding in plain sight. Besides, for all anyone will know I could have cancelled the concert for family problems."
"And it's convenient that Kurt happens to live two hours away?" Wes asks only half-sarcastically. He hates to admit he can find some logic in what Blaine is thinking.
"Maybe. Maybe I need Kurt to help me get through this family crisis. If I can help it, no one will know I'm there."
Wes taps his foot impatiently. "And how exactly do you propose we keep an entire state from recognizing the darling of Ohio and his supposed boyfriend?"
Blaine shrugs. "Be really ninja-like?"
Wes is seconds away from another freak out when Trent clears his throat. Both sets of eyes turn to him once more. "Um, I have an idea." Trent looks at Blaine. The rock-star's hair is messy with dark thick curls. He's wearing the pink-flannel shirt Wes threatens to destroy on a weekly basis with jeans torn at the knees. It's a style Blaine adopted at the request of the Warblers. Jeff, the self-designated fashion stylist, said that Blaine's old choice of clothing and style wouldn't fit in well with the Alternative music genre. Blaine didn't debate it because all that mattered was his music. Looking at Blaine now, Trent fully realized just how much of a transformation Blaine had gone through in years—and how that transformation might help them now.
()
For the first time in years, Blaine drives past the Welcome to Westerville sign. It's also the first time he's without his bus (which has essentially been his home for the past two years). He looks around and thankfully realizes that no one recognizes him yet. If they did, maybe they wouldn't think he was Blaine Anderson, famous singer. After all, he looks exactly as he did when he left this town so many years ago.
Blaine's stomach is twisting. Wes had lent Blaine his beloved car with the hope he'll at least make it to his parents house without being recognized but it's not that fear that makes him so nervous. It's the fact he hasn't told his parents he's coming yet.
They would welcome him into their house, but they must have seen the news. His dad would give him shit for 'Getting himself into these situations.'; and his mother would certainly give her own opinion on the situation. He briefly wonders how long it'll be before Cooper gets curious and comes back to see what's up. He hopes maybe it'll be after he's gone to record the new Warblers album.
A few minutes later, he pulls into the gated community in which he grew up in. Outside, the same old neighbors that hated him are still reviving their gardens from winter. The houses have barely changed and still inspire the same feelings of isolation. The weird thing was Blaine had always tried to fit here. His current appearance was proof of that. Like in his teenage years, his hair was gelled so not even one curl was free. His shirt was a black polo with a red bowtie (god, he forgot how much he loved bow-ties until he put one on again). His look was completed with red pants and a pair of loafers. He has to admit, Trent was onto something. It's not like he looks like a completely different person, but no one will know who he is from just one glance. It gives new meaning to "hiding in plain sight".
His childhood house is at the very beginning of the cul-de-sac. He's not surprised to see his mother out in the garden just along the edge of the stone path. She's busy planting some kind of yellow flower. She doesn't even look up until Blaine turns off the engine.
"Blaine?" Her voice is breathless. Blaine opens the door and leans on it with a smile. He takes off his yellow-frame sunglasses. She's a barely smaller than him. Generally, her features are mostly smaller than the normal person's—small hands, small face, small lips; the only exception was her large eyes that mirrored Blaine's. Her black, curly hair is about as wide as her shoulders and falls until about mid-back. By her ears, she has two long locks of grey hair but otherwise; she looks younger than she actually is. The excitement on her face is hard to miss. Blaine winces in guilt because he knows it's been at least a year since he last visited. The biggest grievance he caused her was missing Christmas because of work. Blaine feels as though only a spoiled brat would come back now, but in his defense, it's not her that drives him away—it's the two other Anderson males.
His mother threads her arm through his. "Well, come on sugar, let me make you some tea. Have you been eating on the road? You look really thin."
Blaine chuckles as he allows his mom lead him towards the house. "I'm fine, Mom."
Her smile fades ever so slightly. "That's not what I've heard lately," she says in a slightly judgmental tone. Blaine frowns; okay, so maybe his mom did drive him away just a little bit. "Come now, I'll make you a sandwich. We have a lot to talk about."
There's chapter 7! Naturally, Sebastian couldn't just leave Klaine alone. Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter regardless of the appearance of Sebastian. Only a few more weeks until Glee starts back up! I'm excited/nervous about what might happen. Hopefully, it'll inspire some great writing though :)
Terrible sorry to so this but I'm changing my review answering policy again but only for this story. I'm sorry! I've been so wishy-washy about this. The thing is this story gets so many reviews per chapter (not that I'm complaining, I absolutely love it! I can't thank you guys enough for all taking the time to review) that if I were to do them all on here, the word count would actually be greatly changed. I almost think answering the reviews would be as long as the story itself. I swear, this will be my last time changing this policy but this is the only story I'll be doing it this way for. So, most of you (besides the anonymous reviewers or reviewers I can't answer via PM) should expect a PM from me shortly. Once again, thank you all so much for following and putting this secret in your favorites, and for your many, many wonderful reviews! You guys are seriously awesome!
Alkee07x- Yeah, lol, sorry it took so long to update. It's been crazy with getting ready for school and working. Thanks for the review!
luckystarx- I can empathize :) Appreciate that you took the time to review anyone. Aw, thank you so much! I hope you like the update. Thank you for the review!
Tansie- Aw, shucks! Lol, thank you very much for saying that! I think characterization is one of the most important parts of writing fanfiction so I appreciate you saying that. Also, I'm now getting the grammatical help I drastically need thanks once again to my wonderful beta! Thank you for reviewing!
Kat- Thank you! Love your name by the way (I go by Kate, but I've also been called Kat, lol). Thank you for reviewing!
gOthliZard78- Thank you very much! I've allowed myself to have a bit of fun with them both in this! Thank you for reviewing and I hope you like the update!
Everyone else should be getting a thank you PM! Again, sorry I've changed my mind on this so much. Just didn't have any idea until last time how many more words answering all your wonderful reviews would add! You guys are awesome btw :)