First of all, I would like to say: GLEE CONCERT WAS AWESOME! If you'd like a more in detail description of how awesome it was, if you go to my profile and then click on the link to my homepage, the essay is there :D
Secondly, I would like to apologise about the little chapter. This one just didn't lend to something like 6000 words like the last two, but it is still a respectable size. I really hope you like this one, and to the person who said they were fond of Perry, you will see a little more of him this chapter. In other news, this story is finished, which means there should be (fingers crossed) no more delays in posting. There are three chapters and a epilogue after this, so by late July, it will be over!
I don't own Glee
9.
By the beginning of July, Kurt had happily settled into a routine, and he had almost repressed the horrible experience that had forced him into Dalton in the first place. Every morning, Kurt woke up in wrapped in Blaine's arms, and had to carefully extract himself in order to not disturb him. By the time Kurt had washed and dressed, Blaine would be awake and they would spend a few minutes exchanging tender kisses. Blaine would quickly get dressed and the two of them would go down to breakfast together.
Afterwards, Kurt would go to the archery fields and take his class. Lionel and Llewellyn, not deterred by the failure of their initial trick, continued in their mischief making, but they also worked hard so Kurt couldn't be too angry. Indigo remained quiet and focussed, and Kurt had seen him practicing at all hours. Zachary and Ellis had struck up quite a friendship, and the rivalry that accompanied it ensured that they made quick progress as well. Kurt could see why Dalton boys were so highly thought of. Even at fourteen, Kurt could see that his five boys were going to be great knights.
Kurt and Blaine would meet again for the midday meal, and the afternoons were nearly always spent together, if Blaine had no council duties. Kurt would watch Blaine help out with Christopher's class, and he would get to see Blaine's skill with a sword again, which was still superior to anything Kurt had ever seen, bar Christopher's skill. Blaine would watch Kurt help Oliver with his older students, and marvel at how well Kurt held his own.
If they had no classes, they would take long walks around the grounds, always touching in some way, and they would talk about everything and anything, going from serious to flippant in the blink of an eye.
But the nights… Oh, for Kurt, the nights were best. Most of the others would stay up past dinner, but Blaine and Kurt would head for their room, to relearn each other's touch and taste and smell. They hadn't gone all the way yet, both of them were nervous, but still the intimacy between them grew each night they spent kissing and touching, learning every inch of each other's bodies. It was times like these, when Blaine was naked beneath him, panting out Kurt's name in broken gasps as Kurt brought him to completion with his hands and mouth, that Kurt felt as if he could not love Blaine anymore than he already did.
Even the memories made Kurt shudder with desire. Yes, the nights were the best, but it was the overall experience of just being with Blaine that made him pray, as he had never done before, that they would never be parted.
It was one afternoon in mid-July that Kurt, as he was walking back from his lesson, was called and on turning, he saw it was Perry. Perry quickly caught up and said "I won't stop you for long, I just wanted to ask you a question."
"What is it?"
"I was taking my class out for a hack, but it got around the students, and now, there are more than Alessio and I can take out safely. Will you come along and be a third? Blaine mentioned that you enjoyed riding."
Kurt grinned "Yes, I'd like to. Is there a horse I can borrow?"
"Yeah, that's fine, just meet at the stables after lunch. You can bring Blaine along if you'd like."
Over lunch, Kurt asked Blaine just that, but Blaine declined, saying that he had already promised to help Christopher again, so Kurt went to the stables with Alessio and Perry, the latter talking happily. Kurt was allowed to borrow a young stallion named Shadow and soon, the two Warblers, fifteen students and Kurt left the stables and went into the surrounding forests.
It was a very enjoyable ride, and with Kurt at the back, he got to observe Perry and Alessio. They had quite different riding styles. Perry had clearly been well trained, and his control over his horse was admirable, but it was still a control. Alessio, however, seemed as if he were an extension of the horse and the whole manner in which he rode made it all seem so natural, as if horses been created for this exact purpose.
They stopped and had a break before they headed back, and Kurt sat with the other two, learning a little more about them, He had thought that Alessio was quiet and shy, but he was simply not an instigator. Once he was started on a subject he was passionate about, it was hard to stop him, or even to understand him, as Alessio had a habit of slipping back into his native Italian.
What fascinated Kurt more, however, was Perry's reaction.
His eyes were fixed on Alessio, even when Kurt spoke, Perry could hardly drag his eyes away. His body language was open and inviting. Perry was leaning slightly towards Alessio, and took any opportunity that he could to touch Alessio, even if it was a touch on the shoulder to get him to calm down, or a hand to help him to get to his feet to back on his horse. It was so obvious to Kurt that Perry was at the very least, highly attracted to Alessio. Alessio appeared to be completely oblivious.
Kurt couldn't help feeling sorry for Perry. It was a horrible situation to be in.
When they got back to Dalton, after stabling Shadow, Kurt found Perry, rubbing down his horse. He looked up when Kurt entered and said welcomingly "Hi Kurt. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I want to ask you a question, but I realise it's a bit upfront, so you are welcome to refuse to answer and to tell me to stop being so nosey."
Perry laughed "It sounds bad. What is it, Kurt?"
"Are you gay?"
Perry stopped running the comb over his horse momentarily, before continuing and asked "What made you think that?"
"Does that mean you're not?"
"No, no, I am, but most people tell me I'm not obvious about it, so I was wondering what made you think that. Do you just have an amazing gaydar?"
Kurt laughed a bit at that and replied "I don't think so. The thing that made me suspect is actually my second question."
"Go ahead."
"Do you like Alessio?"
This time Perry dropped the comb entirely. The whole scene was still for a moment, before Perry moved out of the stable, found a stable-boy to take over and then answered Kurt's question as they began to walk back to the main building.
"No, I don't like him. I'm in love with him."
"How long?"
"Two years."
Kurt places a hand on Perry's shoulder in sympathy as he said "Oh, Perry. Why haven't you told him?"
Perry laughed hollowly "Oh, no reason. It's just that he's four years younger than me, my best friend and most importantly, he's straight."
The sheer pain in Perry's voice prevented Kurt from saying anything, so he just reached up and hugged Perry. Perry froze for a few minutes, but returned the hug. When they moved apart, there were tears in Perry's eyes, but his voice was steady as he asked "How did you know? I haven't told anybody what I feel for him."
Kurt smiled softly "It was how you looked at him. I think it's the same way I look at Blaine. It's definitely the same way he looks at me."
"You have no idea how lucky you are, loving someone who loves you back."
"It wasn't without some trials. Especially because I was very stupid for a long time. I know I hurt him badly. I think it's part of the reason we're so close now. We know what it's like to be apart."
Perry nodded "You think I should tell him."
"Frankly, yes, but that's up to you."
Perry nodded again and then disappeared into dinner. Kurt went to find Blaine, who turned out to be in their room, washing the dust and dirt off his face. Once he was dry, Kurt went over and kissed him firmly. Blaine reciprocated easily, but when they pulled apart, Blaine asked quietly "Not that I don't love kissing you, but what was that for?"
Kurt shrugged, his hands on Blaine's chest "I'm just glad we found each other."
"Uh-huh, and the rest of it."
Kurt sighed. Sometimes it was a bit annoying that Blaine knew him just as well as he knew himself.
"Did you know? About Perry?"
"What, that he's gay? Yeah. I know he's not obvious, but you're not that surprised, are you?"
"Not just that he's gay. Did you know that he's in love with Alessio?"
Blaine raised his eyebrows and shook his head slowly "No, I didn't, but thinking about it, it does make sense. They're always together."
"So are Wes and David, but they're not gay."
"That's what you think."
Kurt pulled back a bit to stare at Blaine "You're kidding."
Blaine grinned "Yeah, I am."
"Good, you scared me for a second."
Blaine reached up and cradled Kurt's face with one hand as he got serious again and asked "Is this what's got you upset, that Perry's in love with Alessio?"
Kurt bit his lip, his eyes on the floor as he replied "Not exactly. It's that Perry's been in love with Alessio for years and he's never said anything and I was thinking what might have happened if you or I had taken that long."
Comprehension dawned on Blaine's face and he pulled Kurt in close, holding him tightly as he whispered "Don't think about it. It didn't happen. We're here, we're safe, I love you, you love me and he is never going to touch you again. I promised and I don't break my promises."
Kurt nodded, reassured, but Blaine was still replaying the conversation through his mind and it helped him finalise a decision he had been putting off making. He was going to see his parents.
The next morning, Blaine left once Kurt was safely teaching. He hadn't wanted to tell him and worry him. This was something he had to do himself. He rode to his mother's house first, as she was closer to Dalton. He managed to persuade her to come with him, as he wanted to tell both of them together. After being reassured it wasn't going to affect any of her plans, his mother agreed.
Mary Anderson was a small woman, still very beautiful despite her age, though you could see that she had once been stunning. The life she now lived had soured her. She wasn't stupid, but she was very self-absorbed. On the way to his father's house, all Blaine heard about was how her life was going, without any inquiry about his.
Blaine's father, Richard Anderson, was a little more obviously disapproving and from the looks he was shooting Mary, Blaine realised he'd better get to the point of his visit quickly.
Once both Richard and Mary had sat down, as far away from each other as they could, Blaine, with no preamble, said "I've found the person I want to marry."
It felt really good to say that out loud, but Blaine quickly pressed on, turning to his father and saying "I'd like the money you promised me on getting engaged."
Richard seemed to think it over before asking "Is it a girl?"
Blaine sighed "No, Father, of course it's not. You know I'm gay."
"You might have come to your senses. You know it doesn't help our family's status in the slightest."
Blaine had to laugh at that "Our family? What family? Anyway, being gay isn't a crime."
"Nor is it socially acceptable."
"Only in your outdated mind! How can it not be socially acceptable when a member of our royal family is gay?"
Richard stood up and said firmly "Do not raise your voice at me, Blaine. I see no reason why I should oblige you if you will not oblige me. I won't give you the money. You've had quite enough out of me over the years at any rate. If you still plan on marrying a man, you can use your own money."
Blaine didn't know why he had been expecting anything different. He turned to his mother, opening his mouth to ask her to try and make his father see sense, but she interrupted him "Don't bother, Blaine. I can't make him do anything. You know how mean your father is with money. After all, he barely gives me enough to live on."
Richard snorted "Don't be ridiculous, Mary, I give you plenty to live on. You just have an overly expensive lifestyle. You don't need new dresses every week and you certainly don't have to throw parties every time one of your silly friends so much as breathes."
Mary snapped back "I have a social standing to maintain as well, Richard. It's ridiculous the amount of things I have to go without, just because you keep it all in order spoil your latest mistress! Which blonde slut are we on this week?"
Blaine left, not particularly wanting to hear the argument. It was one that was repeated with regularity, and while at first it had been terrifying, it was now just boring. Blaine had done what he had set out to do. He hadn't even bothered saying goodbye. He doubted his parents would have noticed.
Blaine got back to Dalton in time for lunch and met up with Kurt, who appeared to be none the wiser about Blaine's visit. After lunch, Blaine took Kurt on a walk, as was their habit, but this time, Blaine was building up to something and Kurt could sense it. Blaine was fidgeting and filled with nervous energy.
When they reached the small clearing where they usually stopped, Kurt found himself being spun around to face Blaine. He looked at that dear face for a few seconds before leaning in and giving him a chaste kiss. Blaine returned it gratefully and for a little while, they just stood there, exchanging short, sweet little kisses, before Blaine stood back a step, took a breath and let it out.
"Are you all right, Blaine?"
Blaine smiled and replied "Yes, I'm fine. There's just something I need to say. Kurt, I know that the situation we're in is unstable and that it's not likely to last. I know it's been a hard few months and I never imagined something like this happening when I first came to Lima."
Kurt nodded, not trusting his voice. What could Blaine be driving at?"
Blaine continued, and his voice was now filled with emotion "But I wouldn't have missed it for the world. When I came to Lima, I had no idea I would find someone like you. I love you, Kurt. I love every tiny thing about you and I'm sure I will love everything I don't yet know about you. This situation is unstable but we are not and I want to show that to everyone we can."
Blaine got down on one knee, pulled a velvet black box with one hand and held one of Kurt's with the other. He put the box into Kurt's hand as he finished "Kurt Hummel, will you marry me?"
Kurt had one trembling hand over his mouth as his other held the box, which was now open to reveal a silver ring, set with a single square cut diamond that sparkled even in the minimal amount of sunlight that fell upon it. Kurt's blue eyes were fixed on the ring, and there was silence for a few seconds before Kurt closed the ring box. Blaine's face fell, but not for long as Kurt threw himself at Blaine, wrapping his arms around Blaine's neck and crying into his ear "Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!"
Blaine grinned widely as they drew apart and Kurt handed him back the ring box so Blaine could open it, remove the ring and slide it into place on Kurt's left ring finger.
As he did so, Blaine explained "I chose silver because I've never seen you wear gold unless you have to."
Kurt smiled "I prefer silver. Blaine, it's perfect. The whole thing was absolutely perfect."
"I'm glad. I was so nervous."
Kurt didn't answer verbally, just tipped Blaine's head up gently and kissed him passionately, letting him feel the love and devotion through that single, soul-searing kiss. When they pulled apart, Blaine looked dazed and grabbed Kurt's hands to steady himself, before murmuring "Oh, your hands are cold."
Kurt responded just as quietly "You know what they say about cold hands. Means that you have a warm heart."
Blaine moved a hand over Kurt's chest and said "Yeah, that's true."
They stayed in that glade in the middle of the forest for some hours, lying on the ground entangled together, communicating more through touch than by voice. Anyone observing would have though that they could read each other's minds. When they got back for dinner, Wes and David were the first to rush over, Blaine having informed them beforehand. They took one look at Kurt and without even seeing the ring, they yelled "He said yes!"
It seemed that contrary to Blaine's request for them to keep their mouths shut, Wes and David had in fact told the rest of the Warblers, who had leapt to their feet, cheering and clapping and whistling. It would have been really sweet if it hadn't been so embarrassing, and Kurt and Blaine sat down at the table with blushes on their faces, though it was more obvious on Kurt because of his pale skin.
After dinner, Blaine was heading back to his room (Kurt had gone ahead), when he spotted Perry and Alessio talking quietly. He watched for a few minutes, as Alessio patted Perry's shoulder and walked away, leaving Perry staring after him. Blaine debated internally for a few minutes before moving forward.
He reached where Perry was standing and asked "Are you okay?"
Perry looked at him "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I know how hard it is to think that the person you love doesn't love you back."
"How did you…?" Perry began, before a self-depreciating look crossed his face and he finished "Of course. Kurt told you."
"Don't be angry with him."
"I'm not, I'm angry at myself. I should have guessed he'd tell you. There are no secrets between couples like you and Kurt."
There was really nothing Blaine could say to that so he stayed silent, waiting for Perry to continue.
Perry leaned his head back against the wall and sighed "You know, when Kurt said I should tell him, for a minute, I allowed myself to hope. I allowed myself to imagine it. I was stupid."
"Is that what you were talking about?"
Perry laughed bitterly "No, Alessio was talking to me about the girl he had just met."
"Oh, Perry…"
"He was raving about how pretty, how nice, how kind she was. You should have seen him Blaine, he was nearly glowing. He's straight. Telling him anything would just screw up our friendship."
"Perry, I…"
"No, Blaine." Perry shook his head "I'm not talking about it anymore. Go on, go to Kurt, your fiancé who's waiting for you. You're wasting your time with me."
Blaine knew the look on Perry's face, and he could see the ghost of the pain in his eyes, so Blaine left him, like instructed and went to Kurt, allowing his fiancé to hold him and comfort him, because for both of them, Perry's struggles awoke dark imaginings in their mind.
Dalton was beautiful, and safe, but it was by no means perfect. Kurt would blame that knowledge for what happened next.
