A/N: Happy Update Monday! Although it's late…for me… haha It's still Monday so no hate! Okay this ends with a cliffhanger…sort of… so don't kill me haha. Okay so I've come to the realization that I have a busy life because I'm working on the set of a movie and starting to take classes so instead of updating all three of my stories every Monday I will be rotating. Next Monday is "Finding Courage", the next will be this, and the one after that is "Getting To Know You"!
Warning: Swearing
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Glee or its characters. All property goes to Fox, Ryan Murphy, and the rest of its owners.
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Take A Bite Of My Heart Tonight
Chapter Nine: An Exchange
…
After Kurt and Leslie finished shopping, it was getting close for lunch time at the house so the two headed back. Kurt packed his purchased clothes in his guest room then headed to the kitchen with Leslie. Burt was on the phone munching on what was left of a sandwich and a bag of chips when Blaine walked into the kitchen, stepping out of his boots.
He tried to control his entire face from lighting up when he saw Kurt because Burt was standing between them. He gave Kurt a short, respectful nod and began to help himself to the sandwich ingredients on the table when Leslie gave Kurt a little smirk and he glared at her for her to shut it.
"Alright, I'll be at the market tomorrow at ten-thirty. See you then." Burt hung up the phone and turned to Blaine. "I hope you don't have any plans tomorrow because you're taking our prepared vegetables to the market tomorrow at ten-thirty."
Blaine looked at Burt confused as he spread mayonnaise on a slice of white bread. "I thought you said you were going to—"
"Blaine I don't pay you for living here. I pay you to follow orders," Burt interrupted Blaine, stepping closer to him.
Kurt swallowed thickly and Leslie scratched her arm awkwardly as they watched the two bicker. Blaine completed his lunch and moved over so Kurt or Leslie could help themselves to the sandwich but neither continued, they just stood and watched uncomfortably.
"I do follow your orders. I get up every morning and tend to your animals and garden throughout the day."
"Are you complaining?" Burt tested him.
Blaine shook his head at response. "No not at all, I'm just saying that I don't just stay here, I do everything you tell me to."
Kurt had to agree with Blaine which is why what his father said next, made him very angry. "You know Blaine I don't like the way you're speaking to me—"
"Dad, stop it!" Kurt screamed before thinking. Leslie, Blaine, and Burt all stared at awe in Kurt, but in all different ways.
Burt walked over to Kurt and looked at his son in the eyes. "Don't interrupt my conversation with Blaine, that's rude son."
Kurt rolled his eyes. "You aren't having a conversation with him, you're belittling him."
Blaine stood in the kitchen awkwardly holding his lunch as the father and son argued over him. "I am not. The kid's got a hard head, just like you. Sometimes I have to—"
"I'll be at the market at ten-thirty, sir." Blaine interrupted Burt quietly, knowing the only way he could save himself was just to do what Burt told him to.
"There that's what I wanted to hear. Hurry up and eat, you have more work to do." Blaine nodded respectfully at Burt and sat down at the kitchen table, eating in silence. Burt was about to leave the kitchen before he turned around. "I'll be in the shed. Kurt after you eat do you want to come?" Burt suggested.
On any other time, Kurt would not refuse to spend time with his dad, but he did already have plans and he didn't want to skip out on Blaine. "Sorry dad but I'd like to explore around a little bit after lunch." Kurt managed to put together a not-so-false alibi.
"That's fine. If you get bored I'll be there." Burt shrugged and turned to walk off again before pointing to Leslie. "Make sure they don't talk to each other," he addressed then left the house.
Leslie, Blaine, and Kurt ate lunch in silence, in fear of Burt hearing them although he was out of the house. Blaine finished first and cleared his throat as he stood up, causing Kurt to look up at him.
"I'll be in the main barn," he hinted casually. Kurt offered Blaine a small smirk, knowing what he was implying. He watched Blaine slip into his boots and leave, then finished his last few bites of lunch.
"If my dad asks, I'm doing what I told him I was going to be doing," Kurt managed to say to Leslie before standing up in a hurry.
"And what exactly are you going to be doing?" Leslie asked, looking towards the living room for Burt.
"I don't know. Blaine wants to meet me in the main barn and he has a surprise." Kurt shrugged with an obvious smile.
Leslie sighed, "You two must be careful. I cannot cover for you all the time."
Kurt bit his lip, feeling guilty. "I know but just please Leslie I really—"
"Fine but you will owe me, American boy," Leslie interrupted him kindly.
Kurt's face lit up and he kissed her on the cheek before running out the front door. "Thanks so much! Bye!"
Kurt reached the main barn in the time of a couple minutes. He immediately recognized the barn as the place where he cleaned horse's stalls and shucked beans not too long ago. He didn't want to call for Blaine, although the boy was nowhere to be seen when he entered, in fear of his father hearing him.
Kurt walked deeper into the barn and started peering in the multiple stalls. Finally, he saw Blaine in a stall with a chestnut-colored horse with a white stripe down its face, saddling the horse up.
"Hey," Kurt whispered.
Blaine jumped, then turned around and saw Kurt smiling. "God you scared me. Don't do that," Blaine chuckled and Kurt laughed as well.
"So I'm guessing my surprise involves a horse and a saddle?" Kurt asked.
"Yes, I didn't think you'd come so soon. But we're riding through the woods behind the garden. It's beautiful through there when you can see it." Blaine winked and Kurt laughed, remembering the night before.
"So who's this?"Kurt pointed to the horse Blaine finished with the last strap.
Blaine smiled admired at the animal, "This is Sootola."
"Sootola?" Kurt asked. Blaine nodded, smiling. "It doesn't sound…American," he laughed.
"Actually it's Native American. Navajo actually, I like to pick Navajo Native American names for horses," Blaine blushed a little and Kurt rose his eyebrows at the interesting fact.
"Oh, neat. What's it mean?" Kurt asked curiously, eyeing the horse Blaine was patting.
Blaine sucked in his lips nervously before answering. Kurt eyed Blaine suspiciously and was about to ask what the problem was before Blaine replied.
"Pain," he replied.
Kurt raised his eyebrows as sadness was clearly seen in his blue eyes. Blaine looked toward the ground as a silence fell on the boys.
"Can I ask you something?" Kurt asked quietly, after mustering up the bravery to.
"Sure," Blaine breathed out, looking up at Kurt.
"Why um…why did you name the horse Pain? Even though the translation is kind of pretty."
Blaine sighed and bit his lip, almost afraid of telling someone this. "I…When I name animals, mainly horses, I pick a Navajo Native American name that translates to a word I feel the most at the time."
Kurt looked at Blaine sympathetically and Blaine avoided his gaze. Kurt couldn't help but wonder why Blaine would do that to himself. Name a creature of a reminder of some sort of pain he must have experienced…
"I may be over stepping boundaries but…can I ask why you felt pain when you named Sootola?" Kurt asked so quietly, his voice was barely above a whisper.
Blaine took a shaky breathe watching Kurt stare at him like that. "I…I really don't want to talk about that right now," he muttered.
Kurt stood up and smiled at him, so the two wouldn't feel uncomfortable any longer. "It's fine! Don't worry about it. So…who's riding Sootola?" Kurt asked, changing the serious conversation.
Blaine's face lit up at Kurt's question and he offered Kurt a short nod and a large smile. "You, you will ride her and my horse is over here in the next stall," Blaine replied as he climbed over the stall's entrance and led Kurt to the next stall over.
Blaine motioned towards the next horse with a wave of his hand. When Kurt first caught a glimpse of the horse his eyes widened. In front of him was a large, black, stallion. The horse's color was so black it almost seemed purple. There was no spot of white on the horse except for a small marking on one of its back hooves.
Kurt turned to see Blaine and Blaine was grinning proudly at the animal. "Wow. He's beautiful, what's his name?" Kurt asked.
"Partir," Blaine replied.
Another Navajo name, Kurt couldn't help but think what that word meant…is it happier or sadder than Sootola? He bit his lip before asking.
"And what does that mean?"
"Leave," Blaine replied. For a moment, Kurt thought he might have said too much and Blaine was telling Kurt to leave but then he added, "Partir means leave."
Kurt's mind began to race. Does "leave" and "pain" coincide? If so, what could that mean? Before Kurt jumped to any conclusions, Blaine turned to face Kurt with a lit up smile. "So you ready for some fun?"
Kurt turned back to Blaine and offered him a smile of equal measure. "Yes, let's go."
…
So Kurt's problem was, is he didn't know how to ride a horse. He's never rode a horse before. Blaine's problem was he didn't know that Kurt didn't know. Blaine has grown up with horses his whole life so riding just came easy to him, like cooking or showering. So when Kurt finally told Blaine flat out honestly "I don't know how to ride." Blaine had to stop from letting out a rude, sarcastic, snort.
After teaching Kurt the basics of turning, making the horse go and stop, and to speed up and go faster, Kurt was determined he no longer needed help. Blaine took the lead of course and warned Kurt to be easy with Sootola, because she is pregnant. He explained you can ride horses when their pregnant but you can't do anything heavy or too fast, so the ride was slow today.
Kurt was thankful the ride was slow; he didn't think he was ready for sitting on top of a running horse like Blaine was accustomed to.
Kurt noticed they went on the same path as last night to the lake. He blushed when he caught glimpse of the small lake and he couldn't help but notice that Blaine paused to glance at the scenery as well. Kurt noticed more markings on the trees that he saw the previous night but it was clearer in the day time.
"What are those?" Kurt asked out loud.
"What are what?" Blaine asked.
"Those little markings in the trees like…" Kurt trailed off; looking for a marking he was referring to. "Like that one! See?" Kurt pointed at one.
Blaine pulled the reigns, stopping Partir, and Sootola followed. "You mean this?" Blaine asked, pointing to one, and then looking over his shoulder at Kurt. Kurt nodded. "Those are caused by deer," he answered.
"There are deer through here?" Kurt asked curiously.
"Yup. You can usually spot them best in the early morning or late evening. We should do that sometime! Look for deer!" Blaine enthusiastically announced.
Kurt laughed at him, "One task at a time. But how do deer cause them?"
"I don't know why, considering I'm not a biologist or whatever but they rub their antlers against the trees and it causes these markings," Blaine explained as he moved Partir around so he could see Kurt better as he talked to him.
"Hey we've been walking for a while. Let's give Sootola some rest, I know a small clearing off this path," Blaine suggested and kicked the side of Partir, the horse moved and Sootola followed after.
Blaine instructed Partir to walk around a curve and then turn left between two bushy trees. Sootola followed and Kurt caught a glimpse of where Blaine led them. There was a clearing, a small section in the woods that was just grass and open air, surrounded by trees so it was entirely secluded.
Kurt heard a pop sound nearby and looked around frantically. When he noticed where it came from, he scrunched his nose up in disgust of Sootola releasing manure.
"Hey no judging." Blaine pointed at Kurt as he roped Partir to a nearby tree branch and offering the horse some water.
Kurt laughed, "It's just this is the fifth time she's done this." Blaine's eyes widened as he rushed over to the horse briskly, he looked Sootola down and began to place his hand on the animal's chest and neck. "Something wrong?" Kurt asked worriedly.
"I can't believe I didn't notice this. She's been doing this for the past day and she's close I shouldn't have chose her for you to—"
"What's wrong, Blaine?" Before Blaine could answer, Sootola's knees began to buckle.
"Get off Kurt, get off now." Blaine tried to control his voice for the horse's sake. Frightened by the firmness in Blaine's tone, Kurt immediately got off the horse and Blaine began to strip away the saddle as fast as he could. Kurt wanted to help but he knew nothing about these things.
When the saddle, saddle blanket, and reigns were off the horse, Sootola's entire legs began to tremble and she lied down.
"Won't she run away?" Kurt asked, completely confused as to what's going on with her.
"She's going into labor, having her colt. She's not going anywhere," Blaine replied and Kurt gasped, worried of what he was going to witness.
Kurt frantically looked around at the surroundings he could make of. "Shouldn't we get towels or…or water or..."
Blaine watched Kurt, amused at his lack of knowledge with animal labor. "It's not a baby, just horses. We need to let her run its course and be prepared if anything happens." He shrugged.
Kurt immediately stared at Blaine as the words anything happens rung in his head over and over again. "What does that mean?"
Blaine bit his lip as he watched the horse position and ready itself. "We may have to get Burt," he replied quietly.
Kurt shook his frantically. "We can't do that. He'll know I'm with you!"
"Well let's just see what happens. Maybe everything will be okay," Blaine tried to reassure Kurt calmly.
Kurt rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Well what if everything's not okay? What if he fires you, hates me more, and definitely never wants to see my face again," he listed off.
Blaine turned away from Sootola to stare at Kurt concerned while he ranted. Blaine simply shrugged and stated for Kurt, "You're a pessimist."
"I am not a—"
"Yes, you are." Blaine lost all attention to Sootola and neared closer to Kurt, questioning him. "Have you ever gone into a situation thinking the good instead of the bad? And don't lie to me." He pointed his finger at Kurt, challenging him.
Kurt crossed his eyes and began to think back on times in high school and in Paris…"Well not that I can remember."
Blaine shook his head. "Then you don't look at the bright side of things. Optimistic people can usually think of one time they look at something good."
Kurt snapped. "Oh and you're perfect, huh!? I am everything that's wrong with the world and you're the world peace activist, huh!?"
Blaine's eyes grew wide, terrified of what he caused with Kurt. "Kurt I didn't say—"
"But you implied it. You know I'm not a messed up person because I have fear in me or maybe I need to loosen up but excuse me for every time I've tried something for my sake and I got shot down because of who I am. In high school I thought the bullying made me stronger but I guess you've proved it makes me weaker."
Concern swept over Blaine's face as he instantly felt guilty for what he said to Kurt. He didn't mean to imply he's a wrecked person, just that he should think on the bright side sometimes and to not worry so much.
"Kurt I'm—"
"Please don't just…I need some quiet. I don't want to say anything stupid." Kurt walked away from Blaine and found a large rock to sit on. Blaine was torn between apologizing to Kurt and mending what he ruined, or tending to Sootola.
Blaine knew a pregnant horse should need assistance if anything happened, but he wouldn't feel right about leaving her here. Then again, he also wouldn't feel right about taking Kurt out here, promising him a good time, then arguing with him and leaving him for an animal.
He began to walk over to where Kurt was. "Kurt, please I really—"
"I told you I need quiet," Kurt reminded him bitterly.
"I know but I don't feel right without saying anything," Blaine shrugged uncomfortably; although Kurt couldn't see because of his back turned.
"I'll be fine. I just need some quiet," Kurt sighed. Blaine was about to turn around, let Kurt have his quiet time, and not bother him. But something made him stay.
"I don't believe you," Blaine stated.
"Excuse me?"
"I always thought quiet was the best. That if the yelling and the arguing just stopped then it would be over. But truthfully, my hurt feelings and the screaming was just bottled up inside and it got worse and made me very unhappy. Then when I finally let it all out and said how I really felt, it was ugly." Blaine sat on a large rock next to Kurt.
Kurt finally turned to face Blaine, instantly intrigued by Blaine's story. He felt exactly how I feel right now thought Kurt.
"Why?" Kurt asked.
"What?"
"Why…was it ugly?"
Blaine smiled a little from the inside, able to get Kurt to talk to him again.
"It wasn't because of what I said, which made me feel better, but that I actually had the courage to say that to that particular person. Who I was talking to never…they never understood me for who I was or respected me than what they wanted me for," Blaine uncomfortably admitted.
"Your parents?" Kurt wondered out loud to Blaine.
"No. It was someone else, but the point is…that sometimes quiet and being alone never really helps. That you should tell people how you feel and not worry anymore." Kurt looked at his feet in the grass, taking in what Blaine said. It all made sense to him, although he didn't want to admit anything right now.
He took a deep breath before registering to Blaine what he felt needed to be said. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked to you that way; you pointed out to me what I really am." He shrugged.
"I'm sorry too, I had no right to throw things in your face and for all I know, you may not be like that. I shouldn't just make assumptions," Blaine apologized also.
Kurt shook his head at Blaine's apology. "But it's true. I never trust anything anymore, as much as I want to," Kurt confessed with a half-lie. He trusts Blaine; he just doesn't want to tell him that.
Blaine frowned. "I still shouldn't have said that because I…" Hesitation was shown in Blaine's voice and Kurt noticed it, watching Blaine continue with interest. "I never want to hurt you," Blaine confessed.
Kurt quietly gasped. He was so happy to hear that come from his crush-best-friend's mouth. It was like someone gave him a million dollars that could never go away.
Kurt was so surprised at Blaine's words, that he couldn't think of anything so say back other than, "Thanks."
Blaine grinned widely at Kurt. "Can I hug you?"
Kurt smiled, could he be more adorable? He shook his head in reply, "Yes I would like that."
Blaine hugged onto Kurt tightly, trying somehow to comfort Kurt in a way that his words can't yet. Kurt relaxed into Blaine's touch, in awe of what just happened. Yes, he had argued with him and then he did what he usually does in an argument: run away.
He ran from his father multiple times and even Carole, sometimes Leslie although Leslie refused to stay mad at him. Blaine also refused to leave Kurt in silence, and instead talk about how they might have hurt each other. Kurt's pretty sure he's never experienced that before, and as much as it scares him…he could also grow to like this.
Around seven minutes later, Sootola gave birth to a foal. It was surprising to Kurt how easily it happened. How Sootola really didn't need anything from them, although Blaine offered the mare water several times.
They had to wait for everything to take course, which took around an hour. They both were scared though. How could they get this foal, Sootola and Partir to the barn? Can foals even walk after their born? What about Sootola's delivery? Will she be safe to walk herself to the barn? And if not, what about the saddles? Kurt's mind was racing, scared for his life of Burt finding out.
"First, we need to get Partir out of here. He needs to be in the pasture while we figure out what to do with Sootola and her baby," Blaine suggested.
"Okay well…how do you propose we do that?" Kurt asked, frightened of either choice.
"I should stay here with Sootola and the foal to check on them, having experience with horses myself," replied Blaine.
Kurt gasped at what Blaine was implying. "Are you suggesting I ride Partir—your stallion—up to the main barn where dad can see me?"
"I'm sure he won't," Blaine shrugged and Kurt decided not to disagree, because that would show the pessimistic attitude Blaine was talking about earlier. "Just stay to the right, we stayed to the left up here so stay to the right until you find the big separation of two pine trees on the right, when you guide Partir between them, you'll be behind the garden. The main barn is right in-front of the garden, tie Partir up to a stall there ask Burt to unsaddle him."
"What if he asks me what I was doing riding your horse for over an hour?" Kurt asked worriedly.
"Tell him you thought I wouldn't mind," Blaine shrugged, obviously not think this thorough.
"I could get in huge trouble," Kurt breathed out, nervous of the circumstances.
"These horses need to get back there, if Burt wants to start an argument because of it, that's his fault not yours."
Kurt bit his lip, "Any other suggestions?"
"Be fast and don't fall."
…
Kurt didn't know why Blaine's last words turned him on so much, but truthfully it did. Also, he was scared to death. After he led Partir out of the clearing and onto the path, he kicked the tall stallion with all of his might and it started out slow.
Don't be afraid, horses can sense it
Blaine's words rung in his head. How could he not be afraid, though? This was a huge stallion he was on top of that would be running.
If he made it out alive, Blaine owes him one.
After Kurt signaled for the horse to gallop, he was terrified. The trees and shrub flew by him in such a sense that he struggled to keep his eyes fixated on the path and keeping to the right. But as soon as he got a grip on the horse and his task, he loved it.
Was it wrong that he loved the excitement of sitting on top of a running horse scared for his life? It was thrilling, exhilarating, and know he understands why Blaine loves it so much. It's fun. Could he fall, get hurt, and maybe even kill himself? Yes. Did he care? Right now, no.
He shouted for joy when he reached the exit out of the path and into the garden. Kurt immediately slowed Partir down so he could reach the main barn. He kept a tight grip on the horse as he dis-mounted the large animal and struggled to tie the animal.
He didn't want to get his father, but this saddle looked so confusing and what if Blaine needs his help with the other two horses? He couldn't be slow. He hesitated but eventually found a small shed with a car inside that Burt was working on.
Kurt gasped at the sight, this wasn't just any car this was his old car.
"Dad?" Kurt croaked.
"Kurt! Hey kiddo, just doing a paint job. You recognize this?" Burt grinned at his son who was paler than ever before.
"This used to be mine, in high school," Kurt whispered, staring at the car, which his father was doing an awesome job with.
"You bet! You get bored exploring around?" Burt took off his cap and wiped his hands on a nearby towel.
"No actually, I—I took horse riding lessons in Paris and wanted to try here with one of your horses…" Kurt lied. Burt nodded at him confused, obviously believing him. "So I found this really beautiful one and I rode him, I just need help with the un-saddling."
"How was the saddle on in the first place?" Burt quizzed him.
"It was…it was already on," Kurt half-lied. Technically, the saddle was already on. But Blaine rode it, not him. Except for just now, that was him.
"What horse did you ride with a saddle already on?" Burt asked, picking up what Kurt was telling him.
"The…the big black one. With the white on its back hooves," Kurt replied. He wanted to say the horse's name—Partir—but Burt couldn't know he was with Blaine.
Burt cleared his throat awkwardly. "That's…that's Blaine's horse, Partir. Does he know that you rode his horse?"
"I don't think so," Kurt said slowly, lying yet again.
"Okay well he has better things to do than ride that horse all day anyway, I'll help you."
Kurt was relieved that all during the amount of time that Burt unsaddled Partir and let him loose in the pasture, the two had a pleasant conversation and Blaine was never brought up.
"Wait…you never took riding in France," Burt stated when he walked back up to his shed.
Kurt's heart began to race; did his father find a loop hole in his lies? "I didn't?"
"No, because when you got back here the first day or two you said you were scared of entering that barn because of horses. People who take riding lessons can't be scared of horses, it's a fact."
Uh-oh. He knew this would happen, he would get caught.
…
A/N: Next chapter will be two weeks from today! In the mean time follow this and my other stories: "Finding Courage" and "Getting To Know You" if you haven't yet. REVIEW! I love hearing your feedback after I post! Love and Klainebows to all! (:
