Now that the prize story is written and I updated "We Need to Talk" I can update this story again ^_^ "We Need to Talk" gives me writer's block a lot…'cause I'm so worried about repeating myself in chapters, but whenever I write it I don't want to stop! Haha, but I have two stories to work on so I must ^_^
karatekid1018: *gasps* So apparently, the two boys who only like one night stands (Nick and Jeff) possibly have some real FEELINGS there? I'm gonna go upstairs with binoculars and look for flying pigs!
karatekid1018, how I love thee…
I hope you all enjoy this chapter…not a whole lot happens because it leads up to what happens in the next chapter :) that should be an evil smile :)
Kurt had had a lot of explaining to do over the weekend. First, he'd had to explain his black eye to his dad and Carole when he'd gone home to get Finn a new shirt. Then he'd had to explain it to Finn when he'd given him said new shirt, and that had led to Rachel seeing the black eye-and of course her loud mouth had carried over the music, so Kurt had to once again explain his black eye to the rest of New Directions.
Burt had been furious-he had wanted to go to Karofsky's house immediately and talk to his parents. Kurt had pleaded that it would only make things worse, but it had still taken a lot of convincing for Burt to agree not to go to the house. However, he had warned Kurt that if Karofsky ever touched Kurt again then Burt was not only going to Karofsky's house, but to the school as well. Kurt had simply nodded his head.
There was one thing, though, that Kurt hadn't told anyone-he didn't tell how Blaine had been the one to save him. For one, Kurt wasn't sure what had happened himself, and two, he didn't think Blaine would want others knowing about his short moment of kindness and tenderness. Kurt was still confused as to what had brought it on.
Lying in his bed that night, Kurt blushed as he thought about how he had tried to kiss Blaine. What had come over himself Kurt had no idea-he didn't even like Blaine. Yet he had looked into Blaine's eyes, for once soft and open and vulnerable, and Kurt had felt like he was seeing the other boy for the first time-the real Blaine-and Kurt had just wanted to kiss him.
So he had tried.
Kurt hadn't felt any hurt over the rejection; he had only felt the loss of protection Blaine's strong arms had made him feel. He missed that safe feeling once it was gone, missed the soothing touches of Blaine's fingers against his eye, but he hadn't felt rejection.
He had only felt the start of something he wasn't sure he wanted.
…
Kurt wasn't surprised Monday morning when people stared and gaped at him. He was sporting a black after all. He was surprised, however, when people continued to stare when he met their gazes-usually they would turn away once Kurt looked at them in the eye, in fear of Karofsky and the other jocks thinking they liked Kurt. Kurt got his books out of his locker and walked to chemistry as fast as he could-he was already getting tired of the staring.
"Oh, Kurt, I think your eye's gotten worse," Trent said as Kurt took his seat next to him.
Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Well, yeah, it's had the weekend to properly form." He chuckled at the glare Trent gave him before turning to Kurt. "Does it hurt?"
Kurt shrugged. "Not really. It only bothers me when someone touches it."
"I'm still surprised that you got away with only a black eye," Trent said. "How'd you manage that?"
"Oh…" Kurt said, biting his lip. "Uh…his…his parents called him back into the house to help…move something."
"Well, whatever he moved must have fallen on him," Trent said, shaking his head.
"What do you mean?" Kurt asked.
"Haven't you seen Karofsky's face?" Sebastian asked curiously. Kurt shook his head. "Well, he has bruises all over it-it looks like he was hit by a truck."
Kurt's face paled. Oh. He knew how Karofsky had gotten those bruises. Images of Blaine punching the jock repeatedly filled his head, once again seeing Blaine actually knock the boy unconscious. After Blaine had practically run away from Kurt, Kurt had knocked on Karofsky's front door, pretending to be a passerby worried about a body lying on their front lawn. Evidently, Karofsky had been fine.
"Oh," Kurt said softly.
He noticed Sebastian giving him a funny look, but luckily Trent spoke before Kurt had to either deny and/or deflect something.
"Serves him right," Trent said. "Maybe now that he knows how it feels he'll leave us alone."
Kurt highly doubted that, and he knew neither Trent nor Sebastian believed it either. But there was no time to comment on it because Mr. Gale was starting class.
…
Blaine took a drag on his third cigarette of the morning. He'd been on edge since school started, and he needed the relief the nicotine brought. Kurt's black eye had fully formed, and it had brought up the events of Friday night. The events he cursed every time he thought about them. Sex with Thad had helped him forget for a while, but eventually Blaine had gotten tired of it and drove his friend home.
Blaine still couldn't believe Kurt had torn his walls down with a simple look. His glasz eyes had been shining with both shed and unshed tears, but there was still that fire burning in them, a fire that one punch from Karofsky hadn't been able to burn out. No, it would take much more than that to break Kurt Hummel.
Blaine was leaning against his gym locker, already changed into his uniform. Kurt wasn't here yet, but Karofsky was changing in a corner; Blaine reminded himself that he didn't care. Even if Karofsky wasn't in the locker room, but was confronting Kurt somewhere, Blaine wouldn't care. Taking another long drag on his cigarette, he looked up to see Kurt walking into the locker room.
Blaine cursed under his breath as a feeling of relief surged in his chest. Fuck, he had been worried about Kurt-Karofsky would have had plenty of time to hurt the other boy before coming to class. Blaine cursed again as he realized…something had happened between him and Kurt Halloween night, and it had left its mark on Blaine-no matter how much Blaine tried to ignore it. Blaine turned back to his locker, intent on taking out a fourth cigarette.
"Blaine?"
The soft voice made him freeze. He knew that voice, had been dreading hearing it. Because that voice did things to him now…things he didn't want. It washed over Blaine, relaxing and painful at the same time. And those eyes…they made him want to finally just break down and tell someone who wasn't Roger and Arlene about his past…have someone comfort him and take away the pain from the memories.
But he couldn't do that. Because then his father would win.
So, taking a deep breath, Blaine turned around to face Kurt.
…
"What do you want?"
Kurt flinched at the ice-cold hardness in Blaine's voice, and the steely glint in his eyes. The other boy's walls were up stronger than ever, and Kurt knew Blaine wasn't going to let anyone tear them down again. Kurt noticed that unlit cigarette in Blaine's hand, and the stamped out one at his feet-and realized Blaine was on edge. He would have to be careful when he spoke.
Kurt smiled, though not as big as he normally would. "I just wanted to thank you for Friday night. You didn't have to do that."
Blaine's expression didn't change. "Don't worry-it won't happen again."
The smile slipped from Kurt's face. "Oh, no, that's not what I meant-"
"I know what you meant," Blaine interrupted. "And I'm just telling you-it won't happen again."
Kurt turned as Blaine pushed past him, noticing that they were the only two in the locker room. Watching Blaine lean back against a wall and light his cigarette, Kurt felt his temper rising. What was Blaine's problem? Kurt only wanted to thank Blaine for helping him, but Blaine was acting as though he…regretted it. As though he thought he should have just let Karofsky beat the living daylight out of him. Kurt clenched his hands into fists, hating how Blaine could get to him so easily.
"Why didn't you just let Karofsky beat me up!" Kurt shouted, taking some satisfaction at the startled look in Blaine's eyes.
"What are you talking about?" Blaine asked, nothing but curiosity in his voice, the coldness gone for the moment.
"I'm just saying that if you'd let Karofsky go then I'd probably be in a hospital right now, and you wouldn't have to deal with me since you so obviously hate me!" Kurt was breathing heavily, not caring that he was being overdramatic. He could feel tears pricking at the backs of his eyes-but he wasn't going to give Blaine Anderson the satisfaction of seeing him cry.
Kurt expected some kind of response from the other boy, but Blaine just stood there, staring at a spot on the wall above Kurt, his hands clenched into fists, as if struggling to keep control. But the lack of response only made him angrier.
"What is with you, Blaine?" he snapped. "You give off this touch, I-don't-give-a-fuck attitude, but yet you have your moments of…of sweetness. Trent, Friday night…" Kurt his head as Blaine furrowed his eyebrows and closed his eyes tight. Speaking in a softer voice he added, "Who are you, Blaine?"
Blaine's eyes flew open, but the anger that Kurt had been expecting wasn't there. Instead, there was something like defeat, but an acceptance of defeat. Kurt didn't understand it, but something about it tugged at his heart. Looking like this, Blaine looked so broken, and he wanted nothing more than to help Blaine like the shorter boy had helped him. He took a step towards Blaine, who widened his eyes and darted away.
"Blaine-?"
"Why can't you just leave me alone?" Blaine said, and the pleading note in his voice stopped Kurt in his tracks. "I stopped having sex with Sebastian, so why do you keep doing this to me?"
"Doing what to you?"
Blaine's eyes flashed, and Kurt could see the familiar anger coming back. He watched as Blaine took a long drag on his cigarette before moving his gaze back onto Kurt. He seemed to have regained control, and Kurt nearly swore as he realized that Blaine had been vulnerable…and he could've had a chance to get Blaine to open up.
"Just leave me the fuck alone, Hummel," Blaine growled, ignoring Kurt's question.
"And if I don't?" Kurt said, raising an eyebrow.
Blaine moved towards Kurt, not stopping until he had him pressed back against a locker. He leaned forward so that his breath, smelling of mint and cigarette smoke, ghosted over Kurt's face. A dangerous smile pulled up the corners of Blaine's mouth, and Kurt had to fight not to shudder at how sexy it made him look.
"You don't want to push me, Hummel," Blaine murmured, his mouth right by Kurt's ear. This time Kurt did shiver, and Blaine chuckled roughly, causing Kurt to nearly swoon.
"Don't push me, Hummel. Because as you've seen…I'm a lot worse than Karofsky."
Kurt's eyes widened at the subtle threat. Blaine moved back and turned away, throwing a smirk at Kurt over his shoulder. As soon as Blaine was gone, Kurt gave in to his weakened knees and sank to the floor. Kurt's heart skipped a beat as he breathed heavily, inhaling Blaine's lingering scent. Mint, smoke…and something that Kurt could only define as Blaine.
Kurt whimpered-the things Blaine did and said shouldn't have been making him feel the way Kurt was feeling. Blaine was cruel and rude…and he had sex with someone new every other night. But Kurt had seen the boy behind the walls-and he wanted to learn more about him.
…
Blaine cursed himself-again-as he left the locker room. Every time he tried avoiding Kurt the other boy wouldn't leave him alone. Blaine wanted to hate the glasz-eyed boy for making him feel and remember things he tried to forget…but when Kurt gave him that caring, interested look…it was hard for Blaine to turn away.
"Who are you, Blaine?"
Sighing, Blaine sat on a stack of gym mats and buried his face in one hand, his other still holding his cigarette. Kurt thought he wanted to know who Blaine was…but if he only knew what he was talking about…he would run away in horror. He would be too sickened to even look at Blaine. And, no, Blaine would not miss his beautiful gaze.
Because Blaine…he was nothing but a monster. Not yet…but he would be eventually.
Feeling his anger bubble up, Blaine took an extra-long drag on his cigarette. He was so absorbed in controlling his temper that he didn't hear the footsteps approaching around the corner. So when he blew the smoke out of his mouth, he blew it right into the face of Coach Beiste.
"Anderson!" she shouted, but Blaine didn't flinch. "What do you think you're doing!"
Blaine dropped his cigarette and toed it out. "Just letting go of some stress," he said coolly. "I haven't had a good fuck in a while so it's been building up."
Narrowing her eyes, Coach Beiste grabbed his upper arm to pull him down the hall, but Blaine yanked it out of her grip.
"I know where Figgins' office is," he snapped. "And I can walk there myself."
"Then I suggest you get there," Coach Beiste retorted. "I'll call to let him know you're coming."
Blaine smirked. "But I'm not coming."
"Go!"
Rolling his eyes, Blaine walked in the direction Coach Beiste was pointing. The anger he had managed to shove down sprang back up. Figgins was going to end up calling Roger and Arlene-and Blaine was not looking forward to that rant. Roger was going to demand Blaine give him the keys to his motorcycle, and Blaine would refuse until Roger gave up after an hour or two.
…
Sure enough, when Blaine got home after school that day, Roger and Arlene were waiting for him in the living room. Arlene was sitting on a couch, wringing her hands in front of her while Roger stood by the fireplace, arms crossed, looking his usual angry self.
"Blaine Nathaniel Anderson," he said through gritted teeth. "When the hell did you start smoking!"
Blaine rolled his eyes, knowing it would aggravate Roger further. "I'm eighteen, Roger, I can smoke if I damn well please. You have no say in the matter."
"Oh, but Blaine, honey, smoking is such a nasty habit," Arlene said, giving Blaine a small smile. "Not to mention all the health problems it causes."
Roger continued speaking as if Arlene hadn't said anything. "I could care less how old you are!" he snapped, glaring at Blaine. "You live under my roof, you will obey my rules! And there will be no smoking in this house!"
"Oh, but you see, Roger," Blaine said, sneering at his adoptive father. "I don't smoke in this house. So, technically, I'm not breaking any of your rules."
Blaine watched as Roger's face turned red with his anger, unfazed as he moved from in front of the fireplace and over to Blaine. He stopped when he was a few feet away from Blaine so that his back was to Arlene and Blaine couldn't see her anymore.
"Where are the rest of your cigarettes?" Roger hissed, holding out his hand.
"Why, you want to smoke them?" Blaine asked innocently, cocking an eyebrow. "Because, frankly, I think you should start smoking. You could use the relief."
"Give me the damn cigarettes, Blaine Anderson!"
"You think I'm dumb enough to carry them with me or bring them here?" Blaine yelled back. He heard Arlene gasp and saw Roger's eyes darken.
"You will bring your cigarettes home tomorrow and give them to me," Roger said in a soft voice that would intimidate anyone who wasn't Blaine, who had dealt with a lot worse than his adoptive father.
"Fine, but I'll just buy more," Blaine snapped before turning to go upstairs to his room. He was done talking to Roger, even if he wasn't done talking to Blaine. Just as he reached the stairs and took the first step, Roger spoke.
"You have a visit this weekend, Blaine."
Blaine froze. Another visit. It had been a while since his last one, and he had started to hope that they were over. He hated these visits; because even if he could bury the memories and go about his day normally…there was no way to forget the memories when he was on a visit. Blaine didn't acknowledge that Roger had spoken-he just ran up the stairs, slammed his bedroom door shut behind him, and dove onto his bed, burying his face in a pillow as he struggled not to let the tears building up fall.
…
Kurt made sure to finish all of his homework early so he could call Liam and have plenty of time to talk to him. He hadn't talked to him since the Thursday before Halloween, and he just really needed to hear his voice to make him feel better. So, after dinner was over and Kurt had helped clean up, Kurt took the cordless phone into his room and shut the door behind him.
Liam picked up on the second ring.
"Why don't you just use your cell phone?" he asked as a greeting, a hint of laughter in his voice.
Kurt rolled his eyes, but he was unable to keep the smile off his face. "Because this way Dad can 'make sure I'm off the phone by ten.' I don't think he realizes that once I hang up the house phone I can just call back on my cell and whisper." Liam laughed, and it eased some of the tension out of Kurt.
"So any luck in figuring out that boy at school?" Liam asked after he had stopped laughing.
Kurt sighed. "No…but he's kind of the reason I called you."
"Oh?"
"Mhm." Kurt explained to Liam as best he could about what he knew about Blaine so far. He told him how Blaine had dated Trent, had just slept with Sebastian whenever he was in the mood, how Kurt had slapped Blaine, how Blaine seemed to be hurting inside-even if he tried to hide it, how Blaine had saved Kurt from Karofsky, and finally what Blaine had said to Kurt in the locker room that day. The only thing he left out was how Kurt was starting to feel for Blaine-he didn't want to put Liam through that-they had just broken up after all.
"Oh…wow…" Liam said once Kurt had finished. "He sounds like a complicated person."
"He is," Kurt said, and he could hear the frustration in his own voice.
"But this Karofsky-"
"Not the point right now, Liam," Kurt said lightly but sternly. "We're talking about Blaine right now."
"Ugh, fine," Liam said, his voice teasing. "You've always liked a mystery. But can I just ask…why are you so interested in learning about him?"
"He just seems like he's always in so much pain," Kurt said thoughtfully. "I just want to help him…if I can. And I'd love to do my biography assignment on him-I bet I'd have the most interesting project in the class! Of course, I'd ask his permission first."
"Ah, the ulterior motive." Liam chuckled. "You've always strived to be on top." There was an affectionate note to his tone that still made Kurt duck his head and blush. The fluttery feeling in his stomach was there, and he barely noticed that it had calmed just a little bit.
"Liam…I've thought about what you said about trying to make our relationship work," Kurt said softly. "I mean, I'm still thinking about it, but…give it a few days and I might be agreeing with you. I really miss you."
"I miss you too, beautiful. And there's no rush," Liam murmured, but Kurt could hear the concealed excitement in his ex's voice, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. "I'd wait forever for you."
Kurt blushed again. "Keep talking like that and you won't have to wait at all."
Liam laughed loudly, sending another flurry of butterflies through Kurt's stomach. Kurt may be developing feelings for Blaine Anderson, but he didn't really think anything would come of it, so if Liam still wanted to get back together once Kurt made up his mind…well, he wasn't going to pass up the opportunity. Like Liam had said last Thursday-Kurt was planning on going to college in New York.
"Oh, Kurt," Liam said suddenly. "You'll be getting a surprise in a few weeks."
"What?" Kurt asked. "What are you talking about? What surprise!"
"Now, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise," Liam said slyly.
Kurt pouted, not caring if Liam couldn't see him. "Liam," he whined, dragging out the other boy's name and causing him to laugh again. "You know how much I hate surprises!"
"Well, you'll love this surprise," Liam teased.
"You're so mean to me," Kurt muttered.
"Silly," Liam purred in his ear. "Well, I have to go, beautiful. I promised to go to Victoria's house and help her with homework."
Kurt sighed, hating the ache in his chest that suddenly formed. He missed all of his friends, of course, but he would always miss Liam the most. He couldn't wait until he saw the other boy again. But graduation was so far away…
After hanging up and bringing the phone back upstairs, Kurt went through his moisturizing routine, changed into pajamas, and flopped down onto his bed. It was only a few minutes past ten, but he was too upset to do anything. Talking to Liam had depressed him, knowing his friends were still aloud to see him whenever they wanted, but Kurt had to wait an entire year. He had just closed his eyes to try and go to sleep when he heard his phone buzz on his nightstand. Opening the text, he felt a smile tug up the corners of his mouth, and he was able to snuggle into his pillows happier than when he had first laid down.
I miss you, beautiful. 3 ~Liam
...
The next day at school, Kurt was surprised when Blaine never showed up for gym class. Karofsky noticed that Blaine wasn't there either, and he took the chance to throw nasty looks at Kurt, who just rolled his eyes and changed into his uniform as fast as he could so he could leave the locker room. Blaine still hadn't shown up by the time gym was over, and when Kurt joined Trent and Sebastian at lunch, he asked if either of them had seen the other boy.
"I haven't seen him all day," Trent said, taking a bite of his pasta. "But I did see his motorcycle in the parking lot."
"I haven't seen him, either," Sebastian said. "But I overheard Coach Beiste telling Mr. Schue that she caught Blaine smoking in the hallway yesterday outside the gym."
Trent rolled his eyes. "About time he got caught."
"She said that Figgins gave him detention for a week and he had to spend today in in-school suspension," Sebastian added, ignoring Trent. "But he let Coach Beiste pick the detention, since he was supposed to be in her class."
"Oh, that sucks for him," Trent said. "The jocks are always going on about how she nearly kills them every day at practice. I wonder what she's going to have Blaine do for her…"
"He has to clean both the boy's and girl's locker rooms, mop the gym floor, and pick up the gym equipment," Sebastian replied immediately. Kurt and Trent stared at him, causing his face to turn red. "What? I was taking a Spanish test, and Beiste and Schue were being loud."
Kurt laughed, and their conversation turned into easy, meaningless chatter. But his mind was starting to develop a plan: if he could get Coach Beiste to let him help Blaine with his detention, he would be able to be alone with the other boy. He would have a solid hour and a half to try and get Blaine to talk to him. Because he realized that, in getting Blaine to open up to him, he could learn why Blaine had suddenly broken up with Trent-and maybe it would settle things between the ex-boyfriends. It could even give Sebastian some closure from all that had happened.
So, instead of going to Glee club after school, Kurt went to Coach Beiste's office to ask if he could help Blaine.
"You want to what?" she asked.
Kurt bit his lip. "Just for today, Coach," he pleaded. "Blaine helped me with something a few days, and this would be a great way to return the favor."
Coach Beiste narrowed her eyes. "He must have done something pretty big for me to allow this. Please, Kurt, enlighten me. Because if it turns out he just helped you study or something-"
"He saved me from getting worse than this black eye," Kurt blurted. He saw Beiste's eyes widen, and he kept talking. "I was getting bashed by…someone…and he fought the guy off and then made sure I was okay before I drove home."
Her eyes widened even more. "Who was bashing you?" she asked, standing up out of her chair. "Tell me and I'll make sure their suspended immediately."
"I-It was just random guy on Halloween," Kurt said, shocked at what Coach Beiste had said.
The teacher looked skeptical, but she let it go. After thinking for a few moments, she seemed to come to a decision.
"Fine," she conceded. "You can help Anderson. But only today."
Kurt grinned. "Thanks, Coach!" he said before turning and practically running out of her office. He stopped in the boy's locker room to drop off his stuff before entering the gym. He immediately noticed Blaine in a corner picking up equipment, a moody expression on his face.
"Wow, you're actually serving your detention," Kurt teased, coming up beside him.
Blaine didn't even jump, even though Kurt knew he must have surprised the shorter boy. If anything, Blaine's expression only darkened, and the walls Kurt had become so familiar with pushed Blaine further back in his mind to hide.
"The fuck you doing here?" Blaine grumbled, tossing two basketballs into a tote.
"I'm here to help you," Kurt said, picking up another ball. "But only for today."
"What do you mean you're here to help me?" Blaine asked, dropping the lid of the tote.
"Well," Kurt said hesitantly. "I still owe you for helping me with Karofsky on Halloween, so I'm just returning the favor in the only way I can think of."
Blaine's eyes darkened even more. "You want to know how you can return the favor?" he asked in a low voice that sent chills down Kurt's spine. "You can leave me the fuck alone." He shoved the lid onto the tote and carried it into the equipment room, Kurt following after him.
"Can you just please tell me why you hate me so much?" Kurt asked exasperatedly as Blaine locked the door.
Blaine ignored him, instead leaving the gym so he could start cleaning the boy's locker room. Kurt followed him of course, but he was starting to feel like a puppy following its master. Thinking of Blaine as his master caused his face to flame hotter than ever before, and he was glad that the other boy had his back to him again.
"Blaine-" he started, about to repeat his question.
"Because you won't leave me alone!" Blaine shouted whipping around to face Kurt. There was panic in his hazel eyes, and his walls were starting to crumble. "You insist on thanking me and trying to figure me out! You pull up all of the painful memories I've been able to hide for years, and you won't respect that I don't want to talk about them. Especially not to someone I don't know and isn't my friend. I didn't tell Robbie, I haven't told my friends…so what makes you think I'd ever tell you?"
Kurt knew his eyes were wide open, but he didn't care. He didn't know if Blaine realized it, but his voice had cracked several times during that mini speech, and Kurt could see tears in his eyes, tears Blaine refused to let fall. The other boy probably hadn't cried in years, and it broke Kurt's heart to think of anyone in so much pain.
"Blaine…I just want to help you," he whispered.
"Then leave. Me. Alone," Blaine said.
"But-"
"FINE!" Blaine shouted so loud that Kurt jumped. "You want to know who I am? You want me to spill all my secrets?" Kurt could only nod, but he was starting to feel unsure at the slightly unhinged look in Blaine's eyes. He hadn't meant to push the other boy so hard.
Blaine walked towards him and grabbed his wrist, pulling him out of the locker room. Kurt tried protesting, but Blaine ignored him, not stopping until they were out of the school and by Blaine's motorcycle. Kurt stood there as Blaine straddled it and stuck in the keys.
"Get on, Hummel," Blaine said gruffly.
"W-What?" Kurt said, eyes widening in alarm.
"I said get on!" Blaine snapped.
Kurt didn't hesitate to straddle the bike behind Blaine, wrapping his arms tightly around the other boy's waist. But as Blaine pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road, he couldn't help but ask one more question.
"Where are we going?"
Blaine didn't answer at first. Then:
"I'm showing you who I am."
Hooray! Character development! You know…in the next chapter…
I hope you all approve! I certainly do!
Review! ^_^
