CHAPTER TEN
They lay in bed, cleaned up and sated, legs and hands intertwined between them, just staring into one another's eyes for a time. Kurt had never felt so utterly peaceful and satisfied after a sexual encounter in his life, and Blaine looked pretty pleased as well from where Kurt was laying.
"So, um…you're staying at Jeff's then?" Kurt asked tentatively. He hadn't changed his mind and still wanted Blaine out of Matt's place, but he wanted Blaine with him, not at Jeff's. Blaine didn't answer right away and it made Kurt nervous.
"I dunno, Kurt, I mean, this building is so much closer to everything I have going on…the diner…Bob's place where I play a few nights a week…you. Especially you…" Blaine stated matter-of-factly, but Kurt saw the hint of a grin on his face and grabbed a hold of the thread he hoped was there.
"Blaine, I'm only going to ask this once more. I have a spare room, and it's yours if you want it. If you eventually find your own place where you'd rather be, I'll cope with that then. I don't want to crowd you and make assumptions about sleeping arrangements, no matter how I'D like them to be. I want you here, safe and away from that crazy man upstairs. I hate you being up there, and I don't want you to have to trek all over the city to get where you need to be. I'm sure that living with Jeff is an adventure and all, but…please think about it, ok?"
"I don't want your spare room, Kurt," Blaine whispered quietly. "I'm sorry." The silence hung between them like dynamite ready to explode before he said, "I like this spot right here just fine, though, if it's available?"
"Really?" Kurt said, sitting up quickly, his smile blinding. "Don't joke with me about it, Blaine…but…really?"
"Really…if it's ok with you? I can't even tell you how miserable I was without you or how much I just wanted to hold you and apologize until I was hoarse. I love spending time with you, Kurt…every spare minute I have, I want to be with you. If you think we can make it work, I'd like to try that."
"I understand why you freaked out now, B…and I'll say it again, I'm so sorry for how it all played out. If I'd known, you know I'd have never done that. But…I do have to say that I think I'm really glad that Zach is such a coward and an ass-hat. Without him doing all that crap, you may not be in my life at all, and I can't think of that as anything but sad and horrible. I think we can make a go of it, B."
"I'd go through all of that crap with Zach again as long as it brings me to you, Kurt."
"I love you. I love being able to say that now instead of just thinking it all the time to myself," Kurt smiled.
"I love you, too. And I really like the sound of it as well. Let's get some sleep, baby. We have a big day of turkey roasting tomorrow, among other things."
Blaine rolled to his side and Kurt snuggled up behind him, pulling the covers all the way up to his chin. Blaine immediately shoved them down, on his side, to his waist. Then he snickered and they looked at one another and burst out laughing.
"Well, it'll take some getting used to, right?" Kurt said, his body shaking from laughing.
"I suppose it will. I'll compromise with you," Blaine grinned, then pulled the covers up to his chest. Kurt shoved his down a bit as well and they snuggled in tightly again.
Kurt lay there, so unbelievably happy about the turn of the night's events. When he'd gone to bed the first time he couldn't have imagined that before dawn his life would have taken a huge turn for the better. So many things were cleared up just from talking it out. He felt sure they'd do ok if they could just keep their lines of communication open. He was nearly asleep in the wee hours of the morning when another thought crossed his mind.
"Blaine?"
"Mmmmm?"
"How did you know I'd made chocolate cheesecake for dessert that night?"
"Oh shit…" Blaine mumbled into his pillow. "Can I explain it to you tomorrow? In fact, I know that at some point tomorrow no explanation will be necessary at all."
"I suppose, but this better be good."
"We'll see, won't we?" Blaine grinned.
Kurt crawled out of bed at 6:30 a.m., leaving a sleeping Blaine there under the covers. It was still pretty dark out and he hadn't left a light on, so he carefully made his way around the discarded clothing on the floor all over the bedroom and the living room and made his way to the kitchen where he finally flicked on a light. He laughed at the sight of Blaine's boxer briefs holding on precariously to the lampshade in the living room, thought about removing them, but then wanted to have a laugh over it with Blaine later in the morning.
He set the oven to preheat, then yanked the turkey the size of a toddler from the fridge and set it in the sink he'd scrubbed like crazy the night before. He peeled the plastic off, grabbed the nasty innards from the inside of the bird and rinsed it thoroughly. He seasoned it, shoved the herbed butter he'd made up under the skin, and then filled it with the stuffing he'd put together the night before, setting the bird in a roasting bag, then in the kiddie pool sized roasting pan he'd picked up. The turkey went into the oven and Kurt set the timer. He knew, yesterday, that the frozen turkey probably wouldn't have time to thaw completely on such short notice, so Kurt wanted to give it plenty of time to cook thoroughly before his guests arrived.
He scrubbed his arms and hands roughly, switched off the light and crawled back in bed with Blaine, snugging up closely and inhaling his scent. He noted that Blaine had kicked all of his blankets off and onto Kurt's side, so Kurt covered him with only the sheet to keep his body heat somewhat close. He allowed himself a minute in the dim light of the morning to admire the nude form of his stunningly handsome boyfriend, then drifted back to sleep with a smile on his face.
He awoke again a few hours later to his phone buzzing like mad. And he swatted at it, thinking his alarm was going off but knowing he'd already gotten up to start the turkey. He smiled, realizing at some point, Blaine had rolled over and they were sleeping face to face, Blaine's arm slung over him and their legs tangled, his head tucked up under Kurt's chin. He shamelessly ogled Blaine's naked body, of which he could see every inch, since he shoved the covers down and over onto Kurt once again. Clearly they had some "covers" issues to work out. Then he noticed the text notifications on his phone.
Burt: Happy Thanksgiving, Kurt!
Burt: Plans worked out for today? Turkey's already smelling good here, I'll tell ya that!
Burt: It's beautiful out! Not too cold and there were flurries this morning. Did you see them?
Burt: What color did you say Blaine's hair was? Curly and dark?
Kurt: Happy Thanksgiving to you, too. Plans worked out, yes.
Kurt: And yes, dark hair, curly…very soft. Why do you ask?
Burt: I'm betting you're a few inches taller than he is, am I right?
Burt: And you've worked things out between the two of you?
Kurt: We have, Dad. Everything is better than fine. This line of questioning is really bizarre…
Burt: No, Kurt. You don't know the meaning of bizarre if you think that's bizarre.
Kurt: ?
Burt: By all means, let me explain: Bizarre, Kurt, is wanting to spend the holiday with your son, so on the spur of the moment you go to where he is because he can't come to you.
Burt: Bizarre is knocking on his door but getting no answer when surely he should be home. Bizarre is also realizing that for some reason the door is not locked.
Burt: Bizarre is letting yourself in to find a trail of discarded clothing which leads to your son's bedroom and the naked man lying next to said son's equally naked body. That, Kurt…that is bizarre. For a father, anyway.
Kurt sat up with a speed to rival anything NASA or NASCAR could throw at him. With a squawk he threw the blankets over Blaine's body and began mumbling "Oh my God, oh my God, oh my GOD" to himself, searching under the covers for his boxer briefs before remembering they were on the floor with his pajama pants…and he couldn't get to those unless he walked stark naked past the door.
"Babe? 'wus a matter?" Blaine mumbled.
"Oh my God…" Kurt said again, flustered beyond belief. "Please don't freak out, ok?"
"About what? Kurt, what's wrong?" Blaine asked again, a little more awake now that he'd taken in Kurt's state of panic.
"Um…so because I couldn't come home for Thanksgiving, my dad decided to surprise me, I guess and they're coming here…"
"That's a good thing, though, right? That'll be great! They'll be able to see you!" Blaine smiled.
"Oh, honey, it's not me they're seeing at the moment…" Kurt rambled, handing his phone to Blaine with the text messages showing. He tugged on the sheet to be sure it was covering all of Blaine, then grabbed the duvet and pulled it around himself as he dashed across the room in front of the door and heard his dad snicker. "It's not funny!" he hissed toward Burt.
"Oh, on the contrary, it's quite entertaining from where I'm sitting. On the sofa. In your living room," Burt teased.
"Oh my God…" Blaine breathed out, pulling the sheet up over his head. "This might be the first time I've ever used the fire escape to get out and not to come in!" He whispered to Kurt, who was tugging on clothing and throwing a pair of underwear and sweats at Blaine after shoving the door shut.
"Oh no you don't! No leaving. If I have to endure the mortification, then you do too!" Kurt said, leveling Blaine with a look. With a deep breath, Blaine slung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, tugging Kurt into his arms.
"Ok, then."
"Ok?"
"Ok, I'd love to meet your dad. I know how important he is to you. If you plan to keep me around for any length of time, and I hope you do, I'm sure this will be the first of many meetings, so let's get on with it," Blaine said, his smile genuine and not at all nervous.
"Really? You're not going to flee the moment I turn my back?"
"I love you and you love me, right? I'm not ashamed that we finally got to share that love last night, Kurt. Is it unfortunate that our morning after was…um…spied upon? Perhaps…but I'm not ashamed of what I feel for you, and I'll meet your dad with a proud smile because I love his son. I'm not here as some sleazy one night stand. Nothing about last night was cheap or tawdry…it was beautiful…because it was you and me. It's pretty simple," Blaine stated plainly, his grin in place as he leaned in to kiss Kurt's lips softly. "Because I love you."
"Oh my God, how are you even real?" Kurt asked, leaning in to kiss Blaine back, raising his hands to the stubble covered cheeks he adored. "I love you, too, you crazy man."
"Shall we?"
"Let's get it over with. But I recommend pants. I think that'd be best. And I need to brush my teeth, because something tells me I have a lot of talking to do."
Kurt picked up the sweats he'd grabbed and handed them to Blaine, watching him pull them on before he walked into the bathroom and offered Blaine the mouthwash. Grinning, Blaine accepted, and felt a surge of rightness at sharing a sink with Kurt as they got ready. All that out of the way, they went out into the living room to face the inquisition.
"So, Blaine, what is it you do?" Burt asked. Blaine knew this was coming and gave a look to Kurt who was in the kitchen with Carol. Kurt just nodded at him reassuringly.
"I um…I spend most days working at the diner a couple of blocks over. I work a few nights a week at a coffee house, playing live music for the patrons there. I usually have a pretty good turnout. And sometimes on the weekends I DJ with a friend at a club downtown."
"Sounds like you're a busy man, then?"
"I am, sir. I'm always busy doing something. When I have any down time I either spend it with Kurt or I write new music. Someday I hope the right people hear my music and I can do something great with it."
"You know a week or so ago I talked to Kurt on the phone and he wasn't too happy with the state of things between the two of you," Burt stated.
"We uh…we had a misunderstanding, and both of us were too…I don't know…stubborn…clueless, maybe…to talk to the other. We've talked it all out now, though, and worked through it. It was imperative for me, because I don't know what I'd do without him in my life. Your son is an amazing man, and he makes me very happy, Mr. Hummel. I just hope I can continue to make him happy as well," Blaine grinned, blushing.
"I'll let you in on a little secret, Blaine," Burt said, leaning in so he could talk softly and not be heard by Kurt. "When Kurt first told me about you, the way he spoke of you was…different. I hadn't heard that tone in his voice for a long time…maybe ever, actually. I think you're pretty special to him, and I hope the two of you are good to each other. Treat each other right, ya hear me? Respect goes a long way, even if…especially if…you don't see eye to eye on something. Talk it out, listen and just try to see each other's point of view, ok? I'll be the first to say that Kurt is stubborn and he's set in his ways, but my boy has a lot to give to the right person."
"I really hope I'm the right person, Mr. Hummel. He's perfect for me. Well…he's just perfect in general," Blaine said blushing again. He wasn't sure what it was, but talking to Burt Hummel about his son made him feel content, not uptight or anxious. If blushing was the worst that happened, he was ok with that.
"And about this morning when we came into the apartment…" Burt began. Oh God, what was that he was thinking about content, not uptight or anxious? Blaine cringed. "I apologize for that. I hadn't talked to Kurt since you two patched things up and that wasn't what I expected—"
"Mr. Hummel, I'm sorry that's what you walked in on—"
"Lemme finish, Kid. If you're in Kurt's bed, there's a good reason. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say he feels strongly for you, Blaine."
"He loves me…Kurt loves me, and I love him…God, so much," Blaine said, his voice confident now.
"Mmhmm, as I was saying, if you're in his bed, it's because he loves you. My boy doesn't throw himself around, Blaine. Respect that…both of you."
"I will, Mr. Hummel. I absolutely will."
"Call me Burt, Kid. I don't do that 'Mr. Hummel' thing, especially not with my son's boyfriend who I'm learning to like." Burt smiled and went back to watching the football game, and Blaine breathed a sigh of relief.
"If you're finished grilling Blaine, Dad, can I borrow him? I need another bag of potatoes from the grocery store and a few small things, too. Blaine would you mind—"
"I'm on it. Just make me a list, babe!" Blaine smiled, hopping up from the sofa and quickly going to Kurt's side in the kitchen. He dropped a kiss on Kurt's lips and Burt watched his son giggle and kiss the boy back. Yeah…Burt liked him well enough already. He was pretty sure Blaine would be around awhile, and he was ok with that.
"Want some company? I'll go with you. Kurt doesn't do short lists, and the sooner you figure that out the better, Blaine," Burt laughed.
Two hours later the apartment was filled with people on the sofa, in the chairs and around two makeshift dinner tables with folding chairs borrowed from Mrs. Danneman across the hall. Kurt was thrilled that she opted to join them, and she and Carol hit it off right away. They took over the kitchen, leaving Kurt to entertain his guests as they arrived. He was joking with Santana, who'd finally forgiven him, about looking for some "hello, may name is _" stickers when there was a knock on the door. The only people missing from their impromptu gathering were Jeff and his boyfriend, so Kurt hurried to the door to answer it, Blaine hot on his heels for some odd reason.
"Hey, you must be Kurt?" The blonde god said with a smile, holding out his hand. At Kurt's nod, they shook hands and then Kurt's mouth fell open and his eyes went wide. "I think you've met my boyfriend, Nick?" Jeff smiled widely. Nick had the good grace to look embarrassed but Kurt just burst out laughing and grabbed his hand to shake, then pulled them both inside. He felt Blaine's arm slide around his waist and decided he really liked it there. Kurt felt like Blaine was proud to introduce him to his friends, and that meant a lot to him.
"So…Nick Duval, is it? If that is, indeed, your real name?" Kurt teased.
"It is, I swear it!" Nick laughed. "I had come over to talk to you, Kurt. Believe me, it was all for selfish reasons. This ass-munch was hogging my boyfriend and whining day and night. I had to do something! When I got here that day, you were leaving, so I followed you to the deli. And you know the rest. I'd apologize but I think we had a pretty good conversation there, don't you?"
"We did, yes. I vented and you told me Blaine and I were being ridiculous and it was all a misunderstanding…which it was. And now I know, Blaine, how you knew I made chocolate cheesecake for dessert!" Kurt said, whacking Blaine on the arm and shaking his head.
"Nick told me to man up, to talk to you and to work things out. When he told me about the dinner you'd planned as well as…" Blaine paused, and coughed, "potential after dinner plans, I knew I'd really misjudged everything and I hated myself. I knew you'd be devastated, and that I needed to come and apologize. I'm glad I did," Blaine smiled, leaning in to Kurt's side and planting a soft, sweet kiss on his cheek.
"I'm glad you did, too, B," Kurt replied, turning to reach Blaine's face with his soft palm. "I'm so very glad we talked things out."
Kurt's Thanksgiving dinner for one turned into dinner for five, then nine and now there were twelve of them around the table as Kurt placed the platter of carved turkey in the center of it much to the appreciation of everyone present.
"Ok, so some of you know I'm not much for organized religion and my thoughts on God are…iffy. If you're so inclined, feel free to say grace, but I hope you'll join me in going around the table and stating something you're thankful for on this day of giving thanks?" Kurt said, his smile bright for everyone.
Mrs. Danneman took up saying grace, which gave Kurt a chuckle, but he wouldn't begrudge her the opportunity.
"Lord, who some of us are iffy about, we thank you for this food and for everyone around the table…especially Kurt who brought us all together here today so that we weren't alone on this holiday. He's provided us with food, friends and warmth, and for that we'll thank him as well as You, from whom all good things come. Amen. I'll take this time to start things off, if I may, by saying I'm thankful that several months ago a bright, handsome and friendly young man moved into the apartment across from mine and became my friend. There is nothing he's denied me, from carrying my groceries up the stairs when the elevator was out to changing a lightbulb I couldn't reach. He's a fine young man and I'm grateful that he's my friend and neighbor," Mrs. Danneman said raising her glass toward Kurt. He could barely contain his smile…or his wet eyes. Blaine took his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze.
They continued around the table, each person saying something that they were thankful for, all of them taking the time to thank Kurt for including them.
When it came to Blaine, Burt was especially interested to hear what he'd say.
"I'm so very thankful to be here today. As many of you know, I don't spend the holidays with my family very often. We don't get along well, and haven't for some time, and that's something I've gotten over…but holidays are rough when you're not with the people you love. Today, though…I am. I'm with my little family who have adopted me and taken me in since I've moved to the city…Jeff, Santana…you guys are the best friends a guy could ask for. And Art...well, he's with his daughter today, but you know how important he is to me...to us. All of you…my new friends, I'm thrilled to share this day with you. But most of all, I'm so very thankful for this man in my life," he said, taking Kurt's hand. "He's shown me that risks are ok, and taking them once in a while can be the best decision you ever make. I love you, Kurt Hummel, and I'm most thankful to have you in my life."
A chorus of "awwwws" went up and Kurt blushed, but it was his turn now, so he cleared his throat and began, despite the huge lump in his throat from Blaine's speech.
"Um…wow. It's hard to pick out one thing, so if you'll indulge me, I'll offer a few things that I'm very thankful for. In general, I'm thankful for my life, the way it is right now. I have a great job, a fantastic team at work, and I love what I do. My family is healthy and here, except for my brother Finn who chose hos over bros and stayed at home with his girlfriend," Kurt said, laughing, and everyone else laughed as well. "I'm grateful for all of you being here, my friends and family, so thank you for choosing to hang out with me today. But…when I think about it, I'm thankful for something which happened in the past, really. And it boils down to being grateful for guitar lessons," He grinned.
"But you're not taking guitar lessons," Blaine stated as almost a question.
"Nope, I'm not. But…someone did, which then set you on a path toward me. Guitar lessons turned to heartbreak, which then got you to move with Jeff to the city where you met Santana, then Art….and because you met Santana, you met Matt, who we all know is a pain in the butt, however…if he wasn't, you wouldn't have been on the fire escape that night and I wouldn't have met you when I did. That, Blaine…that is what I'm most grateful for at this moment in time…for you in my life," Kurt smiled, then leaned down to kiss Blaine smack dab on the lips in front of everyone, who cat called and hollered as Kurt pulled back, leaving a blushing Blaine spluttering and grinning.
"Well, I'm so ok with that…" he managed, then laughed with everyone else.
"Alright. Lastly, I'm thankful for all this food, and for all of you for bringing something to share with us. Let's dig in!" Kurt said, and proceeded to have the best Thanksgiving he could recall in a long, long time.
A/N Only the Epilogue left after this...