Hey there, darling readers!
Thank you for the alerts added to the last chapter and story in general, and for all the views this story has accumulated.
So, the last chapter was one long awaited by many for many of the readers, I presume? But don't assume that just because they talked it out, every day will be coffee and rainbows for our favorite couple! There is a lot to come still. That said; let's continue on with the next chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, nor do I own anything you may recognize.
After taking a slight detour towards the house, so as to spend some more time in each other's company alone, during which they reminisced about the old days spent in Lima and under their tree, Kurt and Blaine arrived back in the Hudson-Hummel household just in time for dinner, with Kurt apologizing profusely for not being there to help with the cooking.
"Oh my god, Carole, I'm so sorry! I should have been here to help with the cooking and all. We just started talking and completely lost track of time! You guys should've texted us earlier!"
Blaine was by his side nodding at everything and grinned sheeply. "Yeah, I mean, I know you told us to get onions, but I guess we got sidetracked? And I hope we not getting the onions didn't interfere with your cooking schedule?"
Burt looked at them both as if they had two heads. "Guys? The onions weren't needed, you know that, right? We had bought them along with the other stuff. We just wanted you two out of the house."
Blaine and Kurt both looked at each other for a moment, silently communicating something, and fell into peals of laughter together. They spent a good couple of minutes just like that, laughing and clutching at their stomachs and at each other while the other occupants of the room, which by now included Finn and Rachel as well, just looked on wondering what the hell was happening. When they finally were able to catch their breath Kurt was the first one to recover.
"Really you guys? You don't think we know it was your plan the whole time? Dad, I'm not completely clueless, you know? And you weren't exactly subtle at all but shoving us out the door. Literally." Kurt started laughing again and Blaine took over this time, trying to hold in his own chuckled.
"We knew onions weren't needed, we didn't even go to the store. Not to mention that your excuse of needing me to go with Kurt was completely bull, seeing as we did pass in front of the open store the day we arrived and Kurt mentioned it." He joined Kurt once more in their laughter and the others were slowly chuckling with them, while Burt stood there embarrassed.
"Yeah, I admit, wasn't my best. But it was all I could think of to say to get you guys out of here at the time. And later with the text, well, I had to stick to it, okay?" He looked around at his family, who were all laughing at his expense and grumbled. "It really isn't that funny, and stop laughing at me!"
The laughter finally subdued and they were recovered enough to head into the living room for the Thanksgiving feast Carole had prepared, but just before they crossed the threshold between the living room and dining room, Blaine turned to Burt from his position by Kurt's side and told him cheekily with a hint of amusement on his face.
"And Burt? One more thing, I was the one carrying the onions in from the car." This prompted more laughter from those surrounding them and they entered the dining room and prepared to it in a happy atmosphere.
While the family didn't say grace, seeing as Rachel was Jewish and both Kurt and Blaine were atheists, they did take a round the table so everyone could say what they were thankful for that year. It was one tradition that was always enforced in the Hudson-Hummel house, ever since Burt and Carole got married, and every Thanksgiving since. The first Thanksgiving after Kurt and Blaine's break up was sad to say the least, Kurt not having anything to be thankful for, since he was still sad about the falling apart of his relationship. But this year they hoped to have a lot to be thankful for.
Burt, being the patriarch of the house started, while looking around the table at those assembled as he spoke.
"Well, first of all, I'm thankful for having my entire family under my roof, celebrating this day after years of one missing. I couldn't be happier to finally have my son back home from overseas. I'm beyond thankful for my wife. Carole, every day you make my days brighter, and I fall even deeper in love with you every day that you for putting up with me every single day. I'm thankful for all four of my children. Though technically Kurt is my only son and Finn is my stepson, while Rachel and Blaine are only significant other and friend respectively, I consider you all my sons and daughter, and love you all the same. So basically, I'm thankful for my family." He sat down again and leaned in to peck Carole softly on the lips.
Carole went next, while wiping tears from her eyes.
"I want to thank my husband, first of all. Burt, I don't know what I'd do without you, I love you. And basically everything that he said. I'm thankful for my lovely family and that everyone is finally getting along well again."
The four younger people on the table looked around them and shared soft smiles and knowing looks. Rachel cleared her throat and went next.
"Well, mostly I want to thank my husband, Finn. You may be a big child sometimes, and I may be difficult at others, but you mean the world to me, and I couldn't be happier to be sharing my life with you. There is no one I would rather have a baby with, and I'm glad that you are the one I'm sharing this with." The room exploded in loud cheers, this being news to everyone except Kurt, and they all congratulated the couple, who were beaming at each other. When the noise settled down, Rachel continued. "I'm also thankful for Burt and Carole, who are like a second set of parents for me. I love you so much, and thank you for having me again. And Blaine, you are like a brother to me. Thank you for putting up with me over the years. And lastly, but not least, Kurt. Kurt Hummel. I'm extremely thankful for you giving me another chance, giving our friendship another chance. I know I failed you once, and broke both your trust and friendship. But I'm so glad you gave me another chance, and a chance of having my best friend back. You mean a lot to me, and our friendship meant – means a lot to me, even if I didn't know it back then. So, thank you for giving us a chance at repairing our friendship. I'll always be beyond grateful for that." Rachel had tears running down her cheeks as she was swept into a hug by Kurt, who holding back tears. They whispered words of affirmation to each other and eventually let go, Rachel immediately seeking her husband's comfort, while Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand and held it tightly between his.
Finn was next and he stood a bit awkwardly. "I'm thankful for my parents, I guess. You guys are the best. I'm thankful for Rachel and Finn Jr. or Rachel Jr. whatever the baby turns out to be. For my bromance with Blaine. You rock. And for my brother, Kurt Hummel. You never were not my brother. We may had hit a rough patch, but you will always be my brother, whether we are or not blood related." He stopped and thought for a moment. "yeah, I think that's it. And I'm thankful for all these food, which I hope I can eat soon." This last bit he added in with a goofy grin, earning himself chuckled from those around the table.
Finally it was Kurt and Blaine's turn. They both stood up at the same time, still holding hands as if it was second nature for them to do so. When they were together they always said grace together considering they were pretty much always thankful for the same things, and seeing them get up to do so together without a second thought brought knowing smiles and looks to their family's faces.
Kurt started talking. "Well, I'm well aware we used to do this when we were together and his life was basically my life." He said while nudging Blaine on the side with a grin.
"And I guess a lot of what we have to be thankful for this year will be the same, or alike, so." Blaine continued
And Kurt completed their little introduction with: "And I really don't know how to say grace alone anymore."
Blaine laughed a little and continued. "Firstly I have to be thankful for both Carole and Burt for letting me stay here again, this year, you two are the parents anyone can have. Next I'm thankful for my dear friends, Finn and Rachel. You guys are the best. And you two will make great parents." He paused to let Kurt say his personal thanks.
"Well, I'm thankful for finally being able to spend thanksgiving with my family again. Dad, Carole, thank you having me back home again. And Carole, I missed your cooking." He added with a grin. "Rachel, I'm so thankful that we are giving our friendship another shot. And Finn, you were always my brother. I'm grateful for us to acting as so again."
He paused there and looked over at Blaine silently questioning with his eyes whether he should start. The two stared at each other for a few moments until Kurt motioned that he should start. Blaine nodded and looked around the table.
"Now, I'm aware that our speech this year will be a bit different, but a lot of things happened, and to properly say what we are thankful for, I think a background story is required. So, as you all know six years ago, almost seven, we went through one of the most miserable moments of our life, the most depressing moment in my life. We spent the following year having awkward encounters until we completely ceased contact once Kurt moved to Paris."
Kurt signaled Blaine that he would take over from there.
"Well, as you know, during the years I was in Paris I didn't come back for Thanksgiving. But for the record, I was always thankful for the same thing while I was there: that my family was healthy, for Isabelle taking me with her to Paris, and being able to rebuild my life and find happiness again." Blaine glanced at Kurt when he said this last bit, sensing a story behind his words but Kurt didn't elaborate. He then glanced at the other family members who looked equally confused while Burt looked a bit alarmed. "But here I am now, celebrating Thanksgiving in the presence of my family for the first time in years."
Blaine picked up from there. "I know I have been spending Thanksgiving with you guys since forever, but it's the first time in years that I can properly say I'm spending this day in the presence all my entire family." Burt looked up and tears glistened in his eyes as Blaine acknowledged them as family without a second thought. "And I think I speak for both of us when I say that the thing we are most thankful for this year is finally finding each other again, being able to reignite our friendship after years of no communication."
"I thought I had it all, my dream job, living in a wonderful city, healthy family, but I always knew there was something missing. During eight years of my life I relayed on one person always, one person who I knew would always be there for me. I lost that six years ago. And I'm thankful for whatever force it was that gave me another chance to live in New York, still with all I'd ever dream about might I add, and consequently giving me a second chance at having back my best friend."
Blaine smiled teary at Kurt, whose eyes were also tear filled, and squeezed the hand he still held. "So, after this whole speech we just have to thank whoever brought us together again."
They held their gazes and as one fell into each other's arms holding on tightly to each other. The rest of the table sat silently, the women with crying again and clutching their respective husbands like a life line. Burt looked proud of his boys and even Finn was affected by the entire emotional and heartfelt speech. After what felt like seconds, but was in reality a good five minutes which no one dared interrupt, they finally let go of each other and sat down again, still clasping their hands tightly together.
After such emotional scene, the rest of dinner went by quite joyously, with light jokes and non-stop conversation. Throughout the meal, the two men kept exchanging shy glances, averting their eyes and blushing when caught. Burt kept looking at them fondly, and a bit hopeful of a possible reconciliation in the near future.
After dinner finished the younger generation of the Hummel-Hudson's and Blaine offered to clean up, stating that Burt and Carole had already worked too much that day and should go into the living room and get some rest. After a few protests in Carole's side, which was shot down by Rachel stating that the four of them were more than capable of cleaning up the dining room and kitchen, the older Hummels went into the living room living their kids to do the cleaning up.
After silently working together for a few minutes, Kurt and Rachel on dishes duty and Blaine and Finn sorting the table out and putting things back in their respective places, Rachel finally broke the silence.
"Your tiny speech right now was so heartfelt! You guys made me cry, and it was so beautiful what you said about each other. Any blind person could see and feel how important you are to each other. I'm so happy you two are getting along again."
Kurt smiled a little and looked up catching Blaine's eye for a second from where he was just entering the kitchen and by the glint in his eye, Kurt could tell Blaine had heard what Rachel had just said.
"Thank you, Rachel. And he is extremely important to me. I hope he knows that." This last part Kurt had turned towards Blaine again, who had approached the duo on the sink slowly, with a smile gracing his lips.
"Oh, he knows it. And he wants to say that a certain glasz eyed designer is also very important in his life." The curly haired man looked questioningly at Kurt and Rachel, and the latter who caught up first with the glance called on Finn to help her finish the dishes while Kurt excused them both, claiming they would do the dishes another time, and thanking Finn, before they both disappeared up the stairs in the direction of Kurt's room.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Once in the safety of Kurt's old room they stood in the middle of the room, a couple of steps apart, just staring at each other, letting the situation sink in: their talk earlier in the park, all the words spoken downstairs before dinner, with the raw emotion present on both their tones and expressions, Rachel's remark about them being the most important person in each other's life. They held their gazes for several minutes until Blaine exhaled loudly and crossed the closed the distance between him and Kurt and held Kurt tightly in his arms.
"God, Kurt. I still can't believe you are here, with me, after all these years during which I was positive we'd never talk again let alone re-ignite our friendship." He mumbled into the taller man'neck.
Kurt hugged Blaine back fiercely while whispering words of similar context into his curls, tears already forming in his eyes again. Blaine moved his grip from Kurt's waist to his neck, scraping the little hair present on the end of his hairline, and started crooning a song under his breath while leading them both in a slow dance.
They both stood there, content and with eyes closed, while swaying side to side, in time with Blaine's humming. Their blissful moment was abruptly broken when Blaine suddenly froze, thus stopping their swaying. Without Kurt noticing, and probably doing it unconsciously, Blaine was playing with a chain hung around Kurt's neck while they danced. Now, Kurt stepped back from his best friend, a question in his eyes.
"Blaine? Is something wrong?" He asked cautiously, concern evident in his voice.
Blaine had removed his hand and stepped back completely from Kurt's arms, silent and wide eyes locked in Kurt's chain, or rather specifically, what was hanging from the chain. There, nestled in the hollow of Kurt's throat, glimmered a white gold ring, encrusted with one small diamond, and engraved with two names and a date. Two names that weren't Kurt and Blaine, and a date that held no significance to Kurt and Blaine's relationship. And a ring completely different from the platinum bands they had exchanged as promise rings when they moved in together, which Kurt had left behind with Blaine after they broke up claiming it would be too painful to keep it. Kurt took one glance at Blaine's face and he didn't need to look down to know what Blaine had seen.
Closing his eyes and unfastening the chain letting the ring fall into his hands, Kurt sighed and moved to his bed, sitting down and staring gown at the ring. Blaine stayed rooted into his spot, eyes still wide, a little pale, eyes still confused with a little betrayal showing through, staring at the man sitting in the bed. The same chestnut coiffed man he was just dancing with now seemed so small, curled into himself on the bed, and silently crying into his hands while clutching the ring tightly between his fingers.
"Kurt? Is that what I think it is?" Blaine finally asked in a small chocked voice, breaking the silence that had fallen in the room except for the occasional sniffle from Kurt, who apparently had a lot more going on in his life then he had let on. Kurt didn't respond, just started sobbing a little harder into his hands. Blaine bit back a sob and turned away. "I'll take that as a yes. So what was all this? The talk we had at the park. The smiles, the flirting, the secret glances? Is this all a joke, Kurt?" Blaine suddenly turned to Kurt again, eyes hard and anger clearly present on his voice, although he didn't raise his voice, aware of the family still downstairs.
Kurt was suddenly shaking his head wildly from side to side, trying to reassure the curly haired man that it wasn't what he thought it was.
"No. No. No. Blaine. I would never, no. Just no." He paused while still shaking his head. "Calm down Blaine. I'll tell you everything. I should have told you this earlier, but it's still difficult for me to talk about this. But you deserve to know. Sit down, Blaine." Kurt took a deep breath motioning for Blaine to sit. He did so, hesitatingly, on the carpet, next to Kurt's legs, careful to leave some distance between them.
"Fine. Talk, Kurt, because right now all I can think of is someone you are committed to back in France and that I've read all your signs since your return wrong." Blaine's jaw was still set in a hard line, but his eyes had softened a little, and he motioned that he would remain silent and listen to whatever Kurt had to say.
"Before I start Blaine, you have to know that it was never my intention to hide this from you. It's just a difficult topic for me to talk about. I haven't led you on and I haven't lied to you either. I would have told you what I'm about to say sooner or later. And it might be a bit painful for you to hear, considering our past together, but it's even harder for me to ?" Blaine nodded, gaze locked on the carpet patterns.
"But just be clear, that ring you are holding so tightly is an engagement ring, right?" Blaine asked already knowing the answer.
Kurt nodded, trying to contain the tears still escaping. "Yes, it is. Let me tell the story and you will understand better, okay?"
Taking a deep breath Kurt started his story after Blaine nodded and fell silent.
"As I already told you, I was a mess when we broke up. I was still affected by it when the opportunity for me to go to France arrived, but I had learned to cope. I had even gone on a couple of dates, but nothing serious. Once I arrived in Paris and got settled down, I learned to be myself again. I was slowly rebuilding my life, focusing on my job and my new surroundings. I still missed you. I missed you every day for the past six years. But slowly the pain was fading, and Paris helped me completely heal." Kurt paused smiling slightly as he remembered his first days in the city. The city that helped him get back to what he once was, the city he had fallen in love with even after only a couple of days.
"About two months after I moved to Paris, I met Sebastian at a coffee shop. I was sitting in a booth in the corner of the shop working on some designs when this guy with light brown, slightly coiffed hair, wearing a suit and a charming smile and slightly smirking expression comes up to me. "
*flashback*
"Hi there, gorgeous."
Kurt looked up from his designs and coffee when he heard a voice addressing him. He was met with a pair of green, with hints of brown, eyes that belonged to a man who was smirking slightly down at him while at the same time smiling charmingly.
"I'm sorry, are you confusing me with someone?" Kurt retorted, but still admiring the stranger's form. He had on a light gray suit that hugged his body perfectly, showing off his broad chest and toned arms and legs.
"No. I'm perfectly sure I was addressing you." The stranger winked flirtatiously at Kurt and Kurt found himself smiling a little in response. "Name's Sebastian Smythe by the way, and you are Kurt Hummel, former Dalton Academy Warbler, class of 2012, am I correct?"
Kurt spluttered, putting down his pen and looking up in awed confusion and shock at Sebastian. "Why, yes, I am. How did you know?"
Sebastian smirked and gestured to the empty seat across from Kurt silently asking for permission to seat down, which the still shocked Kurt nodded in approval. "Well…" Sebastian started prolonging the word. "I am a former Warbler myself, class of 2014. Transferred my junior year, the year you graduated. Recognized you from one of the many photos around Warbler's hall."
Kurt seemed to get over his initial shock and nodded. "I'm impressed that you recognized after all these years. Though I'm flattered, as that probably means I haven't aged much since I was eighteen."
Sebastian laughed genuinely, smirk long set aside. "Believe me, I didn't recognize you at first. I first noticed you a couple of weeks ago. I was certain you looked familiar, but I couldn't remember at all. Every time I saw you here it made me wonder. I finally dug out some old photo albums to see if something triggered my mind. Came across an old Warbler pamphlet they distributed to all who were auditioning, before I joined, and saw your face among the 'Warbler alumni' section. So here I am, seeing if my suspicions were correct. Turned out they were."
It was now Kurt's turn to laugh. "Wow. Can't believe it, that I'd meet some former Warbler, who wasn't part of the choir at the time I was, in a coffee shop in Paris of all places! It's nice to meet you, Sebastian, fellow Warbler."
Kurt held out his hand to shake, which Sebastian gladly accepted.
"You too, Kurt." They both sat for a minute, taking sips from their respective drinks before Kurt broke the silence.
"So, Sebastian, what do you do? Judging from your accent, I will take a guess and say you are fellow American?" Kurt raised his eyebrow slightly at his question, daring Sebastian to contradict him.
"Yep, born in California to tell the truth. I lived in Paris for a while when I was younger, attended a private school here for freshmen and sophomore years of high school, and finished said education at Dalton. I'm a lawyer. Studied law at Harvard, and took the French equivalent to bar exam once I finished college and moved here. Been practicing and living here ever since. What about you?"
Kurt set down his cup and grinned. "I'm a fashion designer for the French Vogue. Been living here for about two months, but am fluent in French since I was in Middle School. I used to attend public school up to my mid-Junior year when I was forced to transfer to Dalton. Finished my high school education there. Graduated with a fashion design major from Parsons and am working Vogue since before I graduated."
Sebastian face palmed while chuckling softly. "I probably saw you around the office building at some point then. Maybe that was the reason you seemed familiar. I work across Vogue's headquarters. Any chance you work in the main building?"
Kurt nodded. "Yeah, I do."
The green eyed man nodded acknowledging it. They finished their coffees and continued talking, exchanging stories about their time at Dalton and with the Warblers, Kurt recounting old Warbler performances and Sebastian telling Kurt about the new Warbler leadership implanted after the 2012 seniors left, with one senior Warbler becoming captain, abolishing the Council that existed up until then. Two coffee cups later Kurt realized he needed to head back to work.
"Hey, Sebastian, I have to leave now, I have a meeting in half an hour. It was a pleasure meeting you."
Sebastian stood up as well, taking out his phone. "Pleasure meeting you too, Kurt. I'd love to get together sometime. Any chance I could get your number?"
Kurt chuckled grabbing the phone and saving his contact information before calling his own phone so he could save Sebastian's number. "That actually sounds great. And sure, as long as you don't creep up on me anymore."
Sebastian smirked at him. "I won't guarantee anything, gorgeous."
Kurt laughed loudly, thanking Sebastian when the latter held open the door for him.
"I'll see you around Sebastian. Don't be a stranger."
Sebastian grinned and on an impulse pulled a surprised Kurt into a hug. "Wouldn't dream of it."
They parted ways, each heading out in their respective destinations when Kurt received a text.
From: Sebastian Smythe
How about tomorrow for a date? Dinner? 7:30 pm sounds good?
Kurt grinned, sending a text of confirmation, and pocketed his phone and rushed towards his meeting, grin never leaving his face.
*end flashback*
"We started hanging out regularly ever since, going out in weekly or bi-weekly dates. He knew everything. I told him about you by our fifth date, and told him that while I did want to pursue a relationship with him, I needed to go slow. We became official, as much as that sounds like a teenager talking, that night. He completely understood where I was coming from, telling me he also wasn't ready for much more."
Blaine had tears glistening in his eyes. Kurt, the man he still loved, just recounted meeting someone who wasn't him and that sounded like his dream man.
"Why didn't anyone tell me about it? I'm sure, if you two dated as long as you did, the news would have eventually gotten back to me." His tone wasn't angry, but it was filled with hurt.
"No one knew. Once we established that we were serious about us, I was already known around the fashion world there, and more often than not I'd see paparazzi following me. I wanted to keep my private life secret, away from the media. Bas didn't want to be exposed to the media either. He said he already attracted enough attention ass it was, being a high profile lawyer and respected in the lawyer-ly circles around there. It worked for us, being together, just us, no media involved. We found out soon into our relationship that we lived in the same apartment complex. Great for spending time together away from prying lenses without creating suspecions."
Blaine still didn't look convinced. "What about our friends and your parents?"
Kurt shrugged, but looked a bit uncomfortable. "I didn't tell them either. At first it was because I still felt bad for moving on. And every chance that they got, they would always speak about you and what you were doing. When things got serious, I was afraid of what their reactions would be, and that they wouldn't accept Bas, so I decided against telling anyone. To everyone, family and the world, I was ajust a single man, immersed in his job."
Blaine seemed to understand slightly. "But, Kurt? I understand your reservations. But, you were wearing an engagement ring. Sorry to be asking too much personal questions, but I'm honestly curious. Don't you think you would have to tell everyone, and me consequently, at some point?"
Kurt laughed bitterly and shook his head. "I was going to. Remember at the beginning of the year and cancelled due to life getting busy? I was supposed to come home for a few weeks in February. Bas was coming with me, I was going to introduce him to everyone, and hope for the best. He died before we got the chance."
With that Kurt broke down again in a fresh wave of tears and sobs and Blaine could only sit there, stunned, staring at his best friend who he was in love with, while said man cried his eyes out over another man.
So, this chapter had a lot of information! I know you all probably thought at the beginning of the chapter that everything was finally falling into place. Sorry! And as for Sebastian's character, completely not canon. I like his bitch side, and I do believe he and Kurt would be great together (STILL A HARD CORE KLAINE SHIPPER). I can easily picture them together, and I really like to believe Sebastian would grow out of his teenage self manners. I can only picture Sebastian as a lawyer, and while he grew up, I'm sure he would not lose all the flirty attitude.
Please review, and leave comment a below letting me know what you think of the story! Do you think this will be a setback in a possible Klaine reconciliation? Approvals make me happy and motivate me to write/update faster, and criticisms are also welcome so I can know if and how I can improve my plot!
Also! IMPORTANT! I'm a bit ahead in my writing and I'd like to know from you guys. I was thinking while writing my current chapter that I can go two ways: I can either organize my story so that the verse will be over when this fic is done, or I can organize the plot in a way that will lead to a sequel. I can picture both ways and I'd like to have your input. YES OR NO TO A SEQUEL?
And also, on a completely unrelated note, anyone see Chris Colfer as sexy R2D2? How about Will's (Sherrod) costume of sexy C3PO? And sweet Brian also wearing a Halloween costume? Those three (two and a half) are sooo cute, and incredibly hot. Happy Halloween everyone!
Thank you for reading, and review!
Xoxo- Julia