Author's Note:
So…Darren's killing it on Broadway…and I'm seeing him in less than 72 hours!
I really want to thank you all for reading and reviewing and alerting. It means so much to me! I love every new email in my inbox.
This chapter should really be called "Getting to Know You." I hope you enjoy it!
Thank you to my beta, Potikanda. Awesome as always.
***I do not own Glee. Or Hello Dolly.***
Kurt woke up Sunday morning tired. He had hoped to feel more well rested, but 12 hours on his feet gearing up for the holiday season was exhausting. The thought of a four hour dance rehearsal made him already want to sink deep into a warm bath, but instead he pulled himself out of bed and, eyes half closed, climbed into a hot shower.
Once the smell of his coconut shampoo and vanilla soap started to truly wake him up, he realized that rehearsal meant seeing Blaine, and a smile swept his face. He hadn't had a chance to talk to Blaine all day Saturday. As soon as Blaine had raced out of the apartment back to Dalton, Kurt had dressed and headed to the store where he not only worked his normal shift, but led the inventory count that night. He knew he'd regret it in the morning, but he needed the extra money. He hoped his discharge check from the State would come soon. He could use that extra thousand dollars.
He turned the water off, deciding to not let his money woes ruin his day. His thoughts instead turned to Blaine. The tea party had been the sweetest and most thoughtful thing that anyone had ever done for him. Others had given him things; laptops, cars, a place to stay. Blaine had given him back a piece of his childhood, the hopes and dreams of his father; and in that moment, everything changed. A part of him healed. Blaine had done what no therapist or foster parent or staff had ever been able to do. Blaine had allowed him to trust again. He had known Blaine a week. Only seven days. And yet, he had opened his heart, and fallen in love.
Kurt noticed from the start of rehearsal that Blaine was on edge, but Blaine said nothing about it and he let it go. Once they started working, the edge slipped away. Kurt and Blaine danced for almost four hours choreographing Elegance, with only two ten-minute breaks, and it was exhausting. Blaine had realized during their first break that Kurt was hurting more than him, and after they got their cups of coffee, he offered to massage Kurt's legs. Kurt happily took him up on the offer, reclining in one metal folding chair with his left leg on Blaine's lap.
"Mmmm, that feels amazing," Kurt murmured with his eyes closed.
"Don't you two look cozy," said a chipper voice.
Kurt looked up to see his costar, Heidi, and he gave her a broad smile. Heidi played his love interest, Minnie, and the two had hit it off almost immediately. She was a cute, freckled, 19 year old red head who was shorter than Rachel Berry, with an effervescent personality and the same charm as Blaine. Everyone liked her the minute they met her.
"I'd be happy to give you a turn at the next break, Heidi," Blaine winked at her.
"Don't give me that, I know you'd rather be massaging Kurt than little old me." At Blaine's mock protest, she winked at him back. "That's ok, Sweets, your secret is safe with me," she said, and she returned to the coffee table to grab some chocolate and talk to Jessica and Jennifer, the woman who played Blaine's love interest, Irene Molloy .
Blaine and Kurt looked at each other, shyly. "Guess we don't hide it too well," Blaine said.
"Guess not," Kurt replied, the inevitable blush on his alabaster skin creeping up to his cheeks.
Heidi came bouncing back over. "Hey guys, Jennifer and I were going to go out to the Chinese place on the dinner break, you guys want to come?"
They glanced at each other briefly. Kurt could immediately tell that Blaine really wanted to go. Blaine could see the concern about the money beating out Kurt's desire to be a part of the group. "I'm happy to go if you'll share a dish with me Kurt," he said hopefully. "I'm not sure with all this dancing and with scenes later, I can really eat a whole plate on my own."
Kurt knew he was lying, but he smiled anyway, so grateful for Blaine's understanding. "Yeah, that sounds great," Kurt said.
One break and almost three hours later, thoroughly exhausted and ready to add some real fuel to the coffee and chocolate, the four headed out to the local Chinese restaurant. After placing their order and handing their menus off to the waiter, the women smiled at each other. Though Jennifer was ten years older than them all and quieter than Heidi, she was friendly and made them all feel comfortable with her around.
"So," Heidi said looking mischievously at the guys sitting across from her. "Jennifer and I have been wondering something."
Blaine and Kurt glanced at one another and looked at Heidi expectantly.
"Have either of you actually ever kissed a girl?" she asked as she and Jennifer devolved into giggles.
It wasn't the question that either had expected, and Kurt turned to Blaine, crossing his arms smugly, and sat back to watch him. "Yeah Blaine, have you ever actually kissed a girl?" Kurt challenged.
Blaine laughed and took a sip of his drink. "As a matter of fact, I have. During orientation week my sophomore year at Dalton I went to a party with some girls at our sister school. There was alcohol and a game of spin the bottle, and apparently if I'm drunk enough, I don't mind kissing girls too much." Kurt's eyebrows arched at this new bit of information and Blaine quickly grabbed his hand. "Don't worry, when I went out with her sober it became pretty clear I was 100% gay."
Jennifer and Heidi looked at each other knowingly at the boys holding hands, but said nothing. "Your turn Kurt," Heidi pressed.
"Well," he said, "I actually had a girlfriend briefly at McKinley. She was a cheerleader named Brittany and she decided it would be a good idea for me to at least try out being bisexual. Plus, I was the only guy at school she hadn't been with." He chuckled at the memory of her parents catching them making out on the couch in her living room. "She was disappointed when I clearly didn't play for her team at all."
They all laughed. Their food came, and the talked casually about the show, their lives and their first impressions of the rest of the cast. They learned that Jennifer was married, and her husband had joked about her being a cradle-robber, kissing Blaine in the show. Heidi shared that she had a boyfriend who was also an actor and they were hoping to move out to Los Angeles as soon as they had enough money. Kurt and Blaine peeked over at one another. Their dreams entailed going to New York, and they were both secretly starting to dream of going together.
Jennifer didn't miss the look between the boys at all. "So, I assume you two are trying to keep this thing a secret, right?" she asked.
"Thing?" Kurt asked innocently.
"You know, the fact that you two are dating," Heidi piped in.
Kurt went crimson and Blaine rubbed his neck in embarrassment. "Well, we only just met at auditions," Blaine explained, "so it's still really all new to us. We were, um, just trying not to make things uncomfortable for everyone."
Jennifer stared at them in surprise. "You guys only met a week ago?" The boys both nodded sheepishly. "Wow. I would have thought you two had known each other forever."
Blaine walked Kurt out to his car after rehearsal, hand in hand. The secret was out to Heidi, Jennifer, and the production staff there tonight; they both agreed there was no point in hiding it from the rest of the cast and crew. And besides, neither of them really wanted to anymore. What they had was real, and while they knew their dreams of it lasting forever were implausible, they did both believe that their journey was much longer than the run of one community theater production.
"Kurt, I have a question," Blaine asked smiling up at him. "But I don't want you to say no right away."
Kurt looked at him curiously. "What is it?"
"The guys want to meet you. My friends at Dalton I mean. Would that," he hesitated slightly seeing Kurt's face blanch slightly, "Would that be ok with you?"
"I," Kurt looked at him embarrassed. "I don't know Blaine. It's not that I have trouble meeting new people, but the kids at Dalton," he paused. "I've always assumed they would look down on me. And what about Sebastian?"
Kurt didn't miss the amber in Blaine's eyes momentarily blaze. "I won't let Sebastian anywhere near you. As for Nick, Jeff and Trent, they already know about you and they are excited to meet you."
"What do you mean they know about me," Kurt said, his eyes narrowing. "Blaine, the things I told you, I don't tell just anyone. I trusted you…"
"And I didn't betray that trust," Blaine quickly interjected, taking Kurt's hands in his. "Although in a way it is my fault that they know." Blaine explained Sebastian's phone call to his father, how his Dad had been there to greet him when he'd returned on Saturday, and then his confrontation in the middle of Warbler rehearsal. He hated telling Kurt the things that Sebastian said about him, and he toned it down for Kurt's benefit, but he wanted Kurt to know that it was Sebastian who had been the one to reveal his secrets in front of everyone.
"When Nick and I went for a walk, I told him that your parents died and that you grew up in foster care, but I didn't tell anyone else anything. You can answer whatever questions you want, Kurt. I know it's not my place," Blaine said.
Kurt shook his head, taking it all. "Sebastian's a real bastard Blaine. Someday you'll have to explain to me what you ever saw in him." Blaine looked away, both dreading and hoping for that day to come. Kurt took a deep breath. "This is important to you?" Kurt asked sincerely.
"They are my best friends in the whole world," Blaine said. "They hated Sebastian from day one, if that's any consolation," he assured Kurt wryly.
"So they are checking me out. Making sure I'm good enough for you," he said, taking hold of Blaine's coat lapels and pulling him flush against his body.
"Making sure you're not crazy," Blaine said softly before leaning in for a warm kiss. As he pulled away, he raised an eyebrow. "You're not crazy, are you?" he teased.
"Only crazy for you," Kurt grinned, as he pulled Blaine in for another kiss.
It wasn't until Saturday night that Kurt and the Warblers finally had a chance to get together. Between Kurt's job, sectionals coming up the following Friday and Hello Dolly rehearsals, finding time together was nearly impossible. Blaine was nervous as he sat in Nick and Jeff's room waiting for Kurt's arrival. Kurt had decided that he didn't want to go out and spend money, so had reluctantly agreed to a night in with the guys. Blaine had promised him that his ex-boyfriend would be nowhere around, armed with the knowledge that Sebastian had a date with an unsuspecting junior who resided in Sebastian's dorm.
"Relax Blaine, everything is going to be fine," Jeff said with a mischievous grin toward Nick.
"You three have something evil planned, I can see it in your eyes." Blaine accused them.
Trent clutched his heart like he was hurt. "We wouldn't do anything evil, Blaine. Just a friendly game to get to know Kurt better, and so he can get to know us."
"And what if he doesn't want to play?" Blaine asked firmly.
"We aren't going to force him," Nick said, rolling his eyes. "But it really is a good and fun way of getting to know each other."
Blaine rolled his eyes as his phone rang. "Guys, he's here. Please don't scare him away." He turned away from them as he answered the phone. "Hey you," he purred into the phone. The guys giggled at him. "I'll come down and let you in." He turned back to his friends. "Please don't make me regret this," he implored, as he opened the door to go get Kurt.
Blaine went to the front door of the dorm to let Kurt in, since he didn't have an ID to swipe. Blaine immediately took him in his arms. "I missed you," he whispered.
Kurt laughed and pulled away. "Blaine, we saw each other Tuesday and Thursday and Friday…"
"Yes, but those were just for rehearsals. We haven't had a date since last week. And I haven't been able to kiss you like this…" Ignoring everything around him in the entryway of the dorm, Blaine kissed Kurt softly, cupping Kurt's head in his hand and pulling him in closer and deeper, until Kurt moaned in delight. When they finally pulled away from one another for air, Kurt looked at him suspiciously.
"Why do I have a feeling I'm in for quite the night, and that was my apology?" Kurt asked.
Blaine smiled and took his hand, leading him up the stairs to Nick and Jeff's room. "Because you are," Blaine said. "But my apology comes later," he winked.
Kurt only looked at him out of the corner of his eye, smirking, as he took in the scenery of a Dalton Academy dorm. There were portraits of past alumni as well as impressive artwork from the students. Over his head on the ceiling above the staircase was a large chandelier. Kurt suddenly thought himself in a Harry Potter movie, and worried that the staircase might start moving on him suddenly. Blaine pulled him past the common room furnished with leather couches and chairs, wooden desks and a full kitchen, down a long corridor of doors, and into a room, closing the door behind them.
Kurt was met by three boys, one handsome brunette with slightly floppy hair and an adorable smile, one bubbly blonde, the tallest of the four Warblers, and one brunette, hair gelled like Blaine, with a baby face. "Kurt, this is Nick, Jeff and Trent. Guys, this is Kurt," Blaine introduced them.
Kurt smiled, a bit tentatively at first until Trent noticed what had been overlooked in the heat of Blaine's kiss. "What's that?" Trent asked pointing to a bucket Kurt held in one hand.
"Just some surprises I baked," he answered.
"Baked?" Jeff jumped at Kurt and Blaine grabbed Kurt's arm and pulled him close.
"Gentleman, behave yourselves," Blaine yelled, as he helped Kurt take his coat off and the two settled themselves onto Nick's bed, placing the container on Nick's desk for now. "So, the three of you had some evil plan you were hatching when I left. Care to share now?"
They all looked willfully at each other and then grinned at Blaine and Kurt. "We were just planning a little game of Never Have I Ever," Jeff answered for the group.
"No," Blaine instantly barked at them shaking his head. "Absolutely not."
"Come on, Blaine, it will be fun," Nick urged.
"And educational," Trent said wiggling his eyebrows.
"No," Blaine insisted, "I'm not going to let Kurt suffer through that his first time meeting you."
"Why not," Kurt asked quietly, and the four boys turned to him for the first time. Kurt shrugged. "I don't mind playing. Only problem is that I don't drink."
Blaine stared at him incredulously, shocked that he seemed to want to play. Nick, Jeff and Trent, on the other hand, jumped for joy. "That's ok Kurt," Trent said, "We don't drink here anyway. Immediate expulsion if you get caught, and no one wants to risk that. We usually play for money; a dollar for every 'drink', ten dollars in total."
Kurt blushed slightly and lowered his head. "I don't have ten dollars either."
Blaine went to offer him money, but before he could, Nick quickly jumped in. "I am pretty sure that whatever you baked in that bucket over there is worth ten dollars." Nick quickly glanced at Blaine, and Blaine offered him his silent thanks. "Let's see it!"
Kurt smiled and opened the lid to reveal a bucket full of warm, soft, delicious smelling chocolate chip cookies.
"I'll take four," yelled Jeff, pulling four dollars out of his pocket. Kurt exchanged the cookies for the money and then gave three each to Trent and Nick in exchange for their dollars. He held one cookie out to Blaine for free, and Blaine bit it straight from Kurt's hand. Giggling, Kurt held the ten singles in his hand and smiled at Blaine. "Guess I'm ready to play!"
Blaine stared at him in amazement and kissed him quickly on the lips. Blaine then traded in a ten dollar bill for ten singles that Nick had gotten for the occasion, while Jeff adjusted the lights to dim the room to a comfortable level for telling secrets. Blaine pulled a blanket off the bed for him and Kurt to curl up in, and they all settled into a circle on the floor.
"Ok," Nick said, taking charge. "Just to review the rules. Put your ten dollars in front of you. The first player states something he has never done. Everyone who has done that, has to put a dollar into the middle of the circle. When someone is all out of money, the game ends, and the person with the most money left gets the pot. Everybody understand?"
They all nodded.
"Ok. I think our guest Kurt should go first, and then we go clockwise, meaning Blaine is next, then Trent, then Jeff, than me, agreed?" They all nodded. "Alright Kurt, go!"
Kurt rubbed his hands together playfully, looking at each one of them. Blaine's eyes still glowed at him, and Kurt couldn't help but pause for a second, before turning back to the others in the circle. "Never have I ever cheated on a test at school."
"Oh man!" Nick and Jeff both yelled, as they slammed dollars into the center of the circle.
"If you two wouldn't cheat off each other, maybe you'd both do better in school!" Blaine teased.
"Shut up," Nick said playfully, "I do just fine. You're turn."
"Ok," Blaine said, thinking. He wanted to get his friends to pay up, but wanted Kurt to keep his money. On the other hand, he also really wanted to use the game as a chance to get to know more about Kurt. "Never have I ever…told a teacher what I really thought of an assignment," he said looking at Jeff.
Jeff slammed another dollar into the circle, remembering the time he had been thrown out of English class for telling a teacher what he really thought of Lord of the Flies. Blaine was surprised though when Kurt threw a dollar into the center.
"Really?" Blaine asked incredulously.
"Our show choir teacher, Mr. Schuester, had a habit of making stupid assignments. One day I decided to call him on it, when he once again split the class into boys and girls and told me I had to sing with the boys." Kurt shrugged. "Trent's turn."
Blaine took the hint and turned to Trent. He gave him a look of warning, but Trent just grinned. Blaine knew Trent's sass and he knew that the game would quickly turn more embarrassing with his statement. He wasn't mistaken. "Never have I ever kissed someone and regretted it," Trent said looking at Blaine.
Blaine threw his dollar in, no explanation needed. They all knew about the many times he regretted kissing Sebastian. Nick also threw in a dollar, with a quick shake of the head to avoid explanation. Kurt sat for a moment, contemplating the question. He regretted certain things with Joe, he regretted Joe's feelings for him, but he never regretted kissing him. As soon as he knew it wasn't right anymore, he stopped. He sat back and looked at Jeff. "You're turn, blondie," Kurt said with a grin.
"Oh, is that the way it's gonna be Kurt? Ok, just for that," Jeff said with a gleam in his eye." Never have I ever experienced love at first sight."
Blaine and Kurt both glanced at each other, then looked away blushing. Jeff beamed smugly over at them. He knew that Blaine felt that way, and judging from the pink of Kurt's cheeks he did as well. "Come on you two, pay up!" Their blushes extended down their necks as both Kurt and Blaine put a dollar into the center. Blaine quickly kissed Kurt on the cheek and reached a hand out for him. Kurt laced his fingers with Blaine, and the two relaxed back, leaning against the bed.
"Ok, you all can stop staring at us now. Nick it's your turn," Blaine said.
"Well, well, let's think," Nick said. They all knew how competitive Nick was and they watched as he sized up each one of the boys. "Clearly we need to get some money out of Trent, so here goes. Never have I ever had a crush on one of my best friends."
This time it was Trent's turn to blush as they all laughed affectionately at him, Jeff patting him roughly on the back. Kurt looked curiously at Blaine, who laughed as Trent threw in his dollar. "Trent has had a crush on me since we arrived freshman year," Blaine explained.
"Well, you are sex on a stick, Blaine Anderson," Trent flirted. He turned to Jeff and Nick. "What, no dollars from you two?" Again, everyone but Kurt laughed.
"Hey, just because Sebastian is convinced there is something going on between Jeff and I, does not mean that there is. We are both straight, thank you very much," Nick said.
"You just keep telling yourselves that," Trent laughed.
Kurt sat astounded at the camaraderie between the Warblers. The New Directions were close, but there was constant fighting and any joking about their sexuality was taken badly. These guys all seemed quite comfortable, and it was a welcome change for Kurt.
"Alright, enough of that. Kurt, it's your turn again," Nick said.
"Ok, hmmm…I need something juicy. Never have I ever skinny dipped," Kurt said. He was amazed when every Warbler put in a dollar. "Ok, story, please!" Kurt begged.
"Remember when I told you about that party sophomore year when I kissed that girl," Blaine said and Kurt nodded. "Well, there also happened to be a pool, and well, let's just say the Warblers really aren't that shy. The girls agreed to go topless if the boys would go skinny-dipping and the guys begged Trent and me to go along with it, even though we didn't care. So we all ended up skinny dipping in a pool together at the home of one of the Crawford girls."
"Wow. You are full of surprises, Blaine Anderson," Kurt scoffed. "You're turn," he said, leaning his head on Blaine's shoulder, nuzzling him.
"Hmm. Never have I ever used illegal drugs," Blaine said. Trent and Jeff each put in a dollar. He knew they would, he was aware that both of them had tried marijuana over the summer. What he didn't expect was the stiffening of Kurt on his shoulder. It was likely to go unnoticed by the others, but Blaine felt it clear as day, a quick shutter and then a stillness. As he felt Kurt mull over whether or not to open himself up to put the dollar Blaine knew he owed into the center, Blaine squeezed his hand and made the choice for him. "Trent, your turn."
"Easy. Never have I ever done body shots." Both Jeff and Blaine quickly threw their dollars in, once again, acts committed at this wild party they all participated in. "Jeff's turn."
Jeff looked at Blaine and Trent with evil eyes, and they both grimaced with thoughts of what could possibly be coming. Blaine nudged Kurt, and Kurt smiled softly back, beginning to relax again. Jeff sat up straight and said, "Never have I ever gone to church and a gay bar in the same day."
Trent leaned over and pushed Jeff over as Jeff laughed hysterically. "You suck, Jeffrey!" Trent shouted as he threw a dollar in. Then they all looked at Blaine. "Come on Blaine, no being shy around the new boyfriend, throw your dollar in." Kurt's mouth opened in shock. Blaine grinned sheepishly over to Kurt. "So, are you more surprised at the church part or the gay bar part?" he asked.
"Or the both on the same day part!" Nick snorted. Kurt just shook his head.
"Let's just say that Sebastian has no shame whatsoever," Blaine shared in explanation as he placed his dollar in the pot.
"Well, I think that was made clear a long time ago, but apparently you and Trent don't have much either," Kurt said under his breath and everyone laughed. "Ok, whose turn?" Kurt asked.
"Mine," Nick said, mulling his thoughts for a minute. "Never have I ever had an RA walk in while I was having sex."
"Damn it Nicholas!" Blaine yelled as he tossed a dollar in Nick's face, then buried his head in his hands. Nick caught it and placed it in the circle, while Kurt just shook his head laughing. "Oh my god, Blaine, you have way more interesting stories to tell then I do."
"And I can't wait to tell them all to you. But not right now, it's your turn. Please get some of these guys' money," Blaine said.
"I'll try," though his tone indicated he wasn't hopeful. Then his face brightened. "Never have I ever had phone sex," Kurt asked with a slight coloring of his cheeks. Blaine smiled slightly and filed that bit of information away for a later date. He'd have to remedy that fact.
Kurt gave a satisfied grin as both Jeff and Nick threw their money into the pot. Kurt had suspected as much, being straight guys in an all boys school.
The game continued with much laughter, minor embarrassment and the occasional playful fight between the boys. Kurt was readily welcomed into the fold, and he was surprised at how comfortable and welcome he felt amongst them. He had expected quite a different evening, but was extremely delighted in how it turned out. When he left, each and every one of the guys gave him a hug and Trent kissed him on his cheek. When Nick embraced Kurt, he whispered so Blaine couldn't hear, "We're so happy you came into his life." Kurt smiled back at him, tears welling up in his eyes.
Kurt took Blaine's hand as they walked back to his car together in the Dalton parking lot. Despite the overhead lights, it was a dark night, clouds blocking the moon and starlight. Blaine held Kurt tightly in his arms and brushed his cheek, lovingly. "It's a good thing you won the game by more than one dollar Kurt, " Blaine lightly scolded. Kurt lowered his eyes, but Blaine lifted his chin. "Hey. I know you didn't want to tell but you don't have to be embarrassed or ashamed. We've all done things we regret. You told me you weren't perfect. Frankly, given everything you've been through I'd be amazed if you managed to get through it without some issues."
Kurt looked at him, and Blaine could see the pain swimming behind Kurt's eyes. "I'm sober now Blaine. I didn't use long and I've been clean and sober for almost 3 years. And I have no intention of ever using again. You have to know that."
Blaine just cocked his head at Kurt. "Of course I know that, Baby," Blaine said, using the term of endearment for the first time. "I know how amazing my boyfriend is." Kurt's breath hitched. "That is, if you want to be my boyfriend," Blaine looked up at him hopefully.
Kurt took in every feature of Blaine, his crooked smile, his sparkling eyes, his proud posture and his eyebrows standing tall in anticipation. Kurt laughed and cupped Blaine's cheeks in his gloved hands. "Of course I'll be your boyfriend," he said, and he surged forward to meet Blaine's lips, savoring their sweetness as he warmed them from the cold, sweeping his tongue along them as they parted and allowed Kurt to deepen the kiss. Blaine didn't fight for control. Instead they both slowly explored the other until the heat of their passion forced them apart. Kurt's eyes gleamed in wonder. "Love at first sight, huh?" he asked flirtatiously.
"Something like that," Blaine lowered his eyes, looking up at Kurt through his gorgeous long lashes. "And you?"
Kurt smiled and kissed Blaine's nose playfully. "Something like that," he answered. Kurt got into his car and waved out the window. Blaine watched him go, and hummed to himself for a minute before he realized he was humming Teenage Dream.
He swiped his card and entered the building, humming all the way back to his dorm room. He never noticed the dark shadow hiding in the corner, who had overheard the entire conversation.
A/N: Everyone was looking forward to the Warblers meeting Kurt, so I hope you were all satisfied. Thanksgiving is still a few chapters out. First up, Sectionals!
While I am in NY, I will be writing the New Years Eve chapter to Way Out, so I hope you all check it out. But don't worry…Ch 11 is entirely mapped out in my head, and will hopefully get on "paper" quickly and easily.