Thank you again for all of your wonderful reviews on this fic. I love seeing that review alert pop up – seriously some of you bring me to tears!
This chapter is the longest so far-almost 11,000 words. IDEK anymore. Also, some people have asked and yes, the laws presented with regards to homosexuality on the islands are fact. Sad facts, but true. Also, "Eddy" and "Carl" are based on a couple I had the pleasure of meeting on the cruise - they were adorably awesome. And if Katy Perry seems to come up a lot? It's because every ship I was near seemed to love playing her.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It's six forty-five when Kurt walks into the auditorium of the Celebrity Theatre. He'd stopped by Blaine's room on the way, but no one had answered. He understands why as he makes his way down the aisle—Holden appears to be sleeping in one of the chairs in the front row, and Blaine is already on stage talking with Wes and Thad. Kurt can only imagine that Holden isn't too happy being Blaine's roommate—he loves Blaine dearly but he's one of those obnoxious morning people who tend to wake up at five after only a few hours sleep and be just as chipper as he is at six in the evening. It would be ridiculously annoying if it didn't also mean that every morning at Dalton, Blaine had a steaming hot nonfat caramel latte ready for Kurt before classes start.
Kurt makes his way onto the stage and over to Blaine, who pauses in the middle of talking to Wes to take his hand and lean in to kisses him quickly on the corner of his mouth while saying "Good morning". And Kurt just doesn't even know how to react, can't even speak to wish him a good morning in response because A) Blaine just kissed him in front of Thad and Wes like it is something they do every day, B) Blaine just kissed him, and C) oh yeah, their first kiss last night means more kisses today! Also, Kurt is smiling too much at the moment to be bothered with speaking. So he just stands there and holds Blaine's hand, beaming brightly beside him because, honestly, this is already starting out to be the best day ever.
The boys are all dressed casually for rehearsal since they'll be changing before heading out for their excursion later in the morning. Kurt is still getting used to the sight of Wes in jeans on rare occasions like this morning. Thad and Blaine are both in Dalton sweats and t-shirts, and Blaine's hair is wet, obviously from a morning shower, a lack of gel allowing it to already begin curling around the tips of his ears. Kurt really wants to reach out and touch it, run his fingers through it, and it's kind of startling to realize that he can. Well, not right now because Blaine and the two council members are discussing the set list and it would be both rude and kind of creepy.
But later. He is totally giving in to that urge later.
Okay, Kurt. Stop staring at your boyfriend and pay attention to the conversation.
"—probably start with Rio since it's such a new arrangement," Wes says. "Or we can start with the duet, if you'd prefer?"
"Yeah, about that…" Blaine pauses, and glances at Kurt for a moment, but Kurt can't read his expression. "I'm not entirely certain Nobody Wants to be Lonely is a good fit for us."
Oh, thank God! Kurt thinks, smile broadening at his boyfriend. "I've been thinking the exact same thing! I didn't want to say anything but I am in complete agreement."
Wes is frowning. "Well, the council thinks it'll be a great song. I don't see how we can go wrong with Christina Aguilera and Ricky Martin."
Blaine holds up his free hand. "Hey, we have nothing against Christina—Kurt and I went to "Burlesque" opening night."
"Cher was the best part of that movie," Kurt says. "Well, and Cam Gigandet in eyeliner."
Blaine makes an aborted attempt to stifle his laugh. He recovers quickly and continues, "I'm just saying, we might want to reconsider."
Wes and Thad look at one another a moment in some freaky form of silent communication, and then Thad looks at them. "Well, try it for now and if it seems off, then we'll need to discuss something else. Maybe replace it with another solo?" He glances at Wes again.
Kurt hates the idea of giving up the duet completely. "We'll try it," he says quickly, before they decide to just replace it. "And if it doesn't work, Blaine and I will come up with something that does."
Another glance is exchanged between the older boys before they both nod in agreement. There are voices filling the auditorium as more of the Warblers being to arrive. Wes and Thad walk over to David.
Blaine turns to smile at Kurt as they're left alone. "Great minds think alike."
Kurt nods as their fingers curl together. "I would have said something sooner if I'd thought you were thinking the same thing. It's not that it isn't a great song, it's just—"
"Not us."
And Kurt knows he's beaming again because yeah, Blaine gets it.
Their rehearsal ends up having both its high and low points. Rio goes fairly well. Kurt can't help but enjoy singing the nonsensical lyrics. The pop harmony background the group provides even makes him try a few dance moves. To make it even more fun, this time he gets to be the one occasionally flashing a flirtatious look in Blaine's direction. Every time he looks at Blaine, he finds his boyfriend smiling at him with something very much like pride, and it makes him think about what his dad said about Blaine going on about his talent. So yeah, a part of him is totally singing just to show off to the boy he loves.
He also discovers how incredibly easy it is to be playful with the other Warblers, too. They all seem to be having fun with the song, and at one point he dances over to Nick, and the two of them dance and sing to the chorus together:
"And when she shines she really shows you all she can
Oh Rio, Rio dance across the Rio Grande"
They run through the song five times, and even Kurt is a little sick of Duran Duran by the time they're finished. H's pretty certain that given the fact they have three more rehearsals before their performance, the song will be perfect.
Unfortunately, the duet is not quite as successful. Sure, he and Blaine sound wonderful together and there's something very interesting about the song in a cappella, but it's obvious neither of them is really feeling it. The tone doesn't seem to fit with the other songs in the set list. Plus, there's one thing that's really annoying Kurt…
"You really need to stop trying to be Ricky Martin," Kurt remarks to Blaine when Wes stops them for the third time in the middle of the song.
Blaine looks offended. Kurt doesn't care.
"Is that so? Well, just so you know, you're no Christina Aguilera."
"Lover's quarrel, ho!" Flint calls out.
"I'm a fantastic Christina!" Kurt folds his arms over his chest and ignores the laughter erupting behind them. "But I suppose I probably do look a little silly standing beside you as you make those ridiculous faces – seriously, what is that?"
"What?" Blaine's tone goes up an octave or two, but his expression looks as if he can't decide whether to laugh or be angry.
"Okay, okay." Wes comes down to join them. "You don't have to do this song. Let's run through Blaine's solos, but if you can think of anything to replace it, we'll give it a try."
Wes doesn't see them high five one another as he turns away, but the other Warblers are smirking.
They run through Teenage Dream and Hey Soul Sister rather quickly, and it's decided at the end that they really have no need to rehearse them again—they've got them down perfect. Kurt doesn't bother protesting but honestly, he could listen to Blaine sing Teenage Dream on repeat until the sun goes supernova. After all, it is their song.
It hadn't really crossed his mind since David mentioned the set list on the plane, but when they begin Michael Bublé's Everything and Blaine turns to Kurt almost immediately to sing it… well, Kurt realizes how romantic of a song it is and kind of forgets he's supposed to be singing along with the Warblers, and not, you know, fawning over his boyfriend.
"You're a falling star; you're the get away car.
You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you're the perfect thing to say."
Blaine dances in front of the group at first, turning and smiling at Kurt as he does so, occasionally facing him as he sings a few words before spinning back around and dancing toward one end of the stage and back again, but no matter where he strays on stage, he always makes his way back to Kurt.
"And you play it coy but it's kinda cute."
Oh God, did he really just tap his finger on the end of Kurt's nose?
"Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don't pretend that you don't know it's true.
'cause you can see it when I look at you."
Blaine then winks and dances away again as the rest of the Warblers sing with him. Kurt just stands there, not even remembering the words to the damn song because he's having trouble not turning into one of those sixteen-year-old girls in the old black and white Beatles videos who scream and throw themselves around hysterically. Because, he kind of understands why now.
"And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything."
I'm pathetic. I am totally and completely wrapped around his little finger, and with my luck, he probably knows it. Before Kurt can even begin to get a handle on the feelings pulsing through him, Blaine is back at his side, being adorable and goofy, and yes, totally singing his song just for Kurt.
"You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You're every minute of my every day.
"And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man," he sings, grabbing Kurt's hand. "And I get to kiss you, baby, just because I can." He brings Kurt's hand to his lips and kisses his fingers. "Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through. And you know that's what our love can do."
Another wink and he's off again, standing beside David as the group sings:
"So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la "And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times "So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You're every song, and I sing along.
'Cause you're my everything.
Yeah, yeah
So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
The Warblers are grinning by the end of the song because none of them could truthfully deny that Blaine wasn't perfect for the cheese factor of it. Quite honestly in Kurt's opinion—which is undeniably being driven by hormones—Blaine could have been completely out of tune the entire time, and it still would have been perfect.
"Yeah, so that was good." Wes turns to face Kurt. "But next time, could you maybe join in with us, you know, as a Warbler."
Kurt feels his face flush with embarrassment as the guys around him laugh. Galen reaches over to pat him on the shoulder. And Blaine, damn him, is actually smiling like everything is perfectly fine. Kurt wants to tell him it wasn't totally his fault that he almost forgot how to breathe.
"Seriously, though," Nick says, "You guys kind of make me want to vomit rainbows and unicorns."
"Don't forget puppies!" Kendrick adds.
"Or those horrible heart-shaped candies at Valentine's," Flint offers.
"Fluffy little white baby bunnies!"
As one, they all turn and look at Jared. He shrugs. "What? I can like adorable baby animals, ya know."
There's a beat of silence before Wes turns to glance between Kurt and Blaine. "So, any ideas for that duet? Or should we move on?"
"Actually…"
Kurt had thought of this during Teenage Dream, and now he really can't imagine it is anything but perfect. He steps out of his place in line, making his way over to Holden. The guy is almost as big as Finn, so he has to lean down while Kurt whispers his idea to him. He laughs as he hears it, but nods and gives him a "thumbs up" before motioning for some of the other Warblers to join him.
Smiling, Kurt meanders his way back to the front of the stage where Blaine is looking at him curiously. He just continues to smile, hands tucked behind his back as he sways in place, hearing the tune in his head. A few minutes pass as the group of Warblers behind them talk, and there are a few perfunctory notes hummed here and there.
"Okay. I think we've got it," Holden calls out.
Kurt gives a nod. "Ready when you are."
Blaine starts laughing at a few bars in.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Rehearsal ran longer than scheduled. Kurt glances at the clock on his phone and see he's only got a half an hour before he needs to head down to the dock.
Sighing, he looks in the mirror again, just like he's been doing on and off for since he put his swim trunks on fifteen minutes ago. He doesn't know if he can do this. His clothes define him. Fashion defines him. There's nothing fashionable about swim trunks no matter how much he spent on them. Once fashion is taken away, what's left? A nondescript, too-pale boy who is totally afraid of his boyfriend seeing him like this. Kurt even schedules his showers at Dalton at night so he won't unexpectedly run into Blaine. And it's stupid, he knows, but from the moment he met Blaine, all he's ever wanted to do is impress him, grab his attention, be wanted by him. Yes, he's has all that now but he wants to hang on to it.
I can't do this, he thinks, quickly pulling open the closet to find something else to wear. Sighing, he deliberately closes the door because he knows Blaine is looking forward to them swimming and snorkeling. He'll probably think it's something he did if Kurt shows up unprepared to join in on the activities.
A knock on the stateroom door makes him jump, but then he rolls his eyes because Finn had been in such a hurry, running out the door as Kurt arrived, that he assumes Finn had probably forgotten to take his ID with him. He shakes his head as he pulls open the door.
"Did you forget your passca-?" He breaks off when he realizes it's not Finn but Blaine standing outside the door. "Ummm, hi."
Blaine doesn't say anything in return. In fact, he's just stares. Kurt feels so ridiculously self-conscious, it isn't even funny. He feels practically naked and realizes that this is quite possibly his worst idea ever. The longer Blaine's silence continues the more he's certain he cannot go out in public like this — he won't do it. Kurt's not in the mood to humiliate himself any more than he's in the mood to deal with his boyfriend's obvious repugnance.
Kurt quickly crosses his arms over his chest, trying to cover whatever he can.
He knows he sounds a little angry and hurt when he speaks. "I wasn't expecting you."
It's probably his tone that snaps Blaine out of his silence. "Kurt," he says like he's forgotten who was standing in front of him, "I'm sorry. I just thought we could go down to the dock together. I-"
He licks his lips as his eyes sweep over Kurt's body again. Kurt's just about to slam the door in his face when Blaine steps inside—which isn't like Blaine; he always, always waits for an invitation. Kurt can't help but step back because Blaine is right in his space and continues to be in his space until he leans back into the door, closing it softly behind him.
"You're in swim trunks," Blaine says in the most stupidly obvious statement in the history of statements.
Kurt frowns. "Really? I hadn't noticed." He turns away. "I'm rethinking it though-"
"Wait." Blaine grabs his hand, stopping him. The tone of his voice is slightly higher than usual. "Why are you mad? You sound mad. Did I do something?"
"No." Kurt shakes his head, but can't meet Blaine's gaze because he feels so ashamed of himself right now. He loves staring at Blaine in his swim trunks. Hut he should have known it wouldn't necessarily be the same the other way around. "I'm just… not comfortable. I'm going to change." He moves to pull away.
Blaine doesn't let him. "Why?"
Kurt sighs. He tries crossing his free arm back over his chest. "Because, I don't… I'm just not you."
When his response is greeted with silence, Kurt takes a chance to meet Blaine's gaze, who looks so utterly bewildered that Kurt finds himself wondering if maybe he's misinterpreting things.
It wouldn't be the first time.
Blaine continues to stare at him as if maybe he's grown a set of antenna or something, but then there's a flicker of comprehension in his eyes, and his expression melds from confusion to total incredulity. He says, "Oh, Kurt. Seriously?"
Before Kurt can open his mouth to respond, Blaine is moving past him, tugging Kurt with him as he sits on Kurt's bed and pulls him to stand between his legs. He settles his hands on Kurt's hips, and his thumbs are just at the edge of the waist band, barely touching his skin. It's amazing and terrifying all at once. It's also rather difficult to concentrate on what Blaine is saying.
"Look, I get that this-" and he lifts one hand to indicate them, "is new and we're both kind of insecure and flailing around in our attempts to figure out what we're supposed to be doing and saying, and how we're supposed to act when we're together. But I need you to know, and believe, that I think you're pretty near perfect. I mean, you have a tendency to overreact to things without getting the facts first—don't make a face, you know you do. As a matter of fact, you just proved it."
Kurt looks away and decides it's wholly appropriate to ignore his boyfriend for the rest of the day.
"Hey." Blaine reaches up and takes Kurt's chin between his fingers and forces his head back around to face him. "I know it's scary but I need you to talk to me. Tell what you're thinking."
Kurt honestly doesn't want to talk about it. Things like this are easier kept to oneself and he's never been comfortable with telling people what he's thinking. Mostly because nobody actually wants to hear it. But Blaine is watching him so patiently, and his hand has moved from Kurt's chin to slide along his jaw, fingers trailing over his neck before resting soft and warm against his chest. Kurt's pretty certain that Blaine can hear his heart beating; it's thrumming rapidly in his chest. Fear, hurt, need. Blaine is looking upat him, like maybe he could take away all Kurt's fears and insecurities if only he'd give him the chance.
So he tries, and he knows the words are coming out haltingly and broken. "It's just, my clothes, they're… who I am. I can't… I don't… I'm afraid of what you see… when they're gone."
Blaine nods. "You've been uncomfortable ever since you had to put on the uniform, haven't you?"
"Mostly. I like the tie and stuff; it makes me feel like a different person."
Another nod, then Blaine is reaching up to wrap his hand around Kurt's neck and pulling him down to brush their lips together—once, twice, and by the third time Kurt is pressing down into the kiss. His fingers curl into the material of Blaine's grey cotton Henley and he can't really remember what they were talking about because Blaine's arms around him and his hands are pressed flat against his back. And then his fingers are tracing along Kurt's spine before sliding outwards, and Kurt laughs against his mouth because he's ticklish, dammit, and Blaine doesn't stop, just drags his fingers around Kurt's waist. Kurt finally has to pull back and slap at Blaine's hands because he hates being tickled, and oddly enough, kissing doesn't make the tickling any more acceptable.
Blaine's laughing and smiling at him, reaching for Kurt's hands and pulling him back, wrapping his arms fully around him and laying his cheek against Kurt's chest. His hair sort of tickle Kurt's skin, and he can't stop himself from bending his head down to place a kiss in the middle of the curls, inhaling the smell of the ginseng and macadamia of the Celebrity-provided shampoo as he drapes his arms over Blaine's shoulders.
"You're gorgeous, Kurt." Blaine kisses the skin beneath his mouth, causing Kurt to shudder at the unexpected and breathtaking touch. "You have no idea how much I've wanted to hold you like this."
Kurt sighs and buries his nose back into Blaine's curls because, really, they're soft and silky and they smell spectacular. He thinks that maybe he needs to start working on his tendency to jump to conclusions, and that maybe he'll allow Blaine to work on his vast amounts of insecurities.
For now he just says, "Thank you." Then deciding to prove he can laugh at himself, he adds, "Hopefully I won't blind too many people with my hasn't-seen-the-sun-in-years complexion."
A beat, then, "That's why we have sunglasses."
Kurt blinks, and realizes Blaine is already shaking against him with laughter as he pushes back and punches him in the shoulder for good measure. "You suck!" Although he laughs as he struggles to pull away. Blaine tightens his hold, even with the repeated beating, and pulls Kurt onto his lap.
It's entirely new, and entirely perfect, and Kurt is entirely certain he could get used to this. He leans back into the tight embrace as Blaine lays his chin on his shoulder, both occasionally laughing at nothing whatsoever.
"We should probably get going," Kurt comments after a few minutes of silence, just enjoying the feeling of being held against his boyfriend.
"Hang on." Blaine pulls an arm away, shifting slightly to dig into his right pocket. He pulls out his cell phone, and Kurt takes a breath, knowing what's coming. Blaine says quietly, "Thought we could look together before we go onshore."
Kurt doesn't say anything, but brings himself to nod in assent as Blaine begins typing. It's a simple phrase, really: laws against homosexuality in Barbados. Kurt has the sudden urge to look away, to never see those words in any sort of context again.
And then the screen flashes.
Life in prison.
Neither of them says a word. Kurt feels nauseous. Terrified. Angry. He can't even think of anything to say. He feels Blaine's chin move from his shoulder, and then there's warmth—Blaine's lips where his chin had just been, just pressing against Kurt's skin, another new sensation that is oddly comforting. It's at least enough to form Kurt's emotion into one comprehensible thought.
"Maybe we should just stay on the ship today."
Blaine's breath flows over his skin as he sighs against him; his arms tighten slightly around Kurt's waist. "I considered that too, but I wouldn't want to ruin the day for everyone else."
Kurt shifts slightly on his lap to look questioningly at him. He regrets it instantly because he likes the feeling of Blaine's lips against his shoulder.
"If we told the group we weren't going, they'd want to know why," he explains. "And then we'd tell them, and then they'd be pissed and decide not to go as well. In protest. Or maybe Jared would leave the ship and set the port on fire."
"I'll supply the matches." Kurt doesn't bother hiding his anger.
"Kurt—"
"It isn't fair!" Kurt pulls away from Blaine's embrace to stand, and stomps over to the closet to grab his New York t-shirt. He's half-tempted to shred it to vent his anger, but instead he just pulls it over his head. "I just want to be able to enjoy things like snorkeling and swimming and beaches on a tropical paradise with my boyfriend, and instead I'm reduced to being absolutely terrified to even look at you. It's like every time I start to allow myself to believe that I can be happy and have what I want and not worry about it, suddenly I'm forced to remember what the real world is like."
Blaine is suddenly there, pulling Kurt against him, cupping his face and kissing him lightly. It's amazing and wonderful because of what's being said without a single word: You're not alone. Kurt clings to him. He can't help but feel it's because it's safe here, behind the door, where no one can see them, where no one can send them to prison. Blaine kisses the corner of his mouth and his cheek and his eyebrow and his lips again, and Kurt wishes they'd been doing this since the day they met.
"Kurt," Blaine whispers against his cheek, "if you really want to stay here today, we will. I'll think of something to tell the guys—convince them to enjoy it for us or something."
For a few brief seconds, Kurt considers saying yes that is what he wants, but then realizes it wouldn't just be the Warblers—his family's day would be ruined as well. He closes his eyes and shakes his head and pulls Blaine a little closer. "No. Finn is looking forward to it, and my dad would… No. We'll go." He thinks about it a moment, and finds himself saying, "We were friends before this. And for today, we can be friends again."
Blaine sighs and kisses him once more, brief and chaste. "No law in the world can take away what I feel for you."
Kurt feels a small smile appear because, honestly, how does he always know the right thing to say?
"What if I promise to make tonight special?" Blaine asks.
Kurt leans back to look at him. "How?"
"I don't know." Blaine shrugs and gives him a smile. "But I'll think of something. Promise."
Already wondering what "special" might entail, Kurt finally pulls away and glances in the mirrors that line the wall along the foot of the beds to check his hair. He's still angry and anxious—it's probably noticeable in his quick movements—and he doesn't think it will go away until they're safely back on the ship.
"We'd better go. Everyone will wonder where we are, which means the Warblers will make inappropriate guesses and my dad may change his mind about you."
Blaine laughs and grabs Kurt's messenger bag, handing it to him as he turns away from the mirror. Instead of thanking Blaine, Kurt kisses him. It's a form of communication he's getting used to.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The ship is called Jammin' and it's a fifty-foot Catamaran with over forty passengers from the Millennium onboard in addition to six crew members. There's loud music playing through the speakers—surprisingly a good mix of popular hits throughout the decades—and a bar from which one of the crew members is serving rum punch to the adults (and surprisingly a few teens whose parents are just handing the cups to them. Burt had said a resounding no when Kurt had glanced in his direction). The Warblers had immediately congregated on the two areas covered in netting stretched over the water at the bow of the ship, although it hadn't taken long for Brett, Holden, Galen, Dean and Jared to disappear to the aft of the boat where three Irish girls and their single mother were seated. Thirty minutes later and Kurt is beginning to feel sorry for the poor mother hovering over her daughters while the five boys do the same.
Although Kurt and Blaine haven't been able to spend much time together, Kurt hasn't been lonely because the Warblers haven't allowed that to happen. Here's the thing: when you want to keep something quiet, don't tell Finn.
When they'd disembarked that morning, Blaine and Kurt had made the decision to at least tell Kurt's family about the law so they wouldn't begin to wonder if something was wrong between them. They'd pulled them aside and quietly explained, and it had taken both of them to convince Burt that no, they weren't going to cancel the excursion and go back to the ship. That wasn't fair to any of them. They just wanted to enjoy the day and allow the other boys to do the same. Apparently, though, the minute Finn had boarded the bus, he'd told Holden. Who told his brother, Brett. Who told Dean. Who told Wes. Who told David. And so on and so forth.
At some point during the short cruise to the first snorkeling site—a pair of sunken ships that were home to schools upon schools of brightly-colored fish—every single Warbler had come up to either Blaine or Kurt and told them what total bullshit the law was. Jared had suggested taking over the Jammin' and setting up a blockade around the island. Kurt is still trying to figure out how, exactly, he planned to do that with one little boat.
Kurt is currently flanked by Jeff, Nick, Flint and Byron. They're talking about the new set list and how glad they'll be to be done with singing the Christmas songs after that evening's performance. Kurt leans back a bit against the netting, looking past Nick's shoulder to see Blaine sitting on the edge of the bow talking to Finn and David. As if he can feel Kurt's gaze, Blaine glances over and smiles. Kurt can't help but smile back. He likes that Finn and Blaine get along well enough to have conversations together. Then again, he wonders if a person even exists who couldn't get along with Blaine.
"You're going to totally burn, you know," Flint remarks beside him. "You've got to be the palest person I've ever met."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Kurt says. "And no, I won't." He reaches into his messenger bag beside him and pulls out his sun block. "SPF 100. I have about three layers of it on."
Flint stares at him. Finally, he says, "You realize you're totally insane, right? Not that it's not cool or anything. But yeah, insane."
Kurt rolls his eyes and slides the sun block back into the bag.
Their next snorkeling site is with sea turtles. They only see a few but it's pretty cool because they're swimming right beside them and under them, and at one point Kurt reaches out and brushes his fingertips along a turtle's shell. As it swims away, he notices someone swimming up beside him. When he glances over, he finds Blaine. They stare at one another through their masks for a moment and then Blaine reaches out and takes his hand. Kurt smiles around his snorkel, and thinks to hell with it—the boat is somewhere over in another direction, he's lost track, and they're underwater, and who cares anyway because he's with his boyfriend in the Caribbean ocean swimming with sea turtles, dammit. And Blaine seems to be thinking the same because he tugs his hand suddenly and they swim together after the sea turtle.
When they catch up to it, the turtle has been joined by a larger turtle, and Carole, a couple of the Warblers, and a few kids are there as well. Annoyingly, the kids keep chasing the turtles, and at one point Kurt turns to Blaine and rolls his eyes behind his mask. He feels Blaine squeeze his hand in response. They linger a while longer, even after the turtles are gone. They're finally called back to the ship by the crew so they can head to the next swimming site.
They let everyone else head back first, and follow at a slower pace, still holding hands, tucked against one another, allowing the tide to carry them back toward the boat more than actual swimming. Kurt doesn't want to let go even as they draw nearer, having Blaine beside him makes him feel reckless and daring, and he clings a little bit until Blaine's other hand settles over them both before he gently pulls them apart. Kurt would be mad but the look Blaine is giving him as they surface and pull off their masks is painful and he realizes that Blaine isn't doing this out of choice.
When they climb up the ladder onto the boat and hand over their snorkeling gear, Blaine briefly—so briefly Kurt wonders if he imagines it—touches Kurt's waist before making his way over to the bar to get a Coke. Kurt watches him for a long moment before moving back toward the bow to retake his seat with the Warblers.
The Jammin' ends up cruising to a cove where there's a large stretch of beach. They're told to swim over but are cautioned to take it easy as it is actually further than it looks. A few dozen other boats bob beside theirs, filled with just as many passengers as the catamaran. All of them seem to love playing music, and at one point Kurt can hear two different Katy Perry songs blasting from either side of the cove—Teenage Dream at one end, and Hot and Cold at the other. Of course the Warblers all start singing along to Teenage Dream until the Jammin's speakers begin playing Beat It, and suddenly there's a dance off to find out who can move most like Michael.
Definitely not in the mood to be cajoled into doing the moonwalk, Kurt slips away from the bow of the boat and makes his way aft, stopping for just a moment to talk to his dad and Carole. They both seem to be enjoying themselves. They ask him how he's doing and he gives them his best smile and assures them he's all right. He's not, but he doesn't need them to know that.
The aft ladder is empty; there are kids swimming further out from the boat. He climbs down onto the attached board and sits with his feet in the water. He can hear Blaine singing along to Beat It and it makes him smile. Who knew he could ever fall so completely in love with a voice other than his own? But he does love listening to Blaine sing; there's something about his voice that makes Kurt happy, even when he just wants to be sad.
"Mind if I join you?"
Kurt looks up to see Kendrick moving down the rungs. He shrugs in response as Kendrick sits beside him, splashing his legs into the water.
"Didya see any turtles?"
Kurt nods, staring into the clear water as he thinks about holding Blaine's hand as they swam. "You?"
"Yeah, until some bratty kids chased it away." He looks over his shoulder glaring as if the "bratty kids" were standing right behind them. "Some parents need to learn how to control they're fricken children."
Kurt smiles because, honestly, out of all of the Warblers Kendrick is the most child-like. Well, other than Jared; the difference being Kendrick is the kid who spills milk on your carpet, Jared sets your carpet on fire.
"So, like, I know I've been giving you guys a lot of crap, but I just wanted to say I'm glad you and Blaine are together." Kendrick is looking at him now, and really, Kurt has to admit he's kind of cute, like a pixie, with tiny features and an enormous smile.
"Thanks." Kurt's not really sure how else to respond.
Kendrick shrugs and smiles. "He'd never say it in like a million years or under the threat of shaving his head or something, but I think Blaine's been lonely, ya know?"
Kurt knows the feeling, but he finds himself wondering why Kendrick seems so certain of this.
"Oh, hey!" Kendrick slaps Kurt's arm suddenly, and it kind of hurts. "We should totally double-date sometime!" he says as if it's the best idea ever. "Michael and Blaine get along pretty well—they were on the debate team last year. And I think you'd like Michael. He's on the rugby team, and he can't sing worth a damn, but he's funny and sweet. He loves animals. In fact, he plans on becoming a vet."
Kurt sits in stunned silence because, well, admittedly he's wondered about Kendrick once or twice but no one has ever said anything to indicate that he's gay. Least of all Blaine and Kurt can't wrap his head around the answer as to why.
He finally asks quietly, "You're gay?"
Kendrick looks at him like "duh?" but then his expression changes somewhat and he frowns. "Blaine never told you?"
"No…"
"Oh." Kendrick looks away and shifts as if suddenly uncomfortable. "I just thought…"
He pauses again, before he's flashing a smile and pushing off the backboard to jump into the water. Surfacing, he smoothes his hair back off his forehead, and bobs for a second, smiling at Kurt. "No biggie, but like I said, we should totally double-date. We'll figure something out when we get back to school." And then he swims around the side of the boat.
Kurt sits as he processes what he's just been told. It has nothing to do with Kendrick being gay and everything to do with the fact that Blaine never said anything. It has everything to do with Kendrick's reaction to Blaine not having said anything. The facts could only bring one to conclude that something must have happened between the two of them in the past. And yes, maybe Kurt learned a few lessons about jumping to conclusions that morning but honestly, what other answer could there be?
He tries really, really hard not to jump to conclusions as he climbs to his feet and makes his way back onto the boat. The Warblers who were flirting with the girls have made their way back to the bow, dragging their new friends with them, Carole and the girls' mom are talking while trying to get some sun, and his dad and Finn are chatting with two of the crew. Kurt looks around for Blaine, wondering if he could get a chance to speak with him for a moment when he spies Holden sneaking up behind him near the bow.
Frowning, he starts toward them just as Blaine lets out a shriek as Holden picks him up and pitches him over the side of the boat. Rolling his eyes at the boy's antics, Kurt hurries his way forward, leaning over the railing to see Blaine surface, spurting out sea water, and looking a little like a drowned rat with his curls plastered to his forehead.
"Are you okay?" Kurt calls out.
Blaine is coughing and making comments about the salt content in the Caribbean, but nods as he continues to tread water and get his bearings.
Kurt glances over at Holden, who looks entirely too proud of himself when David walks up and claps him on the back. "Man, that was awesome," David tells him—right before shoving Holden forward.
Blaine barely swims out of the way before Holden goes head first into the spot he had just landed. "Thanks, David!" Blaine calls out, giving David a wave.
"No problem, bro."
As Holden surfaces Blaine immediately pounces, shoving him back under the water. It's obviously a losing battle, but Blaine is attempting to get his shots in before Holden drowns him or whatever it is the bigger boy will do. Kurt briefly considers going in to lend his assistance, but then remembers he's upset with Blaine for keeping things from him. Ignoring the shrieks from his boyfriend as Holden apparently begins drowning him Kurt retakes his seat on the netting and joins Nick and Jeff's conversation about potential Oscar nominees.
The last hour isn't much different from the first three, other than the fact that the adults are significantly drunker. When the Macarena begins playing, there's an embarrassing line of middle-aged men and women who can barely stand up to dance. Unfortunately, when the crew plays the song a second time immediately following, half of the Warblers decide to get up and join in. Kurt tries to pretend he doesn't know any of them.
"Not into the Macarena?" Blaine drops beside him and runs his fingers through his hair as he tries to smooth it down. He's spent most of the last hour in the water, causing Kurt to begin to wonder if he is dating a fish.
"No," Kurt practically sneers.
Blaine laughs and leans back on his elbows. "Aww. You're no fun."
"I'm sure Kendrick is enough fun for both of us." Okay, so he's not entirely certain where that came from.
He can feel Blaine staring at him. "What's that supposed to m—"
"So I totally want to join this crew and live on this boat forever." Flint unknowingly interrupts as he plops down beside them, and is quickly joined by Kendrick, Nick, Jeff and Thad. "We tried to get them to play it a third time, but they said some people were giving them dirty looks with the second."
"I put in a request for Mambo Number 5," Jeff says. "They claim they have it."
"Awesome."
Kurt casts a sideways glance to see Blaine staring hard at Kendrick. The boy squirms under the stare for a moment before looking away. It's honestly all of the proof Kurt needs. Grabbing his messenger bag, he gets up saying, "I'm going to go sit with my parents."
Jeff lets out a "Whoop!" behind him as Mambo Number 5 begins blaring through the speakers.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
True to his word, Blaine had planned a special evening for just the two of them. He'd apparently gotten permission from Burt and Carole for the two of them to skip dinner in the dining hall, and instead have dinner alone together in the Olympic Club. Dinner in the Olympic is not included in the price of the cruise—it's extra, and expensive, and Blaine is paying for the entire thing. The menu is amazing and the service is outstanding. It's quiet, and they're two of the youngest people there, other than two other teenage boys who are sitting with their parents and definitely not dressed appropriately for a place like this. The restaurant is modeled after the dining club that was on the Olympic, the sister ship to the Titanic. It's gorgeous and elegant. The high-backed chairs are covered in silk cloth of cream and soft yellow, the tables are decorated with candles and small vases of lilies, and orchestral music is piped in through the speakers.
Everything would be absolutely perfect except for one thing - he and Blaine have said maybe ten words to one another since they sang the last of their Christmas songs in the main foyer, and that exchange was exceedingly polite and stilted.
They continue to say nothing while they glance through their menus. Their servers stop by to offer them water and bread and inquire with regards to appetizers. Kurt can't even bring himself to look at Blaine because he's afraid of what he might see in the other boy's eyes. Yes, he's angry because he knows Blaine isn't being completely honest with him, but at the same time, he hates this and he doesn't want Blaine to be angry at him for being angry at Blaine.
Having a boyfriend is complicated and kind of sucks.
When one of the servers returns, they place their order—things like lobster bisque, truffle risotto, chateaubriand and other items not available at places like BreadstiX. The silence stretches after the server takes their menus and disappears. Blaine begins fiddling with the candle, which isn't really a candle at all—open flames not being allowed on a cruise ship and all of that—but one of those fake lighted candles. It's an obvious sign that things aren't really good between them when Blaine begins paying more attention to things on the table than Kurt.
Kurt continues to sit, straight-backed and tall, memorizing the tasteful décor, and kind of hating the fact that he's miserable. Honestly, screaming at one another would be better than this.
Well, not in here.
It's Blaine who finally says something. "So are you going to talk to me about what's wrong or are we going to spend the entire evening pretending the other isn't here?"
Kurt bristles a little at the tone, like this is somehow his fault. "I think you know what's wrong. Don't play stupid, Blaine. You're better than that."
The candle becomes the most important thing at the table again. Blaine twirls it between his hands for a silent moment. "Kendrick obviously said something."
"Actually, Kendrick thought you had said something because all he did was mention we should double-date with him and his boyfriend. He was a little shocked that I didn't know he's gay." It's difficult keeping his voice at a hush, but he manages somehow. "That kind of reaction to the fact you never told me can only lead me to conclude one thing—were you and Kendrick an item?"
"Kurt." Blaine reaches for his hand but Kurt snatches it away. Frowning, Blaine leans back in his chair. "And this is exactly why I didn't tell you."
That comment just pisses Kurt off. "What gives you the right to decide what you should and shouldn't tell me based on how you think I'm going to react?"
Blaine looks away and Kurt can't help but take it as an acknowledgment of guilt. "Maybe yes, I would have been a little worried and insecure and panicked because that's what I do when it comes to things that matter to me, but you should have told me anyway. Now, all I can do is sit here and wonder if there's a reason that didn't tell me—like maybe you still have feelings for him or I just don't compare or—"
"Stop it, Kurt," Blaine says quietly but firmly, leaning back against the table to hold his gaze. "Just stop it, okay? Look, I'm sorry I hid it from you. I really didn't think it would ever come up, all right? Kendrick and I went out on two dates last year. Two. It was lucky our friendship survived it because honestly we couldn't tolerate each other—I thought he was an immature little brat and he thought I was boring and stuck up. We were actually kind of forced to learn how to be friendly again when he began dating Michael and started attending all the debates."
Kurt looks away. Having it confirmed kind of hurts, even if it doesn't sound like it ever became an actual relationship. He thinks it's because Kendrick is still there, daily, and he is kind of cute and talented, and yeah, he gets that maybe his hyperactivity would probably end up annoying Blaine, but still… they dated. And Blaine didn't bother telling him.
"Kurt," Blaine says softly. "Please look at me."
He does so because he wants to and he hates arguing with Blaine. This time when Blaine reaches out for his hand, Kurt gives it to him. Blaine smiles and applies a gentle pressure to his fingers.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," he begins. "That's something I guess I need to work on—I tend not to mention things if, in my head, they're not important. And I guess maybe in your head, they are. I promise that from now on I'll try to be more forthcoming. Just…" Blaine pauses and draws a breath. "Give me some time to get used to that, okay? It's not really something I do."
"I've noticed," Kurt says a bit wryly. "And I don't mean to push—I really don't. It's just this…" He pauses and waves between them with his other hand. "I hate not knowing what I'm doing, and I'm still kind of afraid I'll wake up one morning and realize this isn't real."
"Would it make you feel any better if I told you I think the same thing?"
Kurt shrugs and offers a small smile because, yeah, if it's true it does help to know he isn't the only one who feels like he's floundering.
"I promise there's nothing between Kendrick and I other than friendship, and that's pretty minimal because mostly I want to duct tape his mouth shut." Blaine gives him a smile. "I'll be perfectly honest with you, Kurt. Ever since you came into my life there hasn't been room for anyone else."
Kurt beams, but also can't stop from saying, "Wow. That was cheesy."
"Cheesy as in goat or processed food?"
Considering the question seriously for a moment, Kurt says, "Goat. Definitely goat."
"Why, thank you." Blaine inclines his head.
"Don't mention it."
They both smile and just like that everything's fine.
The rest of their dinner is perfect. The food is amazing, and once past the whole Kendrick situation, they can't seem to stop talking. Without anyone else there to interrupt or change the topics, they slip into the comfortable banter and dazzlingly varied conversation they've been able to share since they met. They bounce from set lists to fashion to movies to the décor of the restaurant to cars and then back to music again. They spend more than two hours eating and talking and blatantly flirting with one another because they know they're doing it and they can.
When Blaine pays the bill, Kurt says, "We could have just as easily eaten upstairs in the buffet, you know?"
"I know." Blaine stands and holds out his hand.
Shaking his head, Kurt gets up and slips his hand into Blaine's. "Next time, I'm buying."
"If you insist."
"Oh, I do." As they exit the restaurant, Kurt leans over to adjust Blaine's tie that is slightly askew. Blaine smiles and gives him a too-quick kiss before he pulls back. He's a little dazed from the surprise affection in the middle of the hallway. "So where to now?"
"I thought we'd check out Cosmos. Holden can't stop talking about it and," he pulls his watch out of his pocket to glance at it, "we still have about an hour and a half before it's eighteen and over only."
It sounds interesting. The last dance club Kurt had visited had been one of those teens-only places with Mercedes, Tina and Mike. The music had been obnoxious and the other teens even more so. Tina and Mike seemed to have fun dancing, and while Mercedes and Kurt had joined in on a few songs, they'd spent most of the night hidden in a booth drinking too much soda and sharing commentary on the travesty of fashion that surrounded them.
Kurt can only hope Cosmos is a little better.
As it turns out, the music is far better, at least from what Kurt can tell as they enter the dance club. The walls actually vibrate from the sounds of the band, Sipra, playing up ahead—they're playing Twist and Shout. The ceiling is domed and covered in constellations, and there's an enormous circular bar in the far corner. There's enough seating for at least a couple hundred, which Kurt finds odd since the dance floor is smallish. In fact, there are currently only half a dozen couples taking advantage of it—almost everyone else is sitting in cushioned chairs, drinking and watching.
Blaine ends up leading him over to a cluster of chairs, opposite the band on the edge of the dance floor, and they sit down next to each other. Kurt focuses on the band. Beside him, Blaine is flipping to the back of the drink menu, glancing at the non-alcoholic options. As Twist and Shout ends, Sipra moves right into Just Dance. Kurt raises an eyebrow, impressed.
"They're versatile," he kind of shouts at Blaine because, wow, it's loud in here.
Blaine just looks at him incomprehensively.
Okay, it's really loud. Kurt leans in to his ear and shouts, "The band is versatile."
Blaine nods, turning his head to Kurt's ear and shouts back, "Holden said if it made the charts anytime in the last sixty years, odds are they know it."
Kurt grins because the shouting is ridiculous but he's enjoying leaning in close to one another to do it. When a server stops by to take their drink order, Kurt mouths "Just water" at Blaine, and barely makes out Blaine requesting some kind of frozen drink for himself. Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, Kurt continues to watch the band, impressed by their style and the lead singer's voice. She can do Gaga as well as she does the Beatles. It's another complete switch in genres as Just Dance finishes, and the lead is joined by the keyboard player for I've Had the Time of My Life. Not as good as Sam and Quinn, Kurt thinks, but still danceable.
Their drinks are delivered. Blaine leans forward, matching Kurt's position. They munch on the cup of provided peanuts, sip their drinks and listen to the music. Occasionally, they'll lean close and discuss the band and debate any music requests they might consider making. At one point, they're leaning in close and Kurt mentions he wouldn't mind hearing how they handle Teenage Dream. Blaine's eyes flash at Kurt and a slow smile appears. It's incredibly sexy, and a little too much for Kurt to handle. He doesn't even think about it as he leans in and captures his boyfriend's lips in a kiss. It honestly doesn't hit him, what he's doing, until he feels their mouths pressed together, and then he's kind of embarrassed because there are people all around. He tries to pull back but Blaine's hand is suddenly curled around his neck, holding him in place. Kurt smiles against his mouth and relaxes back into the kiss.
"That was nice," Blaine says against his mouth when the kiss ends.
Kurt considers going for seconds when a voice above them says, "Mind if we join you?"
They look up to see Eddy and Carl standing over them, smiling. Blaine immediately waves to the seats across from them. "Not at all. Please."
"Kurt and Blaine, right?" Eddy asks as he and Carl sit.
"Yes, sir." Blaine leans forward once more to engage in conversation as Kurt picks up his water and takes a sip. He and Carl smile at each other in greeting.
As Blaine and Eddy launch into a discussion of the Warblers recent performances, Kurt finds himself studying the older couple across from them. He still thinks Eddy looks a little like Santa Claus, or maybe the captain of some whaling ship. Carl, on the other hand, is very tall and slender with salt and pepper hair and a slim mustache. They're dressed in matching colors again, though Eddy is wearing a black shirt and red jacket, and Carl is wearing a red shirt and black jacket. It's kind of adorable, if incredibly cheesy, and Kurt decides he likes Eddy and Carl quite a bit.
Carl catches his eye and leans forward, and it's only then that Kurt realizes at least ten minutes have passed, with neither of them saying anything while Eddy and Blaine are still engaged in conversation. "Sorry about Eddy," Carl says over the music, pointing at his husband. "He tends to think he's the life of the party."
And Kurt can't help but smirk as he nods in completely understanding. "I sympathize, trust me."
They both laugh, causing Eddy and Blaine to pause their conversation long enough to look at them. Blaine eyes Kurt curiously, but he just smiles in response and shakes his head. He'll share later.
Eventually, Blaine and Eddy seem to realize there are two other people present. Blaine leans in to Kurt. "They're celebrating their twenty-fifth anniversary."
Kurt looks over at Eddy and Carl, eyes wide. He smiles as he says, "Congratulations! That's… wow."
"Officially married five years," Eddy tells them, taking Carl's hand. "But together twenty-five."
Kurt doesn't even attempt to imagine what it would have been like twenty-five years ago. To love and support someone else through all of that time, while having to deal with your own issues. He glances at Blaine, wondering at their capacity for such a thing. He's not foolish enough to let himself believe that this could be forever, but it's a nice thought, and honestly he could do far worse than getting to spend the rest of his life with someone like Blaine.
Okay, Kurt. You need to stop thinking about things like this. If he's not careful, he'll start picking out china patterns the moment they get back to Ohio. Weddings. They're his Kryptonite.
He returns his focus to the conversation as Eddy describes their ceremony in Massachusetts. Blaine seems so intent on the details and Kurt thinks he doesn't even realize it when he reaches out and takes Kurt's hand. It's so sweet, and Kurt thinks that the overwhelming feeling of love he has for this boy is sometimes too much to deal with.
When he glances up, he finds Carl watching him silently, and the man gives him a smile and a nod like he understands. Kurt flushes and drops his gaze back down to where Blaine's hand is wrapped around his own.
"Well, if you will excuse us." Eddy gets to his feet and holds his hand out to Carl. "I've got an urge to dance."
"You always have that urge." Carl rolls his eyes as he gets up and follows him to the dance floor.
Blaine and Kurt are quiet as they watch them dance to Staying Alive. They've obviously had lessons because they look like pros, Eddy spinning Carl and moving around him, slipping between the other couples as they dance.
"They're pretty awesome," Blaine remarks.
"Yeah." Kurt glances over at Blaine, and can't stop himself from saying, "We're pretty awesome, too."
Blaine's smile is immediate and beautiful. It's enough to make Kurt lean over and kiss him again. Staying Alive ends, and the lead singer of Sipra invites all of the couples out onto the floor as they begin playing Every Breath You Take.
"Every breath you take and every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take, I'll be watching you"
Blaine stands suddenly and holds out his hand. "C'mon. Dance with me."
"W-what? Here?"
"No. On one of the lifeboats!" Blaine rolls his eyes. "Of course here. C'mon."
Kurt actually has trouble getting to his feet. He feels like his legs are made of lead. And everything else in him is trembling, shaking, thrumming with a steady acknowledgment of what's about to happen—Blaine's going to dance with me! He's terrified and excited, and oh so close to tears as Blaine leads him out onto the dance floor, pushing through some of the couples until they're near the center.
"Every single day and every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay, I'll be watching you"
There's an awkward moment where they both move to take the lead, and then just laugh.
"I'll lead this time." Blaine lifts their hands and slips his arm around Kurt's waist. "The next time you ask me to dance, you can lead."
It seems like a fair compromise. Kurt smiles at his boyfriend as Blaine pulls him close. He slips his own arm over Blaine's shoulder and it isn't anything like dancing with Finn where they could have fit another person in the space between them. Their bodies are pressed together. Blaine's an incredibly strong lead, indicating with the slight pressure of his hand at the small of Kurt's back just where he wants him to move.
"Oh can't you see you belong to me?
How my poor heart aches with every step you take
Every move you make and every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake, I'll be watching you "
Standing this close, with neither of them slumped over, makes the slight difference in height between them a bit more pronounced. It makes Kurt smile, the idea of dating something smaller than him, and he really likes being able to stare down into Blaine's eyes. As if reading his thoughts, Blaine suddenly lifts up on his tiptoes—making him just barely taller—and wriggles his eyebrows in question. Kurt laughs.
"Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night
I can only see your face
I look around but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying baby, baby please"
As the song continues, they find a way to press closer. Kurt ends up tucking his head against Blaine's shoulder, and closes his eyes, and just lets Blaine guide him around the floor. He kind of wishes his dad were there to see this, to see him dancing with his boyfriend in a public place with other couples all around them. Couples. He smiles at the word and tightens his hold on Blaine, and Blaine quietly responds with tightening his own. And then Blaine begins singing along softly, whispering into Kurt's ear.
"Oh can't you see you belong to me?
How my poor heart aches with every step you take
Every move you make
And every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake, I'll be watching you"
Kurt turns his head, pressing his face into Blaine's neck as his boyfriend continues to softly sing the words to him. Kurt smiles against the skin beneath his lips.
The song ends far too quickly for Kurt's happiness. He hopes for another slow one but the band doesn't cooperate, switching instead to Hot and Cold. Well, it's not Teenage Dream but it's still a good one. He doesn't let go of Blaine's hand as he turns to move off the dance floor, only to be waylaid by an attack!Kendrick, who practically throws himself on Kurt.
"We've been looking for you guys!" He waves a hand behind him where Nick, Jeff, Flint, Galen, Jeremiah and David are following.
"Oh?" Kurt refrains from saying "We've been hiding from you".
"Come on!" Kendrick grabs Kurt and Blaine's free hands, tugging them back toward the dance floor as he starts bouncing to the music. "Let's dance!"
The other boys are pushing them along, pretty much taking over the dance floor with their antics, David and Galen displaying some pretty impressive moves while the rest of them seem to be having fun. Blaine rolls his eyes when Kurt looks at him, smiles and shrugs in response like why not? Kurt could answer why not quite easily—because everything had been romantic and peaceful and perfect, and seriously, was it that difficult to get away from the Warblers for an entire evening on a nine hundred foot long ship with twelve decks? Blaine is still near him though, and the infectious excitement of the other boys is hard to resist.
Occasionally some of the boys grab a girl or two to dance with, but mostly they just monopolize the center of the floor as a group, calling out song requests and expressing their appreciation of the band's talent. Kurt gets two more slow dances with Blaine and even one with Kendrick while Blaine is grabbed by some middle-aged woman who thinks he's "just the cutest thing ever!" Kurt and Kendrick laugh at the blush that appears on Blaine's face, and like the mature boy he is, he sticks his tongue out at them. They stay on the dance floor until they are forced to leave when it's eighteen and over only at eleven.
Unfortunately, Blaine and Kurt have company as they head back to their staterooms. Curfew is at midnight, and while they're all fairly certain Mr. Price will never actually do a room check, they're still waiting for Mr. Hummel to do so. Even Kurt kind of expects it.
They linger outside Kurt's door, holding hands, waiting for the other boys to disappear into their rooms, but they're all purposely being jerks, making kissing noises and calling out encouragement to just get it over with. Blaine rolls his eyes and whispers, "Sorry about them," before he leans in and kisses Kurt anyway, to whistles, catcalls and applause.
When he pulls back, Kurt has taken hold of his tie and is just kind of tugging on it, giving Blaine a smile. "I don't mind so much," he says with a smile. "It's kind of worth it."
Grinning, Blaine kisses him again before removing his tie from Kurt's fingers and disappearing down the corridor.
Humming I Could Have Danced All Night, Kurt slides his passcard into the door, flips off Flint who is pointing and laughing from two doors down and steps into his stateroom.