"Rachel, I can't do this." Kurt shook his head.
"You can. And you will." Rachel hooks their arms together, steering him along.
"What if he hates me? Or what if I'm not what he imagined? What if he's disappointed?" Kurt asked.
"Kurt. Breathe. He doesn't know what you look like, yet. So just agree to come with me, see them perform, and then you can choose whether or not to introduce yourself." Rachel said.
"Rachel." Kurt whined.
He wants to go. He really, really wants to go. But he's absolutely terrified. And not just of not being what Blaine imagined, but of seeing Blaine, and falling even harder for him than he already has. The letters, the voice. He's listened to the track at least a hundred times. He'd know Blaine's voice in his sleep. But if there's a face...then they can talk. And if he can talk...he'll probably embarrass himself.
"Kurt. We're going." Rachel said.
"Fine." Kurt allows himself to be guided to the car.
He feels kind of sick, but there's no way he's throwing up in this outfit.
…...
"Ready, man?" Jeff asked.
"Yeah, totally." Blaine agreed, looking out the window.
"Wow. You sound so convincing." Jeff rolled his eyes.
"Sorry." Blaine smiled, glancing at his friend.
"What's with the nerves, man?" Jeff asked.
"If we win Sectionals, that means we go to Regionals." Blaine said.
"Yeah, that's how that works." Jeff nodded.
"In all likelihood, Kurt's going to be at Regionals." Blaine said.
"Oh, so the pressure is on to win so you can meet him, but also you don't want to psyche yourself up and lose, or worse, win, and he's not at Regionals." Jeff said.
"Wow, thank you for blatantly telling me my worries." Blaine deadpanned.
"Breathe! We can do these numbers in our sleep. We'll totally nail it. Go to Regionals, and Blaine? Even if he isn't at Regionals, in a year, he'll be in New York City. Guess where you'll be in a year? New York City!" Jeff smiled. "It's gonna happen someday, man. Just chillax and let it happen."
"Thanks, Jeff." Blaine rubbed the back of his neck. "It's kind of bad when you're the one making sense."
"Hey now!" Jeff elbowed him. "It's gonna be great. Just watch."
…...
"This is a terrible idea." Kurt muttered.
"It's a perfectly fine idea." Rachel argued. "If you decide not to say anything to him, then we go home, and no one has to be any wiser."
"You're just doing this to check out potential competition." Kurt grumbled.
"While it is a perk, I honestly do want to help you. Blaine seems very nice, and good for you, and you deserve each other." Rachel said. "I won't make you talk to him, but I won't let you not go in and at least give yourself the chance to try."
"Stop making sense." Kurt murmured.
"Come on, you big baby." Rachel giggled, walking him in to Dalton Academy.
The auditorium was nice, spacious, better kept than McKinley. No surprise there. Rachel seemed to admire it, despite naming it the 'Den of Possible Enemies.' That got him to laugh a little. She really was trying to be a good friend. He was grateful. And panicking.
The Warblers are the last to go on. The Ladies Valor make Kurt want to weep, and not in the good way. They over emphasis Madonna, but in school girl uniforms it just makes him feel borderline pedophile. He's not even old enough to be a pedophile! The Under Tones are good, but their songs have the same slow beat. Halfway through their second song, Rachel has to elbow him to stay awake. Seriously?
But suddenly there is navy and red and Kurt's eyes are scanning every single one. Which one is Jeff? Which one is Nick? Blaine? He waits as they get into formation. Two skinny boys, one blonde, and one brunette, fist bump and wink at each other, and Kurt wants to bet money it's Nick and Jeff. The music starts, and Kurt's eyes go to the boy stepping front and center.
Oh. No. He's freaking gorgeous.
Kurt's not panicking. He's not. He's...oh sweet mercy, he's enchanted.
"I'm not surprised, not everything lasts
I've broken my heart so many times, I stopped keeping track
Talk myself in, I talk myself out
I get myself worked up, and I let myself down."
Blaine. His Blaine. The lyrics are shredding him in his seat, but he can't stop listening.
"I tried so very hard not to lose it
I came up with a million excuses
I thought, I thought of every possibility
And I know someday that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid, that I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet.
I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life."
"It's fate!" Rachel whispered. "He's singing to you."
"Hush!" Kurt flushed.
"And I know that we can be so amazing,
And, baby, your love is gonna change me
And now I can see every possibility
And somehow I know that it'll all turn out
You'll make me work, so we can work to work it out
And I promise you, kid I give so much more than I get
I just haven't met you yet.
They say all's fair in love and war
But I won't need to fight it
We'll get it right, and we'll be united
And I know that we can be so amazing
And being in your life is gonna change me
And now I can see every single possibility
And someday I know it'll all turn out
And I'll work to work it out
Promise you, kid, I'll give more than I get
Than I get, than I get, than I get
Oh, you know it'll all turn out
And you'll make me work so we can work it out
And I promise you, kid, to give so more more than I get
Yeah, I just haven't met you yet."
It's okay. He didn't want his heart anyway. But the Warblers aren't finished. And neither is Blaine as the lead. Oh.
"When marimba rhythm start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore
Hold me close, sway me more
Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me."
"Oh, my." Rachel whispered.
Kurt nodded mutely. He's a goner.
"Other dancers may be on the floor,
Dear, but my eyes will see only you
Only you have that magic technique
When we sway I go weak.
I can hear the sound of violins
Long before it begins
Make me thrill as only you know how
Sway me smooth, sway me now
When marimba rhythms start to play
Dance with me, make me sway
Like a lazy ocean hugs he shore
Hold me close, sway me more
Like a flower bending in the breeze
Bend with me, sway with ease
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me
When marimba start to play
Hold me close, make me sway
When we dance you have a way with me
Stay with me, sway with me."
They get a standing ovation. How could they not? Kurt stands, wobbling slightly, and Rachel gives him a sympathetic look. That was so much more than one emotional acoustic cover. That was a dancing, singing, sexy idiot.
"I don't think I can do it, Rach." He said quietly.
"Are you sure?" Rachel asked.
Kurt thinks about it for a moment, and then pulls open his satchel and pulls out a notebook and a pen. He sits down, masked by the cheering crowd and pens out a message. Rachel waits patiently as he scribbles the last of it down, signs it, and tears the sheet out. Folding it, he puts his other things away and looks at her.
"There is a thin boy, with platinum hair, and a goofy grin. He's either Jeff or Nick. Hand this to him and meet me at the car?" Kurt asked.
"Okay. I'll do it." Rachel nodded.
"Thank you. I love you." Kurt kissed her cheek and dashed out.
…...
The Warblers feel like their on cloud nine, standing in the hallway, clapping each other on the shoulder. Rachel finds the boy Kurt described standing with a brunette, chatting happily.
"Jeff?" She asked.
The blonde looked up.
"Do I know you?" He asked.
"No. This is from a friend. He said you'll know what to do with it." She handed him the letter, promptly striding away.
Jeff looked at Nick, confused, before opening the letter. He scanned the first lines, eyes going wide.
"Blaine!" He scrambled to his friend.
"Where's the fire, Jeff?" Blaine asked, smiling.
The performance left him feeling good.
"Read. This. Now." Jeff handed over the letter.
Blaine,
You were fantastic today. I'm so sorry that I'm not giving you this in person. I guess I'm panicking. No scratch that, major panicking. You're singing is even better in person. I wanted to come and give myself the chance to meet you, but I can't. Not today at least. I mean, I want to meet you. I do. But maybe when it feels more right? Or when I don't want to hurl on my good Marc Jacobs.
Please, please, don't be angry. I wanted you to know that I came, and that I loved your performance. Ironic song choices, all things considered, but I'm glad I came underneath all this worry and fear. You'll probably be winning hands down. The Ladies Valor made me want to cry in pity for Madonna, and the Under Tones put me to sleep. In a public place, Blaine. Rachel had to elbow me.
I'm rambling. I should go. I'm sorry. Please don't hate me.
Nervously yours,
Kurt