A/N: I'm sorry this chapter was so late to be uploaded, but school has started up again... and Uni can be a bitch if you don't keep up with the work each week, so my apologies... I also apologise for the song in this chapter. I wrote it myself, for my friend's band, and she said I could use it here, so I take all the credit, and most likely crappy reception for it, but that's okay... i'm a story writer, not a song writer. Anyway, Macy in this chapter, so be warned... Enjoy. JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.


Chapter Twelve: The One with the Job Offer

It had been a week since the opening of Kurt's first major store, and since then, there had been a whirlwind of interviews, and parties thrown for Kurt. He's fast becoming a household name, and the raise in pay check every week didn't hurt either. Blaine, Santana, Brittany and their friends, Chas, Calvin, Denise and Sara had attended the opening, supporting Kurt in all the work he'd put into everything. Blaine spent most of the night trying not to cry in happiness at his fiancés' success. He's so proud of everything that Kurt has achieved, and everything that he's still going to achieve. Between school, getting engaged, Santana and Britt moving to LA, and the opening of Ellie's, they hadn't had much time to just relax for themselves. Blaine's first album was due to be released soon, and his agent is saying good things are happening. There have been talks about tours and concerts already, and the album hasn't even been released yet. In fact, Blaine hasn't had time to enjoy the ride, because he's been so busy focussing on everything else. He wants to just spend a day in the studio, making music, and letting it just consume him, kind of like Kurt does with his work. This is easier said and done though, what with school, and trying to avoid the conversation with his aunt and uncle that he knows he should have, but just can't tell them over the phone. They've been engaged a week, and it's like they're back in the honeymoon faze of their relationship, so young, and in love... shyly blustering around one another and blushing at the slightest touch or look. They're both almost nineteen, and they've been together two years next week, so they shouldn't be worrying about all this stuff... except now it's different, and we have rings to prove it... Blaine thought, lifting his left hand to eye the ring on his finger... Thank god no one is watching me... Blaine thought, and considering he's in the library, it's probably a good thing.

He was halfway through composing his symphonic piece when the chair in front of him became occupied by a person he thought he'd never hear from again. Blaine stood up, startled, and knocked his coffee all over the paper he'd been working on. Macy cringed, as Blaine cussed under his breath, whilst gathering tissues to wipe up the mess. Since they last spoke, Macy had died her hair brown, and is now dating a guy named William Bennett. She told this to Blaine, who didn't bother to acknowledge her, simply grunting, whilst continuing to wipe up the spilled coffee and ponder how long it would take him to re-write his whole assignment. Macy didn't move from her seat, simply watching as the tenor moved from one end of the table to the other, slamming his books down, before banging his fist against the table, and turning back to face the once blonde haired girl, who tried to ruin his life. Macy was startled by Blaine's sudden actions, and she would have told him to back off, if she didn't deserve it. She knew it was a price she would have to pay if she wanted Blaine back in her life... as a friend. She's quite content in her happiness and her relationship with William; she doesn't want to hurt Blaine or Kurt again. She was wrong the first time, and she's not going to make the same mistake twice. Had he been paying more attention, he would have noticed the tall jock, watching the interactions between himself and Macy, but he was too busy trying to contain the anger, that he didn't see the jock-like boy walking slowly towards them.

'What do you want? What could you possibly want? Haven't you taken enough from me? You know Kurt and I are happy now, we're engaged, and our careers are taking off... you have no power over me,' Blaine said, leaning back in his chair, and crossing his arms

'I know. I'm not here to ruin your life. I just thought, maybe sometime you'd-'

'Macy... who the fuck is this guy?' a rather tall, jock like boy, asked, moving over to where Blaine was standing, the look on Macy's face pure terror

'Will, this is an old friend, Blaine Anderson. Blaine, my boyfriend Will- OH MY GOD!' Blaine didn't see it coming, but the fist connecting with his face alerted him to the fact that he'd just been punched.

'What the fuck man? I don't even fucking know you... seriously Macy, take your fucking boyfriend and leave me alone...' Blaine said, gathering up his things and leaving the two standing in the middle of the deserted library


Blaine tried to sneak into the apartment that afternoon, hoping that Kurt wouldn't catch sight of his swollen black eye. He didn't need to explain how it had happened, all he needed, was to get to their bathroom, and to Kurt's foundation, and everything would turn out alright. It was a perfect plan, until he heard voices coming from the lounge, one in particular, Kurt's, sounded excited and nervous... why would he be nervous? Blaine thought, going back over their conversations over the last week, and trying to deduce anything that Kurt mentioned might be making him nervous. When he couldn't think of anything, he shrugged, and kept walking towards their bedroom, tiptoeing, not that it would make any difference, because just as he thought he was in the clear, Kurt was behind him, asking him what the hell he was doing, which meant that if Blaine didn't want to start a fight... that's the last thing I want right now... I just want an icepack... he'd have to turn around, and Kurt would see the swollen eye he received from being punched by the tall, jock like, boy, who calls himself Macy's boyfriend... how dare she... what did she think we'd all be friends again, and go out to clubs, so I can point her to the hottest guys or something... ugh... Blaine thought, slowly turning around. Kurt was standing, hip jutted out to the side, eyebrow raised, holding a glass in one hand in front of him. Blaine stepped closer to his fiancée who almost fainted at the sight. Blaine was trying to smile, like that would make it better, but the smashing of glass, and Kurt's hands on his cheeks made everything else seem a distant memory. Chas, Calvin and their girlfriends Denise and Sara appeared in the hallway, each with shocked looks on their faces. Sara ran into the kitchen to get an icepack, and Chas and Calvin were muttering curse words under their breath, and demanding to know who punched Blaine. Kurt hadn't said a word, simply leading him into the lounge, and taking the icepack from a worried Sara, before lightly holding it to Blaine's eye... Is there something going on that I don't know about? Blaine thought, taking in the sight of all of their friends, and wondering why they'd all be here... It is Saturday Blaine... Kurt probably invited them over... or they just showed up... that's more like Chas and Calvin... Blaine thought, chuckling, and moving his hand to cover Kurt's on the icepack over his swollen eye.


The room slowly moved back to normal banter between the two couples. Chas and Sara had been dating almost as long as he and Kurt, and whilst Calvin and Denise were coming up on four months, you'd never have guessed. They act like they've been together for thirty years... it's nice to see, but also strange, because it makes Blaine remember what he and Kurt used to be like in highschool... Okay, so we haven't changed much... he thought to himself, eyes meeting his fiancées glasz ones. Kurt still didn't say a word, just held the icepack against his eye in silence, letting the chatter of their friends fill the room. He hadn't told them who it was, but there was no doubt in his mind that they would go after him if they did. Its lucky Santana isn't here to see this... she'd flip her shit... of course, Santana wasn't here, but that didn't mean she wouldn't know about it, she always has a way of finding out everything that's going on... even from LA, she knew about the store opening before Kurt had even called her... She's some kind of super-spy... Blaine thought, chuckling to himself, and causing the icepack to slip a little, poking him. He gasped, but Kurt didn't seem to react, just re-adjusting the icepack, and moving to sit beside Blaine on the couch. There were literally no thoughts in Kurt's mind at the moment. Of course, he was worried about Blaine, but the initial shock was still radiating through his body... How could someone, as beautiful as Blaine, get punched in the face, in New York? Stupid... it's just... and that's where the silent rant ended, and then looped back around again, playing over and over. He wasn't sure how to deal with something like this, and it didn't help that his best-friends had moved to LA, and he wasn't speaking with his father. He could call Finn, but the quarterback would insist on coming to New York, and they don't really need that right now... especially not with their anniversary coming up, and everything else that has been going on. Kurt hasn't even told Finn about the engagement, or the store... he's still expecting a call from Rachel, demanding she make him something... unlikely... he thought, remembering why he was in this position in the first place. Kurt couldn't tell whether he was angry at Blaine, or at the person that did this to him... he's a mix of emotions...

'You gonna tell us what happened Blaine, or are you and Kurtie going to sit here in silence, and pretend you're both fine?' Sara asked, turning to face the two

'I got punched in the face... end of the story...'

'Yes, but unless you punched yourself... which you didn't... you're not telling us the whole story... spill Anderson...' Calvin said, taking the seat opposite Kurt

'I was in the library, minding my own business, when Macy approached me, and started talking to me. I spilled my coffee all over my assignment, and I may have been a little rude to her. She introduces me to this guy, almost Finn's height, and he punches me in the face, no warning, nothing... I grabbed my things and left before either of them could say a word...'

'Does this fuck head have a name?' Chas asked... Blaine knew he was most likely in the same class as William, because they're both athletic... but he couldn't get out of telling them now... he'd come this far...

'William Bennett,' Blaine replied, and a chorus of 'what's' went around the room, apart from Kurt who... still hasn't said a thing... I have to talk to him... this isn't good... Blaine thought, as their four friends returned to talking about how they were going to get Bennett back.


At three, Kurt managed to get all of their friends to leave, with the promise that they wouldn't wait so long to catch up again... it's only been a week... Kurt thought, as he closed the door and turned back to head into the lounge, only to find his fiancée watching him, arms crossed, the typical something-is-wrong-and-I-want-to-know-what-it-is look on his face, which was still bruised around his eye. Kurt had many reasons for not talking the whole time the gang was here... he just didn't want to say something any of them would regret at that moment, and it wasn't the best moment to get into a fight... especially when they've been doing so well. Kurt had it all planned out... he was going to tell Blaine the reason why he'd invited them all over, but he never got the chance to... honestly, Blaine had stolen the show, and he wasn't mad about that... he was mad, that even after everything they've been through, Macy Greer is still in their lives, and they're never going to get rid of her... but he's not mad at Blaine for talking to Macy, after all, the Columbia Campus library is for all the students, but the fact that she's so determined to work her way back into their lives, she's forgotten that they're not the same as her and... Bennett... they have to be more careful about whom they talk to, and hang out with, and share their stories with... if this is any indication... Kurt didn't say anything, simply kissing Blaine's cheek, and moving into the kitchen to ponder what they had in the penthouse to make for dinner. Blaine followed him, not giving up on finding out what was wrong with his fiancée, but was stopped by his cell ringing loudly through the silence. Kurt smirked as Blaine pulled the offending device from his pocket, and moved into the other room to answer it... two can play at this game Kurt Hummel... He thought, smirking to himself as his manager shouted things into his ear about the album and the final song... he was trying to pay attention, but it was hard, when most of his focus was on his fiancée, currently reaching up into the top cupboard, the hem of his shirt lifting a little, to reveal the expanse of Kurt's back... aching to be caressed by Blaine. This had been the distraction Blaine's manager was talking about. She was all for young love, but Blaine had been so far off the planet earth when staring at Kurt, he'd forgotten crucial and important things... like the fact that without the final track, the album's release would be pushed back, and they could lose their audiences.

Blaine's conversation with his manager ended with a pissed off Blaine, slumping onto the couch, and Kurt entering the lounge, with a perplexed look on his face, holding a letter out for Blaine to read. He wasn't sure where this was going, but Kurt snuggling up to him was the most contact they'd had since Blaine had come home, and he was intent on keeping that way. He opened the letter slowly and carefully, kissing his fiancées cheek, when he rolled his eyes. The letter was printed neatly, and addressed formerly, Blaine noticed, as he read:

Kurt Hummel, you have been invited to participate in Milan, Fashion Week, for the month of April. This is a great honour and a great opportunity for Ellie Designs. Your manager has all the information, but we need to know your answer by the end of the second week of March, and your designs have to be shipped to Milan before April 15th. We hope you accept this offer, and look forward to seeing you...

Sincerely,

Jason Bateman

CEO

Blaine started at the letter for a few more moments, taking it all in, before turning to hug Kurt tightly, making the countertenor squeak in surprise of his fiancées actions. Blaine was over the moon thrilled, but Kurt looked reluctant, and almost guilty... he's not passing this up because I got punched in the eye... Blaine thought, moving to kiss Kurt passionately, before pulling back and smiling.

'Babe, you're going to Milan... this is fantastic... what's wrong? Why aren't you happy? This is your dream baby... I love you and I'm proud of you...'

'It's for a month Blaine... we won't see each other for a month... do you know how depressing that is? Seriously, I'm going to have to learn to blow myself if I'm going to survive a month without your talented mouth,' Kurt said, smirking and kissing Blaine once

'Well, you don't have to leave for another month, so we can always make the most of it...' Blaine said, waggling his eyebrows

'Honey, you're going to wish you were allowed to come to Milan with me... seriously...' Kurt said, seducingly unbuttoning his light grey shirt, as he headed towards their bedroom, hips swaying tantalisingly as Blaine bounded off the couch and ran after his boyfriend...


(*)Baby, you're all that I want...

You're all that I need,

And I can't go another day...

Without you... hoo ooo, ooo

Yeah...

Leave me to find, your letter on the floor

It's the only thing I have of yours anymore

I wish there was, a way to resolve this

You left me so broken, and now I'm not grounded

If I was all here, I'd try getting you back

But baby I'm not so let's not pretend that you're here

Sometimes I find myself alone

When all I want is you

I don't care the life I had wasn't that well planned

I want you to be the one I turn to

I want you here when I am down

But baby you left me alone and now I'm here...

Without you...

Hoo ooo ooo

Yeah...

Without you...

Kurt sat in the studio, watching Blaine as he recorded the final song for his album Forever Unstoppable. The song, Without You, had apparently been inspired by the events that transpired after everything with Macy. Kurt didn't know whether to be touch, or annoyed that the song was about that time, but given that the other eleven songs were about their relationship, and their love for one another, he couldn't really complain... besides, his fiancée is a talented song writer, and singer, and when he graduates from college, he's going to open his own record label, and be even more famous... well, that's what Kurt's been picturing anyway... it's ultimately Blaine's dream... Kurt's just pushing him in that direction... Blaine's manager was sitting beside Kurt, furiously typing things out on her phone, glancing up occasionally, as if Blaine would disappear any moment, and this was all some figment of her imagination... Kurt had never seen Blaine in the studio before, and considering their upcoming anniversary, he wanted to see where Blaine was able to just let go of everything... just like he was... the recording finished, and Blaine was appraised and cheered as he left the studio, and met up with Kurt and manager Sahara, who smiled, and told him she'd be in touch, before leaving the room, and Kurt and Blaine alone to just watch after her.

'So, where to for lunch...? Dinah's... or is it still too dangerous for me?' Blaine mocked, pointing to his eye and pouting...

'No, Dinah's is fine. I called Haley, my manager... Milan is a go. So, I guess... I don't know much at this point, she's meant to be calling me back with the details, but that's a happening thing...' Kurt said, as he grabbed Blaine's hand and the headed towards the elevator

'You know, I'll be here, waiting aimlessly for your return, and pouting everyday that I don't wake up beside you... pining helplessly after you...' Blaine said, kissing Kurt's cheek 'I'm proud of you, and I love you,' he added, as the elevator doors dinged open

'I love you too hotshot...' Kurt replied, chuckling when Blaine pointed out that his line has only been on the market two weeks, and he already practically a household name...


Their playful banter was with them all the way to the cafe, and even after they'd ordered and been seated, they were still 'back to the original Klaine-ness...' Wes and David said they had been missing since the engagement... Blaine had gone out of his way to prove they hadn't changed and wallah... it's worked... their conversation moved to Kurt's venture to Milan, and how excited he was about it. Blaine just listened, smiling and nodding... he hadn't seen Kurt this excited about something since... well ever actually. He'd never gotten excited over anything... always too afraid of being dragged down again, or getting to the point where he's so excited, only to have everything ripped out from underneath him... Blaine won't let that happen, but it's nice to see his fiancée excited about things again... Dr. Paul was impressed that Kurt had landed the job in Milan, and even made note to Blaine, that perhaps it was almost time they stopped Kurt's sessions, to which Blaine had thoroughly disagreed... however they both agreed that they would wait until after Milan, to fully come to a conclusion on what was best for the countertenor... what they weren't expecting, was for Macy Greer to show up, once again unannounced, at their table, and act like she hadn't done one of the worst things in the world. Kurt didn't even acknowledge her, rather pulling out his sketch book, and making room on the table. He'd have to try and get something done for class on Monday, even if it's only a rough draft. Macy didn't seem to care that Kurt wasn't paying attention to her, but she knew she had Blaine's attention... because Blaine doesn't like impolite people... he hates them actually... and he doesn't have the right to be impolite to Macy, when she's the one who... fuck it, who cares... Blaine thought, sipping his coffee slowly, and trying to engage Kurt in another conversation, but the glare the countertenor shot at him, made him cringe, and turn to try and get rid of Macy. The now-brunette girl, was staring at the still visible, but fading, bruise around his left eye, reaching out to touch it, only to have Kurt kick her under the table. Blaine smirked, but didn't let Macy know, by hiding his mouth behind his coffee cup.


Between their awkward lunch in silence with Macy intruding on them, and the walk back to their apartment, there had been exactly thirty seconds of talk. Blaine knew this, because he had been mentally counting in his head, the amount of time it would take for Kurt to finish the conversation he was currently engaged in on the phone, and actually maintain their banter, which was hard to do, when one of the members was talking on the phone. They reached the elevator and stepped inside when Kurt's phone call ended, and he returned his phone to his jeans pocket, and his hand to Blaine's. The tenor smiled, and pressed the penthouse button in the elevator. It's strange, having their own private elevator that only travels to the penthouse. Since they moved in here, Blaine hasn't even bothered to use the other public elevator. Their elevator has a doorman and everything... he's really nice... his name is Sanchez, and he's funny as hell. His wife and kids are just the cutest things Blaine has seen, since Chelsea... as in the family unit... of course... Kurt reached the door first, pulling out the keys, and inserting them into the lock, letting Blaine inside first, before following, and closing the door, discarding his coat, keys and shoes. Silence again... we really need to work on this whole "communication" thing... Blaine thought, as he returned from the bedroom to find Kurt pacing back and forth in the lounge, contemplative look on his pale, but absolutely gorgeous face.

'Okay, you've been off since that phone call... spill Hummel,' Blaine said, pulling him onto his lap and kissing his cheek lightly

'Come to Milan with me...' Kurt said, turning so he could meet Blaine's hazel eyes with his own glasz ones

'W-what...?'

'Haley called me just before with the details for next month, and she said that I can take you... if you want to come. I called Sahara and she said that you're not scheduled to tour, until after April, so it would be fine if you were to join me... I know it's big... and we have school... but think about it okay?' Kurt asked, kissing Blaine once, before heading into the study and closing the door


Milan...? Kurt wants me to go to Milan with him... of course he wants you to go with him... you're his fiancée... but what about school?... this is college Blaine... not highschool... you don't have to do everything by the book anymore... it's still important though... of course, but that's what extensions are for... his mind supplied, as he flipped through the channels on the TV, his frustration about to get the best of him. Why was this, a hard decision to make? He loves Kurt, they're engaged, they've been together two years... so why then, is it so hard to take this opportunity? You don't get to go to Milan every day, and this might be Blaine's only time to travel with Kurt before he tours... and god knows how long that's going to be... You need to make a choice Blaine... or a list... make a list... he thought, pulling his work pad towards him, and tearing out a spare page... he wrote Pro's and Con's on each side of the page, and drew a line in the middle, taking his time to write things on both lists. Kurt was on both sides... one, for if he went, he'd be with Kurt... and the other for if he didn't go he'd be without Kurt... for a month... ugh... I wish I still had that magic eight ball... Blaine thought, chuckling when he remembered the look on Chelsea's face... Frank and Cora... of course they'd help him to make the right choice... Blaine bolted into the hall, grabbing the phone, and dialling the number, tapping his foot against the floor, waiting for them to pick up. when the phone was answered, Cora's cheerful voice joking about how long it had been since he'd called, Blaine just burst out with everything... how he'd proposed, their anniversary... Kurt's job offer, his album, Ellie's... all of it... Cora listened to her nephew patiently, taking in everything, and stopping him when she got the sense he was about to pass out from talking so fast... Blaine repeated Kurt's words slowly... but this wasn't a choice for her to make...

'Blaine, sweetie... I love you, and your uncle loves you... but you have to make this choice yourself... I can't tell you whether or not going to Milan is a good idea, or a bad idea... it's up to you... you'll make the right choice for you...'

'What if I make the wrong one? I can't lose him again,'

'You won't... Kurt loves you more than anything. If he had to choose between you and his career Blaine, he'd pick you... everytime... trust me when I say that...'

'Ugh, this is so annoying... how am I meant to decide this?' Blaine asked, sighing into the phone as his aunt spieled off another rant about how she can't make the choice for him...


At seven that night, Blaine had his mind made up. Kurt hadn't brought it up, obviously not wanting to put pressure on him, but hearing Kurt being happy... it was like a pain to his heart to break that... right now though, they're going to enjoy their dinner, and not worry about anything else... that anything else, can be worried about tomorrow... when they wake up and realise that there is this new tension between them... Blaine hasn't given Kurt an answer, and it's making them both on edge... but true love conquers all... most of the time...


A/N: The song is called 'Without You' and it's a song written for my friend's band Into the Light, so I take all the credit for it's suckiness, but it's still theirs... So, do you think Blaine will go with Kurt to Milan? Also, I am aware there may be inconsistencies, but I don't care... it's fiction so deal... Enjoy. Next Chapter: Does Blaine go with Kurt to Milan and coming soon... A Rachel/Kurt reunion... JusticeIsn'tEasy0083. D.