Author's Note:
Hi everyone! The hiatus is almost over and I promised a New Years Eve chapter. I also hear you guys saying you want more Happy Blaintana and if you guys can all drop a line to RIB to give me that, it would be great. Seems like the MJ episode might be our best shot!
I've also read that some of you feel this fic is a bit disjointed, and the fact is, it is. It really is meant to be a supplement to the episodes, and rather than rewrite most of the scenes from the show, I tend to skip them and pick up generally where they leave off. It's the nature of the fic, so, yeah.
This chapter is cute, gratuitous fluff that we'll probably all have to forget I wrote once Glee returns. But hey, RIB does that all the time with certain episodes, right? Anyway, it's inspired by Darren on Broadway, and the amazing production that is How to Succeed in Business. I am so proud of him and the show was fantastic.
I do not own Glee. Or How to Succeed. Or any other real people mentioned in this chapter.
"Come on Dad, please?" Kurt begged his father.
"Come on yourself Kurt, you couldn't have possibly thought that I would say yes to this crazy scheme of yours," Burt answered.
It was the day after Christmas and Blaine hid in the Hummel living room, hanging on every word being spoken between Kurt and his Dad in the kitchen.
"Dad, if you're worried about the driving, we all plan on taking turns. And it's only ten hours. That's a little over two hours for each of us." Kurt was starting to whine. Blaine sent him silent thoughts to calm down before he blew it for all of them.
"It wasn't the driving I was worried about Kurt. What arrangements have you guys made for where to stay?" Burt asked, arms folded across his chest.
"Rachel's Dads booked two adjoining rooms when they gave her the tickets. Dad, please, you and Carole have to let us go," Kurt begged.
"I don't have to do anything, Kurt." Burt scolded. He was losing control of his son. When did that happen? He still remembered his little boy who came running home after school to spend time with him. Now he wanted to disappear for 3 days, and next year he would be off to college somewhere. He couldn't stop time. He couldn't even pause it for a few seconds. Burt sighed. "Finn is 18 years old, the rest of you are almost 18, and I'm not sure how good a job I would do at stopping any of you from going. Blaine's mom said yes?" Kurt nodded enthusiastically. "How did he get tickets for the two of you?" he asked suspiciously.
"After Rachel told him her dads had bought tickets for her and Finn, he called his father and asked for them for Christmas. So his father went online and got them." Kurt shrugged and added wryly, "Guess guilt is good for something."
"I don't want you boys using him for money and things, Kurt, got that?" Burt said sternly. Kurt rolled his eyes but nodded his head. "GOT THAT, Blaine?" Burt yelled in the direction of the living room.
"Yes, Sir," Blaine yelled back, contrite, then blushed, because clearly Burt knew he was listening to every word.
"So, if I let you go," Burt said, strongly emphasizing the if, "What exactly will be the sleeping arrangements at this hotel?"
Kurt leaned on the counter and jutted his hip out. "They are whatever you imagine them to be, Dad," he sassily answered his father.
"I imagine them to be you and Rachel in one room and Finn and Blaine in the other." He looked down on Kurt, eyebrows raised in expectation of respecting his wishes.
"Then that is how we will sleep," Kurt affirmed. "So we can go?" Kurt put his hands together in silent pleading, trying to make his face as puppy-dog like as Blaine was capable. "Please?"
Burt stared at Kurt for a long time, then took a deep breath. "It's fine with me if it's fine with Carole." Kurt jumped up and down in excitement and hugged his father. Burt hugged him back, then held him by the shoulders at arm's distance. "But you guys will come home before New Years. I do not want the four of you out there on New Year's Eve."
"That's no problem at all Dad, we already promised Brittany and Santana we'd go to their New Year's Eve party, so we were planning on driving back on the 30th."
Burt ruffled Kurt's hair then shook his head. "Crazy kids," he mumbled to himself as he walked out into the garage.
Blaine peaked his head in and Kurt turned to see him, beaming. "Is it safe to come in now?" Blaine asked with playful caution.
"Blaine," Kurt said. "We are going to New York City." He ran into Blaine's arms and Blaine picked him up and twirled him around.
Blaine gave Kurt a strong, quick kiss on the lips and grinned broadly at his boyfriend. "We are going to Broadway!"
"Finn, you cannot wear that to a Broadway show!" Rachel argued with her boyfriend as she looked through his packed bags. "Didn't Kurt and Blaine help you at all?" she asked incredulous.
"I don't want to wear bowties to New York, Rachel, I want to be comfortable," he argued.
Rachel rolled his eyes. "You can be comfortable and stylish too. Pretend you are dressing for Nationals. Come on, let's go back into your closet. We need to leave in 30 minutes."
Blaine sat on Kurt's bed as he watched Kurt finish packing up all his toiletries. Shampoo, Conditioner, moisturizer, hair gell and all the things that Kurt had finished using that morning went into the bag. Blaine stared expectantly at Kurt.
"What?" Kurt asked pertly.
"Forgetting something?" Blaine grinned and wagged his eyebrows.
Kurt pranced over to Blaine, kneeled on the bed and kissed him roughly. "No, I didn't forget anything, it's already packed. Eager much?" Kurt teased.
"I don't know what I'm more excited about. Broadway or being alone with you," Blaine mewled, his eyes narrowing as he pulled Kurt in to rest his curls on Kurt's chest.
Kurt looked down at him, in shock. "You can be alone with me anywhere, for a long, long time, Blaine. Broadway is an experience we won't get very often," Kurt said.
Blaine laughed and pushed Kurt off the bed. "You and Rachel are too much alike sometimes," he grinned.
Kurt and Finn brought their bags down and set them by the front door. They were driving most of the day today, sightseeing in Manhattan tomorrow before the evening show, and returning home the next day on Friday. Their excitement outweighed any concerns they may have had about the trip.
Finn and Blaine nearly ran to the plates piled high with pancakes, syrup, bacon and fruit cup that Carole had cooked them for their sending off.
"You guys have everything you need? Cell phone chargers? Toiletries? Clothes? Your tickets?" As Carole fussed, the kids nodded with every item on the list, Finn running upstairs once to grab his hairbrush that he had forgotten. Rachel and Kurt rolled their eyes at the same time and Blaine broke out in hysterics.
"Alright Kurt, you're all set," Burt came walking in from the garage, car keys in his hand. "You are gassed up, the oil is changed, fluids are topped off, I checked the tires, the brakes, the windshield wipers, the battery and did a full point inspection."
Kurt smiled. "Thanks Dad, you're the best."
"You guys are going to call every day, and I do mean call. I don't mind a text to let me know where you are but I want one phone call a day, understood?"
"Yes, Dad," Kurt answered.
"Blaine, you'll call your Mom every day even if Kurt checks in with me. Same for you Finn, and Rachel, you call your Dads. I want all four of you checking in."
Kurt got up and went to his father. "We're going to be fine, Dad," he said giving him a hug. Finn took the cue from Kurt and went to hug his mother as well. He noticed she had tears in her eyes.
"We're not leaving for college, Mom, the only day you won't see us at all is tomorrow," Finn assured her.
Carole nodded and wiped away her tears. "I know Finn. It's just that you guys are all grown up, and I don't know when that happened."
Blaine sat and watched, wistfully as he often did, at the relationship Kurt and Finn had with their parents. He looked at Rachel who was smiling at Finn, and suspected there was a similar scene when Rachel left her house. Blaine had left on his own that morning, his mother already at work, having wished him well the night before. She hadn't been weepy or concerned, just told him to have a good time. She had left him many times before, in situations far more dangerous than a trip to New York. His father had told him to be careful, but there was rarely true care behind anything his father said. Not like Burt and Carole. His parents would never be like Burt and Carole. It was something he resigned himself to a long time ago.
"Alright you guys, you better get on the road if you're going to make it before it gets too dark," Burt reasoned. He took hold of Kurt's bags as Finn grabbed his own, and they shoved them in the back of the Navigator next to Blaine's and Rachel's suitcases. There were more hugs, including ones for Blaine, and the foursome climbed into the car, Kurt driving with Blaine next to him and Finn and Rachel in the back.
"Seatbelts on please, even in the back. You can cuddle from afar," Carole said.
Burt pulled out four envelopes and handed one to each of them. "A little extra cash," he said, "I don't want any of you to end up without money in an emergency."
Blaine looked at Burt. "You didn't have to do this, sir," he said sincerely.
"You're a part of this family Blaine, so take it and be quiet." Blaine smiled and leaned back in his chair. "And stop with the Sirs, you only do that now when your intentions toward my son are less than honorable," Burt ordered.
Blaine grimaced as his face turned crimson.
"On that note," Kurt squeaked, "We are leaving. See you in two days! We love you!" Kurt rolled up the window and pulled out of the driveway. They all waved as they made their way down the road.
Kurt sighed, Blaine futzed with the IPod, and Rachel moved over to the middle seat, refastening her seatbelt, and snuggled under Finn's arm. Suddenly, all four of them yelled. "Road Trip!"
They arrived at the hotel both exhausted and exhilarated. The moment they had entered Manhattan and had started to see the Broadway marquis, Rachel and Kurt squealed and Blaine looked out the window with a quiet reverence. Kurt grabbed his hand, and saw tears in Blaine's eyes. It struck Kurt. He had always thought of Broadway as his and Rachel's dream, not Blaine's. And yet, there was so clearly a silent passion Blaine held tightly to himself. Kurt wondered if Blaine had ever truly let himself feel it before now, or if he had just been too self absorbed to see it.
They were lucky that Finn was driving, because the other three would likely have crashed the car, distracted by the sights. Finn dodged the taxis and the pedestrians, nearly having a heart attack at one point as a bicyclist shot out in front of the Navigator, and breathed a sigh of relief as he finally arrived at the hotel. They praised the Broadway gods for valet parking and for the extra money they had been given. They checked in and got the keys for their rooms. Rachel kept one for herself and Finn and handed the other to Kurt.
"Be good, boys!" she laughed.
Finn ducked his head and mumbled to himself as Kurt reddened and Blaine laughed. The four hoisted their luggage onto a baggage cart and located the elevator to take them up to the tenth floor. They found their rooms, and each couple looked at each other with sheepish grins as they slipped the cards into the readers. The doors flashed green, unlocking and they disappeared inside.
Kurt and Blaine opened the door to a gorgeous room with a king size bed covered in a red and brown down comforter, and a marble bathroom large enough for both of their bags of hair and facial products. They put their suitcases down on the luggage racks and turned to each other smiling.
"I don't think this is what your father imagined," Blaine said taking a step toward Kurt.
"Actually, I am pretty sure this is exactly what he imagined," Kurt said, taking his own step forward and wrapping his arms around Blaine's neck. "Welcome to New York," Kurt whispered.
"I love you," Blaine murmured as he lips met Kurt's neck, sending shivers down both their spines. Kurt's eyes rolled back in his head and he closed them, feeling the moist heat of Blaine's lips on his skin. His senses returned when Blaine started unbuttoning his vest and quickly discarded it on top of his coat.
"Blaine," Kurt whispered.
"Shhh…" Blaine hushed, catching his boyfriend's words in a kiss that Kurt took control of and deepened until he grabbed Blaine's shirt and tugged it over his head.
"Should we go check out the bed?" Kurt asked breathlessly.
Blaine didn't answer, instead leading Kurt to the bed and pushing him down, lying above him pressing his hips into Kurt's. "Is this what you want?" Blaine teased.
Kurt's head fell back and his heart raced wildly, thinking for a moment it was going to explode out of his chest. Blaine's heart skipped a beat seeing how wrecked Kurt already was. "Do you want me?" he whispered in Kurt's ear.
Kurt could barely speak, managing only a quick nod and a desperate, "Please."
Blaine reached down and deftly undid Kurt's skin tight jeans. He leaned over and kissed his soft lips deeply, separating only when absolutely necessary . Blaine smiled down at the most beautiful face in the world. "Welcome to New York."
The only thing missing the first time Kurt came to New York was Blaine, and now everything felt perfect. Kurt couldn't stop himself from showing Blaine all the places they'd gone last time. They strolled through Central Park, Blaine taking pictures the entire time. They had lunch at Sardi's and suffered Rachel telling again the story of how she met Patti LuPone. They went to Tiffany's, only this time they didn't stay outside. Kurt and Rachel grabbed their boyfriend's hands as they explored every last inch of the store. Rachel tried on necklace after necklace, and Kurt showed Blaine every ring and bracelet he could imagine on his delicate hands. He showed Blaine some gorgeous cufflinks he thought would look perfect on him. Rachel pulled Kurt aside for a moment, looking longingly at the engagement bands. Someday, Kurt thought. "Someday," Rachel said, blushing and looking over at Finn.
Blaine took Kurt's hand and the four headed out to Times Square, Blaine continuing to take pictures of everything they passed. When they arrived, Rachel bounded up the TKTS steps. Kurt started up after her, but watched as Blaine just kept walking, forgetting anything but the destination he had set. Kurt followed, nearly running to keep up, stopping only when Blaine stood before the humongous poster of Danielle Radcliffe in How to Succeed in Business. Kurt caught up and took his hand, breaking Blaine out of his spell and catching tears in Blaine's eyes.
"He means that much to you, doesn't he?" Kurt asked gazing up at the poster as he leaned his head on Blaine's shoulder.
Blaine's voice was quiet, and his eyes never left the billboard. "There were days when those books and movies were the only thing that kept me going. Sometimes it was my only hope that there would ever be a way out of my own cupboard under the stairs. And then I found Dalton and friends who cared about me, and it seemed like it was all coming true. I found a place where I belonged, someplace I could call home. And maybe, just maybe, like Harry, I'd find a family and someone who loved me. And I did."
"Does that make me Ginny or Ron?" Kurt asked with a scrunch of the nose.
"Cute," Blaine said teasingly, kissing him on the nose. He took Kurt in his arms, unafraid on the streets of New York. "And now, the man who played him follows my dream to Broadway. And I'm going to see him perform. Kurt, I can't believe this is happening."
"Well, believe it," Kurt smiled. Rachel and Finn came up behind them and Rachel went on and on reminiscing about their time on the Wicked stage. But Blaine didn't care. Tonight he was going to be in the audience of his first Broadway show.
"Why are you crying," Kurt asked gently as Blaine applauded wildly during the curtain call. The standing ovation let him rest his chin on Blaine's shoulder and pull him back tightly against his chest as Blaine continued to applaud loudly.
"The show was amazing. I want so badly to be a part of something like that. For that to be me up there," Blaine admitted.
"It will be Blaine," Kurt assured him, whispering in his ear. "That will be us up there. See that gay faced chorus kid up there? That's me. Forever singing back up to you and Rachel as you two take the final bows."
Blaine pulled away and grabbed Kurt's hand. "No way, Kurt," he said firmly, pride gleaming. "You are a star."
They smiled at each other and turned back just as Daniel Radcliffe came out for his curtain call. They both yelled and screamed like girls, and neither one of them cared. They watched a hero today, and someday it would be them.
Blaine arrived at the New Years Eve party first. Kurt, Finn and Rachel were coming together. They four of them had gone out to eat after the show, then tiredly stumbled into bed only to wake up the next morning to drive back home. The ride was quiet, and they all crashed last night once they got home and spent the day recovering. Kurt called Blaine to let him know it was easier if they just came separately and Kurt agreed. Blaine had packed an overnight bag and told his mom everyone was staying over at Brittany's house.
The door was answered before he could even ring the bell and Brittany gave him a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Happy New Year!" she yelled, as she placed a plastic hat on his head and led him inside. Artie, Mike and Tina were already there, as was Santana.
"Hey boyfriend," Santana said, placing a chaste kiss on his lips, surprising Blaine. He could taste the alcohol already on them, but it was early and Santana still appeared sober. "Here, have a cup," she urged, handing him a cup of beer.
"Maybe later. I want to show you something first," he said.
Blaine took Santana's hand and led her to a quiet corner of the room. Santana was intrigued.
"So how was your trip to New York?" she asked.
"It was amazing. Sit down, I want to show you something."
The two sat together on the floor, legs stretched. In the privacy of Brittany's home, and with a little of her inhibitions gone, Santana could just be at ease with Blaine and not worry about all of the fears and feelings he typically brought out of her. It was like at the jazz club, and thinking about it, she realized how nice it felt. She glanced over as he fumbled with his phone, and she snuggled in with him.
Blaine was taken by surprise again, and smiled down at her. He hoped it wasn't just the alcohol, but that Santana was finally feeling comfortable with him. They had helped each other in so many ways, though neither ever wanted to admit it.
He turned his phone on and scrolled through to the pictures he had taken in New York. "Here, I wanted to show you these," he said handing the phone over to Santana.
He had noticed it as soon as they entered the city. Amongst the Broadway signs and the internationally known landmarks, were hundreds of thousands of people. People just like him and Kurt. People just like Santana and Brittany. He took picture after picture of couples holding hands, couples kissing. He took a picture of two women in the park feeding each other strawberries. He took pictures of an older gay couple, holding hands and dressed to the nines before the show. He took a picture of two teenage girls, arms linked, in Times Square that had reminded him so much of Santana and Brittany. He looked at her with anticipation and a hint of worry. But it was unnecessary.
Santana looked up at him, eyes shining with unshed tears. "These are beautiful Blaine," she said, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you for sharing them with me."
"There's a real way out, Santana," he said, voice deep and low. "It may not be here in Lima, but it's out there, just waiting for you. Just waiting for us," he said.
She kissed his cheek and hugged him gently. She stared into his eyes, seeing as always, herself in his reflection. "Thank you," she said.
Kurt grabbed the cup of beer out of Blaine's hands just before he could take a sip. "Oh hells no!" Kurt yelled.
"Kurt, you nearly spilled that!" Blaine admonished, grabbing for it. Kurt held it high above his head where Blaine couldn't reach. "Come on Kurt," he whined.
"Blaine, you hold your alcohol horribly, and I do not want a repeat of last year. Or Scandals."
"Sebastian isn't here and Rachel is hanging on Finn's every word," Blaine said. "As well as every part of his body," he added under his breath.
"Here you go, Boyfriend," Santana said, sweeping past him with a shot that Blaine grabbed and downed before Kurt could stop him.
Kurt took the glass out of Blaine's hand and slammed it on the table. "You want to get drunk, fine," he yelled. "You stay away from her," he ordered pointing to Santana, "and him," he said pointing to Rory.
"Kurt," Blaine slurred, grabbing his boyfriend by the waist and slumping just slightly, "Rory is straight."
"Yes, but you are not," Kurt responded forcefully.
"I only have eyes for you," Blaine said as he pulled Kurt toward him. "Eyes, hands, lips…" he whispered placing a wet, liquor tasting kiss sloppily on Kurt's lips.
"Oh Blaine," Kurt sighed, rolling his eyes at the boy.
"2 minutes!" Brittany yelled, "Ball's dropping! Grab your champagne!"
Blaine took a champagne flute for himself and one for Kurt and they stood with their arms around each other watching the ball drop. "This will be my first New Year's kiss," Kurt said softly to Blaine.
"Mine too," Blaine admitted smiling in wonder.
"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5," they all yelled.
Blaine looked over to Santana, who had her arms around Brittany. Santana caught his eye and they smiled at one another.
"4, 3, 2, 1, Happy New Year!"
Blaine wrapped his free arm around Kurt, being careful not to spill his champagne. His eyelids fluttered, his eyes were dark yet sparkling as Kurt's face flushed with joy. "I love you Kurt Hummel," he said.
"I love you too, Blaine Anderson," Kurt answered, and Kurt took the initiative. He leaned in and kissed Blaine, softly at first then swiping his tongue over Blaine's lips until they parted. Kurt sighed contently as he reveled in his first kiss of the year, the only kiss he ever wanted to repeat for the rest of his life. Blaine pulled away, catching a glimpse over Kurt's shoulder of Santana and Brittany, lips still locked and he smiled. He turned back to Kurt, falling into the ocean depths of the eyes that made his dreams come true. "Happy New Year, Baby," he purred.
Kurt gazed into hazel eyes that gave him courage and strength, that made him fall in love over and over again. "Happy New Year, Blaine."
Author's Note:
So I totally stood in Times Square and cried while staring at Darren's billboard. No shame.