"Apparently, you will make a good doctor someday," Kurt announced, when Blaine entered the coffee shop on Monday morning. He held up his bandaged had. "You were right. I didn't need stitches."
"That's good," Blaine sat down across from him. "I'm glad you're okay."
"I wanted to tell you when I was released, but you were gone. Dylan said you decided to go home, and I never heard from you again. I was surprised you showed today," he glanced down at his drink. "I was starting to think maybe you were avoiding me again."
"Hey, I told you I wouldn't do that anymore," Blaine replied. He gave Kurt a small smile and said, "I don't break promises."
"Never?" Kurt raised an eyebrow.
"I try not to," Blaine shrugged.
"I know, but I was bummed that you disappeared like that. It made me feel guilty. You put so much work into helping me Thursday, and I know Dylan was the reason you left," Kurt glanced up at him. He felt so terrible about what happened the week before. Dylan had been so on edge with Blaine all week. It wasn't fair. "Please don't let Dylan bring you down, Blaine. He can be a little... verbally expressive. He's not afraid to give his opinion."
"I've noticed," Blaine shrugged.
"Did you really go home after you left the hospital?" Kurt asked. "I know you've been fighting with Rachel."
"No. I sent Sam a text, asking if they really stayed in Lima over Thanksgiving, and he told me that if I really needed a place to stay, they had an extra key hidden in the plant by their front door to the apartment," Blaine sighed heavily.
"You stayed at Mercedes and Sam's apartment all weekend?" Kurt was surprised.
Blaine flatly said„ "I couldn't go home. She didn't want me there. I need to give her the space she needs."
He tried reading Blaine's expression. He seemed so calm about everything, like he had just accepted that things had fallen apart, and there was nothing he could do about it. it was so unusual for Blaine.
"You're a very devoted person, aren't you?" Kurt asked curiously. It was one of the things he admired most about Blaine. He was devoted to the things he cared about, like Rachel. Even though he wasn't sure he wanted to be with her, Blaine was still willing to look out for her.
"Do I have another choice?" Blaine asked. He buried his face in his hands.. "I'm sure Dylan's happy that I'm out of the apartment anyway. I shouldn't have overstayed my welcome."
"You didn't. I liked having you there," Kurt reached across the table and pulled Blaine's hand away from his face. "If anything, I was disappointed that you left. When we finally went home, I made a comment that it was too bad you had prepared dinner and didn't even get to enjoy it. Dylan was pissed. He said that you were the last thing I needed to worry about and insisted that your name doesn't get brought up the rest of the night."
"I'm sorry," Blaine let his other hand fall to the table.
"Don't be," Kurt squeezed his hand. "He can be a little stubborn at times, but I'm not letting that stop me from seeing you. You are a part of my life, and if he wants to be with me, he's going to have to accept you."
"Thank you, Kurt," Blaine gave half a smile.
"I think staying with Sam and Mercedes is a good idea. I think Dylan could use a break. However, if things get a little too cramped there, feel free to come back. It won't make him happy, but I don't mind," Kurt stood up. "I have to get over to Vogue, but I'll see you later, okay?"
'Okay," Blaine nodded. Kurt turned to go, but paused when Blaine's chair scraped the floor and he called, "hey, Kurt?"
"Yes?" he turned around to face Blaine.
"Thank you for everything. I don't know how I managed to find a friend like you."
"Where were you?" Dylan asked, when Kurt entered the apartment from work two days later.
"I had to stay late at work. I'm sorry. I meant to text you, but my phone died," Kurt said, holding up his useless phone. "Did you make dinner?" he asked, glancing around the empty kitchen.
"I already ate," Dylan said shortly, rising from the couch, crossing his arms over his chest. A hard expression on his face. Kurt knew Dylan wasn't going to let this go without another fight.
"Without me?" Kurt asked hotly.
"Why should i have waited?" Dylan gestured to the table. "I figured you were out with him. I wasn't going to make dinner for someone who'd rather spend their evening with someone else."
Dylan had referred to Blaine as "him" since the night he chased Blaine from the hospital. He was so jealous, he couldn't even use Blaine's name anymore. Kurt didn't know if more had gone down between Dylan and Blaine while he was with the nurse or not, but he sincerely hoped that Dylan hadn't caused more damage than Blaine was admitting. After their meeting at the coffee shop two days ago, Kurt hadn't heard from Blaine. He was, more than likely, keeping his distance for Dylan's sake.
"I worked late. I wasn't out with anyone. I'm sorry. I told you my phone died," Kurt argued, tossing his phone on the kitchen counter. "Do you need to know where I am every minute now?"
"Well, how was I supposed to know you were working?" Dylan began to raise his voice. "How was I supposed to know that you weren't at that damn coffee show with him again? You spent weeks with him before you even told me you were meeting every morning."
"Because it was innocent!" Kurt shouted. "I told you there was nothing to worry about. If there had been something to worry about, don't you think I wouldn't run and tel you like it was no big deal?"
"Does that mean there's a chance you're hiding something from me now?" Dylan said coldly. "How do I know this work story isn't a cover up? How do I know you're being honest with me?"
For a moment, Kurt's heart stopped He was faced with the opportunity to tell Dylan the truth about Blaine. He could admit that he slept with Blaine. that he's kissed him more times than he can count now. That he had feelings for Blaine.
But the more Kurt stared into the eyes of the man that he was so afraid of losing, he realized that he couldn't do it. His mouth was dry. His hands were shaking, and his heart felt like it was going to beat out of his chest. This would ruin so much. It would throw everything away like it didn't matter. And for what? Blaine was still playing this game with Rachel. He still hadn't admitted anything to her. What would Kurt gain from this? The future without Dylan seemed like such a scary place.
Running his hands over his face, Kurt took a deep breath, "Dylan, you're getting out of line. I don't like that every time I'm not here or at work, you get jealous because you assume I'm with Blaine."
"Well, what am I supposed to think, Kurt? You spend a lot of time with him. When the three of us are together, you're always defending him," Dylan's voice grew louder.
"Because you start bashing him the second he walks in the door!" Kurt's voice began to tremble. Tears formed in his eyes. the thought of Dylan hurting Blaine anymore left him feeling so angry. He wasn't going to stand for this. "You don't exactly make him feel welcome, Dylan. I won't have you talk to my friends like that. I'd defend anyone."
"It's different with him," Dylan said shortly.
"Because you don't treat my other friends that way," Kurt snapped. "Sam walks in here and you act like his best friend. Why? Because you know damn well that you don't have a reason to be jealous of him, so you welcome him with open arms. It's Blaine. You're so jealous of Blaine that he drives you crazy."
"If you didn't give me a reason to be jealous - " Dylan started.
"What? Like Thursday? Because he was willing to help me with our dinner, while you sat in the living room watching football. He was helping me!" Kurt quickly brushed the tears off his cheeks.
"But when I came in here the last time - "
"I had just cut myself. Did you expect him to sit back and tell me to get over it? He was trying to help, and you pushed him away, making him feel guilty," Kurt stepped closer. He jabbed a finger in Dylan's chest. "Dylan you really need to control yourself around him, because I'm not going to stand for this anymore. Blaine is welcome here any time he wants to, and there's nothing you can say to change my mind."
"So you're choosing him," Dylan pouted.
"I'm not choosing anything!" Kurt threw his hands up in exasperation. "You're my boyfriend, aren't you? I'm not going to run out of here for him and act like the last two years didn't mean anything."
"Did they?" Dylan raised an eyebrow.
"Of course they did!" Kurt snarled. "You know they did. But if you honestly want to be with me, you need to understand that I can be friends with anyone I want to be friends with. It's my life. I make the choice, not you. And I choose to be friends with Blaine."
"Fine," Dylan mumbled. He turned on his heel and made his way into the bedroom. Kurt made his way to the front door. If he wasn't going to make things right with Dylan, there was someone he could clear things up with.
"Kurt? what are you doing here/?" Rachel opened the front door to him.
"Can we talk?" Kurt asked quietly.
"Sure, come in. I've been meaning to spend time with you anyway. It's been a long couple of weeks, and I could really use a friend right now," she shut the door behind him and motioned toward the couch.
"i know the feeling," he mumbled, sitting down.
"What's going on?" she asked, planting herself next to him. "Are you okay?"
"I don't know. I feel so confused. My head hurts," Kurt admitted. "I don't know what to do anymore."
"I know the feeling," she sat back and looked him over. "Is everything okay with you and Dylan?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," he told her.
"I'm listening," she said..
"I know you're dealing with a lot," he started. "I know that Blaine came clean to you about cheating, and I know that you're probably hurting right now. I thought, maybe, you could help me figure out how Dylan's feeling and what to do about it."
"Wait. Blaine told you all this?" she sat forward. "Does he just go blabbing my business to everyone?"
"It's okay. I'm in a similar boat as you. That's why Blaine and I have talked about this," he said. He had to be careful about how he worded things, because he didn't want to be the one to tout Blaine. that was his business.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"My boyfriend doesn't like that I'm friends with Blaine. He seems to think that every time Blaine and I are together, I'm tempted to run away with him or something," Kurt said casually. "It's really bothering him, so I'm sure he understands that you feel kind of like that... maybe not quite the same way but i can see how much it's stressing him out."
"Except it's totally different," she placed a hand on his knee. "Blaine actually admitted to cheating on me. If you didn't cheat on your boyfriend then there's nothing to worry about." She gave a soft laugh. "I don't see why he'd be jealous of Blaine anyway. it's not like you would cheat on your boyfriend with Blaine, because Blaine doesn't play for your team."
"It's silly, I know," Kurt gave her a little smile. "I've tried telling him that it's no big deal, but he can't let it go, and now we're fighting all the time. I don't know what to do about it, because I hate fighting with him, but I don't want to stop being friends with Blaine."
"He should respect that. Blaine's not a threat," Rachel replied. "I don't know how it feels to suspect cheating, because I never would have guessed with Blaine. But i know how it feels to be cheated on, and it really sucks, so I can imagine that Dylan's on edge. It's why you're fighting, because he wants you to give in and ignore Blaine."
"I can't let go of Blaine. He's been such a good friend to me since I've gotten to New York... I don't know how to change his mind about Blaine. What do I do?" Kurt looked at her hopelessly.
"Well, what makes him think Blaine is such a threat?" Rachel asked. "If you figure that out, maybe you can find a way to show him that it's not a big deal."
"I don't know. I guess because we're together quite a bit. Blaine and I have become really good friends," Kurt hoped that answer would satisfy her, but the hungry look in her eyes made him think otherwise.
"I didn't know that," Rachel said in a higher voice. "To be honest, Blaine doesn't tell me much of anything anymore. It's a little overwhelming. I suppose that comes with cheating though... Dylan' doesn't know our drama, does he?"
"No. Why?" Kurt asked.
She shrugged, "If he knew Blaine cheated, maybe he would worry that he cheated with you, and that probably would leave him feeling a little unsettled and threatened."
"But he doesn't know," Kurt said. "He's been weird since I introduced him to Blaine."
"I don't know what to tell you, honey," she shook her head. "I can't even handle my own problems right now. All this crap with Blaine cheating has left me so conflicted."
"I'm sorry about that," he mumbled, feeling his stomach clench. After all, it was his fault that things started falling apart between Blaine and Rachel. She just didn't know that.
"I'm sorry. I'm sure you don't want to hear it. I'm sure Blaine's told you everything," she waved it off.
"I don't know," he shrugged, afraid of where this was going.
Rachel looked at him longingly and asked, "Do you.. know who he cheated on me with? He won't tell me, and I don't know why it's such a secret. It's not like I'd find her and rip her throat out. I honestly just want to know."
Kurt bit his lip nervously. How was he supposed to answer that?
"You do know," she concluded eagerly. "I know you, Kurt Hummel. And that's a guilty face. Please tell me. i'm dying to know." She gripped his arm tightly, staring at him. "I swear I won't tell Blaine that you said anything."
"It's Blaine's business to tell you that, not mine," he replied, still hoping to find a way out of this.
"Yes, but I know you know. It's not like he's ever going to tell me." Rachel scooted closer. "I won't tell him I know. Come on, I won't be mad. it's not like it was you or anything."
Kurt's body stiffened. His eyes shifted to the wall in front of him, "uh..."
"It... it wasn't you, was it?" Rachel's face became more serious. She remained silent for so long, that Kurt wasn't sure what do to. She seemed to be connecting the dots from their conversation. Dylan being jealous of Blaine. Blaine telling Kurt everything about Rachel. Kurt and Blaine becoming so close...
"Oh," she whispered.
"Look..." he still couldn't speak.
"Oh my gosh. Did Blaine cheat on me with you?" her mouth fell open.
"Rachel- " Kurt started but she interrupted.
"But I don't understand. Blaine's not gay. Why would he sleep with you? I know he said he felt like we were falling apart, but what does sleeping with you prove?" she stood up and began pacing. "And you have a boyfriend. Why would you do that to him?"
"it's complicated," Kurt said helplessly. There was no way of backing out of this now. Staring at his shoes, he said, "Rachel, you have to understand that I didn't mean to get anyone hurt. It just sort of... happened."
"Yeah, that's what he said too," she mumbled.
"Blaine's felt a little confused, and I was just trying to help him. I didn't mean to hurt you, and I know he didn't want to hurt you either," he stood up as well. "In fact, he's been trying to hold on to you for as long as possible, and I don't understand that, considering he knows now that you're not what he wants."
"What do you mean?" she stopped in front of him. Her eyes wide with fear.
"Blaine..." he hesitated, knowing he'd regret saying this "Blaine... is gay. I didn't want to be the one to tell you, but it looks like i don't have another choice. I tried telling him to break up with you before you guys get any more involved but he won't."
Tears began rolling down Rachel's cheeks, "It looks like you're too late there."
"Why?" Kurt asked his heart hammering quickly in his chest. How could there be more bad news? What else could possibly be standing in his way when it came to Blaine?
"Because we already are too involved," she said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Kurt asked suspiciously.
Biting her lip, she glanced down at her hands. They moved toward the bottom of her sweater and she pulled it over her head, revealing the tighter shirt she had underneath. Kurt's eyes found the small bump of her belly and stared at her with an open mouth. "You're not telling me that this is -" he paused, still staring.
"We're definitely in over our heads now," Rachel said.
"But - "
"Blaine and I are having a baby, Kurt," she finished.