Oh my God, I love you guys. Your reviews just overwhelm me.
Thank you SO much.
Please keep them coming, your reviews are incredible and I love getting them so much. I'm also still sending previews of the next chapter for anyone who reviews.
Thanks so much for reading. Also, I had a thought the other day, how weird would it be to watch Glee and just think 'Oh, that's a nice programme, I'll just watch that and not have any further involvement in it.' HOW COULD YOU DO THAT. You just get drawn in by it...okay, maybe it's just me.
Is it just me?
Thanks again!
Chapter fourteen
"I love you, ground," Kurt said mournfully, gazing at the carpeted floor with a look of longing.
Blaine stifled a laugh, looping an arm around Kurt's waist and tugging him towards the terminal. "Come on, babe, it'll be fine."
"That's easy for you to say," Kurt protested, but he followed Blaine, somewhat begrudgingly. "But when we're hurtling towards the ground at thousands of miles per hour, you won't be laughing."
"And when that doesn't happen, you'll have to admit that I was right and you were wrong," Blaine replied, smirking.
Kurt adjusted his sweater, sighing. "In your dreams, Anderson."
Blaine turned, cupping Kurt's face with his hands. "Kurt, everything will be fine, I promise you." Kurt scoffed at him, continuing to walk through the airport, his hand in Blaine's. "Plus," Blaine added after a few moments, "Rachel will kill you if you die of fright and can't perform at Nationals."
Kurt chuckled. "You just can't perform without me," he teased, nudging Blaine's shoulder with his own playfully.
"That's true," Blaine conceded, smiling.
An overhead speaker suddenly crackled into life and a tinny voice filled the air. "Flight NY7868 to New York is now boarding, all passengers please come to the gate."
Kurt wailed, clutching at his boyfriend desperately. "Blaine, don't make me," he pleaded.
Blaine chuckled, wrapping a strong arm around Kurt's waist and wielding him through the crowd. "Babe, it'll be fine. I promise."
Kurt sighed but walked alongside him, scowling.
Within a few hours, they were on board the plane and halfway through their trip to New York. Unbeknownst to Blaine, this was Kurt's first ever flight and he was more nervous than he was letting on. He clutched Blaine's hand in his with a vice-tight grip, fidgeting in his seat. Blaine had an arm around him but for once, his presence wasn't offering Kurt much comfort.
He looked around him at his surrounding passengers. Rachel and Finn were in deep discussion, pouring over a notebook and rapidly penning song lyrics. They'd been given a duet at Nationals as well as Kurt and Blaine, with Kurt also performing a solo. Apparently they hadn't ever had a countertenor in their midst and wanted to milk Kurt's talent for everything they had. Hey, he wasn't complaining.
Brittany and Santana were sat together, holding pinkies and whispering to each other, much to the joy of Kurt. He'd been vouching for the two to get together before the school year was out and it looked like his theory had concluded. Mike and Tina were asleep; Mercedes and Sam were talking in earnest tones to each other, the conversation looking so intimate and private that Kurt forced himself to look away. Artie was sat with Puck – since Lauren had quit New Directions, the mohawked teen had turned to Artie for companionship – and Quinn was sat with Mr Schue, which was a decidedly uncomfortable combination.
Kurt smiled before turning back to Blaine, who was gazing up at him with adoring eyes. Kurt rolled his own, sighing slightly. "See something you like?" He teased.
Blaine nodded emphatically. "Yeah, the drink cart's doing its round."
Kurt couldn't hold back at laugh at this and Blaine grinned at him.
A voice signalled for his attention and Kurt turned, looking up at the steward and almost doing a double-take. He was absurdly attractive, with blonde hair and a muscular build that wasn't dissimilar to Sam's. A few months ago, Kurt would have gone out of his way to flirt with him, but now things were different.
It took Kurt a few moments to notice that the steward wasn't looking at him, however. He was looking at Blaine.
Kurt cleared his throat, deliberately slipping his hand into Blaine's and demanding the steward's attention. He looked at Kurt, smiling. "Good afternoon, sir. Would you like a drink of any kind?"
Kurt smiled back, though it came out as more of a grimace. "No, thank you. I'm fine. Though my boyfriend" – he made sure the emphasis on the word wasn't lost on Kurt – "might. Blaine?" He turned to Blaine, giving him a pointed look.
Blaine looked startled, stammering out a "Water, please," to the steward before turning back to Kurt and looking at him questioningly.
The steward handed him the beverage with a wink. "Will that be all?" The steward asked, smiling coyly. "There isn't anything else I can do for you?"
Kurt glared at him. "No, thank you. We're fine. Perfect, even. You can go now," he dismissed, smiling sickeningly at the steward who just nodded, winked at Blaine once more and moved on.
"Kurt!" Blaine admonished, taking a sip of his drink. "That was rude."
"Did you wanna have sex with him?"
Blaine choked on his water, sending spray everywhere. Kurt bit back a laugh, though he was still waiting for Blaine's answer. "Of course not!" He said, defiantly. "Why?"
"Well, he was certainly interested in you," Kurt returned, raising an eyebrow.
Blaine gave him a searching look. "He was just doing his job, Kurt," he paused, "are you jealous?"
"Please, Blaine, don't flatter yourself," Kurt retorted, looking away.
Blaine scoffed, chuckling. "You are! You absolutely are! You are so jealous. I can't believe it!"
"But seriously, Blaine," Kurt interjected, "getting hit on by an air steward, could you get anymore cliché?"
"Could you get anymore jealous?" Blaine returned.
Kurt just looked at him. "You're my boyfriend," he said after a few moments, "I think I'm entitled to a little jealousy when a super-hot steward is flirting with you."
Blaine smiled. "He was attractive? I didn't notice."
Kurt raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Sure you didn't."
"I didn't!" Blaine insisted, and then he lowered his tone. "I was too busy looking at my gorgeous boyfriend."
Kurt faltered for a second before regaining control. "Well, he was. And he was interested. In you."
"The feeling was far from mutual, babe," Blaine told him, earnestly.
Kurt smiled at him. "Good."
Blaine grinned, settling back in his seat. This was gunna be one hell of a holiday.
New York was incredible.
The second Blaine stepped off the plane, he felt it. The buzz, the excitement, the atmosphere that was tingling with life, it was all New York. And he was here, finally.
With just one look at Kurt, Blaine knew he felt it too. Kurt caught his eye, smiling. "It's quite something, isn't it?" He asked, leaning past Blaine to pick his suitcase off of the conveyor belt at baggage reclaim.
"Hey!" Blaine protested indignantly. "I could have done that!"
"Oh, please, Blaine," Kurt rolled his eyes, "I'm not exactly a damsel in distress, am I?"
Blaine gave him a withering look. "No, but I thought it would be romantic."
"I thought you were no good at romance?" Kurt returned, smirking.
"I'm trying!" Blaine told him.
"Sure you are, sweetie," Kurt reached out and patted Blaine's cheek patronisingly and the shorter boy pulled away, chuckling.
"Hey," Blaine leant closer to Kurt, nudging their shoulders together, "I'm doing better than Finn though, right?" He gestured across the airport to where Finn was and Kurt stifled his laughter by shoving his face into Blaine's neck. Finn was bounding through the terminal towards the exit, leaving Rachel standing by the conveyor belt, desperately struggling to wield her ten-ton pink suitcase which was, of course, embroidered with gold stars.
"Miles better," Kurt assured him, still laughing.
Blaine leant against his own suitcase, looking pityingly at Rachel. "I'd better go help her out," he said after a few moments.
"You hero," Kurt mock-swooned.
Blaine winked at him before walking away. Within moments, Santana was by Kurt's shoulder, practically purring. "Kurt, he's just so eager, I don't know how you do it!" She exclaimed, gazing after Blaine.
"Magic," Kurt grinned.
"You mean spreading your legs," Santana corrected, smirking.
Kurt gave her a withering look. "And yours are glued closed, right?"
Santana held up her hands in defence. "I'm not denying it, Hummel. You're just lucky he's with you or I would be riding that like a pony."
"Excuse me," Kurt protested, "last time we talked about this, you gave him a 6. You don't bed anyone less than 8. Which is why I'm so surprised you dated Karofsky."
Santana looked at him pityingly. "We were just beards, dumbass. But I don't know, maybe losing his V-card has made Blaine go up a whole new level of sex appeal."
"You don't have to tell me," Kurt replied, smirking.
Santana made a noise of disgust. "Will you stop being so happy? It's sickening."
Kurt shrugged, looking nonplussed. "Come on, I caught you and Brit staring doe-eyed at each other on the plane ride over."
Santana struggled to keep her face indifferent. "Sure. She's nice, that's all."
Kurt scoffed. "Yeah, I'm sure she's lovely when she's between your legs."
"Hummel, lay off. Brittany's already interrogating me enough about what the hell we're doing; I don't need you to as well." Santana snapped.
Kurt took a step back, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, San. You just…you looked happy."
"I am," Santana returned. "It's just that as soon as I am, I seem to fuck everything up."
"So, I want to run through all of the songs today. Finn and I have written a heart-wrenchingly romantic work of art that I wish to share with you all and Nationals are imminent; there's no time like the present so I think that we should –"
"Berry, can it. We want to go explore!" Santana cut her off, winking at Kurt from across the room.
"Explore Brittany's mouth," Kurt mouthed back and Santana just smirked.
"I don't think that's a very professional attitude, Santana," Rachel protested, "and as excited as I am to be in the same city as Broadway, I think that practise is far more important than anything else at this present moment. Therefore, I would propose that –"
"Rachel, I have to agree with Santana," Kurt cut in. "We're in New York. We ran through all the songs last night and even though you and Finn only wrote your duet on the way over, I'm sure we're all perfectly practised in the art of doo-wapping behind the two of you."
The New Directions all gave nods of affirmation, looking beseechingly at Rachel.
"Come on, Rach," Blaine added, "lighten up! We're gunna do great. Besides, New York is calling us! We're in the greatest city in the whole freaking world and you want to stay in a hotel room?"
"Blaine, I just think that –"
"I understand that you want to be perfect, Rachel," Mr Schue interjected, "but I agree with Kurt, Santana and Blaine. I think that for the afternoon, we should split and explore the city."
"Mr Schue, I really don't think that –"
"Too bad, man hands," Santana cut her off, "it's decided. Let's go!"
Kurt and Blaine shared an excited grin, already halfway out of the door before the conversation was over.
Albeit fantastic, New York was also exhausting, Kurt and Blaine soon discovered. They returned to their hotel within a few hours, having been swallowed up and spit back out by the city. They'd explored until their feet had ached and soon made the decision to return home – although it was reluctant, their feet were threatening to detach from their legs and hitch a ride back to the hotel.
Kurt stopped by the front desk to retrieve the key while Blaine went to the hotel café to pick up a few bottles of water. Kurt sashayed over to the desk, pressing the bell to gain the attention of the staff before leaning against the surface, turning his eyes to his nails.
Kurt looked up as a member of staff emerged and stared. This guy paled in comparison to the air steward and he was grinning wholeheartedly at Kurt, though there was a glint in his eyes that stole away from his innocent exterior.
"Hi there," he greeted, "what can I do for you?"
"I'm staying in room 516," Kurt told him, "I was wondering if I could pick up the key? There's a group of us and we dropped the key off here before going out."
"I'll have to see some proof of ID," the receptionist said, looking apologetic, "just to make sure you're one of the group. I have a list of names here."
Kurt rooted around in his bag, pulling out his driving license and handing it to the receptionist.
"Right," he nodded, "okay, Kurt Hummel, here's your key." He handed over the item with a smile. "So, are you in town for the choir competition?"
Kurt nodded, grinning, "Yeah, we're competing at Nationals."
"Right," the receptionist grinned, "I'm Aaron, by the way," he said, proffering his hand.
Kurt shook it, warmly. "Well, you know I'm Kurt."
"I sure do," Aaron replied. "Good luck in the competition. You'll be great."
"You haven't even heard me sing before," Kurt protested.
"Well, if your exterior is anything to go by, I'm sure your talent is exceptional," Aaron winked at him and Kurt faltered, which didn't go unnoticed by the receptionist. "Look, I'm sure I'll see you again but if you ever want to talk about something that isn't hotel-room-orientated, give me a call, OK?" He grinned, pushing a slip of paper with 11 digits written on it over the counter to Kurt.
"Look," Kurt started, sighing, "I have a boyfriend. I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression or anything but I just…I can't, I'm sorry."
Aaron's smile dimmed slightly, but he fought to keep his face impassive. "I'm sorry, Kurt, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything."
"You didn't," Kurt reassured him, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Aaron smiled, "I'll see you around."
Kurt raised his hand in parting, turning away from the counter and moving towards the elevator, twirling the key between his fingers. When he was halfway across the lobby, he caught sight of Blaine, who was stood on the opposite side of the room, regarding him with eyes full of hurt.
He inhaled sharply. Blaine had clearly witnessed the whole exchange between himself and Aaron and had taken it the wrong way. He started towards his boyfriend, an apology written all over his face, but Blaine turned on his heel and made his way up the stairs without a look back.
Kurt raced after him but Blaine was quicker and made it to the hotel room long before him, though he'd clearly forgotten that Kurt held the key. When he approached, Blaine was slumped outside the hotel room, head in his hands. Kurt sat down gingerly beside him, reaching out to tangle their fingers together. He was pleasantly surprised when Blaine didn't pull away.
"Blaine," Kurt started, voice soft, "I know what you saw and I know how bad it looked, but nothing happened. He gave me his number and I turned him down."
Blaine looked up at him, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "I know," he said, simply.
"All I did was ask for the key, I mean, I talked to him a little bit but that was only because he asked about Nationals."
"I know."
"But as soon as he gave me his phone number, I told him that I had a boyfriend and that I wasn't interested in him, Blaine, I swear!"
"I know."
"So what's the problem?" Kurt asked, incredulously.
Blaine's eyes met his again but this time, the tears had spilled over. "I just…I knew that this would happen, Kurt. I knew that you're…you, and you attract attention and that's one of the things that I love most about you."
"Blaine, what's going on?" He asked, voice shaking. By the sounds of it, he wouldn't like where this conversation was going.
"Kurt, I know I come across as confident and carefree but…I'm not. I'm only human and sometimes, I don't know, sometimes I just want to feel wanted by you."
And with that sentence, Kurt Hummel's heart broke in two. He moved away from the wall, kneeling in front of Blaine and cupping his boyfriend's face between his hands, gazing intently into his eyes.
"Blaine Everett Anderson, you have no idea how much I want you. No amount of flirting or turning down other guys will ever change that. I love you." Kurt still hadn't gotten used to voicing the term of endearment and often faltered over it, but this time he didn't stumble. He didn't even think twice about it. "I do, Blaine, I love you so much. And I know I don't say it enough but that doesn't mean I don't mean it! I want you. I do. I'll always want you."
Blaine was staring up at him, eyes bright, tears stealing down his cheeks as he brought his hand up to cup Kurt's cheek, pulling their heads together so that their lips met in a kiss. "I love you," Blaine mumbled against Kurt's lips, winding an arm around his waist to pull the boy closer. "I love you so, so much."
"I know," Kurt replied, pulling away and wiping away Blaine's tears. "I love you, too."
Blaine let out a choked sob, closing his arms around Kurt again and pulling their bodies together in a bone-crushing hug. "I'm sorry, I know I'm paranoid and I shouldn't get angry about it and I'm not, I saw that you turned him away but for a minute I didn't think you would because he was so much more attractive than me and you deserve someone like that and I just –"
Kurt cut him off with another kiss, threading his fingers through his boyfriend's curls. "Blaine, I will always choose you. I didn't even look twice at him. I didn't notice that he was attractive but I know he's nowhere near as perfect as you because no one can ever come close to you."
Blaine smiled up at him, exhaling and biting back more tears.
Kurt grinned back before clambering to his feet and holding out a hand to Blaine. "Come on," he instructed, "as much as I like the idea of making out in the corridor, I could do without the carpet burn and there's a perfectly comfy bed inside."
Blaine chuckled, taking Kurt's hand and allowing himself to be pulled up. Before they entered the room, Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt's waist once more, resting his head on his boyfriend's shoulder. "I love you, you know," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the junction that connected Kurt's neck to his shoulder.
Kurt's breath caught in his throat. "I do," he replied, "and I love you, too."
"Has everyone ever literally died on stage before?" Kurt gave Blaine a sideways look full of worry.
Blaine's eyebrows crinkled in confusion before the realisation sunk in. "Kurt, are you nervous?"
"Please don't judge me," Kurt pleaded, smoothing his shirt and exhaling in a vain attempt to calm himself, "this is the first time I've performed in front of an audience in…well, ever. I have this nightmare that I'm going to forget the lyrics or I'm going to sing and nothing's gunna come out." Kurt shot a look at Blaine and, seeing his expression, blanched. "Okay, you can judge me."
"I think it's adorable," Blaine said, putting an arm around Kurt's shoulder, "I think you're adorable and the only people who'll be dying tonight will be the people on that stage because you and I are going to kill this thing."
Kurt smiled, leaning in to kiss Blaine. After a few minutes, they were interrupted by an overhead voice.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the McKinley High 'New Directions!'"
Kurt and Blaine shared a look before they were swamped by a flushed Rachel and were pushed towards the stage. "Go on," she whispered to Kurt, pressing a kiss to his cheek and shooing him over to the opposite end of the stage, "break a leg."
Kurt grinned at her before standing in place, head bowed, arms clasped together as the curtain rose. He lifted his head as the music started and he stepped forward into the spotlight. He opened his mouth and began to sing. It was a cleverly put together mash-up of 'Perfect' by Simple Plan and 'Perfect' by Pink, with Kurt singing the former and Blaine the latter.
"Hey, Dad, look at me
Think back, and talk to me
Did I grow up according to plan?
And do you think I'm wasting my time
Doing things I want to do?
But it hurts when you disapproved all along
And now I try hard to make it
I just want to make you proud
I'm never gunna be good enough for
You can't pretend that I'm alright
And you can't change me."
Kurt's voice was rougher than normal, raw with emotion. He heard the New Directions' backing vocals chime in behind him and closed his eyes momentarily, immersing himself in the music. He smiled across the stage at Blaine as he stepped forward and began to sing.
"Pretty, pretty please,
Don't you ever, ever feel,"
Kurt cut into the lyrics with his own song and Blaine shot a small smile his way.
"Nothing lasts forever,
I'm sorry I can't be perfect,
If you ever, ever feel,
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me.
You're so mean when you talk
About yourself; you were wrong
Change the voices in your head
Make them like you instead
So complicated
Look how we all make it
Filled with so much hatred
Such a tired game
It's enough
I've done all I can think of
Chased down all my demons
I've seen you do the same.
Pretty, pretty please,
Don't you ever, ever feel,
Nothing lasts forever,
I'm sorry I can't be perfect,
If you ever, ever feel,
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me."
Kurt took over the next set of lyrics, walking towards Blaine as he sung, gazing into his eyes. Blaine smiled back at him encouragingly as they circled one another.
"Nothing's gunna change the things that you said
And nothing's gunna make this right again
Please don't turn your back
I can't believe it's hard just to talk to you
But you don't understand
We exchange ourselves,
And we do it all the time,
Why do we do that?
Why do I do that?
Why do I do that?
Pretty, pretty please,
Don't you ever, ever feel,
Nothing lasts forever,
I'm sorry I can't be perfect,
If you ever, ever feel,
Like you're nothing, you are perfect to me.
Pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever feel
Like you're less than,
Less than perfect
Cause it's just too late,
And we can't go back,
I'm sorry,
I can't be perfect.
You're perfect, you're perfect to me!Pretty, pretty please
Nothing lasts forever,
I'm sorry I can't be perfect,
You are perfect to me."
The crowd burst into applause as the music faded out and Kurt and Blaine beamed at each other, clasping hands as they bowed. Blaine filed back into the group as Kurt made his way over to the piano that was sat on the side of the stage. He sat down on the bench, his fingers flying across the keys as he played the opening strains of music.
"Come on skinny love, just last the year
Pour a little salt, we were never here,
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer."
Kurt's voice settled back into his natural key as his fingers danced on the instrument, the music flying out across the room. His eyes locked with Blaine across the stage and he smiled. Blaine was staring at him adoringly, a small smile playing on his lips. It was the perfect expression of love so profound that Kurt almost faltered over his next set of lyrics.
"I tell my love to wreck it all
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Right at the moment this order's tall
And I told you to be patient
And I told you to be fine
And I told you to be balanced
And I told you to be kind
And in the morning, I'll be with you
But it will be a different kind
'Cause I'll be holding all the tickets
And you'll be owning all the fines."
Rachel slipped her hand into Finn's as they both gazed at Kurt, enraptured by the music and the sound of his voice. They shared a small smile and Rachel was pleased to see that Finn's eyes were full of pride for his brother. As much as Rachel hated to admit it, Kurt was extraordinarily talented and she was glad to have him on her team.
"Come on skinny love, what happened here?
Suckle on the hope in light brassiere
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
Sullen load is full, so slow on the split
And I told you to be patient
And I told you to be fine
And I told you to be balanced
And I told you to be kind
And now all your love is wasted
Then who the hell was I?
'Cause now I'm breaking at the britches
And at the end of all your lines."
Kurt's voice was so thick with emotion that Blaine's breath caught in his throat. He was so exceptionally proud of Kurt in that he could barely contain it. He'd known of Kurt's talent but there was something about seeing him perform that was so incredible. He was just so proud to be with him. Kurt took his breath away.
"Who will love you?
Who will fight?
Who will fall far behind?
Come on skinny love
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my."
The music faded out and Kurt stood, starting to walk back towards the group. The applause was deafening and Kurt shot a smile at the audience, but Blaine caught him and pushed him back into the spotlight, forcing him to acknowledge his applause. Kurt shot him a dark look but smiled appreciatively at the audience, bowing.
Kurt filed back into the group, standing next to Rachel, who reached out and squeezed his hand before stepping forward with Finn and beginning their duet. Kurt wished he could listen to the music and appreciate the talent of his brother and his boyfriend's sister but his eyes were fixed on Blaine, who was gazing back at him. They barely remembered to harmonise in the background and provide backing vocals; they were so lost in each other.
Before Kurt knew it, the song was over and the audience were on their feet, applauding once more. The New Directions bowed again before piling off the stage. The group pulled together in a hug, congratulating one another.
"That was great, you guys!"
"I'm so proud of you!"
"Amazing job, everyone!"
Kurt and Blaine found each other amongst the group, hugging tightly and whispering congratulations in one another ears'. "You were so incredible, baby," Blaine murmured, kissing Kurt's cheek.
Kurt smiled. "You were amazing," he replied, sincerely.
Blaine stroked his fingers along Kurt's cheekbone, gazing down at him adoringly. "I love you," he whispered, kissing his boyfriend.
Kurt's cheeks flushed, but he replied, "I love you, too, Blaine."
And later, when they found out that they'd placed fifth at Nationals, they barely even noticed. All they saw was each other.
TBC...
The songs that were used in this chapter were:
1) A mashup of Perfect by Simple Plan and Perfect by Pink.
2) Skinny Love, originally by Bon Iver but the version that I used was the one by Birdie.
Thanks for reading, please review if you have a chance!