Author's Note:
I want to thank all of you who are still reading and especially those who take the time to review. Fandom has slowed and reading has slowed with it, and your words keep me going.
Many thanks to tifarae for being an awesome beta and an awesome friend.
Dalton Academy busses weren't anything like the orange school busses of McKinley. These were like luxury vehicles, with leather seats, actual seatbelts, and television screens at every seat. Most of the boys had their eyes transfixed on whatever sports game was going on in front of them. Kurt had eyes for no one but the boy sitting next to him.
"So how long have the Warblers been performing at nursing homes?" Kurt asked. They'd been preparing for this performance for weeks, as if it were Nationals itself.
"Since before either of us were born," Blaine told him. "I think this is like the 24th year or something? The residents look forward to it every time we come and it's like they have a sixth sense or something. We wouldn't miss it."
The Dalton Academy bus stopped at the front door of the nursing home and the choir members filed out with a cacophony of excitement. Many years ago the Dalton Academy Warblers had won Nationals after playing for this nursing home. They'd brought their newest setlist and the residents' favorites won them a trip to Nationals. Ever since, the boys had returned each year, and each year the residents had continued to handpick the songs that would bring them to Nationals.
Kurt instinctively reached for Blaine's hand as they exited the bus, then pulled away nervously. "Are we okay here?" he said, carefully eyeing the door.
Blaine smiled and clasped their hands together. "Yes," he assured him. "We are fine here and this," he added, squeezing Kurt's hand for good measure, "is fine here."
"Come on love birds!" Jeff called with a grin and the boys realized they were the only ones still standing by the bus.
"Come on," Blaine said. "We have a duet to sing."
The songs were a hit with the residents. The Warbler Council went around to get their votes and the rest of the boys spent the time sitting and talking with the men and women in the cafeteria turned auditorium. Blaine had learned early his freshman year how important their visits were. For some who had no family, volunteers like the Warblers were the only company they got.
"Your voice is beautiful dear," a white haired, wrinkled, and feisty eyed woman named Rosa told Blaine.
"Thank you," he said politely.
"And the boy you sang with. He has a voice like an angel."
That time, Blaine smiled proudly. "Yes. He does."
Rosa leaned in close to him, a brow raised. "Is he your boyfriend?" Blaine's eyes opened wide and he feel his face flush. She just smiled and leaned in like she was sharing a secret. "I could see it in your eyes just then. You were prouder of him than yourself."
"His name is Kurt," Blaine told her and Kurt's name on his lips sounded reverent. Blaine looked around for him, but he wasn't in the common room.
"I think he went off to the rooms dear," she said, tipping her head toward the hallway on Blaine's left. "Go ahead and find him. Young love should be separated for too long."
"Yes Ma'am," Blaine said standing up. "It was very nice to meet you."
Rosa giggled to herself, blushing slightly as he walked away. "Such a gentleman," she mused.
"You in love with him?"
Kurt had ventured down the hallway with staff's permission to meet with folks who hadn't been able to make it to the performance. They'd heard it though, piped in through the speakers in their rooms. So the minute Miriam heard Kurt say hello, she knew who he was.
Kurt blushed at the question. She'd asked about his duet partner and if he was as cute as Kurt was. "The cutest," was the answer that came along with an incredible glow on his cheeks. Kurt found himself telling her all about Blaine, his roles on Broadway but also just the little things that he did.
And then she asked, "You in love with him?"
Kurt shrugged and blushed brighter and looked at her sheepishly. "You probably think I'm too young to know what love is."
She rested her wrinkled hand, skin soft as snow, on his and she shook her head. "You're too young to know what marriage is. But love? When a newborn baby is held in loving arms, she understands better than anyone what love is. It's as we get older that it becomes so much more complicated. So no," she said, smiling softly. "I don't think you're too young to know what love is. I think you're still young enough."
"I love him too," Blaine said and Kurt turned to see him standing in the doorway. Blaine smirked and shrugged his shoulders. "You know, just for the record."
"How long have you been standing there?" Kurt accused.
"Long enough to know I love you even more now than I did before," Blaine said and he reached a hand out. "Come on. It's time to go."
Kurt leaned down to give Miriam a kiss goodbye, promising he'd come back soon. She squeezed his hand and then Kurt met Blaine at the door.
"Will you accompany me back to the bus?" Blaine asked, holding out his arm.
Kurt linked his elbow with Blaine's and smiled over at him. "I will accompany you anywhere you go."
"So I was thinking," Kurt said as he and Blaine made their way hand in hand to the cafeteria after Warblers rehearsal. "When we get to Lima for Christmas I think we should go ice skating and get hot chocolate."
"Kurt-" Blaine started.
"I had to get you a stocking to go with the rest of ours, but I couldn't decide. So I got two for you to pick between.
"Kurt, listen-"
"And my Dad's new girlfriend Carole…wow, that's still really weird to say…wants to know what your favorite Christmas dish is so she can make sure you feel at home."
"Kurt!" Blaine shouted, pulling on his hand to get him to stop. But now that Kurt was looking at him, face as excited as a kid in a candy shop, the last thing Blaine wanted to do was ruin it. He had no choice though. "I'm going home for Christmas. To New York."
Kurt looked as though every Alexander McQueen in his closet had just been ripped away. "What?"
Blaine looked out across campus. It was too hard to meet Kurt's eye. "Cooper called and told me he's coming in and I can stay at the hotel with him. We're gonna do a family dinner there, Cooper has it all planned. Mom's inviting Rachel and her dads and Sam and his family. And she's telling all the relatives that they're welcome to come but if they can't handle me being there then they shouldn't." Blaine shrugged nervously. "So other than Dad I should be okay."
Kurt looked shell-shocked. "When did he call?" Kurt asked. "Last night?"
Blaine bit his lip and his gaze fell to the ground. "A week ago."
"What!" Kurt shrieked. "A week ago? And you're just telling me now?"
"Well I hadn't really decided," Blaine told him, trying to explain. "I kept going back and forth about the idea."
"So you thought you'd just not include me in the decision?" Kurt said. Boys passing them on campus, started slowing as their voices raised, but Kurt and Blaine didn't notice.
"I knew what you would say Kurt." This was exactly why Blaine had put off mentioning it until now. "I didn't want to…I wanted it to be my choice."
Kurt's hands flew to his hips. "Even though it affected me."
"It's not like we're married Kurt!"
"Well good," Kurt snapped. "Because I wouldn't want to marry someone who can't even talk to me!"
Kurt froze. Blaine froze. The crowd of Dalton Academy students that had gathered around them started whispering.
"Blaine, I'm sorry," Kurt said quietly.
Blaine looked up at him. "You know what? Forget it."
And Kurt watched with a heart full of regret as Blaine turned his back and walked away.
"Blaine's not coming for Christmas," Kurt said. He was lying back on his bed, talking to his Dad on the phone, and trying not to cry. "He's going back to New York."
The quiver in Kurt's voice may have been subtle but it gave away everything to the man that had raised him. "I know you must be disappointed son, but what's got you so upset?"
Kurt bit his lip. He hated this. But it hadn't been his fault. "We had a fight." Tears dripped down with the words.
"Because he's going home?"
"Because he's known for a week and he just told me today," Kurt said with as much righteous indignation as he could muster. "I've been talking about plans for a week now and he's just been lying to me."
"Now Kurt, it doesn't sound like he's been lying exactly," Burt told him. "Did he tell you why he waited?"
Kurt sniffed. "He said he hadn't decided, but I'm sure it was just an excuse. If he can't even talk to me about things like that…"
"You need to give him a break son," Burt said. "Should he have told you sooner? Sure. But he didn't. And I know how you snap when you're hurt, so I can't imagine your reaction is gonna invite him to talk to you about things like that in the future." Kurt was silent. "Am I right?"
Kurt hated admitting when his father was right. "What do I do?"
"I might start with an apology," Burt suggested.
"I tried," Kurt argued. "He just walked away."
"Well, then, don't let him walk away next time."
"I fucked up Cooper." Blaine fell back on his bed, phone in hand.
"Let me guess. You got a B in Chemistry. Or you flubbed a lyric during rehearsal. Oh, did you buy vanilla yogurt when you meant to buy cherry?"
Blaine hated his brother. "I didn't tell Kurt I wasn't going home with him for Christmas until today," he said.
"Oh. Well. Yes, then you did fuck up."
Blaine rolled his eyes. "Thank you very much asshole, now how do I fix it?"
"Well I guess that depends on Kurt's reaction," Cooper said.
"His reaction was yelling at me and telling me I'd be a shitty husband."
There was silence on the line for a second. "Blaine," his brother said slowly. "Is there something you need to share with the class?"
"No, there's not…" Blaine couldn't handle Cooper's sarcasm anymore. "You know what? Forget it." Blaine moved to hang up on his brother, but he wasn't quick enough.
"Is that what you told Kurt? To forget it?" Cooper asked him. "Before you walked away, just like you were about to hang up on me?" Blaine didn't say anything. But he also didn't hang up. "That was the bigger fuck up then not telling him you were leaving Blaine."
Blaine threw his arm over his eyes. He hated when his brother was right. "So what do I do?"
"One generally starts these things with an apology," Cooper said. "And then groveling, if that doesn't work. Boot licking. A few other things I'm going to continue imagining you two aren't old enough for."
"And if none of that works?" Blaine asked nervously.
Cooper sighed. "He's mad because he loves you Squirt. Just don't be stupid and you'll be fine."
Blaine tossed and turned until midnight before he decided that his happiness was more important than his dignity.
From Blaine (12:03am): I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner.
From Kurt (12:05am): Yes. You should have. We don't keep secrets from each other.
From Blaine (12:08am): Says the guy who didn't tell me he was being bullied and didn't tell me he was coming to Dalton until he showed up on the first day of school.
From Kurt (12:09am): Touché
From Blaine (12:15am): You know, I don't recall resolving our first fight over text as one of the options we presented.
From Kurt (12:17am): We probably should have guessed it though.
From Blaine (12:19am): True. It does kind of put a damper on the makeup sex.
From Kurt (12:25am): I do expect make up kisses in the morning.
From Blaine (12:26am): Deal.
From Kurt (12:30am): And then we sit down and talk.
From Kurt (12:32am): I'm sorry too Blaine. For what I said. I don't…I mean, I shouldn't have…
From Blaine (12:3am): I forgive you. And I love you.
From Kurt: I love you too.
Make up kisses in the cafeteria nearly got them sent to the headmaster's office; a place neither had ever been, nor ever wanted to be, for misbehaving. Then class separated them until Warbler rehearsal brought them back together and it wasn't until after dinner that they were able to find a minute to truly talk. But curled up on Blaine's bed, Kurt's head resting on Blaine's chest, Kurt was finally able to ask the question that had kept him up until midnight the previous night.
"I just don't understand why you would want to go home Blaine," he said.
Blaine had known Kurt wouldn't understand. "They're my family Kurt," Blaine said. Kurt just stared at him as if he knew there was so much more to the answer and Blaine let his eyes slip to the floor. "Christmas at your house…seeing you and your dad…" Blaine looked up, his face pained. "I just can't. If I don't go home, I have no chance of that for myself. And I know it must seem crazy to want that or think it could possibly happen. But that's all I've ever wanted. For my dad to love me and be proud of me. And him loving me less doesn't make me love him less. I'm sorry Kurt," he said and he took his boyfriend's hand. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt him. "I'm sorry, but I have to keep trying."
Kurt stroked up and down Blaine's arm gently. "It's not crazy to want that," he said softly. "And I admire you so much for trying. It makes me feel…"
Kurt trailed off and Blaine shifted enough for Kurt to raise his eyes to meet Blaine's. "It makes you feel what?"
It took Kurt a moment to answer. "Safe?" he said. "Like, I know I can screw up, like yesterday, but you won't just leave. You give second chances Blaine, and that's amazing."
"I would never leave you Kurt," Blaine said, hugging him close. "I'm not sure I could even if I tried."
Kurt felt the words all the way from his heart to his toes and suddenly words weren't enough to say how he felt. He traced his hand along Blaine's arms but when he looked up, bright blue eyes had turned dark. Blaine's quickly did as well. "I think we said something about make up sex," he whispered only seconds before he leaned in and captured Blaine's lips.
Blaine's words were swallowed by Kurt's kiss and he could do nothing but surrender. He wrapped his arms around Kurt's back, holding him tight, never wanting to let go. His body registered Kurt's weight on top of him before his brain did. His limbs seemed to float and his pants grew tight beneath the press of Kurt's own straining hardness. Embarrassment turned quickly to desire until his thoughts caught up with the rest of him and he reluctantly pulled away.
"Kurt…I can't," Blaine stammered breathlessly, staring up at the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. "I mean, I won't be able to-"
"I don't want you to," Kurt whispered, leaning over once again as he pressed his mouth against Blaine's neck and rolled his hips with Blaine's. "I don't want to stop."
Blaine pulled back again, looking Kurt in the eye, searching for any sign of doubt or fear. When he saw none, he slowly slipped his hands from Kurt's back to his waist, guiding them gently. Both of them lost their breath in the pleasure of it. "Is this what you want?" Blaine asked softly.
"Yes," Kurt hissed as a wave of warmth flowed through him. "Please."
Blaine didn't respond. He trailed his hands down from Kurt's waist, giving him every second to say he'd gone far enough, but Kurt had meant it when he said he didn't want to stop. Blaine lightly caressed Kurt's hips before hesitantly bringing them up to trace the back pockets of Kurt's pants. "Is this okay?" he asked. Kurt moaned in response, nodding his head but unable to find the words. "God, Kurt, you-" Blaine's words failed him as well, as Kurt's rhythm grew more desperate, his skin more heated. Blaine relaxed his hands to rest on the swell of Kurt's ass, squeezing, pressing Kurt into him as he rose to meet every thrust. He wanted to do more, to let his fingers roam even further down Kurt's body, but he kept them where they were.
"I don't think I can-" Kurt panted, his forehead pressed against the wrinkles of Blaine's shirt.
"It's okay," Blaine said, his eyes closed and his head thrown back in his own bliss. He laid a gentle hand on Kurt's hair and stroked softly. "You're okay. Love you so much. Want to feel you."
That was all Kurt needed. Blaine felt him tense and he wrapped him up tight, safe in his arms, riding the wave with him. Breathing as one, Blaine's own pleasure raced through him, and their voices called out each other's names in harmony.
Blaine fell back on the bed, his head still spinning, when Kurt started laughing. It was a nervous chuckle against Blaine's chest as their breathing slowed and their heartbeats returned to normal. When he rolled off of Blaine, there were tears in his eyes, but they sparkled with delight. Blaine kissed his head, and then his nose, and finally his lips.
"How was that?" he asked with a grin.
Kurt pretended to think hard. "Well, it wasn't naked on the grass after a slow-motion run from one side of campus to the other. But I think we did okay."
"Next time," Blaine laughed, holding him close. "Next time."
December 20, 2008
Dear Kurt,
It's dark in the hotel room. Cooper is snoring. The lights of the Empire State Building and Christmas trees light up the city.
I miss you.
And I lied to you.
I mean, I didn't really lie, but there was another reason that I didn't tell you why I was coming to New York. Something I meant to say…to ask…but I just couldn't find the nerve.
I would have loved for you to come with me.
I don't know why it was such a hard thing to ask that I couldn't do it before you left for home. Maybe it was because I knew it was selfish, wanting it in part just to show everyone that not only was I gay but I was loved too. Maybe I knew that you might say yes and that it was more important for you to be with your Dad and Carole this Christmas so you could get to know her and Finn better. Maybe I was afraid, knowing that in a hotel room to ourselves we could make mistakes we would never be able to take back.
Maybe I knew just how much I wanted to make those mistakes.
I met Jesse today. And god Kurt, it just seems like Rachel's moving so fast with him, they're so young to be doing the things that I know they're doing, but then I remember that with you it wouldn't seem wrong at all, and I get it all mixed up in my mind.
I didn't mean to have this letter become about having sex with you, really I didn't! I'm just a stupid teenage boy I guess.
I wish you were here.
And not for all those other reasons, but because Christmas without you just seems wrong. You're my best friend and the love of my life and to not have you in my arms Christmas morning seems wrong. And yet I know that I did this. The first year we really could have been together and I made the choice to be apart from you. I made the choice out of fear.
When will I stop being so afraid Kurt?
Love you so much,
Blaine
"Merry day before Christmas Blaine," Kurt said and Blaine could hear the happiness in his voice even if he couldn't see his face through the phone. He'd been worried Kurt would be mad about the letter. Maybe he hadn't even gotten it. With Christmas packages, the mail was sure to be late. "What are you doing?"
"I am sitting in my hotel room waiting for Cooper to come back from shopping. I would have gone with him except he's shopping for me since the lazy bastard likes to wait until the last minute. And it's usually called Christmas Eve, Kurt."
Kurt laughed. "It's Christmas Eve day, therefore the day before Christmas. And as long as Cooper comes back with the perfect present, does it really matter how long he waited to get it?"
Blaine shrugged. "I suppose not. It's just…I'm getting nervous. About tomorrow. Not the present part of it but the Christmas dinner part of it," he clarified. "My dad's coming. So is my Aunt and Uncle and my cousin. The three of them were there when I dropped the gay-bomb on them all."
"Is that like the A-bomb?"
"Yes, just with a rainbow instead of a mushroom cloud," Blaine said, but his voice peppered with sadness. "I wish you were here."
"Yes," Kurt said and his tone was terser than Blaine would have liked. "I got your letter."
Blaine's heart dropped. "I'm sorry Kurt, I really am," he started to apologize. "I'm such an idiot, but I-"
"Hold that thought Blaine," Kurt interrupted. "There's someone at the door."
Blaine sighed and bit his lip and then he heard a knock at his own door. Wondering if Cooper forgot his key, Blaine opened it to find Kurt standing there, his phone to his ear. "Oh." Kurt smiled. "It's just you."
Blaine just stood there, staring, not comprehending at all what had just happened and how Kurt was both on the phone in Ohio and standing in front of him in New York at the same time. "Kurt…I…" he dropped the phone to his side before remembering to hang up. "What are you doing here?"
Kurt tipped his head to the side, sliding his own phone into his back pocket. "I believe you were saying something about you being an idiot?"
"Kurt, you were supposed to be spending Christmas with your Dad and Carole and Finn. How…how are you even here?"
"They make these things called airplanes," Kurt smirked. "And they can carry lots of passengers at the same time." Blaine was still staring wide-eyed like he had no idea what Kurt was saying. "Carole and Finn had never been to New York. So when I showed my Dad the letter, he packed us all up."
"You showed your dad the letter?" Blaine asked. He quickly tried to remember what he'd written. There was a lot about sex, he remembered that.
Kurt smirked again. "Only part of it. I'm not an idiot," he said and teased, "Not like you."
"You're not going to let that go?" Blaine asked.
"Well, you were the one who said it, not me. Although if you are an idiot," Kurt said, stepping toward him and wrapping his arms around Blaine's waist, "then you're my idiot. And I have no problem showing your relatives that."
"Kurt I…" He tried to clear his head. "Your family. Where is your family staying?"
"One floor up. Finn and I are sharing a room."
"Oh," Blaine said. For a moment his heart panged with jealousy though he didn't even know why.
Kurt could see right through him. "He's completely straight Blaine, and he's probably going to be my brother someday, given the googly eyes that my Dad can't stop flashing at his Mom.
"Oh," Blaine said again. "Are they coming for dinner tomorrow too?"
"My dad talked to your mom, so I'm gonna guess yes. Oh, and I should probably say Cooper isn't out getting you a present. Well, I guess he might be," Kurt said. "But he really just told you that so I could surprise you alone."
"Cooper…?" Suddenly it all made sense and he rolled his eyes. "Of course he did."
Kurt frowned and his brow furrowed. "Blaine, are you glad I'm here?" he asked. "You seem-"
"I'm glad," Blaine assured him with a soft kiss. "I am stunned and nervous and feeling incredibly stupid all around. But I'm glad you're here."
"Good," Kurt said. "Because I'm glad you asked me to come."
"Now I am just nervous," Blaine said. He shook his hands and bounced on his feet and let out a deep breath as he and Kurt stood in the hotel lobby waiting for everyone to arrive. His mother had invited Rachel and Sam for moral support and Rachel had somehow managed to drag Jesse away from visiting with his parents for Christmas to come with her. Blaine half expected the five of them to have to escape back to Sam's house. He gripped Kurt's hand and hid behind a pillar as he saw his Aunt and Uncle and cousin come through the door. They didn't see him and went straight to the restaurant.
"Blaine, we don't have to do this you know," Kurt said, peering at him with worry. "My family can go somewhere else for dinner and you can-"
"No," he said firmly and walked them out from behind the pillar. "I'm doing this. You came all this way and I'm having Christmas dinner with you, my family be damned."
"Blaine!" Rachel yelled and all of Blaine's nerves disappeared as she ran to him and jumped into his arms.
"Well hello there," he laughed, pulling her in for a tight hug and then letting her go. He looked her up and down. "You look fabulous."
"Thank you." She flipped her hair and smiled. Jesse came up beside her.
"Hey man," he said, holding his hand out for Blaine.
"Hey," Blaine said, shaking his hand. Then he looked over to Kurt and gestured. "Jesse, this is my boyfriend, Kurt. Kurt, this is Rachel's boyfriend Jesse."
"It's nice to meet you Kurt. Rachel tells me you guys are penpals?" Jesse said to Kurt.
Kurt smiled. "Yes, she writes to me about you all the time," he teased and Rachel stuck out her tongue at him.
Suddenly though she was quiet. "Blaine," she nearly whispered and tipped her head in the direction of the front door. His dad walked through wearing a suit and tie, looking around. His eyes met Blaine's for only a second before he turned and walked into the restaurant.
Kurt looked over at him, the nerves and the sadness written all over Blaine's face. "Still time to bail," he said with a smirk, trying to make light of an all too heavy situation.
"No." Blaine shook his head. "Let's just wait for Sam and then go in."
They chatted for a bit, Kurt and Jesse getting to know each other while Blaine and Rachel caught up. Sam texted that his family was "annoying" and he was running late, but he'd come over later. They were about to head inside when Cooper found them, dressed in jeans and a sports jacket and he flung an arm around his little brother's shoulder.
"Thought you could use a little moral support going in there," he said warmly. At Blaine's grimace, Cooper gave him a squeeze. "Don't worry, mom and I aren't going to let anything happen. Besides, I think we outnumber them." Cooper winked at Blaine and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay, let's do this," Blaine said. He grabbed Kurt's hand and walked with his boyfriend, his brother and his best friend into Christmas dinner.
"So how long have you and Kurt known each other?" Blaine's cousin asked. "You guys were dating last Christmas too, right?"
Dinner had been going well. His father wouldn't look at him or speak to him and his Aunt and Uncle kept pretending not to sneak glances at them, but Blaine's 20 year old cousin had welcomed both him and Kurt with open arms.
The question though was not one that Blaine had prepared to answer, although now that it was on the table he couldn't imagine why he hadn't thought it would be asked. And he knew he had the chance to lie, to say they'd met at Dalton, but the thought of reducing their relationship to months rather than years twisted a knot in his stomach.
And yet, answering truthfully, acknowledging the significance, the longevity of their relationship, was admitting to everything he'd been afraid of his father knowing for years. Rationally he knew his Dad couldn't take Kurt from him anymore. His mother and Cooper would never allow it even if he had an actual way of doing it. But old fears died hard, and he twisted in his seat.
Kurt squeezed his hand, his mother and Cooper nodded to him and Rachel smiled encouragingly. So with a flick of his eyes to his dad, he looked back to his cousin. "Yes, well, actually, Kurt and I met when he was 8 and I was 9."
Blaine watched as his father's head snapped to him in shock, but with his heart hammering in his chest, he told their story. "Kurt came to Les Mis one day and I saw him in the audience during curtain call and I don't know, he just, was adorable. And then we met at the stage door and Mom and his parents let him come backstage like he was an old friend and he met Rachel." She grinned, remembering that day. "And then of course he went home to Ohio and I thought I'd never see him again, but right after September 11th a letter came to the theater for me, and it was from Kurt. His teacher had them writing to pen pals in NY, and we've been writing ever since."
"Aw, that's so cute and romantic," his cousin said.
Blaine's father though most definitely didn't think it was cute at all. John put his napkin down and stood up while everyone just watched. He left the table, put his coat on and silently walked out the door.
Before he could even realize what he was doing, Blaine was up and out the door, following him. "That's it?" he yelled across the lobby. He didn't care if he was making a scene. "All you're going to do is walk away?"
His father turned, his eyes blazing. "Don't do this Blaine. Not here and not now."
"Then when else Dad? Because if you walk away now I don't know when we might see each other again."
"You really want to talk?" His father drew close, whispering between gritted teeth. "You've lied to me half your life Blaine, kept god knows how many secrets. But now you want to talk? Fine." His father stepped back, putting his hands on his hips, and let out a breath. "So your trip to Ohio with Cooper."
"Was to see Kurt," Blaine said, holding his chin up high. "Yes."
"And how long has your mother known you two were writing to each other behind my back?"
Blaine refused to answer. "You'll have to ask her."
"How long have you been dating?" his father asked.
Blaine lowered his eyes for a moment, then raised them, refusing to be embarrassed or ashamed. "Since Rachel's Bat Mitzvah. Kurt was invited."
"Kurt was invited," John repeated quietly then let out a loud scoff. "Four years. So everyone knew except me."
Blaine's stomach clenched with scorn. He had no idea how his father dared to play the victim. "Everyone was safe to tell except you!"
Blaine almost expected his father to strike, but instead he could swear he saw sadness, not anger, in his eyes as it felt like minutes passed, the two of them frozen in time.
His father stirred first. "You think you know me so well," he said. His voice was thick with regret.
But Blaine just slowly shook his head. "I don't think I know you at all."
John didn't say another word. Blaine watched his father walk out the door. He wondered if there would be a day when one of them didn't turn their back on the other.
Before tears came to his eyes, he felt Kurt's hand in his and he turned. Pale and beautiful, Kurt's lips turned up in a smile filled with love. Next to him was Rachel, looking worried.
"Jesse and I are doing a Broadway concert tomorrow night," she said softly. "Cooper too since he's back in town. Sing with us?"
His father may have chosen to walk away. But Blaine knew that there were people in his life that never would. Two of the most special ones were there and would always stand beside him. "I would love to," he said.
"I can't believe I am sitting in a room full of Broadway stars," Kurt whispered, as Jesse and Rachel sang another ballad from Spring Awakening. His eyes were full of wonder.
Blaine though just laughed. "Three of those Broadway stars are your boyfriend, your boyfriend's brother and your boyfriend's best friend. And then her boyfriend makes four. You belong here Kurt. Just as much as the rest of them."
Kurt shook his head. "No. I'm just a kid from Ohio, who does Community Theater sometimes and spends the summer at performing arts camp."
"God Kurt," Blaine said, his voice full of amazement as he shook his head. "You are so much more."
They turned back to the stage on Jesse and Rachel's final notes, clapping with the rest of the crowd. Jesse went off to get some water and Rachel took the mic, smiling. "There's nothing I like better when I'm doing these shows than when my best friend is here to join me. Blaine Anderson, I miss you and Broadway misses you. So come on up!"
She clapped and the audience clapped and Blaine leaned over to Kurt. "Trust me?" he whispered before he left without an answer and jumped onto the stage. Kurt could do nothing but stare nervously after him.
"I miss Broadway every day," Blaine started. He took the mic Rachel handed him and turned to the crowd of friends and mentors, agents and fans. He sat down on a stool center stage. He'd given his music to the pianist earlier that night, his decision made as he'd laid awake the night before, rolling over in his mind everything his father and Kurt had ever said to him. "I started my Broadway career on the top of a barricade. And I started my life one night at the bottom. A curtain call. A stage door. And an 8 year old boy stood on the other side of a different barricade, and asked, "Could you sign my poster?" Blaine looked down at Kurt and smiled. "I said, my name is Blaine. And he said his name was Kurt. And later that night I told my mom that Kurt was the most beautiful boy that I had ever seen." He found himself blushing and glanced at the floor, then looked back up. "It's been almost 8 years since then. He sang for me backstage that day and I was blown away by the beauty of his voice. And today's he's gonna sing for you."
Kurt stared up at him dumbfounded, and shook his head wildly, but Blaine would not take no for an answer. "We've grown so much Kurt. From such dark places. But the strongest roses will fair thrive on being neglected. If the soil is rich enough." Kurt's eyes shifted as he recognized the words from Secret Garden. Blaine nodded to the piano and sang.
When a thing is wick, it has a life about it
Now, maybe not a life like you and me
But somewhere there's a single streak of green inside it
Come, and let me show you what I mean
He held out a hand to Kurt. Kurt flashed back to years ago when he swam in the center of a lake, Cooper and his Dad talking on the beach. Blaine raced out. And Kurt had called, Colin Craven not so fast. He followed Blaine then and he would follow Blaine now. He slipped out of his seat and went to the front of the stage. He took Blaine's hand and stepped up. He smiled as Blaine sang to him, a song that reminded him of them. Of the last 8 years, struggling to break free. To find a life and a light that had started in that theater, and waited until the time was right.
When a thing is wick, it has a light around it
Maybe not a light that you can see
But hiding down below a spark's asleep inside it
Waiting for the right time to be seen
You clear away the dead parts
So the tender buds can form
Loosen up the earth and let the roots get warm
Let the roots get warm
Come a mild day, come a warm rain
Come a snowdrop, a comin' up
Come a lily, come a lilac
Come to call, callin' all of us to come and see
Blaine grabbed the second microphone and handed it to Kurt. And Kurt sang his first solo in a Broadway crowd, eyes never straying from Blaine's, calm coursing through his veins.
When a thing is wick
And someone cares about it
And comes to work each day
Like you and me
Kurt smiled. "Will it grow?" he asked. But he already knew the answer. Whatever the fight, no matter what happened, the two of them would work every day to make their love grow.
Blaine knew it too and his eyes sparkled. "It will," he promised.
Then have no doubt about it
We'll have the grandest garden ever seen
Blaine took Kurt's hand and they joined in harmony, their voices rising. They sang of themselves and of their love.
You give a living thing
A little chance to grow
That's how you will know
If she is wick, she'll grow
So grow to greet the morning
Leave the ground below
When a thing is wick
It has a will to grow and grow
Come a mild day, come a warm rain
Come a snowdrop, a-comin' up
Come a lily, come a lilac
Come to call, calling all the rest to come
Calling all of us to come
Calling all the world to come
But Blaine also sang of the hope he had for his father and himself. That somewhere there was still a streak of green between them. And even though it seemed dark now, that someday, when the time was right, their love and respect for one another would grow again.
Oh, somewhere there's single streak of green below
And all through the darkest nighttime
It's waiting for the right time
When a thing is wick, it will grow!
Kurt's voice rose to the rafters, his high soprano blowing away everyone in the room, and it erupted in applause. Rachel came out and hugged them both. Jesse shook their hands and as they both jumped off the stage, Cooper slapped both of them on their backs.
The rest of the show slipped by like background noise in Kurt's head. His grin never left his face. If he hadn't known before, he knew for sure now. This was what he wanted. Broadway. This community. These people that would love him and cherish him for the strengths he had. For the things that made him special. And as he turned his chair so he could lean back against Blaine's chest, he felt that he would be hard pressed to find a more perfect moment in his life.
Two standing ovations and encores later, Kurt was still glowing when he heard the clearing of a throat behind him. He turned to find himself staring at Harvey Fierstein. His eyes opened wide. His jaw dropped.
"You were very good young man. You and Blaine both have real futures on that stage. I'll be a lucky man when you both come back to New York," he said.
"I…I mean….thank you Mr. Fierstein…" Kurt stammered and Blaine turned back just as the man walked away.
"Kurt are you okay?" he asked.
"No…Harvey Fierstein…he just…"
Blaine grinned. "I know, it's crazy isn't it? Maybe some day Kurt."
"Excuse me," a man interrupted them and Kurt wondered if he would pass out when he turned around at whoever it was. When he did though, he didn't recognize the man holding out a business card. "Robert Howell. I'm with the Gersh Agency. Kurt, right?" Now it was Blaine's turn for his jaw to drop while Kurt's scrunched in confusion while he nododed. "I'd be interested in bringing you in to meet with some of our agents."
"Oh," Kurt said, his eyes opening wide as he realized exactly what he was being handed in the card. "God, I would…I would love to but, I live in Ohio. I go to school there."
"We have schools in New York," the man said. "And we have summers. If you're in the city a few more days then call to schedule an appointment. Don't worry about where you are at the moment."
Kurt took the card and turned it in his fingers. "Yeah, sure. I just…I have to check with my Dad and I'll give you a call."
The man smiled and walked away and Kurt, wondering if this was all just a ridiculous dream, slowly turned to Blaine. Blaine who looked a cross between shocked and elated. "Kurt…did you…the Gersh Agency…"
"Do you think I could really get signed Blaine?" he asked softly. "With a real Broadway agent?"
"I think when a thing is wick it will grow," Blaine said, eyes glowing with pride. "And I think that getting to watch you grow is going to be one of the most amazing things I ever get to do."
Author's Note:
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. See you soon!
Song: Wick, from The Secret Garden