Chapter 28: Growing Up, Looking Back
I just want to mention that this is my first fic to EVER get to 100k words, and that's a big deal to me :') I'm super proud of this fic and I am so glad that you guys keep reading even if I don't update very often. Thank you to everyone who has continued to support me! I love you all.
In the next two weeks, Kurt healed very nicely. By the time graduation day rolled around on the 29th of May, he was almost entirely back to normal.
It wasn't until the party after graduation that Kurt saw his friends from McKinley for the first time since the accident. He hadn't wanted them to worry at all, so he hadn't told them anything. Now, though, it was inevitable. Of course they were going to be at Kurt's graduation party.
Rachel was the first one to notice the cast on his arm. "Kurt!" she gasped. "What happened?"
Kurt sighed. "It's not a big deal, Rachel," he said as Mercedes approached them. "I was out getting groceries and some guy beat me up. It was just… random. And I wasn't hurt too badly."
Blaine tensed slightly from where he was standing beside Kurt, gently hugging his waist. They'd already talked about what they'd tell Kurt's friends about the attack. With a dramatic group like the New Directions, Kurt knew they were bound to get after Blaine for the same reason Blaine had been upset with himself in the beginning. They'd blame him for putting Kurt in danger when it wasn't really his fault. And Kurt didn't want Blaine to feel worse than he already did about the whole ordeal. So they… stretched the truth. It wasn't lying, exactly, but it did the job.
"Oh, Kurt," Mercedes sighed, stepping towards him in concern. "You just get yourself into all kinds of trouble, don't you?"
He smiled. "I guess so. But I'm fine, really. It's healing and I'll be good as new in a couple more weeks."
"So this happened a while ago? Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want you to worry," Kurt told her. "Blaine made sure I was well taken care of, I promise."
"And why was Blaine the only one you told?" Mercedes asked, a bit of jealousy flaring up.
Kurt frowned. "What's that supposed to mean? He's my boyfriend. And he's the one who found me and took me to the hospital, so of course he knew. Can we please not fight about him when he's standing right next to me? This is supposed to be a fun night, Mercedes."
"But I—"
"Drop it," Kurt said sharply. "Leave him alone."
"Kurt…" Blaine started.
"I'll talk to you later, Mercedes," Kurt said, frowning, before leading Blaine away from the group.
"Kurt, you didn't have to do that. I want you to be able to have fun with your friends tonight."
"I don't want to be around her if she's going to start talking about you like you're not even here," Kurt said. "We'll be fine. She just needs to cool down from her stupid jealousy. It's ridiculous."
"Okay," Blaine nodded, smiling a little and taking Kurt's good hand. "It looks like the DJ is starting a slow song. May I have this dance?"
Kurt blushed, smiling and squeezing Blaine's hand. "Of course. Let's go."
Later that night, Kurt was in his bed, cuddling close to his sleeping boyfriend. He was close to falling asleep himself when his phone buzzed with a text. He grabbed the device off of the nightstand, careful not to wake Blaine. He saw it was a text from Mercedes.
Hey, you awake? –Mercedes
Yeah… —Kurt
A few seconds later, his phone buzzed again, this time with a call. He picked it up, only a little reluctant. "Hello?" he asked softly.
"Hi, Kurt," Mercedes answered, just as soft. "I'm sorry for how I acted earlier. I was worried about you but I shouldn't have said what I did about Blaine. I really am happy that he makes you so happy, and I know the rest of the New Directions are, too. I just want you to both to know that I didn't mean what I said, and I'm sorry."
Kurt couldn't help but smile. He hated fighting with his best friend, and he was glad that they were okay. "Thank you. It means the world to me that you like him because he… well, he's so important to me. I mean, you know how bad things were before. And maybe a lot of things are still pretty bad, but he makes me feel safe." He glanced up at Blaine with a soft smile.
"And I know you're smiling just thinking about it," Mercedes said. "I guess I'll let you get some sleep now. I love you, Kurt."
"I love you, too, 'Cedes," he said, grinning.
They hung up and Kurt set his phone on his nightstand before cuddling even closer to Blaine's side, hugging his chest and closing his eyes happily.
The movement caused Blaine to stir and Kurt lifted his head to see Blaine slowly blinking his eyes open. He yawned before tilting his head towards Kurt and smiling sleepily. "Hey, you," he murmured. He reached over with his right hand to cup Kurt's face and lean down to kiss his forehead, still smiling. Kurt smiled right back, carefully brushing the fingertips of his cast-encased hand across Blaine's cheek.
"I love you."
Blaine grinned, kissing Kurt's thumb lightly and leaning into the touch. "I love you, too. Is there a reason you're being super sentimental right when I wake up? Not that I'm complaining…"
Kurt laughed softly, shaking his head. "I just happened to be thinking about how much I love you, and then you woke up. Plus I like saying it. It's a win-win, really."
Blaine's chest bounced gently as he laughed. "Very true." He yawned again, deep and exhausted. "Mm… aren't you tired? I'm tired."
"I just haven't felt like sleeping yet," Kurt said with a half shrug, the best he could do with his ribs still aching subtly.
"Are you hurting at all?" Blaine pressed, grasping Kurt's cast-covered hand and cradling it gently to his chest.
Kurt smiled. "I'm fine. Let's get some sleep, okay?"
"Okay."
Surprisingly enough, it was Blaine to wake up just two hours later, breathing heavily and fighting tears. His sudden gasp startled Kurt awake.
"Blaine? Honey, what's wrong?" he asked, seeing the unshed tears in Blaine's eyes. "Sweetheart, please talk to me." He urged Blaine to sit up, instantly wrapping his boyfriend in a comforting embrace. Blaine buried his face in Kurt's chest, tangling their legs together and sitting as close as possible. "Blaine?"
It was a few minutes before Blaine calmed down enough to speak. When he did, his voice was shaky. "I just can't picture some kid doing this to you. I keep seeing it as someone older… someone who isn't afraid to use the knife… someone who would do much worse than a couple of broken bones and a minor concussion. I keep seeing them and they keep hurting you and I hate it. I hate that I can't do anything to protect you."
"Blaine," Kurt sighed sadly. "Sweetheart, I'm okay. I'm right here with you and I'm okay. I know you were scared. I know you're still scared because you think it could happen again. And maybe it could. But right now, I'm here and I'm safe and that's all thanks to you." He rubbed his hand up and down Blaine's back, heart breaking a little with every one of Blaine's sniffles. "And you do protect me. You did. If you hadn't found me when you did, who knows what would've happened? You saved me, Blaine; don't forget that."
"I just never want to lose you," Blaine whispered. "I can't stand the thought of someone or something taking you away from me, especially like that."
"I know," Kurt nodded. "I know. But I'm not going anywhere, okay? I'm staying right here. You don't need to worry."
With a soft, hitched sob, Blaine slumped in Kurt's hold and Kurt held him until he cried himself to sleep.
The next morning, Blaine was fine. He made breakfast for everyone and brought a tray of food upstairs to Kurt who was just waking up. Rubbing his eyes sleepily, Kurt yawned and accepted the food, sharing with Blaine who was sidled up to him as they sat against the headboard.
Once the food was gone, Kurt set the tray aside and straddled Blaine's lap before he could move to stand up. Blaine gasped as Kurt kissed him and held his hands against the headboard, fingers lacing together. Then he was dropping Blaine's hands and skimming his fingers up and down Blaine's sides, earning a series of shivers. When Kurt smirked against his lips, Blaine moaned softly and reached up to tangle his fingers in the back of Kurt's hair, using his other hand to brush feather-light touches across Kurt's collarbone. He used the moment to take control of the kiss. Just as Kurt was reaching for the buttons of Blaine's pajama top, they heard a knock on the door and Kurt muffled his annoyed groan in Blaine's shoulder. Blaine laughed breathlessly and turned his head to the side to press a soft kiss to the side of Kurt's neck. Kurt whined softly, protesting in a barely half-hearted attempt to make Blaine stop.
"You're hot and adorable at the same time and I'm still trying to figure out how that's possible," Blaine told him. Kurt pinched his side, chastising, and Blaine laughed. "Sorry. But it's true."
Another knock sounded on the door and Kurt sat up, pouting. He kissed Blaine in one more heated moment before climbing off the bed and getting the door. He opened it to see his mom looking far too amused for a mother who had just caught her son making out with his boyfriend. "What are you smiling about? Aren't you supposed to tell me to keep the door open or something like that?"
"That's your dad's job," Elizabeth said. "I was just coming up here to tell you that we're going out for celebration today but don't think I don't know what was just going on here."
Kurt groaned, hiding his face in his hand. "I think it would actually be less embarrassing if you were the responsible parent who terrifies any boy who ever wants to step foot in my bedroom."
"Sorry, no such luck," she said with a short laugh. "Let me just remind you that your sister is in her room on the other side of that wall. Be responsible." With that, she left and Kurt stood there in shock. After a moment, he closed the door and returned to his bed where Blaine was still sitting with flushed cheeks.
"What just happened?" Kurt asked in disbelief.
"I think we just got your mom's blessing to go at it like animals. Very, very quiet animals," Blaine said with a smirk.
Kurt couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head and blushing as Blaine pulled him closer by the hand. "I can't believe you just said that."
"I can't believe you're not kissing me right now," Blaine retorted. "Why don't we finish what we started?"
"You mean the movie you fell asleep during last night?" Kurt teased, straddling Blaine's legs even as he said it. "Or are you talking about the leftover dessert in the fridge?"
"Shut up and kiss me," Blaine muttered and Kurt did just that.
Shedding pajama shirts, they kissed and held each other and loved every minute of it. When Blaine tested the waters and tentatively reached for the hem of Kurt's pants, Kurt pushed his hands away, shaking his head. "Not yet," he breathed. "This… this is fine, what we're doing already."
Blaine nodded. "Okay. Sorry, just… checking."
Kurt nuzzled Blaine's cheek, smiling. "Well, now that you've checked, I think you should go back to kissing me."
"I think that's a fantastic idea."
In the next week, Blaine wasn't around much. He'd been spending time with Cooper and his grandpa, at Kurt's insistence. Blaine had been worrying too much about Kurt's recovery and making sure he was comfortable at every second of the day. And, while Kurt appreciated it, he wanted Blaine to have a chance to get to know his family better.
When Friday rolled around, Kurt was on his way to a party with the New Directions. He'd texted Blaine about it but Blaine had told him he wouldn't be able to make it. But Kurt was glad to be able to spend some time with his friends. He'd missed them, and he was going to spend this summer making up for lost time before he left for New York in August.
He couldn't join the crowd in the swimming pool in Quinn's backyard because of his cast, but he still had a great time catching up with his friends. They all kind of alternated sitting next to him in the shade. He couldn't do much since he was still healing, but he didn't mind.
It wasn't until the party had been going on for an hour that Kurt got a text.
Unlock the door for me? :) —Blaine
Kurt's eyes widened and he shot out of his seat, heading past the semi-open gate and out to the front yard where he saw Blaine on the front porch of Quinn's house. He grinned. "Hey, you," he greeted cheerfully, grabbing his boyfriend's hand and leading him into the backyard. "I wasn't expecting to see you until dinner. What changed?"
"I just finished what I had to do sooner than I expected and I thought I'd come spend some time with you and your friends," Blaine explained, squeezing Kurt's hand and smiling.
Kurt kissed him on the cheek, grinning from ear to ear. "Well I'm glad you did. I hope you brought a swimming suit because Puck has been throwing people in the pool. I was only saved by my cast."
Blaine laughed. "Thanks for the warning. And I did bring one, so I'm all set."
The second they were spotted crossing into the backyard, they heard wild shouting before Blaine was being swooped into the air by Puck and Sam. Kurt let out a shocked laugh as Blaine was tossed into the water with a surprised yelp.
He went to sit on the edge of the pool and Blaine popped up in front of him, grinning. Kurt shook his head, trying not to laugh. "You're ridiculously adorable, you know that?"
Blaine shrugged, swimming over to the edge and hooking his arms over it. "Yes, that's true, but you love me for it. So I'm perfectly content to be your ridiculously adorable boyfriend."
Kurt smiled. "Well, that's good to know. I wouldn't want you to change a thing."
Blaine smiled and grabbed Kurt's good hand, lacing their fingers together. "I have some good news," he announced, lighting up with excitement. Kurt couldn't help but grin.
"What kind of good news?"
"I got a new record deal!" he exclaimed, albeit quietly so as not to let everyone around them hear.
Kurt's eyes widened. "You…" A smile slowly spread across his face and he squeezed Blaine's hand. "Blaine, that's great! So, who is it this time? Someone you can trust?"
Blaine laughed. "Of course. I mean, if I can't trust my own brother, who can I trust?"
"Wait… Cooper is your manager? I didn't know he owned a record label."
"I just found out a few weeks ago," Blaine explained. "And after spending this week with Cooper and Carson, I really think it's what's best for my career and my relationship with them. I want us to be a real family."
Kurt smiled softly, brushing his thumb over Blaine's knuckles. "I think it's a great idea. Just… make me one promise," he said, a little nervously.
Blaine frowned, sensing the shift in his mood. "Anything. Anything you need. What's wrong?"
"The next time you go on tour, I need you to remember me, and remember us," he said softly. "I can't go through losing you like that, not again."
"Of course," Blaine promised, kissing Kurt's hand and looking earnestly up at him. "Of course I will. I know what it feels like to almost lose you, and I swear to you… I will never make that mistake again."
Kurt smiled, relieved. His posture and expression visibly relaxed and he squeezed Blaine's hand again. "I love you. So much." He paused. "Now go have fun."
"You're sure?" Blaine asked, not quite wanting to leave him alone at the side of the pool.
"I'm sure," he nodded. "I'll be fine."
Blaine smiled, squeezing Kurt's hand once more before swimming off. Kurt sighed, watching him interact with the New Directions and feeling a strong sense of family. It no longer felt like Blaine was only a part of the group through connection to Kurt. It truly felt like he was one of them, and Kurt knew that his friends felt the same way. They were all family, and Blaine played an important role in tying that family together.
But with family came struggles. With family came pain and laughter and loving despite all the hard times. And with family came sacrifices, as each of them would soon learn, together and individually.
With family came both new and old, saying hello and saying goodbye. And both would soon become very familiar to a young Blaine Anderson.
A/N: I know that ending was really vague. But basically the next chapter is going to deal a lot with family, in many different ways.
Until next time!
Review please :D
