Chapter Twenty Eight
A/N: None of the characters contained herein belong to me..
"Vampires live virtually eternal lives so for us so many things pass by in moments. We strive to maintain the things which we can as we knew them in our youths, bright and unchanging. Places hold a particular importance to us, most especially our homes and the places we were born or turned."
-An excerpt from "The Vampire Psyche" by Dr. Amanda Atchison
Kurt was looking forward to performing with the Warblers at the Central Ohio Invitational, music had become a nice respite from the more serious problems in his life, but he couldn't deny that he was nervous. He knew New Directions would also be performing also and, even though this wasn't a competition, after what had happened last time they had performed against each other he was not expecting things to go smoothly. Blaine held tight to his hand and led Kurt backstage to wait their turn to perform.
"Well, well, well look what the bats dragged in," Rachel looked down her nose when the New Directions ran into the Warblers backstage.
"HaHaHa!" Jeff laughed loudly and falsely. "That was so clever, cause we're vampires and the whole bat thing… You do know that we can't really turn into bats right?"
"Of course I do. I'm not stupid," Rachel said snootily.
"Could have fooled me. You did, after all, let a countertenor of Kurt's caliber slip through your fingers. He gave an amazing performance at Nationals by the way, probably won the whole thing for us," Wes said smiling.
"Humph," Rachel said. "I doubt that. I can't believe you're continuing to allow someone like him in a prestigious group like yours."
"Lovely to see you as well, Rachel." Kurt said icily. He was determined to not let them put a damper on his day. He was getting stronger with Blaine and his friends behind him and he would not let someone like Rachel Berry walk all over him anymore. "I see you're still getting all your clothes from The Children's Place."
"So, think we'll get any competition from the other choirs this year?" Nick said trying to steer the conversation to less controversial subjects. They certainly didn't need to get into a fight backstage.
"Oh, please." Rachel looked affronted that someone would even consider that a possibility. "Our competition is called The Bunnies. Seriously? How can anyone be worried about them?"
"I don't know," Jeff smirked as he looked at the glares directed at the girl from her own teammates. "Personally, I'd rather be a Bunny than get beat by a Bunny…like you guys will be. They are so going to trounce you guys."
Mike laughed heartily at Jeff's remarks, earning himself a steely glare from Rachel. "Lovely to see you've changed sides so quickly, Michael."
"No, I know where my loyalties lie, Berry." Mike hissed at the girl. "I would suggest not pushing me or you will find out where that is and you may not like it." Mike firmly told her and earned himself a kiss from his girlfriend who had convinced her father that she needed to be there to cheer the boys on. She was still working on trying to convince him and her uncles that Dalton needed to go co-ed.
"I'm sorry Rachel but the stench of your cheap Avon perfume is giving me a headache. Come on guys, let's go over there," Tina said smiling brightly at Rachel. The boys all followed Tina. Puck paused to give Rachel a wink before he strolled over to the rest of the Warblers. He smirked when he saw how she blushed and got all flustered, because damn he loved making her react like that.
With an uncharacteristically girly squeal, Tina pulled Kurt into a tight hug. "Oh my God Kurt that was amazing! Children's Place! She was absolutely spluttering!"
"Yeah well, I spent three years biting my tongue as she committed countless crimes against fashion. I couldn't hold back any longer." Kurt said with an eye roll as he thought of some of Rachel's more horrifying outfits.
"Dalton has been good for you Kurt. You never would have stood up for yourself like that before. Rachel didn't know what hit her," Tina grinned.
Puck's smirk grew. "I would like to take this time to point out whose idea it was for Kurt to go to Dalton… that's right… this guy!"
"And I am grateful for that, Puck. Thank you." Kurt said. He owed Puck a debt of gratitude that he would probably never be able to pay back.
"Any time, Kurt. Any time."
Sadly their happy moment was short lived when Mercedes felt the pressing need to interrupt. She hated the way that Kurt, a human, fit in so well with the Warblers. It was wrong, out of place, and disgusting.
"I'm sorry, but I just cannot stand by and let this keep happening. Prince Blaine, Kurt is not a good fit for you. As I told you the other night at Breadstix, those of us in the community are concerned about you. You should get away from him now before he ruins your life. He's good at doing that to innocents. You need to be strong when you take over the Council, Prince Blaine, and he is nothing but a momentary weakness."
"What the hell gives you the right, you rude diva wanna-be?" Nick was livid. He couldn't help but glance over at Kurt and Blaine. Kurt looked so shell-shocked and embarrassed. It was his duty as Kurt's friend to defend him.
"I am a member of this community and I don't want him in it. He has no place being there and I know I'm not the only one who feels that way." Mercedes defended her opinions. "And we certainly intend to have our views represented at the Karofsky trial."
"She's right. He's not one of us and isn't worthy to become one." Sam nodded at his girlfriend. He fully supported anything Mercedes had said these days. He had to. Mercedes was scary when she was angry.
"Frankly, Kurt and Blaine's relationship is none of your business. Blaine's father already met and approves of him, as have the rest of the clan chiefs and The Count. If they approve, what right do you have to question their judgment? Furthermore, you certainly have no place at a trial that does not concern you in the least bit. I can assure you that you will not be allowed within 500 feet." Wes stated haughtily. "And I know my father and uncles will ensure that. So why don't you shut your overbearing mouth because no one here cares?"
"Wes…" Kurt hated how shaky his voice sounded, but the attacks were so personal and coming at him so fast.
His head was spinning and he felt himself becoming more and more upset. Nick and Jeff moved to stand next to Kurt and Blaine. Kurt was pretty sure their presence was keeping him grounded. He just couldn't afford to have a panic attack right now. He was comforted when he felt Blaine's arm circle around his waist and Nick's comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Come on guys." Artie said. "Kurt isn't at McKinley anymore, so what he does isn't our business or concern and even if it was, why can't you just let him be happy? Besides, we need to focus on the performance today. We've already lost out on Nationals because some of us couldn't get past their stupid vendetta against Kurt. Do we really want to embarrass ourselves even more?"
"Hush it, Wheels." Mercedes hissed.
Artie just sighed because he knew this wasn't going to bode well. Mercedes was determined to cause trouble and Rachel was being too quiet for a change. He looked over to where she was standing with Finn gesticulating wildly. She was just building up. He knew she would unleash in a minute.
"No you hush it, Weave. If Porcelain is happy, then whatever trips his trigger is his business." Santana snapped.
"Kurt has a trigger?" Brittany's eyes went wide. "Where is it?"
"Oh, Brittany. I miss you." Kurt couldn't help but have a soft spot for the girl.
"I miss you too Kurtie and I'm really happy you found another dolphin to love," Brittany said throwing her arms around the startled boy.
"Dolphin?" Blaine asked not sure whether he should feel threatened by the blonde or not.
"I'll explain later," Kurt murmured.
"Listen up… Artie, Brits, and I have been talking and we have decided that we're tired of the status quo here. The pushy midget, angry weave, and gigantor have done a craptacular job of leading us to exactly zero national titles. Aside from that, they've managed to run off a good portion of the people I could actually tolerate in this little group, so from now on, performances aside, we're doing our own thing. Lady Lips, if you and Helmet Head there wanna do Breadstix some night with us holler. Chang-Chang, that goes for you too and Puck," Santana gave him a smirk and a wink. "You have my number."
"Betrayers!" Rachel screeched charging over.
"Shut your yap hobbit. What you have to say about Hummel matters to me about as much as Artie's dick."
"That's because you don't have to deal with him on a regular basis anymore," Quinn hissed. "Do any of you have any idea of what it is like to have to go to Finn's for dinner and sit across from him? I fear for my safety when I go there because of how unstable he is. He's nothing but a time bomb waiting to go off."
"Quinn is right your highness. Kurt is just using you to become one of us. He's sucking you in with his poor little wounded bird act and then he is going to pull the rug out from under you," Mercedes added.
"How dare you!" Nick was furious at the way they were treating Kurt. "This is wrong and sick and all kinds of bad things. You don't have any idea who Kurt is or who Blaine is. What they have together is right."
"We dare because it's not right for him to destroy lives and get to run around as happy as he is." Rachel snorted. "He should be punished for all of the wrong he has done. I mean, you are already tainting your school name by letting him attend."
"Destroying lives? How exactly has he destroyed your lives? Were you the one put in the hospital twice, forced to change schools, or leave your home?" Nick demanded.
"Exactly, he left he doesn't have to deal with the stigma of ever being associated with someone like him," Rachel screeched.
"Personally, I don't know how you all can sleep at night. Aren't you afraid that he will strangle you in your sleep?" Quinn asked, wide eyed and playing it up since she had a large audience. "I mean, he's seeing a psychiatrist. Surely Dalton does not approve of someone unstable in their midst. You really do need to look out for yourselves."
There were gasps from those in New Directions who had no idea. If she'd hoped to shock the Warblers with the knowledge, she'd failed miserably as they all knew and had been incredibly supportive towards him, as Nick proved with his next words.
"Oh, you mean Dr. Atchison? She's a close friend of my family and helped me through a very difficult time. I remember how helpful my own sessions were." Nick answered, letting it roll off his back because it wasn't a big deal to anyone in the Warblers. "Perhaps a few of you would do well to have some sessions with a psychiatrist, even someone in Lima."
New Directions stared in disbelief that none of the Warblers seemed shocked by Nick's admission or lack of denial from Kurt.
"Of course you would want to back Kurt." Quinn was the first to recover from Nick's statement. "I mean, we all know he's giving it up to Blaine and who knows how many of the rest of you, but sex isn't the answer and it won't solve your problems, Kurt. Disgracing yourself like that is just so unnatural. You should be ashamed of yourself. If you let us help you, things will get better. You have to be the one to take the first step though."
"Speaking from experience Quinn?" Puck snarled. He and Quinn had had a brief, but torrid, affair which had ended when she had callously dumped him for Finn. Kurt had always suspected that Puck was a lot more emotionally invested than he had ever let on, because afterwards he completely despised the cheerleader.
"Everyone makes mistakes Puckerman. You were mine, and Kurt was New Direction's. We never should have allowed him in our group. He is nothing but a social climbing, slutty little f…"
"Enough!" Blaine growled interrupting the blonde girl's rant. He had been trying to let Kurt deal with his former glee club on his own because he knew it was important to Kurt to do so, but there was only so much he could take and Quinn not only accusing his Chosen One of sleeping with pretty much everyone but daring to try to call him that word snapped his patience very quickly. "I have listened to all I intend to from you people. Kurt is my Chosen One and will soon be my mate. His life is no longer your concern and if you continue to make it so I will not hesitate to defend his honor by whatever means necessary. Ms. Jones, both Wesley and I will be reporting to the leader of your clan the reprehensible behavior you continue to exhibit. I suggest you be prepared to defend your own actions instead of worrying about defending those of Mr. Karofsky. You have approximately three seconds to remove yourselves from my sight!" Not even Rachel or Quinn were bold or stupid enough to go up against an angry prince of the Draculesti and scurried off. Mercedes sent Blaine one last glare before she spun on her heel and stalked off as well.
"Very nice, Helmet Head. You just might be worthy of Hummel. Kurt, I meant what I said, give us a call. Brits really misses her dolphin."
"I will Satan, and thanks," Kurt replied. With that the fiery Latina strolled off with Brittany, and Artie following in her wake.
"Well that was just a special treat, wasn't it?" Jeff murmured. "I do like the brunette, though. She seems fun."
"She's a bitch, but her hearts in the right place," Puck agreed.
"You ok Kurt?" Nick asked. Kurt nodded with a small smile.
"Yeah actually I am. Oddly enough, I think that helped me get some closure. At the very least, I know for sure who my friends really were," he replied.
Blaine shook his head as New Directions filed onto the stage and launched into a predictable set list. He took Kurt's hands in his and looked into his boyfriend's sad eyes. Despite the brave face he was putting on, he knew the attitude of some of his former friends still cut Kurt deeply. He hated that New Directions could do this to the boy he loved. It made him so angry that he could have cheerfully drained every last drop of blood from all of them. He forced himself to focus on Kurt instead of his need for revenge, however, because he knew Kurt needed him.
"Kurt, I want you to go out there on that stage and sing your heart out. You matter. We matter. Rachel, Mercedes, Quinn, Finn and all their hate does not matter." Blaine said earnestly. "I want you to show everyone how strong you are and how fabulously you can sing. Don't let them steal this away from you."
"I'll try." Kurt liked how his hand fit into Blaine's and how Blaine never seemed to let go of him. He was tired of everyone else trying to destroy his happiness. He wasn't going to let them do this to him anymore. "No… I will do more than try. I am going to blow everyone away."
And that's exactly what Kurt and the Warblers did. They completely blew all of the other competing teams away. Kurt was ecstatic. He felt like no one could taint his happiness right now. He breezed by his former team backstage, pausing only to accept congratulations from Brittany, Santana, and Artie and completely ignoring those who had treated him so badly. He chose instead to keep his attention on the people who were his world now, laughing and joking with Nick and Jeff while trading sweet loving kisses with his boyfriend.
The ride back to Dalton was hopping, the Warblers celebrating both their amazing performance and New Directions' lackluster one. Kurt was sad for his friends like Santana, Brittany, and Artie, but he couldn't have cared less how Rachel, Finn, Quinn, and Mercedes felt.
"Hey you," Blaine said, giving Kurt's shoulder a light bump. "Penny for your thoughts?"
"Just thinking how glad I am that Rachel and Mercedes decided to be their usual charming selves today. It made me realize how tired I am of wasting my time and energy on them. It's time to put them in the past and move on with my life… our life." Kurt answered with a smile which Blaine returned before pulling his chosen One in for a very thorough kiss as all of their friends catcalled in the background.
Kurt found it surprisingly easy to put the drama of McKinley and New Directions behind him as he and Blaine moved forward with their relationship. Before he knew it, spring break had arrived and everyone at Dalton was alive with the anticipation of the upcoming break from classes. Practically bouncing with excitement, Blaine closed his book and watched as Kurt finished up his own work.
"Spring Break is coming up." Blaine casually mentioned.
"I know. I just wish that McKinley hadn't managed to have Spring Break at the same time because now I am going to have to deal with Finn and the Pips every single day." Kurt bemoaned. "And I'm going to hate being away from you for a whole week."
"What if you didn't have to be?"
"What do you mean Blaine?" Kurt asked frowning in puzzlement.
"Since you clearly don't have other plans…" Blaine trailed off, causing Kurt to look over at him.
"What did you do, Blaine Anderson?"
"I might have mentioned the Spring Break timing to my father and he suggested a viable option." Blaine hesitantly said, hoping that he hadn't overstepped his bounds.
"Oh?" Kurt asked looking interested.
"My family has a house in New Orleans. It's the house I was born in and my father and I try to get there once or twice a year. We almost always go during Spring Break. I was really hoping that you could come with us."
"You want me to come on your family trip?" Kurt said, somewhat surprised that he would be invited to go.
"You are going to be a part of my family very soon, Kurt. I want you to get to know my father away from his official Council capacity." Blaine replied firmly.
"Wow. I'd love to say yes, but I have to talk to my dad first. I don't think he'd have a whole lot of reservations though." Kurt answered.
"Yeah, of course, call your father and talk to him." Blaine didn't want to step on his future father-in-law's toes, especially when Burt Hummel could keep them apart.
"Blaine, don't look so worried." Kurt caught the distraught look on his future spouse's face. "I'm sure it will be fine. I will call him right now to talk to him."
"Thank you." Blaine took Kurt's hand in his and kissed it. Kurt dropped a kiss on Blaine's cheek and grabbed his cell phone.
-
"Let me get this straight." Burt Hummel said. "Blaine and his father are going to New Orleans on a week-long trip for Spring Break and they want you to go too, right?"
"Yes, dad, that is right." Kurt rolled his eyes, having already answered that question several times.
"Do you want to go?" Burt couldn't help but be curious to his son's motives for asking.
"I would love to go, but if you don't like the idea, I don't have to go." Kurt wished that he was able to go home and be happy, but Finn and Carole were determined to keep that from happening. "Blaine wanted me to call and get your permission."
"As much as I want you to stay home for Spring Break and keep me company, I know it's not fair to expect you to stay in this house with Finn and Carole. So yes, you can go." Burt answered, chuckling at his son's happy squeal. "I hope you have a good time, son. Just behave yourself, listen to Mr. Anderson, and bring me back something interesting."
"I will. I promise and thank you Daddy." Kurt grinned as he hung up his phone and turned to look at Blaine. "What should I pack?" With a happy whoop of excitement, Blaine picked Kurt up, twirling him around.
"Yes!" Blaine cheered. "This is going to be amazing. You are going to love New Orleans and Black Oak Manor is… let's just say I think you'll approve."
"Ooo… Black Oak Manor… that sounds so dark and mysterious," Kurt grinned.
"Oh it is" Blaine answered, already planning a few activities at the manor. "Just pack casual clothes and maybe one or two nice outfits for the week since we'll actually be spending most of our time at the house probably."
"Just the house, Blaine? If I'm going to be in New Orleans, I want to see the city." Kurt said.
"Honey, the house will be as interesting as the city, trust me, but don't worry we'll see the city, we just won't be there as much as the house. Oh and since we're flying commercial this trip, you have to pack light."
"Commercial?" Kurt asked. "What about that wonderful private plane?"
"That private plane has to stay here in case the Council needs to fly out somewhere. We got special permission to take it to New York since you were still recovering."
"Oh," Kurt said. "Well, I guess I can pack light and if I need to, I can always steal space in your luggage. Do you realize how much space socks actually take up, Blaine?"
"Funny Kurt," Blaine answered sticking out his tongue at his giggling fiancée.
"If we're flying commercial, why are we at the private gate?" Kurt asked several days later as they waited at the airport to board the plane. He had been curious the minute Blaine had led him through the door marked private.
"Slight change in plans. Since he is going to have to have his staff with him, Dad decided to rent a commercial plane for all of us that are going." Blaine answered, guiding Kurt over to one of the comfortable sofas.
"His staff? Just how big is this staff?" Kurt asked.
"It's pretty extensive, Kurt. It takes a lot of people to run just our clan and since Dad is also the High Chief of the Council he's technically over seeing all three clans. We're never away from it, even on vacation." Blaine answered, covertly studying Kurt's reaction to the news. This was something Kurt, as his mate, would have to get used to.
"Are they all staying at the house?" Kurt asked, trying hard not to let his fear of unfamiliar vampires get the best of him. He was getting better, but the idea of so many strangers was unsettling. He knew it was something he would have to deal with, however, as it was part and parcel to being with Blaine.
"No, only the house staff and bodyguards are allowed to stay on the grounds since they pretty much live there." Blaine answered. "My father reserved rooms for the others at the local hotels and you won't see them at the house at all since my father does not conduct business there… Grandmere's rules."
"Oh, okay." Kurt said, feeling more comfortable with the situation.
"This is what it's like with the Anderson's when we all travel together." Blaine said, hoping that Kurt could ease into this craziness that was life with him. When he was in charge of the coven and Council, this is what they'd be dealing with, together.
"It's a little overwhelming Blaine, but I can handle it, so get that worried look off your face." Kurt confidently said, knowing things would be easier when it was their hand-picked assistants traveling with them.
"I'm glad to hear that." Blaine smiled, pleased at how receptive Kurt was to all of this.
"So, seven bodyguards?" Kurt asked. "Isn't that a little much?"
"Five cover my father and one for each of us. Puck is your assigned bodyguard for this trip and he takes his job very seriously, so I would like you to listen to any suggestions he gives and follow them just like in New York. It is for your safety, Kurt. This is just a minimum that we're traveling with. The rest will meet us at the airport in New Orleans since we will be under guard 24-7, although you probably won't even know they're there."
"Why would I not know they're there, Blaine? Bodyguards seem like they'd be hard to miss." Kurt said.
"Oh, our bodyguards are very good at being discrete and unseen for the most part. I mean, you didn't notice any of the ones in New York."
"They were in New York?" Kurt asked. "I thought we only had Puck."
"Kurt, did you really think that two princes and several lords not to mention my Chosen One would be allowed to wander the streets of New York without some serious protection?"
"I guess not" Kurt was in shock. "I just didn't notice, but wait what about backstage at the competition?"
"They were out front in the audience. Unless they're needed, they stay in the background." Blaine said, pulling Kurt up to board the flight. "Come on. We're in first class with Dad."
With an excited grin, Kurt followed Blaine down the jet way and into their plane. They were soon buckled into their seats and taking off. The flight was fairly calm and the boys were left mostly to themselves as Nathaniel and a few of his closest advisors tended to business. Not long before their expected arrival time, Blaine's father and a tall, good looking blonde man came to talk with Kurt and Blaine.
"Kurt," Nathaniel said, sitting down in the seats directly across from him and Blaine. "This is the Council's press secretary and he'd like to talk to you for a minute if you don't mind." Kurt nodded his agreement and the other vampire, rather than sitting leaned against a nearby seat.
"Hi Kurt. I'm Michael Sterling. I've heard a lot about you from my son Jeff," the man said extending his hand and giving Kurt a sunny smile which made the father son resemblance immediately apparent.
"Hello Lord Sterling," Kurt smiled. "It's very nice to meet the man who brought the world Jeff." Lord Sterling chuckled.
"He is something isn't he?" he grinned, before turning more business-like. "Now Kurt, the reason I've asked to talk to you is because, with New Orleans being the center of such a large vampire population, the press will undoubtedly be there when we arrive. I know this is all new to you, so I wanted to give you kind of a heads up of what you can expect. Ok?"
"Ok," Kurt agreed, somewhat nervously.
"First of all, you don't have to say anything if you don't want to. You can just smile and wave if that's what you're comfortable with, however, at some point this is something you'll have to be prepared to do. There will be a lot of shouting, but I don't want you to feel pressured to make a statement if you're uncomfortable."
"Okay." Kurt could only hope dealing with the press this time wouldn't be anything like the altercation at the mall.
"If you do decide to answer questions, you don't have to answer them all, and try to keep your answers short and friendly. Most importantly though, remember to smile and stay with Blaine and your bodyguard. That's pretty much it."
"Ok… I can do this," Kurt said sounding a lot more sure of himself than he felt.
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