Author's notes:
As always, I don't own Glee or any of the songs/movies/television shows/websites/ real things referenced.
Rating is for language and some sexual content.
Approximate words this chapter: 11,000
Tuesday, May 22, continued
The doorbell rang. Kurt was apprehensive, fearing that Blaine was hovering somewhere outside like a wounded stalker. A glance through the peephole revealed that it was David who was outside. Kurt opened the door.
"Hi, David," Kurt's face was surprised but betraying a hinted smile, looking around slightly nervous. "Pleasant surprise. What brings you here?".
David smirked , addressing Kurt's eyes. "I heard my boyfriend is a bad-ass."
Kurt smiled hugely and blushed, speaking quietly. "I guess you've talked to Finn."
"No, actually, I talked to Blaine," David said, sarcastic grin in place, "and he sounded like Alvin the chipmunk."
Kurt began laughing as he reached his hand to his face, covering his mouth.
"No, Finn called me," David explained. "He told me to call you, but I thought I'd just drive over here. I wanted to see you anyway, even more after I heard what went down."
"Come on inside, David," Kurt spoke softly and warmly as he opened the door wider, permitting David's entry. He closed the door behind David, and the two stood in the entryway facing each other.
David smiled, facing downward, shaking his head slowly, raising his eyes to meet Kurt's. He leaned in close to Kurt, and Kurt raised his face to meet David's; their lips met multiple times quickly between smiles and quiet content murmurs from each of them. David's hands reached downward to take Kurt's hands into his own.
The two stood for a short while addressing the other's eyes: David grinning smugly and ever-wider, Kurt smiling almost innocently.
"When Finn told me what happened," David began, "I... uh... hmmm." His speech dropped off as his eyes fell toward the floor though the smile remained fixed on his face.
"What, David?" Kurt asked with a large, curious smile and penetrating eyes.
David looked up to meet Kurt's eyes. "Uh," David paused for a moment, "I got kinda turned-on." David nodded, still grinning.
Kurt exhaled and looked toward the floor for a moment before moving, his hands still in David's, toward the family room couch. David instinctively seated himself into a corner and Kurt sat beside him, very close, almost on David's lap.
"So, Finn says you kicked Blaine in a, um, sensitive area," David asked.
"Um, yes," Kurt responded, "point-blank range."
"Ew," David's face grimaced in mock-pain. "I've seen you kick. Blaine would have to be an idiot to risk that. Finn said he was coming after you or something."
Kurt rolled his eyes, indifferently. "I think he was trying to kiss me."
David's face puzzled for a moment before affecting seriousness. "I guess I better watch what I try on you then."
Kurt smiled and spoke in a low pitch, a cross between a growl and a purr: "You could get away with just about anything, David."
"Mmmmm," David hummed and exhaled, his face pulling into a wide smile, and looked away for a moment as Kurt leaned more closely, falling into David's arms. David's arms responded softly closing around Kurt's torso. David turned his head forward, still facing downward. His cheek was close to Kurt's, and he could feel the warmth coming from Kurt, the occasional breath.
"This feels really good," David spoke quietly.
"Mmm," Kurt replied, "yes it does."
David turned his face, kissing Kurt's cheek. "I don't know how long I should hang out, though," David began. "You said your dad and stepmom are coming in tonight, Right? And my parents will be expecting me to be around for dinner later."
"You want to have dinner with us tonight?" Kurt offered. "I don't know what we're doing exactly, but, your parents would be welcome too."
"Are you sure, Kurt?" David responded, hesitant "This is really short notice, and, besides, my parents might have something planned. Shouldn't you check with your parents first anyway?"
"Okay, you're right," Kurt nodded while speaking, turning his head to face David. "I'll call my parents, hear what they say, and whine until I get my way if needed; afterwhich, you'll call your parents and we'll go from there."
David closes his eyes, shook his head, and quietly chuckled to himself. "What have I gotten myself into?" David voiced quietly as Kurt knocked his forehead playfully into David's chin in response.
Kurt produced his cell phone and searched his contacts list while still speaking with David. "They might be off of the plane already. The flight was due in at four-thirty. Finn is probably already at the airport."
Kurt pulled away from David, sitting upright as he placed his call. David could hear the sound of the phone ringing on the other end as well as a garbled greeting when he assumed Burt picked up the call. "Hello, Dad. I was wondering, I don't know what you and Carole have planned for dinner, but would it be okay if David and his parents join us tonight?"
An unintelligible response was followed by Kurt quietly turning to David, "He's checking with Carole." A crackling voice responded after a few seconds and Kurt spoke into his phone again.
"Great. That's awesome. I'll call you right back when I know if they'll make it definitely or not. Where are you right now?" The distant, tinny noise spoke back and Kurt responded. "Okay, Dad. You will probably be here soon then?" More of Burt's tiny garbled response followed. "Well, I kinda have something to tell you tonight." It sounded like a tinny, gruff laugh which followed. "Oh, yeah? Well, you'll find out for sure when you get in. Love you, Dad. Goodbye."
David could hear Burt's final syllables returning a 'goodbye' before Kurt ended the call and turned to David.
"I think he knows," Kurt, nodding with a suspicious expression, said to David.
"What?" David asked, no surprise on his face, "About us?"
Kurt silently nodded a response.
"I guess everyone knew before we did," David smirked, shaking his head.
"Your turn," Kurt spoke. "Call your parents and see if they can make it. I told Dad I'd get back to him with a definite headcount."
David took his phone from his shirt pocket and dialed his mother. She answered directly. "Hey, Mom," David spoke into his phone. "I'm over at Kurt's, and he says that you and Dad and I are invited over for dinner. Since I didn't know what you had planned... "
David was cut-off, and Kurt could hear Lorraine's voice speaking quickly, words Kurt could not discern, though her tone sounded receptive. David reacted in a slow smile. "Okay, Mom," David spoke again as Lorraine's reply slowed. "I'll tell Kurt, and I'll be back home in a few. Hang on for a sec, okay?"
David turned to Kurt and asked, "What time should we be here?"
Kurt answered, "Six-thirty or seven o'clock."
David spoke again into the phone. "Six-thirty or seven, Mom." More muffled sounds from the phone. "Be home soon, Mom. Goodbye."
David ended the call, slid his phone back into his pocket, and turned to Kurt. "It's a go. Mom was all excited. I'm going to go back home as I'm sure you have some stuff to do before we arrive again. I'll be back with my parents probably around seven."
Instead of standing, Kurt shifted and drew himself closer into David, his back leaning against David's chest. David reacted with a smile as he slid his arms around Kurt, pulling him more snugly against him; his words contradicted his actions: "I really do need to get moving, Kurt."
"Mmmm," Kurt hummed, indifferent. "Not at this very moment you don't. We can enjoy this for a few more minutes before you get on the road and I call my dad back."
David smiled and agreed wordlessly by softly kissing the back of Kurt's neck.
Just before seven o'clock, Paul, Lorraine, and David arrived at the Hummels' for dinner. Lorraine was carrying three bottles of wine, and David was holding two boxes from a local bakery. When Kurt greeted the Karofsky family at the door, he eyed the boxes with suspicion and eager curiosity. David smiled and answered Kurt's silent query. "My parents thought we should bring dessert."
Kurt grinned and nodded assent, "Very thoughtful of you," he said while showing Paul and Lorraine to the dining room where Burt and Carole were waiting; he then escorted David into the kitchen where the boxes were placed side-by-side on the countertop next to the other food.
"Can I peek?" Kurt asked David quietly, nodding at the boxes.
"Sure, why don't you just open them up," David answered. "They're going to get eaten tonight anyway, I'm sure. By the way, what's for dinner?" David was referring to two large, covered foil pans, also on the counter, and two large covered plastic bowls.
Kurt grinned at David as he broke the adhesive seal on one of the boxes. "Hungry? There's a pan of lasagna and a pan of rigatoni and the huge family-size salads. We got it from that Italian place that does catering." Kurt diverted his attention to the contents of the boxes: each held a two-layer cake. "Ooh. What are these?"
David smiled, answering Kurt's question. "One is a white cake with buttercream and raspberry filling; the other is German chocolate with coconut-pecan frosting. I picked them out, actually. They're from that bakery near the mall, and, yeah, their stuff is really good. And, yes, I'm very hungry."
"Well, I am not going to know what I'll want for dessert, David," Kurt opined. "I love German chocolate, but the white cake sounds incredible."
"I think we'll just need to get a piece of each and share," David spoke quietly while closing the distance on Kurt, lowering his voice to a whisper. "I want to kiss you."
Kurt smiled and looked downward. "You can do that, but make it quick. Hungry people will be in here looking for food any time now."
David leaned in for a quick kiss before pulling away. "Did you tell your dad and stepmom about us yet?" David asked.
Kurt's face pulled into a grin slowly. "Yes. I hope you don't mind having dinner in the dining room with the parents while Finn, Sam, and Mercedes get to eat in front of the TV downstairs."
David smirked and shook his head. "Hey, yeah, it's part of the deal. You're good with parents, better than me; but I'll put up with it and smile, no problem."
"It's just for dinner," Kurt added, "then we can join the others after."
"What brings Mercedes here?" David asked, curious.
"She was with Sam earlier today and they both ended up here," Kurt answered. "When Sam heard that guests were coming, he asked if it would be okay if Mercedes stayed for dinner. Truth told, I was hoping she would anyway. I wanted her to see how great you and I are together."
David smiled again and would have closed their distance for a second kiss when Burt came into the kitchen and spoke loudly enough to both startle David and cause Kurt to roll his eyes. "Hey, kids," Burt's voice boomed, "Kurt, do you know where the corkscrew is?"
Kurt laughed and shook his head before answering: the question was obviously an excuse to enter the kitchen. "Dad, I'm sure that you and Carole have used the corkscrew many more times than I have and more recently. Actually, last I checked, it was in the dining room, not the kitchen."
"Hi Mr. Hummel," David spoke, almost nervously. "Thank you for having us over for dinner."
"I'll go to the dining room and find the corkscrew, Dad," Kurt said, excusing himself from the kitchen.
Burt closed the distance between David and himself, eyes intense on David. "I want you to know that I'm fine with you and Kurt." David responded silently by nodding nervously, never breaking eye-contact with Burt as Burt continued. "I've seen you and Kurt together enough to know that you both want this. It's really obvious that you two make each other happy." Burt's expression softened as David nearly looked away, uncomfortable, as Burt spoke still more. "Hey, lighten-up a little, Dave. We like you. I'm seeing sides of Kurt that I never saw before, and it's all good." David's eyes rose back to Burt's face to see that he was smiling subtly. Burt offered his hand, and David took it, shaking it firmly as Burt roughly patted David's shoulder.
David finally succumbed to a state of ease. "Thank you, Mr. Hummel. I know I didn't make it easy."
"It's okay," Burt answered, "That's in the past, and we know you now."
Finally, David, nodding, broke into a smile.
"Okay, Dad, the corkscrew has been found and the wine has been uncorked," Kurt's voice interrupted the relative quiet of the kitchen as he returned from the dining room. "How about David and I get some serving plates and get some of this... "
"Get yourself in the dining room, kiddo," Burt interjected. "You too, Dave. Kurt's stepmom and I will take care of getting the food out there. They're already eating downstairs, so it's just us at this point. Carole?"
"I'm right here, Burt," Carole spoke from behind, startling Burt, having arrived quietly while he was talking.
Kurt's eyes contacted David's and David followed Kurt toward the dining room single-file. Kurt leaned back and spoke, quietly-but-audibly, "You look nice tonight, David."
David smirked, humble but dismissive: "I look like I always do."
"That's what I meant," Kurt replied, nearly a purr, before his voice became more serious, "Um, no talk about the Blaine-thing over dinner, okay?"
"No problem," David replied, placing his hand nervously onto Kurt's back as he followed him into the threshold before adding in a low whisper, his lips just outside Kurt's ear, "tiger." Kurt closed his eyes, fighting back a giggle, as the two entered the dining room.
Paul and Lorraine were seated side-by-side on one side of the table; David seated himself opposite from Paul, and Kurt remained standing, still seeming unsure if he should fall into the role of host. Paul appeared pleasant and relaxed as he greeted them; Lorraine wore a rehearsed expression of approval. Kurt, still seeming at a loss, hovered over the seat across the table from Lorraine, spun his head toward the kitchen, and nervously placed his hand on David's shoulder. Burt and Carole emerged from the kitchen carrying serving plates filled with food.
"Dad, Carole, do you need any help with that?" Kurt offered.
"Oh, sit down already, Kurt," Carole scolded in a good-natured tone.
"Listen to your stepmom, Kurt," Burt chimed, "Have a seat next to Dave, and get comfortable."
Kurt complied with his father's request, pulling out the chair next to David and seating himself. Burt and Carole placed a bowl of salad, a bowl of rigatoni, and a serving plate filled with lasagna on the table before seating themselves at opposite sides: Burt at the side where Paul and David faced each other, and Carole at the side where Kurt sat opposite Lorraine.
Lorraine began almost immediately, telling Carole how impressed she was with Kurt's knowledge of fashion. Carole mirrored her comments, nearly gushing about how indispensible his guidance was as she assumed the role of a congressman's wife. Kurt took the compliments graciously and joined their conversation.
For Burt's part, he asked David about his post-high-school plans. David answered politely and became surprisingly talkative with Paul entering into the conversation as well. Kurt kept an open ear to their conversation, commenting occasionally, specifically at how he found David's focus to be so impressive. Burt found himself impressed with David's college plans as well. Burt asked David if he planned to pursue college football, and David spoke to the contrary saying that he would enjoy playing the games informally, possibly joining a football or hockey league while firmly committing that he didn't want the pressures of the formal collegiate sport system to present a conflict with his studies.
Time passed quickly, and the plates were exhausted long before the conversations lost momentum. Lorraine, Carole, and Kurt continued a spirited conversation while Burt, Paul, and David watched, largely quiet, with some good-natured amusement. Burt stood, collecting some empty plates while Paul refilled the parents' wine glasses and David stood, excusing himself to the basement to greet the others.
David descended the stairs to the basement to find Mercedes, Sam, and Finn facing the television, all three engrossed in a video game. Sam was watching intently while seated next to Mercedes on the couch, but Mercedes and Finn, who was seated in a chair next to the couch, were working their controllers with great concentration. Then an onscreen explosion signaled an end of a match, and Finn moaned defeat as Mercedes giggled, snugging closer to Sam. David spoke loudly enough to be heard but careful not to startle anyone.
"Hi, everyone."
The three turned their concentration from the screen and greeted David as David continued, "There's cake upstairs for dessert if anyone's interested."
Finn's eyes piqued immediate interest as Mercedes and Sam stood and repositioned themselves to make space for David on the couch. David seated himself next to Mercedes and asked, nodding in the direction of the screen, "What are you playing?"
"It's one of those Mortal Kombat-type games," Sam began, "and Mercedes just mopped up the screen, first with me, then Finn."
"You said there was cake?" Finn asked, still wide-eyed.
David laughed, "Yes, there's cake upstairs."
Finn stood and began gathering empty plates from the folding table which he, Mercedes, and Sam had used for their dinner. "I'm gonna take this stuff upstairs. I can bring down dessert for anyone who wants it."
"Uh, there's two different kinds of cake," David informed them. "There's a German chocolate cake and a white cake with raspberry filling."
Finn's face blanched as if he was thinking, how am I supposed to decide?
"Grab me a piece of that one with the raspberry filling," Mercedes voiced in Finn's direction. "Please," she added, deeming her first statement too demanding.
Sam stood. "Hey, Finn, I'll go upstairs and help you carry stuff."
"You want cake, Dave?" Finn asked.
"No, I'll get some later," He replied. "Gonna let dinner settle a bit." David paused for a moment while Finn and Sam left for the upstairs and spoke quietly, "Besides, I wanted to wait for Kurt."
Mercedes smiled into a laugh before affecting an attitude. "That's cute 'n' all, but you'd best be good to my boy Kurt."
David turned his head, giving Mercedes a pensive glance, speaking with quiet conviction. "You have nothing to worry about. I'm trying to be the best person I can be to everyone, especially Kurt. He means so much to me."
Mercedes' expression softened. "I know you mean a lot to him too. Sorry if that sounded like a threat."
David shrugged. "It's okay. I understand that I earned all of that."
Mercedes shook her head gently. "I used to hate you."
"I know, and I gave you good reason to, and there's no way I could ever make up for all of that," David responded.
Mercedes reached for David's hand and held it. "You don't need to make anything up to me. Just be good to my Kurt."
The two exchanged quiet smiles as David tipped his head toward the TV screen, "Is it my turn to have my ass kicked in this game by you?"
Mercedes laughed as David reached for the unused controller.
By the time Finn and Sam returned, Mercedes was seconds away from soundly defeating David, delivering a final virtual blow as the screen lit blazed with firey colors.
"Awww!" David's protest of defeat was tempered with a smile and a laugh as Mercedes smiled to herself, nudging David's arm with her shoulder. "You're really good at that," David congratulated Mercedes on her win.
"Yeah, I can hold my own," she answered as Sam handed her a paper plate holding a piece of cake and a fork.
David stood and stepped from the couch. "Good game. I'm gonna go back upstairs and see if I can find Kurt."
Once upstairs, David peered around the corner of the kitchen threshold into the dining room to see Paul and Burt talking to each other on one side of the table while Kurt, Carole, and Lorraine conversed loudly at the other side. While standing in the doorway, David caught Kurt's attention, unnoticed by the others; David signalled that he was going back downstairs.
David collected a slice of each of the cakes onto a paper plate as well as two forks before descending the stairs. He placed the plate onto the table and made a move to go back up the stairs when Kurt appeared at the landing, approached David closely, backing him toward a wall in a dark corner of the basement room.
"Where do you think you're going?" Kurt spoke quietly at David.
"I was just on my way upstairs to find you," David smiled sheepishly, point-blank range.
"I read your smoke signal," Kurt answered, looking sharply at David with his eyes. "You were my ticket out of there. Parents are on bottle number two."
David nodded, still smiling. "Looks like I'm designated driver tonight. Parents need to let loose every once in a while."
Kurt's eyes stayed focused on David's as he whispered, almost accusing. "Did you really get turned on when you heard about me and Blaine earlier today?"
David's smile spread wider. "Absolutely," David voiced slowly in a tone that was between a groan and a whisper. "When Finn told me, I felt it go right to my... uh... "
"What?" Kurt hissed with a grin, almost wickedly.
"Um, the same place Blaine felt it, only a totally different sensation, I'd imagine."
Kurt reached downward, taking David's hands into his.
David nodded, appearing almost conceited as he spoke, a half-whisper. "Kurt, I am completely ready to explore some, um, things with you." Kurt's eyes brightened, smiling at David's words as David furthered. "Uh, but I want it to be when we can take our time and enjoy it, and, like, without the pressure of our parents being in the next room."
Kurt pulled his hand up, gently putting his fingers to David's lips as if to silence him. "No problem. I agree completely. We're on the same page here." Kurt was silent before he whispered again. "But I do expect a steamy make-out session sometime tonight, regardless of how brief it needs to be."
David smirked. "Deal."
Kurt pulled David into a quick kiss which became longer once their lips tasted the others'. Mercedes witnessed some of the exchange from her vantage point but could see very little as that corner of the room was quite dark, being furthest from the light-source of the television screen.
As David and Kurt pulled apart, they walked toward the gathering, unaware that they'd been seen by anyone. Sam was sitting on an armrest of the couch, immersed in a game with Finn who was seated again on the adjacent chair. Kurt seated himself on the couch next to Mercedes with David lagging slightly as he stopped at the table to retrieve the cake he'd brought for himself and Kurt earlier. David seated himself next to Kurt and hovered the paper plate in the airspace in front of Kurt.
"Ooh! Cake!" Kurt accepted a fork from the plate, and David did the same as they enthusiastically began sharing the dessert.
"You two should tone that down," Mercedes spoke with a smirk and an eyeroll, "You're all just too cute right now."
Finn laughed, trying to act oblivious; Sam spoke, "You should see them eating breakfast sometime."
Mercedes' eyes bulged. "Oh no! Breakfast? TMI!"
Kurt and David glanced in her direction, surprised eyes, forks in mouths, unable to defend themselves with occupied mouths.
"It's not like it sounds," Finn interjected. "When we meet at the park on weekend mornings, we all have breakfast together, and they like to share."
"Ignore her," Kurt spoke to David, "Just enjoy the cake." David kept his mouth shut, narrowed his eyes, and nodded.
"The cake is incredible, David," Kurt spoke stickily between forkfuls. "You have excellent taste."
"You brought the cake?" Mercedes directed at David.
"Mm-hmm," David nodded, mouthful of German chocolate cake.
"Well, the cake was really good," Mercedes concurred with Kurt.
"Um," David changed the subject as the paper plate became clear of cake, "Kurt tells me you're going out to the west coast."
Mercedes smiled, "Yes, I was offered a record contract on a label in LA."
David smiled at Mercedes in return. "Well, congratulations. That's great."
"Thank you, Dave," Mercedes replied as David reached forward, placing the empty paper plate and forks on the coffee table.
Finn and Sam seemed increasingly oblivious to all but the video game as Mercedes leaned closely toward Kurt. "You were right," She whispered, almost inaudibly, meant for only Kurt's ear.
"Right about what?" Kurt backed away, intentionally forcing Mercedes' words to become more public. This caught David's attention, and he leaned forward, interested in the conversation.
Mercedes looked at both of them, hesitating a moment before saying, "You two are great together, really."
Kurt smiled with an air of smugness while David's expression, though smiling, betrayed some confusion.
"You two are great in a way I never considered, I guess," Mercedes spoke clearly to both Kurt and David.
David's eyes darted slightly, finally coming to rest at Mercedes' face. "Thank you, Mercedes. That means a lot coming from one of Kurt's best friends."
Mercedes smiled and said, "You two are coming to my graduation-and-going-away party together, right?"
David laughed to himself as Kurt voiced clearly, "We wouldn't miss it, right, David."
David nodded and looked at the both of them. "Put it that way, I can't refuse, can I?"
A loud explosion sound coming from the television signalled the end of another game and Sam rolled his eyes, defeated by Finn. Kurt and David stood from the couch. "I'm going to collect up some of these plates and silverware and run them upstairs," Kurt said.
"I'll go with you, Kurt," David added.
"Wait a second," Mercedes demanded as she produced her phone and poked at it. "Sam, can you snap a picture of the three of us before they go upstairs?"
Mercedes handed her phone to Sam. "Sure," he replied.
Mercedes stood between Kurt and David, an arm around each. David bent at his knees, lowering himself more closely to Mercede's level, the three smiled, and Sam snapped the camera function. He briefly inspected the image before handing the phone back to Mercedes; Mercedes,Kurt, and David considered the image collectively. "Awesome," Mercedes said, and all three of them smiled agreement.
"Send that to my phone, okay?" Kurt asked, and Mercedes did so immediately.
Kurt collected the remaining empty plates, paper plates, and utensils from the coffee table and the folding table, and he and David ascended the stairs. Arriving in the kitchen, Kurt set the plates and silverware quietly on the counter next to the sink. He turned to David and placed his extended index finger to his lips, a signal to be quiet. The two stood for a moment and Kurt whispered, "I hear music."
David nodded silent agreement: He could hear the music and the voices of the adults from a few rooms away. Kurt craned his head into the dining room which was empty. Two spent wine bottles occupied the vacant dining room table. He tiptoed further toward the living room, peering into the threshold, and turned quickly back, returning to David at the entry to the kitchen. "They're dancing," he whispered emphatically to David.
David appeared dumbfounded. "Our parents?"
Kurt silently giggled. "Your parents, my dad, and my stepmom. They're all dancing. I think it's the Footloose soundtrack from the eighties."
David held back a laugh, shaking his head. "I can't look. That's just too weird."
"Well, then," Kurt whispered, talking David's hand, "follow me, and be quiet."
David grinned, intrigued, as Kurt led him up the stairs to his bedroom, quietly closing the door behind them.
"I don't think you have much to worry about where our parents are concerned," David began, "If they got into that third bottle of wine and they're dancing, I'm sure they're not thinking about much else."
"I agree," Kurt spoke quietly, "but someone will eventually come looking for us." Kurt approached David closely, backing him toward the bed, touching him lightly on the chest with his fingertips, coaxing him backward, until he fell softly onto the mattress. Kurt climbed onto the bed, facing David, stradling his body, Kurt's thighs on either side of David's torso. Kurt leaned toward David's face, very close, and whispered, "In the meantime, I have you exactly where I want you."
David snickered, reaching his arms upward, around Kurt's chest, hands coming to rest on his back. David's light touch suggested a movement toward him, Kurt descended, and their lips touched lightly, almost brushing against each other's. David's lips parted willing Kurt's to follow suit; their tongues met in the space between, softly. David pulled closer, the gaps between their mouths disappeared and the kiss deepened. David's actions were determined but gentle. They held the kiss for a time, naturally pulling away eventually. Kurt looked downward at David. David's eyes were closed, his mouth slightly open, a trace of a smile on his lips. As he opened his eyes, he saw Kurt above him, appearing somewhat awed. David's hips reflexed upward into Kurt. The action drew stunned expressions from both of them.
"You are really good at that, David," Kurt purred.
David shook his head. "I'm making this up as I go along. I've never been with anyone like this."
"Could have fooled me." Kurt sat upward and reached down, unbuttoning David's shirt, sinking his hands between the top-shirt and the t-shirt beneath.
"What are you doing?" David asked, a quiver in his voice.
"Calm down, David," Kurt said confidently, "I just want to get to those shoulders."
Kurt worked his hands upward beneath David's shirt and found their way to his solid shoulder muscles. He slowly dug his fingers into them as deeply as he could. David emitted a gasp, almost a whine as his hips bucked upward once again. Kurt let out a gratified chuckle as he pulled himself downward into another kiss with David. David's hips were in subtle motion, a slow, involuntary rhythm against Kurt's body. Their lips parted, and Kurt sat upright again, letting his hands run over David's chest toward his sides. David gasped again, this time yielding a more audible sound, nearly a yelp.
"Are you okay?" Kurt spoke quietly, high-pitched, through a smile as his hand ceased motion.
David laughed. "Yeah... I've just... never been touched like that before, at least not by someone besides myself."
"Maybe I should stop," Kurt whispered, still grinning, addressing David's eyes directly, "I don't want to get us into something we can't finish, um, properly."
"As much as I am enjoying this, I agree," David conceded.
Kurt lifted himself and moved to one side as he descended to the bed, falling softly to David's side as David pulled Kurt closer in his arm. The two lay in silence for a moment.
"Do your parents drink a lot?" Kurt asked, almost seeming to be making unnecessary conversation.
David shook his head. "No, maybe a glass of wine with dinner a couple of times a week. Maybe a bottle after dinner once a month or so, when they know I'm not going to be around after dinner. I think they like to get romantic that way. That used to happen more often when I was younger: they'd kill a bottle of wine after dinner, and I'd see them cuddling on the couch after. Then it kinda stopped when I started high school. Now that they were apart for a while and they're back together, it seems like they're back to that once-a-month, give-or-take thing again."
"Mmm," Kurt hummed. "That's kind-of sweet."
"What's up with Sam and Mercedes?" David asked. "Are they, like, an item?"
"To tell you the truth, I'm not sure," Kurt explained. "They were together last summer, then Sam's family moved to Kentucky, then Finn and Rachel got Sam to move back for the glee club. In the meantime, Mercedes started dating this football player named Shane. Then, when Sam came back, she was kinda torn and broke up with both of them really melodramatically. I think she broke Shane's heart, but her and Sam are still good friends. Actually, it seems like more than that, but it's all unspecified. They're just friends if you ask either one of them."
"Geeze: ask a simple question," David rhetorically observed before changing the subject. "So, um, what was it that made things so crazy this afternoon that you had to physically, uh, disable Blaine and throw him out of the house?"
Kurt shook his head and made a fatigued sound, a cross between a loud breath and a sigh. "Blaine came in with this attitude, like he was willing to forgive me, and I wasn't having it. I told him how much of a fake I thought he was, and then he was yelling about having been denied a goodbye kiss. Then he tried to kiss me, and I kicked him."
"That is just too weird for me to wrap my head around right now," David said.
"Don't worry about it," Kurt spoke, "It is absolutely unimportant."
"Tomorrow's still a school day for you, right? You don't think Blaine is going to be a problem, do you?"
"Yes," Kurt answered. "Tomorrow's a school day. No, I think Blaine would need to be an idiot to cause a problem when all of my friends are looking after me. Thursday is not a school day, but the commencement ceremony is Thursday night. I'd love you to be there, but, like your commencement, the seating is limited. Unlike your commencement, though, no special exceptions have been made for my friends."
David smiled and pulled Kurt closer. "I'd go if I could, but I'm just happy that I'll get to be with you later that evening, I hope."
Kurt raised himself up on an elbow, pulling himself closer to David's face, and, lifting David's head from behind, kissed David's forehead. David closed his eyes and smiled, chuckling quietly. "I love it when you do that," David's voice was so quiet that it was nearly a whistle. "It makes me feel so, um, loved."
Kurt pulled David close to his chest as David responded by wrapping his arms around Kurt's body. "David, you are loved, and not just by me."
"Yeah, I know," David responded quietly. "You make me feel so damned wanted." The two held each other closely: for that time it seemed that their embrace held them together seamlessly; for a short while, the only sound audible to them was the sound of their breathing.
"I hear voices," Kurt started. "Downstairs. I think they're looking for us. Sit up on the edge of the bed."
David responded immediately, buttoning his shirt once sitting upright. Kurt fully opened his bedroom door, pulled his laptop from his desk, and sat next to David on the edge of the bed, the laptop between them. The laptop booted quickly and the screen illuminated their faces as it came to life.
When Burt gingerly approached Kurt's opened bedroom door, he saw David and Kurt sitting side-by-side, eyes fixed on the computer screen. "Hey, Dad," Kurt called from his seated position, blowing the cover of Burt's overly-conscious, stealthy gait.
"Hey guys," Burt spoke.
"Hi, Mr. Hummel," David greeted.
"We didn't know where you were," Burt explained. "You weren't downstairs with Finn and the others, and you weren't with us."
"There was something David wanted to show me on the computer," Kurt answered. "That's all. Just kinda happened, spur-of-the-moment, when we came upstairs with the dishes and silverware."
Burt nodded, relieved, affecting an air of failed toughness.
"Are my parents going to be ready to go soon?" David asked. "I'm pretty sure I'm gonna hafta drive, huh?"
"Yeah, you should be the one driving," Burt answered. "I think they'll be wanting to leave soon. I'll go tell them that you'll be down in a minute." Burt pointed toward the downstairs direction nervously as if he was a teenager caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing.
"Careful going down the steps, Dad," Kurt called out, a slightly mocking tone.
David faced Kurt , smiling and shaking his head. "Quick thinking."
Kurt moved the laptop to an unoccupied space of the bed and leaned in toward David, speaking just above a whisper. "Kiss me goodnight, David. I don't think we'll have that luxury once we get downstairs."
David closed the space between them, fulfilling Kurt's request.
Friday, May 25
It was late morning, just after eleven o'clock, and David had just sat down at his laptop to search listings for an apartment near his campus when his phone buzzed to life. He was surprised to see an incoming call from Finn.
"Hey, Finn," David spoke into the phone, "what's going on?"
The phone was silent at first. "Hey, Dave," Finn returned, sounding somber.
"Everything okay, Finn?" David spoke.
"Uh, nah, not okay, really," Finn answered. "Kurt and Rachel and I all opened our letters from the colleges we applied to just now, just a little while ago at the school. Kurt didn't get into that school."
David puzzled. "I thought it was, like, definite. I thought he was in."
"Yeah," Finn muttered. "So did Kurt. We all did. I called you because I didn't think Kurt would, at least not, like, right now."
"Well, where is he?" David asked, concerned.
"He's here at the house," Finn answered. "Up in his room. Burt and Carole as still here, but they're leaving him alone for a while."
"Do you think it'd help if I came?"
"That's why I called you, Dave. If anyone can turn Kurt's mood around, it's you."
"I'm on it," David's tone was purposeful.
"Good," Finn responded. "I'm going to be working in the garage for a few hours. That helps me when I'm kinda out-of-it. Helps me focus."
"Oh, hey," David interjected. "What about you and Rachel? What did your letters say?"
"Rachel got in. I didn't."
"Oh, man, I'm sorry, Finn," David said, empathetic.
"Really, it's how I thought it would happen, but nobody expected this thing with Kurt," Finn expanded. "Are you gonna be around to run tomorrow morning?"
"Uh, yeah," David answered. "I don't think my parents are gonna make it, but I'll be there."
"Cool, um," Finn answered, unsure, "I'd really like to talk after if you're cool with that."
"Absolutely, Finn," David spoke, accommodating. "You can bend my ear as much as you like, okay?"
David heard Finn let out a feeble laugh. "Okay, Dave. See you then."
"Later, Finn," David answered. "I'll be there in a few to see Kurt, just as soon as I can get there."
"Bye, Dave."
Kurt was sitting alone in his bedroom when he he heard a knock at the door.
"Come in," Kurt answered called out, half-hearted.
The door opened slowly and David stepped in tentatively. "Hey, Kurt. Finn called me and told me what was going on. Hope it's okay that I came here. Your parents just told me to come up and knock."
Kurt rose to his feet and fell into David's arms, closing his eyes. "Yes. I'm okay with it. Good to see you, actually."
David pulled back after a moment to assess Kurt's face, an expression of concern on his own. Davis spoke after a moment. "Are you sad, Kurt?"
Kurt closed his eyes and led David to sit on the edge of his bed. "I'm not so much sad," Kurt said, "not so much as disappointed in myself for not having a backup plan." The two pulled apart, and Kurt sat down on the edge of his bed; David sat beside him.
"So, what are you going to do?" David asked quietly, attentively, addressing Kurt's face, his hand resting on Kurt's back.
"I really don't know," Kurt answered directly. "I suppose I'll stay around here, maybe get some kind of job, re-apply next year but to more than one school next time."
"You... ," David began hesitantly, "could see if you could still get in somewhere."
"Nobody's going to be interested in new applicants at this late point in time," Kurt sounded, defeating.
"Well, didn't you say that the person from that school you were trying to get into liked your audition?" David asked. "Like, a lot? And didn't you say that was a pretty exclusive, prestigious school?"
"Yes," Kurt still sounded quiet, low-spirited, "twently applicants per year, and, yes, the dean of the school spoke very highly of my audition."
"Well, it's maybe a long-shot," David offered, "but, maybe see if they'll write a letter of recommendation to another performing-arts school; and maybe they'd make a late-acceptance for a applicant who came highly recommended by the dean of a prestigious school."
Kurt piqued, sitting straighter suddenly. "Do you think that might work?"
"Kurt, it's certainly worth a try," David countered. "First thing is to get a list of schools you might want to attend and contact them to see if there's any chance at all for a late applicant. Then get in contact with that dean and see if they'll write you a letter of recommendation."
"Yes," Kurt added, "she might even point me in the direction of another school, actually."
"You never know," David answered. "Even if it doesn't work out, you could take some community college courses just to get some of your mandatory stuff out of the way. I think half the people who go to community colleges go for that reason."
Kurt's mood was beginning to lighten as David continued. "You know the school I'm going to has excellent arts programs; and there are two excellent arts colleges in Pittsburgh. Nothing would be more amazing than you and me going to the same school; and, if that doesn't happen, just being in the same city would be awesome."
At this, Kurt actually smiled.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though," David spoke. "It's early enough in the day that you might be able to look up some schools and make a few phone calls just to see if there's any possibility of them considering a highly-recommended late applicant. Get an email out to the dean of that New York school to see if they'll recommend you. You've got some work to do; but I'm here, and I'll do whatever I can."
Kurt looked down at the floor, smiling, and shook his head before turning back up to face David.
"What?" David asked, puzzled by Kurt's expression.
Kurt shook his head and reached to enfold David in his arms. "You are so full of enthusiasm for me, David. You are wonderful."
David smiled and nodded as the two unfolded, speaking again. "Well, if you're down, I want to bring you back up if I can. And hopefully I'm good for a decent idea or two."
"Well, your idea, you're right that it's a long-shot; but you're also right that it makes sense," Kurt spoke, nodding.
"Grab your laptop, and we'll search for some contact information on some colleges which seem like a good fit for what you're looking for," David suggested. "Then we'll make some phone calls and email that dean, and then, as long as it's not too late, I want to take you out for ice cream."
At the last suggestion, Kurt rolled his eyes before facing downward and chuckling and finally facing a smirking David. "You have me laughing and happy at my most disappointing time so far this year, and then you had to mention ice cream. You are infuriating, David Karofsky."
David continued to smirk. "What can I say? I want to have ice cream with my boyfriend this afternoon. Maybe a butterscotch sundae in a waffle-cone. And maybe he'll get a hot fudge brownie sundae, and we can share."
Kurt shook his head in dizzy exasperation as he stood and walked to his desk to boot his laptop.
Saturday, May 26
David's truck and Finn's Cherokee practically followed each other into the park entrance. The sky was overcast, and the air was damp; but it was fully daylight and fairly warm at seven o'clock when the two boys met for their run.
Each climbed out of their vehicles and greeted the other stoically: David wasted little time before asking Finn about his plans. "So, is the Army a definite thing for you now?" David spoke as the two warmed themselves for their run.
"Yeah, I met with the recruiter yesterday," Finn answered directly and unemotionally. "Actually, I had met with him before. Yesterday I just finalized everything."
"Does everybody know?"
"Everybody but Rachel. I'm going to tell her tomorrow morning. I'm taking her to the train station, and we're all going to say goodbye to her. She's leaving for New York."
"So I guess you won't be here tomorrow morning?"
"Nah, but I'll be here probably every day after that until I leave. I gotta be in the best shape I can be in to minimize the ordeal of basic training." Finn paused before remarking, "No parents today?"
"No, my parents are helping one of my mom's friends with an estate sale this morning," David answered. "Your mom and stepdad?"
"They just decided to stay at home," Finn responded. "I'm sure they both feel bad about Kurt's news, and they're not too crazy about my future plans either." Finn paused for a moment, summoning a smile, looking toward David. "Kurt seemed like he was in a way better mood after seeing you yesterday, though."
David smirked and nodded at the comment, and the two began their morning run. After weeks of David running the park, rarely missing a day, he found himself keeping up with Finn's pace much more effectively, even though he had to push himself to accomplish that constant speed.
Typically sweaty and exhausted as the run finished, David and Finn propped themselves next to each other, leaning against Finn's car, catching their breath and cooling-down. A wind had kicked up, giving the air a chill; and dark clouds were rolling above in the already gray sky.
"Are we going for breakfast?" David asked.
"I think I'm gonna hafta pass today because I have a ton of stuff to take care of at home," Finn replied, "but if you could hang out for a few, I'd appreciate it."
"Sure," David replied, and the two stood in silence for a number of minutes it seemed. David felt that Finn just wanted someone to be near other than the people he saw every day, whether they had anything to say to each other or not. Regardless, David eventually broke the silence. "So, um, when do you leave for basic?"
"It'll be the last week of June," Finn replied, deadpan.
David chuckled feebly before speaking, "I believe in what you're doing, I respect your decision, and you gotta do what's right by you, but, damn, Finn, I'm gonna miss you, and that sucks."
Finn grimaced, a partial smile and turned his head toward David. "I'm gonna miss you too, Dave." Finn turned forward, staring ahead. "I'm gonna miss all my friends. Damn." Finn's face pained and his head turned sharply downward.
"You okay, Hudson?" David spoke, lifting himself from his leaning posture to standing and stepping more closely to Finn.
"I'm gonna miss Rachel so much, man," Finn stammered as he succumbed to tears.
David reached toward Finn, and Finn, almost instinctively, reached outward, pulling David into a rough hug. "I know," David said, "I'm sure that must be really difficult."
"It hurts me to leave her, to send her on her way without me, but it just wouldn't be fair to either of us, her especially, any other way," Finn nearly whimpered into David's shoulder.
"There's two people, two sets of feelings that need to be considered," David spoke quietly but strongly. "If something isn't right for one of them, it can't be right for the other either. You gotta do what's right by you. I don't know Rachel well, but I hope she understands."
Finn nodded, collecting himself. "Sorry about that, Dave."
"No, man, really, it's okay," David spoke, "Glad I could be here for you."
Finn nodded and spoke quietly, "Thanks."
The two stood in silence as they began to feel the chill of the wind in their sweaty clothes, but neither wanted to leave just yet. David spoke, almost sounding defeated. "I think about it, it's just, like, ridiculous. This person who's been right in front of me for, like, my entire life turns out to be this solid friend, and I only realize this a couple of months before he goes away."
Finn, a subtle smile coming to his face, addressed David, straight-on. "Aw, Dave, we're gonna keep in touch. I'm sure I'll be around sometimes. We haven't seen the last of each other." The smile left Finn's face and his expression fell serious. His eyes narrowed and he spoke, almost a whisper, too distinct to be a mumble, quickly as if he needed to get the words out. "You're gonna be my brother-in-law someday."
David's eyes widened; his expression puzzled. He shook his head, speaking only after what seemed like an eternity of stunned silence. "Aw, Finn, that's a long way off. Years, if it actually happens at all."
Finn shook his head, serious expression still fixed on his face. "I can feel it, man. You're right, I could be wrong, but I don't think I am. And I'm gonna be there when it happens, and I'm gonna be so proud and happy for the both of you."
David cast his gaze downward. "That's heavy. I'm so blown away by what you just said, Finn, that I can't even have a proper reaction."
"Well, Finn said, "I should get going anyway."
David nodded, and the two hugged each other briefly. "Thanks for hanging with me," Finn said as they unlocked.
"Yeah, you too," David spoke as he moved toward his truck. "See you here, uh, Monday morning, I guess."
Sunday, May 27
David began the day as he did most Sundays: riding to Faurot Park with his parents and running the park grounds while his parents walked them briskly. The difference this day was that none of his friends were available to run the park with him, and, likewise, his parents enjoyed no company from Burt and Carole either. It bothered none of them much: David would have preferred to have a friend near his age as a running companion, most of all Kurt; but he still enjoyed early-morning run and the time spent with his parents afterward eating breakfast at the Dining Car Cafe.
Later in the day, Kurt called David to coordinate plans for the afternoon. David had been invited to Sean's graduation party, and Kurt and David attended as a couple. It was the season for graduation parties, and both Kurt and David had multiple friends' parties they planned to attend, sometimes more than one in one day; and they planned to attend them all as a couple. The two enjoyed themselves immensely at Sean's Sunday afternoon party where they reconnected with several of David's Thurston friends, some of whom they'd not seen in weeks; and the pair's new status as a couple was greeted with congratulations as well. The party, though. did not extend late into the evening, and David left Kurt at the Hummel house just before seven-thirty and was home himself before eight o'clock.
Despite having seen each other in some manner every day for the past week, Both David and Kurt would have liked to see each other for greater periods of time. They would, however, be getting together at the park Monday morning with Finn, then having breakfast together and eventually working together toward David's idea of placing Kurt into a college for the fall semester: the next few days, or perhaps weeks, promised to be busy for them, if only for that particular goal; and they both looked forward to their time together, regardless of how it would be used.
David was reclining on his bed Sunday evening, mind in warm reverie which lingered nearly an hour after having kissed Kurt goodbye for the day. The sunset's rays were lighting the room in golden hues and, although David's mind was awash in happy thoughts of Kurt, he would have loved nothing more than to have Kurt beside him: indeed, the thought of Kurt kept David sublimely content even when they were apart.
The ringer of David's phone brought David out of his waking dream-state. He reached for his phone and considered the name before answering. The identity of the caller struck him as odd: Blaine Anderson.
"Hello?" David answered curiously into the phone.
"Uh, hello, Dave?" The caller answered. "It's Blaine."
"Yeah, Blaine, it's me, Dave."
"I was, uh," the voice over the phone seemed hesitant, "hoping we could talk for a while."
"Um, yeah, sure," David answered, taken aback and not completely comfortable. "What do you want to talk about?"
"You know what happened between Kurt and me this week, right?" Blaine asked.
"I know something about it," David answered. "I don't think I know much, mostly what Kurt told me, and Finn told me a little also. I really don't have an objective view or, like, your side of the story." David paused for a moment before continuing. "Um, you know, I might not be the best person for you to talk with on this. You know I can't just keep this conversation between you and me, right? You know I'm gonna hafta tell Kurt that we had this conversation, and if Kurt wants to know what we talked about, I'm going to tell him."
"Yeah, I guess that's, that's," Blaine stammered slightly, "that's fair, I guess."
"Let me get a few things out in the open before you start," David offered, direct but polite. "Y'know, I was really kinda bummed out when you and Kurt broke up. I really liked the two of you together. I considered Kurt my friend, and I wanted to be friends with the two of you as a couple. This thing with Kurt and me being together, Blaine, I mean, I made sure there was no chance of the two of you being together or it wouldn't be happening."
Blaine breathed loudly, it sounded like disappointment in himself. "I feel like I acted like an idiot."
"Maybe this is a conversation you should be having with Kurt," David said. "I don't know what you are hoping to achieve by talking to me. I mean, I'll listen to you, sure, but I don't know what I'll be able to say to help you."
Blaine continued, seeming almost ignorant of David's words. "When I look back on it, I did so many wrong things where Kurt was concerned. I gave him bad advice, told him to do things I would have never done myself. I lied to him a few times about what I went through."
"What do you mean, Blaine?" David sounded quiet, almost suspicious.
"When we first met, I tried to come off like I was some kinda teacher or authority figure. I told him that I was going to Dalton Academy because I was bullied and Dalton had a strict zero-tolerance for such behavior. That wasn't exactly true. My parents wouldn't have me going anywhere but an all-boys prep-school. That I was gay and Dalton had a zero-tolerance policy was coincidental. I told Kurt to confront his bullies. That's something I never had to do. It was easy for me to give that advice. I never had to live it."
"Um, Blaine," David began, "to give you some credit, you did confront me about bullying Kurt."
"Yeah, and that was the wrong thing to do in public, and I cowered. I was all courageous when it was just talk. Then I was actually physically threatened, and I froze."
"There was that other time you came at me," David reminded. "You didn't turn away then."
"By that point, I felt like I had to at least put on a show, I guess. Kurt and I were boyfriends. I felt some duty, even if it was something I had to force myself to do."
"But you were sort-of a mentor to Kurt," David pointed out. "You were involved with PFLAG."
"PFLAG was my mom's idea," Blaine confessed. "I told Kurt that my parents were disappointed in my being gay. That wasn't exactly the truth either. I couldn't do Boy Scouts or other regular youth activities so mom had to find some other extracurricular group to get me involved with. It was actually useful stuff. It taught me a good set of guidelines, but that didn't exactly make me any more honest about other things."
"Okay, but, if your parents wanted you in prep-school, how is it that you got them to let you to transfer to McKinley?" David asked.
"Well, Kurt wanted that, but I was thinking that I'd be ruling the glee club if I transferred. McKinley had beaten Dalton before, and I thought, well, that would look better when I was looking for a college or going professional, being in a glee club that was likely to be National Champion one day. Plus, I knew I was better than Finn and I'm way better than Kurt. I was sure that Mr. Schuester was going to want to feature me in everything."
David shook his head, silent for a moment before speaking. "It was a ploy to beef-up your professional resume?"
"Yeah." Blaine's answer was quiet but direct.
"And where was Kurt in all of this?" David asked.
"Kurt was the guy I could count on to fight for me," Blaine admitted. "If there was some question and it came between, say, me and Finn to get to perform some solo, I knew Kurt would do all my fighting for me, and I could just sit back and not look like I was being greedy or something."
"And what were you doing for him in return?" David asked, more dumbfounded by the minute.
"I was trying to be the perfect boyfriend, but I guess wearing all the right clothes and reading all the right magazines and following all the trends will only get you so far." Blaine sounded almost unaffected in his response.
"It really sounds like you're pretty indifferent to this whole thing, the way you're able to talk about it like you are," David reasoned. "Tell me, what was the point of all of this? Do you miss Kurt or something?"
"I miss having someone like Kurt around. To build me up. To make me think I can do no wrong."
David's voice lowered, almost a growl. "Tell me, when you two were together, what would happen if you two got into a disagreement or a fight about something? Did that ever happen?"
Blaine was silent for some time. "I'd usually wait until he came back to me all apologetic."
"And that worked for you for a while. And you thought it still would."
Blaine's voice became louder, somewhat anxious. "Yeah, but, like, not only didn't that work this time, but I look like an idiot in front of the whole school."
"You know, I offered to talk to you earlier this week, and Kurt didn't want me to do that. He said that you said some things he didn't want me to hear."
"I said some pretty unfair things about you, mostly to hurt Kurt."
"Why would you want to hurt Kurt?"
"I'm not sure," Blaine said after a silence. "I guess because him losing interest in me bothered me."
"And it bothers you more that you might look like an idiot in front of the school than it would if you could somehow save face at Kurt's expense, at the expense of hurting him," David reasoned.
"Yeah, I guess." Blaine sounded soft, defeated.
"Blaine, this is really messed-up," David uttered, remaining silent for a moment before continuing. "You didn't really know me, but think about how I was a year-and-a-half ago. I was this mess of rage and self-hatred. So much of me was superficial and trying to hide who I was; I was at the mercy of what everyone thought about me and terrified of myself. It took me to get out of McKinley and into Thurston where, despite all of my biggest efforts and the chance of starting over, I still couldn't shake the fear of people really knowing me for who I was. It took me to get out of the school system completely, to view it from the outside, to realize that all of those pressures for us to be what we're expected to be are total bullshit. And I hate to sound like I'm coming off as the guy who's lived through more than you because I don't really believe that's true, but I look back on the person I was a year ago versus the person I am now, and I'm astounded at how far I've come. Blaine, a year can make a huge difference; and you are younger than Kurt and me."
Blaine was silent, so David spoke again. "Do you miss Kurt's friendship, Blaine?"
Blaine audibly gulped. "I honestly don't know how I feel."
David exhaled. "Blaine, I saw the video of the New Directions at the National competition. Remember what it felt like to be singing and making music with Kurt? Remember how it felt when you won that competition? Remember the ceremony where Schuester got that teaching award and you hanging out with Kurt and me afterward? Remember that crazy commencement ceremony of mine? These are experiences you had with Kurt, and they're only ones that I can recall first-hand. You must have hundreds of others. You can't tell me that they weren't great times, and I don't think you can tell me that Kurt didn't figure into these experiences in a big way for you. You can't tell me that you don't have amazing memories of being friends with Kurt."
"You're right," Blaine conceded.
"Well, then, I think you should be having this discussion with Kurt, not me," David's voice was slightly pleading.
"I can't."
Blaine's two-word answer caused a wave of nausea to overcome David momentarily: the year-old memory still stinging. "Blaine, a year ago, I said those same two words to Kurt. 'I can't.' For months I wished I hadn't. I feel that I could regret that to this day; but I can also look at how far I've come in that year, and I can't regret anything. Blaine, if you value what you had with Kurt, it's within you to work that out. If you can't bring yourself to have an honest one-on-one talk with him now, maybe in a couple of months, after everything has cooled-down, you'll be able to do that. Maybe you could just call him up and ask how he's been and let the conversation happen as it happens, pick up the pieces that way. I don't think Kurt will hold a grudge, and I don't think he'd demand an apology or an explanation. He's not like that. Just be genuine enough to approach him honestly as the person you are and not the person you've tried to build yourself up to be. You'll be alright."
"So, you're saying I have a year to get this right?" Blaine asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"You have the rest of your life, but the sooner the better," David almost snickered. "I gotta ask, why call me with this? I mean, we really barely know each other."
"I don't know. I guess because you're close to Kurt, and, unlike, say Finn or Mercedes or Rachel, you didn't see my childish outburst first-hand." Blaine paused before adding, "And you're smart."
"I'm smart with math and physics problems," David admitted, an air of humor. "I'm not so smart when it comes to people, but I'm working on that, hopefully getting better. The next time I hear from you, I'd like you, me, and Kurt to be hanging out together as friends. Is it going to bother you to hang out with me and Kurt if we're a couple?"
"It might," Blaine mumbled.
"Then work on it, I guess," David spoke, sounding tired. "That's all I can expect." David paused before asking, "Hey, are you going to try to talk to Kurt sometime soon?"
"I don't think I'm ready just yet," Blaine admitted. "I might wait a couple of months like you said and see how I feel about it."
"Okay," David sounded somewhat disappointed.
"Hey Dave," Blaine's voice perked, "Thanks for talking to me."
David hesitated for a moment before responding. "No problem. It was weird, but nothing I couldn't handle. You can call again if you want to, but I don't know if I'm really much help."
"No, it did help me to talk about it," Blaine said. "Thanks. Goodbye, Dave."
"Bye, Blaine."
David ended the call and immediate pulled Kurt's number from his contacts.
"Hello, David," Kurt's greeting was melodic and warm.
"Hi, Kurt," David began with some reluctance. "I just had a really unexpected phone conversation with Blaine."
"Blaine?" Kurt's voice dropped. "What did he want?"
"To talk about what happened with you and him this week," David answered.
"Why did he call you?"
"Honestly, I asked him that more than once. I gather because I'm close to you and he didn't feel right talking to any of his other friends who witnessed him making an ass out of himself." David paused. "I think he regrets the way everything happened. I can tell he misses your friendship, but he also said that he's not ready to approach the whole thing just yet." David fell silent for a moment. "How do you feel about it?" He finally asked.
Kurt thought before answering. "I wouldn't be expecting a big apology or anything. I'd really just want him to give me the same consideration that he feels he himself is due. Nothing more."
David exhaled, almost a sigh of relief. "That's pretty-much what I told him."
Kurt made a quick breathing noise which David interpreted as a smile before speaking. "I had a really good time with you today, David. Your friends from Thurston are great."
"Yeah, I loved seeing all of them too," David replied. "We'll have to get together with them regularly over the summer."
"How are you enjoying being attached?" Kurt asked, as flirty lilt in his voice.
David smiled at the question. "I'm loving it."
There was a passage of silence before Kurt spoke, a barely-voiced whisper over the phone, "I love you, David."
"I love you too, Kurt. So much."
The two hung in silence on the phone for a few moments before David began again, "We need to continue our dance lessons one of these days, Kurt."
"Mmm," Kurt hummed into a giggle. "Thanks for reminding me. And I'm looking forward to that, definitely."
"So, I'll see you tomorrow morning at the park?" David asked, sounding optimistic.
"I'll be there, David," Kurt assured, "Seeing you first thing in the morning is the next-best thing to waking up next to you."
David let out a near-laugh as he smiled uncontrollably at Kurt's statement. "I have to agree with that."
Another pleasant silence passed before Kurt said, "I think I'm feeling sleep coming on, David."
"Yeah," David spoke, almost wistfully. "I'll probably be up for a while. It's not that late, but we are getting up pretty early tomorrow."
"Goodnight, David."
"Goodnight, Kurt."