Chapter 51 – Broken - Part III
For all of you who ship Genius and Chandler – this is for you!
Chandler's POV
It was weird, leaving Blaine behind and driving back alone. Chandler knew he was the one who had ended things, but still, he had gotten used to hanging out with Blaine. Maybe he shouldn't be too eager to offer his services, to beg them to let him drive them around, but Chandler was scared to be losing his friends. Kurt and Blaine were the only true friends he had ever made – and he regretted diving into a relationship with Blaine when he had shipped the both of them from the start. Well, right after Kurt had rejected him in favor of his boyfriend back in high school days. He had never liked Kurt with Andrew – and when Blaine had come back into the picture, Chandler had rooted for him to get back together with Kurt.
But what was going on between Kurt and Genius? There were those pictures on the internet of them kissing in a restaurant and again kissing on the dance floor of Babylon. Chandler figured that it didn't mean that Kurt and Genius were a couple or had feelings other than friendship for one another. Sometimes people just hook up, no strings attached.
Chandler's phone rang with a text message. He drove on until the next red light and then picked up his phone, excited to find that Genius had texted him.
Hi Chan, what's going on with Kurt? Did you hear anything? He's not answering his phone and there's shocking news online. – G
Before the light changed, Chandler quickly typed back: I drove him home from the hospital. On my way home now. I'll write more later. – C
A response came instantly: Please drop by to talk in person or else I'll get carpal tunnel syndrome from typing. – G
"Oh, okay," Chandler said to himself, suddenly getting giddy. He had been at Genius' place before, with Blaine and Kurt. It did make sense to talk personally, instead of exchanging text messages and there was a lot to tell. They probably could just talk on the phone, but it was way nicer to talk in person.
He found a parking space one block away and hurried to get to Genius' apartment building. In the elevator, Chandler searched his manpurse for a mint, went into minor panic mode when he realized he didn't have any mints anymore, but then found a bubble gum package with only one gum left. "Thank God," he murmured and popped it into his mouth. Then he checked his hair in the mirror and licked his finger to smooth down his eyebrows. "It's not a date," he reminded himself. "He's not even interested in you, he's just flirting with everyone. It's more provocation than flirtation, really. And I'm just here to talk about Kurt. So, why am I nervous? There's no reason to be nervous. Don't be nervous!" He glared at his reflection, then quickly composed his features when the elevator door opened. He went down the hallway and knocked on Genius's door.
The door swung open as if Genius had been standing next to it. Startled, Chandler jumped a little.
"Hey, are you the Flash or do you have other superpowers I should know of?" Genius motioned for him to come in.
Chandler laughed. "My car's the batmobile," he said, grinning. "But I'm afraid I'm only Robin. I'm still learning how to be a superhero."
"Even so, you make a cute sidekick," Genius said with a wink.
Chandler beamed. He had just stepped through the door and already they were flirting.
"Thanks for stopping by," Genius said and closed the door. "Can I get you anything? Tea? Water?"
"Tea would be nice, thanks," Chandler said and shrugged out of his coat. He liked Genius' place a lot. It was very small, but comfortable. Just like last time, the score of Rent was playing on the stereo. It was somehow soothing, because Chandler was familiar with the musical. He went to check out Genius's CD collection. It was adorable that someone still bought real CDs. There weren't many, though. Just the really gay ones.
"Please, sit," Genius said and brought two mugs of steaming tea. "Tell me everything you know. Adam was very tight-lipped when he got back to the workshop. He didn't want to gossip. I told him it's not gossip if you care about that person and need to know if he's all right."
"Well, I was just in the car with Blaine when Adam called Blaine and told him that he had brought Kurt to the hospital," Chandler said, when Genius interrupted him.
"You're still hanging out with Blaine?" Genius asked. "Aren't you broken up?"
Chandler narrowed his eyes. "Yes, we are broken up, but how do you know?" He had texted with Cookie about his break-up, but not with Genius. Was this the moment Genius would reveal his online identity? Chandler held his breath expectantly.
"Kurt mentioned it," Genius said rather unconvincingly. Chandler pursed his lips. He had only told Kurt this afternoon and as far as he had observed, Kurt hadn't talked to Genius in the workshop while Chandler was around. For now, he wouldn't investigate further.
"We didn't work out, but we're still friends," Chandler explained with a shrug, acting all casual about it as if he had a handful of exes he still hung out with. No biggie. "Anyway, we waited in the hospital until we could see Kurt and I read all the speculations about his condition online – so horrible!"
"I read those, too," Genius said. "It's ridiculous what people come up with. But the pictures with Adam carrying Kurt—I mean, they're the perfect set up for dramatic speculation. So, are you going to tell me what's wrong with him or do I have to hazard a guess like everyone else on the internet?"
"Right, sorry," Chandler sat up straight to continue his story. "So, we're finally allowed to see Kurt and he's in a hospital bed, just waking up and his right hand is in this huge brace and he starts arguing with the nurse to take off the brace. See, he broke his middle finger falling down the stairs," Chandler shuddered at the mere thought. "At least, the nurse took off the brace and put some bandages just around his last three fingers, so that he can use his thumb and forefinger."
"He fell down the stairs?" Genius asked, puzzled. "Did he say how it happened exactly?"
Chandler recited the way Kurt had described his fall.
"All of this seems odd, don't you think?" Genius took a sip of his tea, but it was still too hot to drink. "It's not like Kurt to make a wrong step."
"Maybe he was feeling unwell, because of all the pressure," Chandler took a guess. "Rachel suggested that he purposely hurt himself to get out of the show, but I don't believe that. Kurt is determined to keep on competing even if he can only work with one hand."
"No, Kurt wouldn't hurt himself," Genius agreed. "Not anymore, anyway. But I also don't believe that he was dizzy and missed a step. To me it sounds like someone attacked him and he doesn't want to tell."
Chandler still chewed his gum absent-mindedly as he considered this new theory. "But who should have—oh!" Chandler's eyes grew big with worry and he grabbed Genius' arm. "You don't think it was Andrew, do you?"
"He would threaten Kurt to keep quiet," Genius speculated. "But more so, he would threaten to go after Kurt's friends."
"If this is true—Horror!" Chandler shook his head. "And Andrew's just evil enough to do such a thing. What do we do?"
"Well, we could go and ask Kurt about it," Genius said. "But I suppose he's suffered enough without the two of us asking for details. So I'll confront Andrew," Genius said, determined. "I'm not afraid of him."
"But I am," Chandler admitted and scrunched up his face. "And I don't want you to get anywhere near him. The last time he got you alone, he almost strangled you!"
Genius scooted closer to him, closer than necessary and Chandler's heartbeat increased.
"Are you worried about me?" Genius asked and his ice-blue eyes bore into Chandler's.
Chandler had to cast his gaze away, because he felt his heart beat faster. "Well, yeah, I don't want any of my friends to get hurt."
"Are we friends?"
"Yes! Of course! Absolutely!" Chandler confirmed.
"Can I just say, your gum smells amazing," Genius asked out of the blue and leaned closer to inhale Chandler's breath. "What flavor is it?"
"Sweet cherry," Chandler answered and blushed deep crimson.
"Does it taste as good as it smells?" Genius asked.
"Even better," Chandler answered cheerfully. "I'd offer you one but I'm afraid this was my last one, sorry."
"That's okay," Genius said in a murmur. "I can just—" he leaned forward and gently kissed Chandler's lips. It was a light kiss, no more than a brush of lips, and yet Chandler froze in a state of happy shock while his heart beat out of his chest.
"I'm sorry," Genius sat back again. "Where were we? Ah, right, talking about how much we're hating Andrew."
"Uhm, yeah," Chandler blinked and shook his head to get back to the topic on hand. "Well, we know that Andrew's obsessed with Kurt and your theory makes sense, you know, that he would threaten to hurt his friends and it's just like Kurt to want to protect everybody and—"
"It really does taste good," Genius interrupted. "Your gum."
"Uhm, yeah, it does," Chandler agreed. "Do you—Do you want to taste again?"
"I'd love to," Genius said and scooted even closer. Their knees were touching. Genius put his hand in the back of Chandler's neck and kissed him again, this time he pressed his mouth hard against Chandler's. Chandler responded by grabbing his shoulders, keeping him in place and moaning his consent against his mouth. Genius flicked his tongue out to lick over Chandler's lips. For a minute or two, they were clutching each other in tight embraces and making out.
"It's my favorite flavor," Chandler mumbled when they separated again, both dizzy and panting.
"I think I could get a craving for it, too," Genius replied. He sat back again and got back to the subject as if they hadn't just kissed. "Anyway, if Andrew is threatening to go after Kurt's friends, we should make it hard for him. Like, stay together all of the time, you know, that way he will never get one of us alone."
"Sounds like a plan," Chandler agreed.
"We should start tonight," Genius said matter-of-factly. "Meaning, you should stay the night. I understand you don't have a roomie at your dorm, and I'm living by myself, too. It's too risky—"
"Oh, yeah, I see," Chandler replied, all serious, too. "It would be safer, if we stayed together. That is, if you don't mind me crashing on your couch—"
"I'm afraid the couch is too hard to sleep on," Genius said, picking invisible lint off of Chandler's shirt. "But I don't mind sharing my bed with you."
"Oh," Chandler said, suddenly getting panicky. "Oh, dear. This is—this is—I don't know what this is."
"It's just a sleep-over," Genius replied. "Don't you like sleep-overs?"
"I've never done sleep-overs before," Chandler admitted. "Not even as a kid. Okay, yes, Blaine spent a night in my room, but that wasn't some sort of adult sleep-over and I'm not prepared to—to—, well I don't even know what I should be prepared for and—"
Genius kissed him again, gentle but determined. And Chandler melted. He kissed him back and forgot all of his concerns. This was so exhilarating and so not what he had expected.
"It's just for the purpose of protection," Genius mumbled against Chandler's lips. "You've saved me from Andrew before. You're a sweet little hero in the making—"
"That wasn't heroic," Chandler protested. "I was as scared as a bunny in front of a snake. And I'm not sweet—"
"Yes, you are," Genius smiled. "Sweet cherry sweetness."
"You think so?" Chandler's heart skipped a beat.
"Now that you're asking, I think I need another taste," Genius replied and his warm hand resumed its place on Chandler's neck. Chandler didn't want to think about why they were kissing, he just wanted to keep on kissing. So he wrapped his arms around Genius' neck and pulled him closer. The young man's mouth was so delicious and kissable and it was right there at his disposal.
"So, here's the plan," Genius said and rested his forehead against Chandler's. "One of us is always going to stay around Kurt, make sure Andrew can't contact him," Genius went on, while absent-mindedly caressing Chandler's jaw and neck. "But we're not going to bother Kurt about the whole thing, because if we do he might shut us out completely."
"Okay," Chandler said and put a little kiss on Genius's cheek and another on the corner of his mouth. Chandler was in a daze. They were casually talking and kissing and talking as if it was perfectly normal to sneak a few smooches into a conversation. Although his heart was pounding wildly, he felt relaxed in Genius' company and at the same time excited and needy, but also worried about Kurt and yet comforted, because he could talk to Genius about this, because Genius cared about Kurt, too.
"But we have to get reinforcements. You talk to Blaine, see what he can find out, because—" Genius kissed Chandler's lips. "Because clearly Blaine's pretty close to Kurt, having been lovers and all."
"Uh-uh," Chandler agreed. "Lovers," he repeated with a low growl in his voice, not sure where that came from, but not ashamed of it, either. He felt like he needn't be ashamed of anything in Genius' presence.
"And maybe I can talk to Burt," Genius pondered.
"Kurt's dad?" Chandler leaned back far enough to look Genius in the eyes.
"I'm like a son to him," Genius explained with a shrug and a grin. "He totally values my judgement. He needs to know that there might be something going on with Andrew again."
"Okay," Chandler said, only slightly wondering how it came to be that his fingers were twisting in the scarf Genius was wearing and unbuttoning all those unnecessary buttons on his shirt. How come that he was so bold all of a sudden? This was unreal, but felt so right.
"I hope we're wrong, though," Chandler said, worrying his bottom lip. "It's so scary to think that Andrew attacked him and still has so much power over him that Kurt wouldn't tell anyone."
"Sometimes it's the humiliation that makes the victims remain quiet," Genius said. "Sometimes it's the threat of something worse. I know Andrew. He tried to play his mind games with me, too."
"Would it be wise for us to contact Andrew?" Chandler asked. "Well, you, I mean, not me. I don't want to contact him, and I don't want you to contact him, either. He creeps me out and I don't want any of my friends anywhere near him," Chandler rambled. "And what if we're wrong and he's got nothing to do with Kurt's injury?"
"Well, I'll find out," Genius said. "If Andrew's got nothing to hide, then we'll simply exchange a few insults and I'm out of there. But if he's playing games with Kurt-"
"-and you're able to figure out what he's up to, then we could help Kurt, right?"
"Yes, and the sooner we're able to help Kurt—" Genius said, his hand trailing down Chandler's chest, ostensibly admiring the fabric of Chandler's shirt.
"The sooner we can resume kissing?" Chandler suggested. He liked the way his proposition caused Genius's lips to widen in a grin.
"You're not so innocent after all," Genius said.
"Oh, no, I totally am!" Chandler assured him. "I'm absolutely innocent and inexperienced! In real life, that is, not in my head. I have fantasies, you know. Dirty ones. But I have no life action experience whatsoever."
"Care to change that?"
"Yes, but not too fast, please," Chandler replied timidly, as he turned anxious and panicky again.
"Is this too fast?" Genius placed a kiss on the side of his neck, just beneath his jaw.
"No, that's a nice pace," Chandler said with his eyes closed, as he enjoyed the tickle.
"And this?" Genius' hand sneaked into Chandler's collar and caressed his neck some more, opening his shirt to gain more access. His lips brushed Chandler's clavicle and Chandler's breathing hitched.
"As long as I can keep up with you," Chandler murmured, not wanting to stop Genius' hands from exploring. "Did you—I mean, I'm sure you have lots of—experience."
"I only had a few fleeting encounters in France, nothing even worth mentioning." Genius sat back up and took Chandler's face in both of his hands. "And definitely no one worth remembering."
"Right, the time you spent in Paris," Chandler said, and was reminded of his online pal. "I meant to ask you—" But he couldn't voice the question. What if he was wrong about the whole thing? Genius would think that he was just chasing a fantasy and that he could never compare.
"What did you want to ask me?" Genius asked, a bit fearful or wary. He let go of Chandler and turned to his mug of tea. Chandler missed those hands on him and their sudden absence made him self-conscious. He took the gum out – it had lost its flavor by now – and put it on a napkin. "Just—What's your favorite memory of living in Paris?"
"Being by myself," Genius replied, as if he had given the matter some thought before. "I had left my family and I had applied for the chance of an internship abroad all by myself. It made me independent and very proud of myself. I loved the new me, but I also felt very lonely. Even in the infamous city of love there was no romance to find and it made me wonder if anyone would ever love me. The only romantic memory I have of being in Paris was when I met someone online and I was able to send him a picture of the Eiffel tower and he told me he wished he could be there with me."
"Oh, my God, that's so sweet, but also sad," Chandler melted. "Sad-sweet."
They just looked at one another for a long moment and Chandler had to look away because of the intensity of it. To distract himself, he took the mug of tea into both hands.
"Chandler," Genius said in a low voice. "I would really like you to stay the night, but you have to promise me something."
Chandler looked up, worrying because of the serious tone. "What do you want me to promise?"
"The thing is," Genius said slowly, "I'll have to take off my make-up for the night. Promise not to laugh, will you?"
"Emmett!" Chandler said, putting the mug back down and taking Genius's hands into his own. "You can't be serious! You're the most self-confident and kick-ass person I know! How can you be self-conscious about the way you look? You look stunning, makeup or no makeup, I'm sure, and I love y—who you are and what you do. You're all tough when it counts, but you're also kind and compassionate and you help out your friends wherever you can. Do you really think I'm someone who would laugh at the expense of someone else? Because if you think that about me—"
Genius silenced him with a kiss – and Chandler found that it was much better to kiss without gum in the way.
Kurt's POV
The coughing started in the middle of the night. Kurt had dosed off to a fitful sleep, but awoke with a start, listening into the room. Blaine tried to be quiet, but you simply can't suppress a cough.
Kurt got up, he hadn't slept well anyway, and put on pajamas bottoms before he went over to Blaine's bed. He didn't bother with a top, afraid he would get stuck with his bad hand in the arm.
"Blaine, do you need something? A glass of water maybe?" He sat on the mattress and touched Blaine's forehead. He was burning up. Another coughing fit hit him. "Sit up," Kurt ordered and rubbed his back with his left hand. "Take a deep breath, relax."
"I'm sorry," Blaine wheezed between coughs. "Didn't mean to wake you."
"Ssh," Kurt rubbed more circles into his back. "It's okay. Don't talk. Tomorrow we'll get you some medicine and you'll be all right in no time."
Blaine lay back down. He was totally exhausted. "I don't want to be a bother—"
"Stop talking nonsense," Kurt said with a smile. "I'll get you some water."
Kurt went into the kitchen and searched Rachel's medicine drawer for something to help Blaine. He kept forgetting that he couldn't use his right hand and bit down on his lip whenever a sharp bolt of pain reminded him. He returned with two bottles of water from the fridge and noticed that the cat was lying at the foot end of Blaine's bed. "Is Oscar Oreo bothering you?"
Blaine wanted to answer, but instead covered his mouth with his arm to muffle the sound of more coughing.
"Here, I brought you cough syrup, sit up," Kurt sat down next to Blaine again. "Rachel owns every medicine known to mankind that helps with voice troubles."
"I should be the one taking care of you," Blaine protested, as he watched Kurt struggle to pour cough syrup into the small cup with one hand. Blaine wanted to help, but his whole body shook with more coughing. At least he managed to swallow the medicine without spilling it.
"Why don't we just take care of one another?" Kurt asked, gently. "I bring bottles of water and you help me opening them. Team work."
Blaine opened the two bottles and they each had a sip of their water.
"I can't be sick," Blaine said, like saying it made it go away. "If I miss one more day of dance class, I'm out."
"Don't worry about it," Kurt soothed him. "All you need is a good night's sleep and some medicine."
Kurt made an unfortunate move with his hand and his face contorted. The down side to having more leeway thanks to less bandages was the occasional pain inflicted by a wrong move. Kurt drew some deep breaths, but a few tears were rolling down his face.
"I brought pain killers from the hospital pharmacy, if you need some," Blaine pointed to a bottle of pills.
"It's okay," Kurt repeated bravely, leaning back against the headboard of Blaine's bed. "I'm already drowsy enough as it is." He noticed the way Blaine couldn't tear his eyes away from Kurt's bandaged hand.
Kurt tried to clear his head, but everything after Andrew's attack was just a blur. Kurt didn't remember getting into the emergency room or talking to the nurses and doctors. But he remembered waking up to see the reassuring smiles of his best friend and his ex-boyfriend hovering over him.
"Adam brought me to the hospital, didn't he? My memory is a bit dazed concerning everything that happened—well, after."
"Adam said that you had fainted on the way to the elevator and he brought you to the hospital. Carried you, more like," Blaine answered and after a moment of hesitation he added, "And you were right. He's really nice. He's a good guy."
Kurt watched Blaine's face. It took him a lot to admit it. His words were more than a simple statement of acknowledgment to Adam's nicety. It was Blaine's way of saying that if Kurt fell in love with Adam, this time he had picked the right guy. The one who could make him happy.
"Yes, he is," Kurt confirmed. "And I'm glad he was there to help me. I might have passed out on the street."
"I'm glad he was there with you, too," Blaine said.
"You know, there's nothing between Adam and me. That kiss in Callbacks was utterly stupid. We talked about it and parted as friends."
Blaine got hit by another coughing fit and it took a moment for him to calm down. Tears of pain were running down his cheeks, too.
"We make a pair," Kurt joked. "Sick and injured."
"At least you make a fine sight for sore eyes," Blaine said, his gaze resting on Kurt's bare chest.
"You could be a friend and help me put on a shirt," Kurt pointed out.
"Okay," Blaine replied. "But only if you sleep here with me."
"Do you want me to get sick, too?" Kurt asked, amused by the bold request. Being sick seemed to make Blaine courageous – or whiny and demanding.
"I'm sure Rachel has a mask you can borrow. Besides, I need you to rub my back when I'm coughing," Blaine explained, like this wasn't an odd favor at all.
"As a matter of fact, Rachel does own a box of surgical face masks," Kurt chuckled. "But I only have one hand to rub you with."
"One hand is sufficient," Blaine replied.
"Just to be clear, I'll only rub your back, nothing else," Kurt joked and made Blaine laugh and cough at the same time.
Kurt smiled weakly. His body was still numb from the shock and Kurt had willed his mind and heart to follow suit. Let them freeze. Let them lose feeling. But then here was Blaine – he had him melting.
Kurt borrowed a Dalton T-shirt from Blaine's and Blaine helped him pull it over his head and his injured hand. Then Kurt got himself a mask from Rachel's medical supply and his pillow and settled in next to Blaine, who instantly snuggled against him, using him as a pillow.
"Woah, you become really clingy when you're sick," Kurt murmured and wrapped his good arm around Blaine's back.
"Could you caress my neck, please," Blaine murmured sleepily.
"Anything else?" But he obeyed the request and wound his fingers into the short curls at the back of Blaine's neck.
"I'm just really glad that—," Blaine stopped, not sure how to phrase his thoughts. "I suppose what happened to you could have been much worse than a broken finger," he went on, tightening his grip on Kurt's middle. "It wasn't, right? Nothing else happened, did it?"
Kurt hesitated, pondering how much to tell. "That's all there was," he finally said. "That's all there will be. A broken finger for a broken nose. We're even." There. He had admitted to Andrew's involvement. He braced himself for a hate rant from Blaine, but instead he felt the way Blaine's breathing hitched as he began to weep, his tears wetting the shirt above Kurt's heart.
"I need you to be safe, Kurt. I can't lose you." He rubbed Blaine's arm soothingly, trying to comfort himself as much as his friend.
"You'll never lose me," Kurt promised. "We're all going to be safe. I'll make sure of that."
"How?" Blaine asked sleepily.
Andrew had promised him that this had been the last time and that he wouldn't go and harass his friends as long as he kept quiet, but Kurt knew that he couldn't trust in Andrew's words.
"I'll have to report him to the police," Kurt said matter-of-factly. Although he cringed at the thought of having to tell what had happened to anyone, he knew that he couldn't keep quiet about it. "I'll have to make sure he won't hurt anyone else."
Kurt closed his eyes and focused on the sound of Blaine's breathing and coughing, the weight of Blaine's head on his chest and the wonderful warmth of his body so close.
Chandler's POV
He was sitting on the couch, wearing green silk pajamas borrowed from Genius, and tucked his bare feet underneath a warm quilt. He had used the bathroom first, brushing his teeth with a spare toothbrush and using his friend's moisturizer. While he waited for Genius to finish his bedtime bathroom ritual, Chandler kept smoothing his fingers over his lips, as if wanting to preserve all the kisses they had exchanged so far. He still couldn't believe that they had taken this step. He felt like they were moving too fast, and at the same time not fast enough.
Right now, he was so excited about making out with Genius that he had to tell someone. He knew that Kurt had other stuff to think about and he couldn't possibly tell Blaine. But there was always his best online pal, Cookie.
He kissed me! He that is Genius! Can you believe it? – Special K
He sent the message off and two seconds later, Genius' phone buzzed on the table. Chandler stared at it.
Was it coincidence again?
He quickly typed another message.
You must think I'm promiscuous - breaking up with my b/f last night and already kissing another guy. – Special K
Again, Genius' phone buzzed with an incoming message.
Chandler's heart rate accelerated. He looked over to the closed bathroom door, making sure Genius was still occupied. For a long moment, he debated with himself. He really shouldn't check Genius' phone. It was so against the rules to check another person's phone. This was about trust. If Genius found out that Chandler had secretly checked his phone, he would never trust him again. Also, Chandler had told Cookie about this great guy called Genius from Fashion Hero already. If Genius and Cookie were in fact the same person, surely Genius would have told him by now. Wouldn't he?
He typed one more time.
Cookie, are you there? – Special K
The phone on the table mocked him with yet another buzzing sound. And there was still no reply from Cookie. Chandler worried his bottom lip. What harm was it to have a quick look? He wasn't going to go through Genius' phone, he just wanted to see who had just sent him the last three messages. Genius probably had his phone locked anyway. Before he could change his mind, Chandler grabbed Genius' phone and to his surprise found that it wasn't locked. To his greater surprise, he found three messages received and waiting to be read, and all three of them were by Special K.
"Oh, my God," he murmured to himself, shocked and in awe. It was true. Genius was Cookie after all. For a second, Chandler was amazed by this revelation. After all, he had fallen in love with Cookie and he was attracted to Genius – how convenient it was for them to just melt into the same person.
On the other hand, it was weird to have his suspicion confirmed in this way. Was Genius clueless about the fact that Special K and Chandler were the same person? Were there other possible candidates – guys who were close to the Fashion Hero competitors, so that Genius was still puzzled about who might be the one? If so, he would know after reading the messages – because Special K was talking about kissing Genius!
But why was Cookie lying about still living in Paris when he was in New York? Suddenly, it all didn't make any sense.
Chandler put the phone back down on the table and hugged his knees. He had just blown his chance to simply ask Genius, because he couldn't admit to having checked his phone.
"Hey," came Genius' soft voice from across the room. Chandler startled. For a dreadful second he feared that Genius had seen him with his phone. But the young man walked slowly over and sat down next to Chandler. He wore purple pajamas and a dark blue scarf around his neck. He looked so different without his makeup and yet the same. It didn't make a difference to Chandler. He reached out to take Genius's hand. They entwined their fingers and smiled at one another.
"Your phone buzzed," Chandler said. "You should check your messages."
"Not now," Genius said with shrug.
"It could be important," Chandler pointed out.
"It's probably Kurt again," Genius said. "I bombarded him with text messages earlier, when I didn't know what was going on. He only texted me back once, telling me not to worry without giving any details."
"Well, go on and read what he's saying now," Chandler said, kindly but urgently. He wanted him to read the messages and react. He wanted him to admit to being Cookie and then they could laugh about it and resume making out.
"Okay," Genius took his phone. Chandler watched him very closely as he read the messages, but Genius remained straight-faced. "It's not Kurt," he simply said and put his phone back down.
"Well, don't you want to answer them?" Chandler asked.
"Not now," Genius replied and closed his hand over Chandler's again. "Do you want to move to the bedroom?"
Chandler just stared at him for a moment. The touch of Genius' hand suddenly felt anything but right.
"I just feel it's rude not to answer your text messages," Chandler mumbled. Why didn't Genius want for Chandler to know who he really was? Was he playing him for a fool?
"Why is this bothering you?" Genius asked. "It's not important right now."
"Then who texted you?" Chandler demanded.
Genius narrowed his eyes at him. "Why are you acting all control-freaky all of a sudden? There's no need for you to get jealous."
Chandler just stared at him for a moment, his mouth open like a fish. "I think maybe it wasn't such a good idea for me to stay the night," Chandler finally said and got up. "I should get dressed and go home."
"Wait! Why are you leaving? What's this all about?" Genius protested. "A few minutes ago, we were fine."
"Yes, and I'm sorry," Chandler said, his voice wobbly and on the verge of cracking. He gathered his clothes from the side table, he just wanted to get out of there. "But I can't stay."
Genius got up and watched him helplessly and confused. "Chandler, please, don't just go and leave me wondering what I did wrong," Genius pleaded.
"It's not what you did," Chandler said, clutching his clothes to his chest and backing away. "It's what you didn't do."
"What are you talking about?" Genius stared at him for a confused second. "Tell me. Please."
Chandler was torn. He didn't want to admit to his breach in trust, but he wanted answers. He knew if he left now, neither of them would ever talk about it again and this love story was over before it even began. Not knowing what else to do, Chandler burst into tears.
"I looked at your phone. I'm so sorry, I feel really bad about it."
Genius' face turned pale when he understood what this meant.
"You're Cookie, my online friend for over a year now!" Chandler said with tears streaming down his face. "You must have figured it out longer than I have. I just don't understand, why you wouldn't tell me." His voice broke, but he looked at Genius, hopeful for an explanation.
Genius sat back down, dumbfounded.
"You knew, didn't you?" Chandler asked, when Genius wouldn't say a thing. "That I'm Special K. We told each other everything. I told you about my best friend competing on Fashion Hero! I just told you that you kissed me! Why aren't you telling me it's you?" Chandler rolled his eyes when he realized how silly he sounded. "You know what I mean. Were you planning on ever telling me? Or are you making fun of me behind my back?"
Genius looked up, mortified. "No, I would never do that!"
"Really? Because right now I feel like the greatest fool in the history of fools. You were lying to me. I never lied to you, Emmett. Except for checking your phone just now and I feel horrible about that and I've told you five minutes after I did it, because I couldn't live with a lie between us."
"I didn't lie to you," Genius said, he sounded pretty lame. "I just didn't tell you—"
"You made me believe that Cookie was still living in Paris," Chandler accused. He had stopped crying, but his tears were replaced by anger. "You were spying on me through him. I just want to know why!"
"It's true," Genius admitted. "I didn't want you to figure it out. Not yet, anyway. I wanted you to like me, before you knew all of my baggage. As Cookie, I already told you so much personal stuff. All of my weaknesses and all the crap I've been dealing with. I didn't want you to know that I was that damaged person. I just don't see how you could like me with all of that backstory on your mind."
"But you know all of my backstory, too. You know all about my insecurities; personal stuff I have never told anyone but you."
"And why did you do that?" Genius challenged. "Because you thought we'd never meet! There was an ocean between us! We were strangers!"
"We weren't strangers," Chandler argued. "Not after a year of exchanging e-mails and telling one another everything. I liked Cookie for his honesty."
"If we had never been online pals, but met in person, I would have never told you all about my fears and weaknesses face to face."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not attractive," Genius argued. "And you wouldn't like me the way you do if you had known Cookie and I were the same person."
"But that's what I've been doing all along," Chandler explained. "I fantasized that you and Cookie were the same person. It gave you the depth that I felt was missing."
"Really?" Genius was baffled.
"Don't you feel the same about me? You know all of my most embarrassing stories and yet you don't reject me."
"That's different. Your problems hardly match mine."
"Oh, is it a contest? I'm sorry that I had a wonderful childhood and parents who love me. Still, I've always been socially awkward and it's hard for me to make friends. I've been bullied in school. You know all that. We shouldn't compare our misery."
"I didn't mean to minimize everything you've been through," Genius looked up at him, desperate. "And I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear. I was afraid that – as soon as you found out that I was Cookie – you'd only see me as a friend, someone you'd befriend because you felt pity for them. Because who could be attracted to someone who had so many issues?" Genius laughed bitterly. "I wanted to win you over with my charm and looks, before you realized I was just a freak."
Chandler sat back down on the couch. With a sweet smile, he softly started singing, "You've already won me over in spite of me, and don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet, and don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are. I couldn't help it, it's all your fault."
He ended his little serenade with a big grin.
Genius smiled tentatively. "You're dragging Alanis into this?"
"I sang you a song before," Chandler reminded him happily. "Reflections was for you, you know. You're making me want to dance and sing. So what if you're a freak? Aren't we all freaks?" Chandler took both of Genius' hands into his own.
"Don't you realize that I fell in love with Cookie a long time ago? It was never pity that kept our friendship going. From my side, it was nothing but great admiration for the person you've become despite of all of the hardships you had to face. You took charge of your life and changed it for the better. Cookie inspired me every day to see my problems as a challenge and not be beaten by them. And then I met Genius and he just blew me away with his confidence and his big smart mouth. But the only one I truly care about is you, Emmett. Because I feel like Emmett is the only one who's real – and Cookie and Genius are a part of him, yes, but not all of him. You choose to hide behind them. You never show anyone who's truly behind that mask. But I know. I know now."
Genius hugged him, hard and tight, with tears welling in his eyes. "Please forgive me for not telling you! I should have trusted you. I do trust you! I was just so afraid of losing you. You mean so much to me! You and Special K. Just knowing you were there and that I could talk to you – although you were just an online friend – helped me through some hard times."
"I'm glad that I could help," Chandler squeezed him back. "And I'll forgive you for not telling if you can forgive me for checking your phone," Chandler said sheepishly.
"I do, of course, I do," Genius said eagerly. He pulled out of the embrace to shove his phone into Chandler's hands. "You can go through my phone whenever and as much as you want to. I don't have secrets from you. Never again, I swear."
"I don't need to see your phone," Chandler chuckled and gave it back. "I'm so glad that we could finally meet and that there isn't an ocean between us anymore."
"Me too," Genius said. "I'm sorry I made you so angry that you cried."
"Oh, I'm prone to tears, I'm afraid," Chandler chuckled. "It's one of my rather unattractive traits."
"I think it's cute," Genius said, and then quickly added, "I mean, not that I made you angry and cry. But that you weep easily shows how sensitive you are. I'm afraid I don't have a soft side myself. So I find it very charming on you."
"And I find it hard to believe that you don't have a soft side," Chandler said. He entwined his fingers with Genius' and cocked his head with a smile, "At least your lips are softer than they look."
"Are they?" Genius smiled back and leaned closer.
"Maybe I should give them another peck to test their softness again, just to be sure."
"A peck won't do," Genius replied. "I think a field test is in order."
"Anything to help," Chandler said with a wide smile.
"Care to take this to the bedroom?" Genius invited.
Chandler blushed and his heart beat increased again. "I'd love to, but—promise me that we'll do no more than kissing and that our clothes stay on and I know you'll probably think I'm a prude, but fact is I'm still a silly virgin and although I want to lose my V-card, I'm not ready yet and this is all going so fast and only a few weeks ago I've never had a boyfriend before and only last night I broke up with Blaine and although I love drama on TV, I'm not prepared for so much drama in my own life and—"
Genius silenced him with a kiss, pressing his mouth against the boy's to take away his concerns.
"Kissing is just fine," Genius assured him with a laugh. "Believe me, I'm not interested in drama, either. Let's leave the relationship drama to the others and be a normal boring couple."
Chandler giggled and smiled lovingly. "For one thing, normal and boring aren't words I'd associate with you and that's good! I like how you embrace being different and bold and exciting. But I agree that our little drama tonight is enough to last for a while. And yes, yes, yes! I agree on being a couple!"
He kissed Genius excitedly and with his happiness beaming out of every pore. Then he suddenly drew back with concern in his eyes. "Oh, my God, I'm so happy that I feel guilty! How can I be happy when my friends are miserable? From what we believe, Kurt was attacked by Andrew and Blaine is sick with a cold and a little bit heartbroken, because I left him, and here I am being so happy that I could burst!"
"You're allowed to be happy," Genius said firmly. "Trust me, I have a feeling that despite every obstacle thrown their way, Kurt and Blaine will be happy again, too. And I'd wager sooner than later."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because of the text message I got from Kurt before you arrived," Genius told him with a mysterious smile.
"What did he say?" Chandler asked excitedly, literally on the edge of his seat.
Genius took his phone and opened the chat with Kurt to read it to Chandler. "He says, Don't worry about me, my friend. Blaine is here. I hope one day you too will know how soothing the presence of the person you love can be. I'll be all right. Despite what happened today, I'm not broken."
Thank you for reading!
