Chapter 15: Birthday
Kurt had made it about 75% of the way through his nightly moisturizing routine when there was a loud knock on the front door. Who could that be? Kurt paused to listen for a moment. No one else in the house seemed to be stirring. I guess that means Ihave to answer it then. Not without carefully rinsing the cleanser from his face, though, obviously; he wasn't a barbarian.
He crept down the stairs as quietly as he could, skipping the creaky stair and hoping not to wake up the rest of his family.
It occurred to him, at some point, to feel scared. What if Rick was back to stalking? What if the latest act of PDA had finally pushed Azimio over the edge?
He stood before the front door to his house, hesitating. Finally, he leaned forward and pressed his face to the peephole. Karofsky? Kurt turned the bolt and pulled open the door. He wrapped his sweater more tightly around his chest as the chill night air blew into the warm house.
Dave just stood there without speaking. In his hand was a duffel bag.
"Do you, um, want to come in?" Kurt offered after a moment of silence.
Dave nodded gravely and walked over the threshold.
Kurt's instincts told him to approach gently. "I'm going to make some tea," he announced. Dave grunted his acknowledgement and then sank into his dad's favorite armchair. When the water had boiled, Kurt prepared two mugs of soothing chamomile tea with a dash of milk. He handed one to Dave and kept the other for himself.
He sat down across from Dave, blowing on the hot beverage before he finally asked, "What's going on?"
"My father's an asshole."
"Sure, but he's been an asshole for months. What new levels of assholery inspired this late night rendezvous?"
"Sorry…I knew I should have called or waited until morning…"
"Woah, hey, I'm not mad. Just tell me what's going on so I can try to help."
To his great alarm, tears welled up in Dave's eyes and spilled down his ruddy cheeks. David Karofsky was not a crier. This is bad. This is very bad.
"I found…I found the application for that camp I told you about. He-he was going to send me without even—without even telling me! He even had the nerve to tell me I would thank him someday. I looked at their website, Kurt. That place is like Guantanamo; they make the parents sign stacks and stacks of liability forms and you don't come home until they decide that you're 'cured.'"
Kurt gaped at him with wide eyes. "What did you do?"
"I told him I wouldn't go. Then he got mad. He went all Tasmanian devil right there in the living room. He threw a vase, Kurt! He threw one of my grandmother's vases, shattered it right there on the floor for no reason. He said that as long as I live under his roof then he has every right to 'fix' me. So I left."
Kurt exhaled loudly. A complex concoction of emotion swirled in his chest: rage, sadness, and the smallest hint of pride.
"Christ, Dave, what a nightmare! I…I don't even know what to say. I mean, you can crash here, of course, you know that already." Kurt hesitated for a moment, not sure how his next thought would be received. "Dave? I think we need to tell my dad what's going on. We don't have to tell him tonight if you're not ready, but I can't really have you stay here more than a night or two without some kind of explanation. And honestly…I'm not really equipped to handle this. Neither of us are. We're just kids, Dave. What do you think?"
Kurt sipped nervously at his tea while Dave chewed over the idea.
"I'll sleep on it?"
"Okay."
—
Kurt tossed and turned that night in bed. Looking in the mirror the next morning, he was horrified to see dark shadows under his eyes. He applied a heavy layer of eye cream, muttering to himself about how best to punish Dave Karofsky for ruining his beauty sleep.
He managed to find an eye-catching cap in the back of his closet that he thought would effectively draw attention away from his raccoon eyes. Satisfied with his outfit, he walked downstairs in search of coffee. When he reached the landing, he was surprised to hear voices coming from the living room.
Kurt stopped to listen.
"What time does your old man leave for work?" his dad asked.
"'round 6, I think."
"Fine. So here's what we're going to do. You and I are driving over to the house once he's supposed to be out, packing up everything of yours that matters, and bringing it back here."
"Yeah, okay. Thanks, Mr. Hummel."
"Call me Burt."
I guess sleeping on it was all he needed .
"Morning, Dad," Kurt called out to announce his presence before walking into the living room.
Dave gave him a silent nod and his father flashed him a warm smile.
"Good morning, Kiddo. You make coffee yet?"
"I was just about to."
"Good; I have to make a phone call."
His dad's call was mostly drowned out by the sound of the coffee grinder whirring, but he made out enough to determine that his father had arranged for his most senior employee to run things at the shop today. What is he planning?
Kurt wondered briefly if his dad would still be as willing to help Dave if Burt knew his full history with his son. He wasn't given to grudges but he was also fiercely protective of his family. It was all so over and done with that Kurt couldn't see the point of bringing it up now.
Kurt poured himself a bowl of cereal while the coffee finished brewing and then settled himself at the kitchen table, setting out mugs of coffee for his dad, Dave, and Carole. Finn drank diet coke instead of coffee; Kurt would never understand some of that boy's life choices.
"They have social workers at that PFLAG group you like, right?" his dad asked before downing half the mug of coffee in one go.
"Uh, yeah, I think so, why?"
"Need to talk to someone about this classmate of yours. He filled me in on what happened last night…or at least some of it. It's gone to the point that the authorities probably need to get involved but I'd like to speak with a professional who's counseled kids and families through this sort of thing first."
Kurt really did have the best dad.
"That sounds…that sounds like a good idea, Dad," said Kurt thickly.
"Right. Well, we're going to collect Dave's things while his father is out; I'll send him off to school after. He'll spend the night here again, of course."
Kurt and his dad didn't have the most physically affectionate relationship but that didn't stop Kurt from launching himself into his dad's arms. Squeezing his neck tight, Kurt thought about how lucky he was to have someone like his dad in his corner. "Be safe, Dad. I…I love you."
"Love you too, Kiddo. See you for dinner tonight; text me if Blaine's joining us."
"Sure. Bye, Dad."
—
Blaine and Nick were lingering near his locker when Kurt arrived at school. Blaine leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to Kurt's cheek while resting his hand on the small of his back. Still feeling a bit raw from the emotions of the past twelve hours, Kurt savored the warm feelings that came with Blaine's touch. Safe. Loved.
Needing a little extra affection, Kurt pulled Blaine into a tight hug, pressing his face into the soft fabric of Blaine's sweater. Kurt felt the brief moment of surprise in Blaine's body and then strong arms wrapped around him. Kurt felt the squeeze deep in the center of his body, calming all the way down to his core.
Warm breath tickled his ear. "Not that I'm —complaining, but…is e-e-everything alright?" Trust Blaine to know immediately when something was off with Kurt.
As much as Kurt wanted to spill the entire story to Blaine then and there, he couldn't air Dave's secrets in front of Nick.
"No. Yes. I…I'll fill you in later, okay. It's kind of a just us conversation."
"Yeah, o-o-okay, of course."
"God, you two are unfairly cute together. I'm going to end up with cavities, like, it's a problem," Nick complained.
Blaine partially uncurled his body from Kurt's, leaving an arm wrapped around his waist as if sensing that Kurt wasn't ready to let him go quite yet. With his free arm, he playfully shoved Nick's shoulder.
"So how many days at McKinley before I get my assigned boyfriend? That's how it worked for you, right Blaine?"
Blaine shoved him so hard he ended up on the other side of the hallway. Kurt practically bent in half with laughter.
—
"Come on, Blaine, how are you supposed to have an epic 17th birthday if you won't settle on how to celebrate? Your birthday is next week!" Nick complained over lunch that afternoon.
"What do you usually do for your birthday, Babe?" Kurt realized that he'd never really heard Blaine talk about birthday parties of the past. Maybe he was one of those people who didn't like to make a big deal about his birthday. Then again, Nick would surely know that.
"Oh, j-j-just have everyone over for—over for —pizza and a movie. That sort of-of-of-of thing." Blaine shrugged.
"That sounds perfect," Kurt said with a reassuring smile.
"Yeah!" Rachel agreed. "I have the full Gilbert and Sullivan catalog on DVD. Just say the word."
Blaine let out a sigh. "Let mmme just check with —Cooper."
"Any updates on the case?" Tina asked. Blaine had filled the Glee Club in once Rick had been arrested.
Blaine and Nick exchanged glances.
"We didn't want to say anything until it was for sure, but…well, it looks like the case is going to trial."
"Blaine! Why didn't you say anything?" Kurt demanded to know.
Blaine looked down sheepishly. "I…I-I-I didn't want to-to-to—want you to-to worry."
Kurt lowered his voice to a harsh whisper. "Me? This is about you Blaine and I want to be here to support you. But I can't do that if you don't tell me when things are going on." Doesn't he trust me?
"I-I-I wwwill, I promise. When there's something to t-t-tell, I will."
"Not good enough. When there's something that's troubling you, even if it's not for sure. I want to know about that stuff too."
"Kurt," Blaine groaned. "You d-d-don't need me putting more st-st-stuff on-on-on-on your plate right n-now, not after…" Blaine trailed off but Kurt could guess where he was going.
"Not after Chicago? Is that what you were going to say, Blaine? I thought you of all people would know that having a panic attack doesn't make me weak. I mean, how can I be a good boyfriend to you if you don't think you can share stuff with me because I'll fall apart? What kind of relationship is that Blaine? Is that really what you want? Because it's not what I want. You are never a burden on me. I always want to know what's going on with you. Always. That's what love is, Blaine."
Eyes wide with surprise at Kurt's outburst but also soft with tenderness, Blaine let out a quiet, "Oh." Blaine found his hand under the table and laced their fingers together, rubbing his thumb over Kurt's knuckles. "I…I'm sorry. You're, um, right."
"I usually am. You really should know that by now."
Blaine stuck out his tongue and poked Kurt in the ribs.
Rachel let out an exasperated sigh. "You two really need to learn how to not fight in front of the kids."
—
Friday night dinner had never before been so full at the Hudson-Hummel house. It was hard to remember what it had been like when it had just been the two of them: Kurt and his dad. Not only had they doubled in number to include Carole and Finn, but tonight Blaine and Dave were joining them as well.
Over chicken and vegetable skewers, his dad updated the family on his progress speaking to social services about Dave's father. "Someone should be by to investigate within the next week. In the meantime, they support Dave staying with us. His mom even agreed."
"That's a-a-a-a relief," Blaine said with a smile to Dave.
"Tell me about it."
Then the conversation turned to the case against Rick. "They're, uh, uh, moving forward with the trial. Rick can, uh, uh st-st-still accept a plea deal until it st-starts but they are—we are moving forward. The pr-pr-pr-prosecutor had some, uh, uh, con-concerns with the witness list, but I don't—I don't re-really understand what they are."
"Well, I'm no legal expert like your dad. What does he think?"
"He's, uh, uh, calling her on M-M-Monday I think —to find out."
What could be concerning about the witness list? They can't have a witness saying that Rick didn't do it? What else could it be?
"So did you talk to Cooper about your birthday plans?" Kurt asked, changing the subject to something a bit lighter.
"Yeah! He's —going to help, uh, uh, throw me a—have a b-big par-party at my house on, Saturday. You're all in-invited, of course."
"Thanks, man, but you don't need to pretend like we're friends," said Dave without making eye contact.
"I'm —not. Come…if you w-want. Re-really. I'm inviting pr-pr-practically everyone."
"I'll think about it," said Dave quietly.
"Rachel will be there?" Finn asked nervously.
"I hope so," Blaine replied.
"Can't you two put your differences aside for one night so Blaine can have fun with all of his friends?"
Finn shrugged. "I dunno, man. I'll try."
—
"Blaine wasn't joking about inviting everyone. I still can't believe we had to park an entire block away," Finn complained.
"Well, he is a people-person at heart even if he comes off quiet at first. He loves being around big groups of friends so I'm not surprised he wanted to have a lot of people over. He definitely invited the entire Glee Club."
"Still," Dave said, "I don't think I know this many people and I'm actually popular."
"Be nice!" Kurt warned.
"What? I am! I was just stating a fact. You know I'm cool with Blaine now. Lighten up, Kurt."
Kurt let out an agitated sigh. "Fine. Good. Just…you two had better be on your best behavior. Blaine is having an unbelievably shitty month and he really deserves to just have fun tonight with no drama. If either of you fuck this up for him then…well…I don't know what I'll do but rest assured it will be devastating."
"Is he always wound this tight?" Dave asked Finn.
"Yeah, pretty much. Chill out, Kurt. Blaine's not going to have any fun if you're on a hair trigger all night."
Kurt sizzled with annoyance before realizing that Finn had a point. He took several slow, deep breaths.
As they approached the front door, Kurt could hear bass thumping from the other side of the door. He tried the knob and found it unlocked.
He ushered Finn and Dave inside, instructing them to leave their shoes in the foyer.
The music was really quite loud now, and Kurt saw the flashing of some sort of strobe or disco light coming from the living room.
"Blaine?" he called out loudly as they walked down the front hall.
A group of guys leaning against the wall near the bathroom waved to Kurt as he passed. He was pretty sure he had never seen them before in his life. How rude! They didn't take off their shoes.
The living room had been transformed into a dance floor. The furniture had all been pushed to the edges of the room and protective covers had been thrown over the couch and armchairs. The only light came from a flashing, multi-colored disco ball hanging from the ceiling. There was an actual D.J—or at least a nineteen year-old with a laptop and headphones—rather than just an iPod.
Wow! Cooper really goes all out when he plans a party. Kurt had only met Cooper the one time, but based on their limited interactions and everything Blaine had told him, it wasn't much of a surprise that Cooper had gone a bit over the top. It's nice that he put so much effort into making Blaine's party cool. Where is Blaine, anyways?
"Blaine?" Kurt called out again into the sea of dancing bodies.
He searched the crowd for someone he recognized, finally spotting Nick dancing with a cute guy who looked a few years older than them. Kurt wanted to ask him if he had seen Blaine, but decided not to interfere with a possible romantic opportunity for Nick. He deserved to have a fun, carefree night too.
"I'm going to try to find Blaine." Kurt had to practically shout for Finn and Dave to hear him.
"Cool. I'm going to stay here and grab a beer," said Dave, gesturing towards the kitchen.
There's beer? Blaine's parents let him have beer? Where are they, anyways?
"Who knew The Hobbit threw such a rager," Santana said from just behind Kurt's left ear.
"I think this is mostly his brother's doing, but yeah it's definitely hopping."
"Who are all these people? I just danced with some guy who invited me to go back to his house . Not his parents house. His house! He was really hot too; if only I wasn't…you know."
"I don't even recognize like half the people here. Maybe they are from Blaine's old school? Have you seen Blaine?"
"For like a minute when I first got here. I think he went upstairs to get something and I don't know if he ever came down."
"Cool, thanks. I'm going to go find him. Make sure…like, no one breaks anything."
Kurt pushed his way through the crowd and then took the stairs two at a time. He knocked gently on Blaine's bedroom door.
"Blaine? Honey? It's Kurt. Are you in there?"
The door opened quickly and Blaine pulled Kurt into a tight hug.
"I'm glad I found you! Happy Birthday, sweetheart. Are you, um, having fun at your party?"
"Thanks! Oh, uh, uh, sure, it's uh, uh, gr-great! Cooper found an-an-an awesome D.J. so I was having fun d-d-dancing. What do you think?"
"It seems very cool. Very…I guess, grown-up? You know big parties aren't exactly my thing but you like them and it seems like a very cool, very big party. As long as you're having fun, then I'll have fun. I was wondering though…who are all of those people?"
Blaine looked to the floor. "Oh, uh, I think —Cooper in-in-invited some of his old, uh, high school friends t-t-too. He, uh, d-d-doesn't get to see them much so, uh, yeah."
That didn't sit right with Kurt. This was Blaine's party; Cooper shouldn't be filling it with strangers. Did Cooper even do this for Blaine or did he just do it for himself? But Blaine seemed okay with everything and Kurt didn't want to force his own opinions onto his boyfriend. Family can be complicated.
"Where is your brother, anyways? I didn't see him when I came in."
"He, uh, uh, r-r-ran out to get some—to get m-m-more su-supplies, I think. He should, uh, uh, be —back soon."
"Well, was this an elaborate trick to get me into your bedroom so we could make-out all night or do you want to go enjoy your party?"
"Oh, uh, yeah—yes!"
Blaine grabbed his hand and tugged him towards the stairs. I forgot to ask what he was even doing up here.
The thumping music vibrated through Kurt's whole body as Blaine led him into the middle of the "dance floor." Kurt was suddenly reminded of the last time they had danced like this, surrounded by a crowd, loud techno thumping through the floorboards. Kurt had to take a deep breath and remind himself that he was safe here.
Blaine's hands found his hips and pulled them closer. Together they found a rhythm, hips moving in synchronicity to the music and to each other. Definitely better than Chicago.
Blaine grinned luminously and Kurt finally stopped worrying that he wasn't enjoying his birthday. It was hard to worry—nay think—about anything when Blaine was pressed that close to him.
The way that Blaine's hands gripped his hips did something to Kurt and the way that Blaine let his whole body melt into the music was mesmerizing. God he's sexy.
Kurt still didn't like big parties that much but he definitely liked this. His mind started to wander back up to Blaine's bedroom, imagining what they might be doing if they had stayed upstairs.
"Oh my gosh! Are you Cooper's baby brother? Is this your boyfriend? You two are so cute together! Were you going to kiss? Oh my god, don't let me stop you I'm, like, totally into it."
Kurt sprang back from Blaine as if he had been burned. No, that's just my face turning the shade of cherry slushy. Under the drunken gaze of the blond young woman cooing at them, Kurt felt nauseatingly uncomfortable.
Kurt could physically see the protectiveness enter Blaine's body. His entire stance shifted and Kurt was a half-step behind him in seconds.
"Pl-pl-please go away," Blaine said stiffly.
"Oh, no, you don't have to worry about me! I'm Cheryl! Cooper's friend! I think I met you once when you were little. You were so cute then, with your little stutter. I just think it's so great that you're gay!"
It's not a fucking accomplishment. No one's going to award him the Nobel peace prize. Cheryl was eyeing Blaine like he was her favorite new toy. Being fetishized—Kurt discovered—was only a slight improvement over being hated. And it was definitely more confusing to process his emotions about it.
"I s-s-s-said go away."
"God! You don't have to be such a little shit about it. I was trying to be nice."
"Hey!" Kurt shouted. It was his turn to feel protective. "You can't speak to him like that! This isn't a peep show and we aren't here for your entertainment. If you want to support the cause, then please just treat us like normal teenagers. And shocker, most teenagers don't want to be gawked at. It's weird and gross!"
She glared at Kurt. "Cooper invited me to this party. I have just as much right to be here as you do."
"What? It's his fucking birthday, bitch!"
"It is?"
"Jesus Christ, Cooper didn't even tell you that? I'm going to murder him when I find him."
Blaine grabbed his arm and pulled him away from the blond idiot he was shouting at.
Kurt rounded on Blaine. "Is this really how you wanted to celebrate your birthday? Surrounded by drunken strangers? If it is then just say the word and I'll shut up for the rest of the night."
Blaine bit his lip nervously. Then it all came tumbling out. "N-n-no, I-I-I-I didn't know it would be-be-be like this. I just…Coo-Coo-Cooper was so ex-excited about making the —party 'epic' and it all s-s-sounded fun. But before I knew it all these—all his older friends just started p-p-pouring in and I d-d-didn't want to be ungrateful be-be-because he put so much effort into org-org-organizing the whole thing but…then he left so I just—I'm so embarrassed Kurt but I went and hid up-upstairs."
"Oh, sweetheart, you care about other people's feelings too much for your own good. Cooper should have been focused on making this party all about you; instead, he just co-opted your birthday into a fun party for him and his friends. That's selfish."
"Oh." Blaine looked a bit stunned. "I…I thought I-I-I was the one being selfish."
"Never." Kurt kissed the tip of his nose and squeezed his hand, earning him a sweet smile from Blaine.
"I'm going to fix this. Stay right here." Kurt leaned forward to give Blaine a quick peck on the lips and then marched over the D.J. He demanded the microphone and killed the music. A wave of groans spread through the crowd.
"Good evening ladies and gentleman…and those who cannot be contained by the gender binary. If you were not personally invited to this party by Blaine Anderson, then you need to clear out! Now!" Kurt executed one of his perfect bitch glares and sure enough people started to clear out.
Handing back the microphone, Kurt turned to the D.J. "Except for you. You can stay. The music is on point." The D.J. gave him an appreciative nod and then started the music back up.
Just as the last of the strangers were drifting towards the front door, Cooper finally returned. "Who wants to do keg stands?" he shouted out.
Kurt rolled his eyes.
"Wait, where is everyone going?"
"Oh, you mean your entire graduating class? Yeah, after further consideration Blaine decided he would like to celebrate with people he's actually met before tonight. I know…so weird, but that's our Blaine." Every word was dripping with sarcasm.
"Those were some really cool people you sent home! I didn't even get to say hi to everyone, Kurt!" Cooper complained loudly.
Kurt grabbed Cooper by the sleeve and pulled him aside. "And when it's your fucking birthday you can hang out with whoever you want. Blaine was so excited you were coming for his birthday that he said yes to whatever you wanted to so you would have fun. And you took advantage of that by making it all about yourself. So pull it together and be a good brother or I will kick you out of your own house. Don't try me."
"I…what? That's not…I wasn't…"
"Yeah, sure, whatever. And get that keg out of here unless you want to drive a bunch of teenagers with alcohol poisoning to the hospital tonight."
"I…yeah, okay."
Kurt left Cooper to wrestle the keg back into his car, surveying the living room to see who remained. He was pleased to see a much more manageable sized crowd of familiar faces including Blaine's core group of friends from Bath as well as his new friends from McKinley.
Blaine already looked relaxed and happy. Kurt couldn't hear their conversation over the music, but he could tell that Sam was doing one of his impressions. Blane burst into hysterical laughter and Kurt smiled to himself at a job well done.
They danced until 10, when Blaine and Cooper decided to send the DJ home so they would have enough time to watch a movie before people needed to make it home for midnight curfew.
Nick and Kurt poured over the Anderson's extensive DVD collection, calling out possible movie titles to the group for feedback. So far they had turned down Space Jam, Center Stage, and Jurassic Park .
" Top Gun ?" Kurt called out, starting to lose hope that he was ever going to get fifteen teenagers to agree on anything.
"Hells yes!" cried out Puck and Finn in unison.
"Blaine?" Kurt asked pointedly. This is your night, boo.
"Do you e-e-even have to ask if I-I-I want to watch sw-sw-sweaty Tom Cruise play volleyball shirtless under a —truly killer 80s soundtrack?" Blaine hammed it up, pretending to swoon.
" Top Gun it is!" Kurt declared, popping in the disc.
The doorbell rang and Cooper hopped up. "Pizza's here! Perfect timing. I'll get it." I suppose he's not completely useless.
Nick, Blaine, and Cooper all jumped to sing along during the heavily homoerotic volleyball scene.
Bodies working overtime
It's man against man
And all that ever matters is, baby
Who's ahead in the game
Funny but it's always the same
Playing, playing with the boys
Staying, playing with the boys
After chasing sunsets
One of life's simple joys
Is playing with the boys
Kurt threw his arm over Finn's shoulder. "How is a movie with something this…gay so popular with straight men?"
Finn shrugged. "I dunno, man. It has like guns and planes and shit." Kurt laughed and shrugged too. Clearly this was a mystery that would remain unsolved.
Later on, when Blaine settled down from singing and dancing along with his favorite songs, he pulled Kurt into his lap for cuddles. Kurt leaned his head back to rest on Blaine's shoulder, turning so that he could sort of look at Blaine.
"Are you having a good birthday?"
"I re-re-really am! You w-w-were like my birthday knight in sh-sh-shining armor. Pro-pro-protecting my b-birthday honor from the-the-the army of —twenty-somethings."
Kurt snickered. "You…are very welcome, my sweet. Anything for you."
Watching every motion
In my foolish lover's game
On this endless ocean
Finally lovers know no shame
Turning and returning
To some secret place inside
Watching in slow motion
As you turn around and say
Take my breath away
A shiver ran down Kurt's spine when he felt Blaine's warm breath close to his ear. He whispered, "You t-take my breath away."
Thank you to my wonderful beta BlurglesmurfKlaine. You are a Maverick!
Music Notes:
Playing with the Boys - Kenny Loggins
Take My Breath Away - Berlin
Other References
Top Gun (1986)
Synopsis: The Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School is where the best of the best train to refine their elite flying skills. When hotshot fighter pilot Maverick (Tom Cruise) is sent to the school, his reckless attitude and cocky demeanor put him at odds with the other pilots, especially the cool and collected Iceman. But Maverick isn't only competing to be the top fighter pilot, he's also fighting for the attention of his beautiful flight instructor, Charlotte Blackwood.
The game Cards Against Humanity gets the credit for coining the phrase "homoerotic volleyball montage." Not that this was a new concept to anyone, I think, but I can't take credit for describing it that way.
Coming Up Next: The trial of Rick Holtz
