My Reader – Chapter Nine – Origin of Love
Blaine woke up when the sun hit his face and made him blink, then shudder. It hurt. It annoyed him at first, then he realized the reason it hurt was that he could see! Just a tiny bit, but it was happening.
"Macushla, stop," he said, pushing the dog down off the bed to stop the hound from licking his face.
He shut his eyes and took stock of what was around him. He could hear someone in the kitchen, probably Kurt because the maids only came on Tuesdays and Fridays. Today was Wednesday.
Cush was whining under his breath. Blaine smelled the delicious aroma of bacon coming from the kitchen. He could feel his dog's wiry coat as he pressed himself as close to the bed as possible.
If the sun hurt his eyes, maybe he could see? It was the only thought in his brain.
Blaine opened his eyes and looked around the room. He could detect something moving – Macushla – and maybe something yellow on the desk by the window? He could tell it was the window because it was lighter there. He could see that it was a square of light.
"Kurt?"
A few minutes later he heard someone enter the room.
"Good morning, Blaine," Kurt said, coming in the room and setting a glass down on the nightstand.
"I can't smell what's in the glass..."
"Orange juice. I can get you some grape or apple juice if you'd rather?" Kurt offered.
"Ah, no. I like the orange for now," Blaine said, reaching for it but feeling Kurt set it in his hand.
"Better?"
"Yeah. Can you help me get ready for the morning?" Blaine asked.
After breakfast, Kurt helped Blaine with his exercises but could tell something was off. Blaine kept stopping and seemed distracted.
"Hey, what's wrong? You seem a million miles away," Kurt noticed.
"Oh, sorry. I guess I must be tired or something," Blaine excused himself.
"You don't need to be sorry – I just wondered what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Nothing..."
Blaine refocused and they kept on with the therapy. Blaine was making great progress both with his leg and with his arm. He could walk eight or ten steps and lift five pounds with his arm.
"Let's call it done for today, okay? You might just need some sleep I think," Kurt said. He came over to where Blaine was sitting on a chair and helped him into the wheelchair. "It won't be too long before you'll be out of this thing, you think?"
"I sure hope so," Blaine said. He could see more and more as the day went on, but he was afraid that as soon as his sight was back that his mother wouldn't employ Kurt anymore and he'd never see him again.
Blaine was a bright, fun and popular guy at Dalton, but it was sort of a front. He liked everyone, but there had never been one special person for him. Having Kurt read to him was nice but he'd grown to care about Kurt. A lot. He couldn't imagine being without him, and if his sight never came back, he would have Kurt for longer.
Going down the hallway he was able to see the doorways as the light coming through the windows lit up each room.
"Here we are," Kurt said in a cheerful voice.
They came into his room and Kurt helped him into bed. Most of the staff was off today and the home visit nurse wasn't due to be there until Friday, two days from now. They were alone.
"Come take a nap with me?" Blaine asked, keeping his voice light so Kurt could refuse if he wanted. Blaine could hear him contemplating what to do.
"Sure, Blaine. I could use a nap," Kurt said, taking off his shoes and sitting on the side of the bed when Blaine patted it.
He got under the covers and snuggled into Blaine's side. Blaine leaned over and kissed him. It was just on the cheek, but he wished he had the courage to kiss his lips. The few times they'd done that stood out in Blaine's mind. He worried about waking up with an erection and upsetting Kurt, so he turned his back and settled down on the pillow.
"Can you...can you cuddle against me? I kind of feel a need to be touched. If you don't mind?" Blaine asked, afraid Kurt would refuse or think of an excuse.
"Okay. Are you sure you're all right?" Kurt asked, moving nearer to Blaine and pulling him close.
"Much better now, thank you," Blaine muttered, fast on his way to sleep. He smiled and scooted closer before falling completely asleep.
Blaine woke up a few hours later, feeling much refreshed from the long nap. He'd been trying to keep up with Cooper and his dad for the short time they'd been there and he wasn't up to it. Then he tried to stay awake all day to show Kurt he was getting better, but in actuality he needed healing sleep.
He was lying on his stomach, but Kurt was still by his side, arm wrapped around his waist. It was good to feel the warmth of another body next to him. Kurt was deep asleep, not moving as Blaine struggled to turn over and sit up. He had to use the restroom but didn't want to bother Kurt.
Blaine scooted to the bottom of the bed and felt his way to the wheelchair, sliding so his butt was in the seat. Hey, he didn't think he could do that so easily – the physical therapy was paying off. He wheeled himself to the bathroom, took care of business successfully and got back to his room. His vision was even better than this morning – he could distinguish shapes in the dim room. He could tell where the bed was, the desk and dresser. The yellow by the window was a vase of daffodils.
"Blaine?"
"I'm here," he replied to Kurt.
"Where? Oh...are one of the maids here? How did you get in your chair? Why didn't you wake me up?"
"Nope, nobody's here but us. I got myself into the chair!" he said with a confidence he didn't feel.
"You did? Well, of course you did. I'm sorry I didn't wake up. I didn't sleep very well last night. I guess I was more tired than I thought," Kurt said, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.
"No problem. The PT has really helped with my movements. I was able to get into the chair myself, but I'm not so sure I can get back out so easily. Do you want to go into the lounge and watch a movie or something?"
"Sure, if I get to pick the movie," Kurt sassed. He grinned at Blaine and jumped out of bed, taking the handles on the wheelchair and dashing into the lounge. With a bit of help from Kurt, Blaine was soon on the large leather sofa, leaning back on the mountain of pillows. Kurt took a seat beside him.
"I think it's my turn to pick, but I'll let you go first today," Blaine offered.
"Well, thank you. Let's see...a musical or a drama?" he said to himself, going over the selection on the menu. Blaine had hundreds of movies.
"Do you want a flashy romance from the 1940s? Or a spy thriller from last year? Maybe a contemporary love story?"
"You choose."
"Oh, here...Brokeback Mountain. I saw this with my dad," Kurt smiled at the memory of Burt sitting beside him in the theater with his hands over his eyes, asking Kurt if the kissing was done.
"Your dad went to see this with you? In a public theater?" Blaine asked, his face showing his shock.
"Sure, why not? We saw Priscilla, Queen of the Desert together, then I went with him to see all of the Jason Bourne movies."
"Yeah, but...well, I just cannot see my dad going to that extreme. We've never been on the same page about my sexuality. I mean...he loves me and all, but its not as if he would go see Brokeback with me."
Kurt was at a loss for words. Linden Anderson seemed like such a great guy, hugging his son, flying across the world to be there for his surgery. It didn't make sense.
"You're so quiet, Kurt. Are you shocked? Welcome to my life. So many things don't make sense. Yes, he loves me - I have never once doubted that – but he doesn't really understand me. He has chosen to just pretend he doesn't know I'm gay. He never mentions the word 'gay' out loud, so I just...live with it, I guess?" Blaine confesses.
"I'm sorry, Blaine," Kurt said and leaned closer to put his arms around his friend. He kissed him on the forehead. Blaine snuggled closer and hit the button on the remote.
Half an hour later, both boys are watching - or listening - to the movie. Neither knows what to say as Ennis and Jack are falling in love.
"What's going on?" Blaine asks, not sure which part of the movie is on. He still can't see well enough to distinguish what's on the screen and at the best scenes there is little conversation.
"It's the part where Ennis is with his wife and he hasn't seen Jack in a really long time – and he pulls Jack under the staircase to kiss him," Kurt says, pushing down on his crotch to alleviate some of the pressure building up there.
"Oh, I loved that scene, but I couldn't help but feel for his wife. How terribly sad for all of them, you know?" Blaine says, moving closer to Kurt and cuddling under his arm to melt into his side. Kurt puts his arm over Blaine's shoulders and pulls him closer.
"Yeah, I got that. So sad. Why don't people..." he drifts off, not knowing what to say in the huge scope of it all.
Blaine sneaks a look over at Kurt to see if his eyes are working yet. He can see a little bit more than shapes now, but not much. Maybe tomorrow.
The boys sat together for a while, Kurt whispering details of what was on screen as the movie played, until Blaine's cell rang.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Killer, how are you doing?"
"Oh! Sebastian! I'm doing well. How are you? How are your injuries?"
"Well, that's why I called you. Your mother told my mother that the eye surgery went well," Seb said.
"Yeah, but I still can't see. We're waiting for it to resolve. I'm out of the casts on both arm and leg, going to physical therapy. It's going well."
"I hear you're in the New York apartment?"
"Yeah, the surgeon is here in New York. I have a friend staying with me. Dad and Cooper were here for the operation, though. I can't fly, so I'm here until the doc gives me the green light to go home."
"Cool. Well, see you soon." Sebastian said and the line went dead.
"That was strange. I guess the overseas connection wasn't very strong. Let's get back..." Blaine was interrupted by the doorbell.
"I'll get it," Kurt said, carefully standing so as not to jostle Blaine. He walked down the hallway and opened the door to find a tall, skinny boy on crutches standing there.
"Wow. Look at what Blaine scored. A long drink of water this time – he must have missed me," the boy said, pushing his way into the apartment and down the hall.
"Ah...wait! Who are you?" Kurt called, but a moment later realized that this must be Sebastian, Blaine's childhood friend. He followed him down the hall to the lounge to find he was sitting next to Blaine, arms around him.
"Blainers, I missed you! How are you really? You've lost weight, are they treating you right?" Seb said softly, kissing Blaine's cheek.
"I'm fine. It's harder to eat when you can't find your mouth, though," he kidded, play-punching his friend in the shoulder. "So, how are you up and about? No wheelchair? How are you in New York? Did the Miracle Baths of Lourdes work?"
"Hey, hey, now. Calm down. Yeah, they worked. Or at least my parents thought they did, I'm using crutches but I'm so much better. You remember I only got cracked bones, not fully broken ones like you. I am so sorry, Blaine. Truly I am. Can you ever forgive me?"
"I forgave you the minute it happened! You know that. I know it was an accident. It could have gone the other way, it was just chance that I was the one hit. Now, enough of that talk, let's talk about something – anything – else," Blaine said, frowning. Sebastian hugged him again and Kurt turned to go into the kitchen to get some tea for them all. He couldn't stand there like a third wheel and watch Blaine get pawed by the new boy.
"Kurt?" Blaine called out, suddenly wondering where his friend had gone.
"I'm in the kitchen," Kurt replied, setting the cups on the tray he was bringing.
"Come back in here. Did you meet Sebastian?"
"I answered the door, Blaine."
"Come sit with us," Blaine whined. He was embarrassed that he'd forgotten Kurt for the last ten minutes.
"Tea anyone?" Kurt asked as he set the heavy tray down on the coffee table. "I brought jasmine tea with those almond cookies you like, Blaine." Kurt set up the cups and poured for all three of them, handing the cups around, then asking Blaine which cookies he'd like.
"I can smell the chocolate and two almond?"
"Of course," Kurt said, smiling at Blaine.
Sebastian helped himself to a few to go with his tea.
"Thank you, Kurt," Seb said politely. "Are you Blaine's friend from New York?"
"No, we know each other from Ohio. I came with him to lend support for his surgery," Kurt said.
Kurt and Sebastian sat staring at each other and all of their unfriendly vibes could be felt. Even Blaine could feel something was wrong, but he had no clue what it was.
Kurt gathered the tea things to take them into the kitchen just as Sebastian excused himself to the restroom. As Kurt was setting the cups and saucers in the dishwasher, Seb came into the kitchen.
"What's your deal with Blaine? Are you the one horning in just because he's vulnerable?" Seb said in a menacing tone.
"Are you the one simpering up to him after you shoved him under a speeding van?" Kurt countered without thinking after his surprise at Seb's tone.
Seb's eyes got huge and he backed up a step, turning on his crutches to leave the room.
Kurt was instantly guilty, ashamed of himself for lashing out at the injured boy.
"Wait, Sebastain, I'm sorry," he said in a low voice, not wanting Blaine to hear him. But it was too late. Sebastain was taking his leave and by the time Kurt caught up, Sebastian was by the door.
"I'm sorry, Sebastian. I spoke without thought. Please forgive me."
"If only I had the time. I'm off to the airport, on my way back home to Westerville. I only stopped by to see Blaine because I was in town and his mother asked me to check on him," Sebastian lied. Margaret Anderson had seen through Sebastian since he was a small child and only tolerated him because of her son's friendship with him.
"I might see you at Blaine's house once we get back than," Kurt said politely.
"We'll see..." and Sebastian was gone.
"So, that was the famous Sebastian," Kurt said, sitting down in the chair he'd been seated in while they had company.
"In the flesh. I didn't expect him. It sounded as if he's doing okay...did he look it?" Blaine asked.
"I didn't see him before so it is hard for me to judge, but he appeared healthy. He wasn't having any problems with his crutches," Kurt observed.
"He had crutches?"
"Yes. His face didn't indicate he was in pain or anything," Kurt reported.
"That's good. He was on his way home and had a layover here, so he called my mother to see if I was here," Blaine explained. He couldn't figure out why he felt he needed to explain all of this to Kurt. Seb was his friend, after all. He took a glance at Kurt to see if there was some kind of problem, but he couldn't see details. All he could see was a shape that was Kurt, sitting across the room from him.
"Kurt? Can you come back over and we can finish the movie?" Blaine asked. He was shy about it now, his knees trembling just a bit.
"That movie is so sad. I don't think it was a good pick. Why don't you pick something else?" Kurt suggested.
"Oh. Well, maybe a scary movie? From the 1940s? I have Frankenstein or Wolfman?"
"...Meet Abbott and Costello?" Kurt laughed.
"No! Lon Cheney? Or Dracula with Bela Lugosi?"
"That sounds delightful. I'll set it up," Kurt said, selecting the menu on the television. He quickly found Dracula and turned it on.
"And come sit with me?" he asked, patting the sofa cushion where Kurt had sat earlier with him.
"Are you sure? Sebastian might come back and want to watch movies with you," Kurt snapped.
Blaine's eyebrows went up as he looked in Kurt's direction.
"What?"
Kurt had the decency to blush.
"I'm sorry, Blaine. I didn't mean that. I guess I'm just an idiot. I think I better go read a book or something, leave you alone."
"But...why? Did I do something to anger you, Kurt?"
"No. Its just...never mind. We can watch Dracula, I'll sit by you."
Blaine felt Kurt sit beside him, a large space in between them. What the hell? It had gone from being snuggle-buddies this morning to being practically strangers this afternoon. Not good.
They watched Dracula, laughing at the serious parts. As Kurt relaxed, he got sleepy and when the movie was done, Kurt was fast asleep on Blaine's shoulder. He leaned over and kissed Kurt's cheek, touching his face gently.
"I think I'm in love," he whispered to himself.
"Origin of Love" is from the Off-Broadway [1998]/West End [2000]/Broadway [2014] musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch by Stephen Trask and John Cameron Mitchell..but you already knew that, didn't you?