Its been a while, hasn't it? Sorry about that, I just seemed to have forgotten that I am in the middle of writing a story... I don't even know how many people are even reading this, so maybe I'm just writing a story for no one, which is cool. That means that I haven't disappointed anyone with my lack of posting! (Not that it's disappointing because my writing is garbage). Anyway, that's enough self-deprecation for now.
Enjoy!
Blaine was pacing his room the next evening as thoughts of the rapidly spreading sickness, Karofsky's odd behavior, and his dinner with Kurt, swirled around in his head. He'd been having trouble focusing all day and had barely gotten anything done.
He considered canceling his dinner with Kurt, but he couldn't bring himself to do it knowing how disappointed Kurt would be with him. And he had already disappointed enough people in his lifetime.
With that in mind, he opened his chamber doors and began the walk to the dining room to meet Kurt.
He took a deep breath before entering the room and lifted his chin up high. Kurt was standing by the window looking out to the deserted town square when Blaine came in. Kurt turned to look at him and his previously solemn face lit up with a smile.
"You're here," he said, sounding surprised.
"I said I would be, didn't I?" Blaine questioned, walking over to the place set for him at the table.
Kurt rushed over to pull out his chair before he could do it himself. "Well yes, but I know how busy you are, and I wondered if you had forgotten. I wouldn't be shocked if that were the case. You always were somewhat of a goldfish," Kurt teased him.
Blaine rolled his eyes at Kurt as he pushed his chair in. "Anyway, is everything alright?" Kurt asked.
Blaine looked at him questioningly as he sat in his own chair. "Of course, why do you ask?"
"You just seemed like you had a lot on your mind when you came in here. Not to mention you were 15 minutes late," he stated simply.
Blaine was surprised at how well Kurt could still read him. He liked to pride himself on being able to hide his feelings, and Kurt could see through the facade like it was nothing.
"I just have a lot going on right now, that's all," he said, beginning to feel overwhelmed with how much he wanted to be able to tell someone about everything he had on her mind.
"Anything I can help with? You know you can talk to me about it, right?" Kurt said, about to reach across the table to take his hand, but thinking better of it at the last second.
Blaine nodded. He wanted so badly to have someone to confide in. He felt like he was going insane without Mercedes to talk to. He knew that if there was one person he could always count on, it was Kurt. He just hadn't really talked to him in so long, he was finding it difficult now. But Kurt was the only one he had left, and he was going to make the most of it.
"There is just so much going on with the sickness, and no one is telling me anything, and there is definitely something weird going on with Karofsky, but he snapped at me and left before I could get anything out of him. And I really don't have time to have dinner with you tonight, especially because I got absolutely nothing done today when there is just so much that I have to do! But here I am anyway because I don't want to lose the only person I have left by being too selfish to make time for them," Blaine said in one breath.
Kurt was quiet as he took in everything Blaine said.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have dumped all of that on you like that. I just haven't been able to really talk to anyone since Mercedes passed," Blaine said apologetically.
"No, it's okay. I just thought it would take a lot more convincing on my part to get you to talk. And I certainly wasn't expecting that much!" Kurt smiled. "Don't get me wrong," he went on, seeing Blaine's embarrassed expression. "I'm really happy you are talking. It's been a while since the last episode of 'Blaines can't stop talking'. I missed it."
"Thank you for your words of encouragement, Kurt. They mean a lot," Blaine said sarcastically.
"Hey," Kurt said, giving in to the urge to take his hand. "I need you to know that you won't lose me for not showing up to dinner. I understand that you have a lot going on right now. I just want to help you."
Blaine felt a flood of relief at his words. He felt reassured knowing that Kurt was still on his side. That he would help him figure everything out. "Thank you," he said.
Kurt sat back, satisfied with his answer. "Now, tell me about what's going on with Karofsky?"
"Well, as you know I had all of the barons over for a council yesterday," Kurt nodded. "And he looked slightly different to me and I couldn't figure out why. Until I looked closer and noticed that his eyes weren't orange like they were supposed to be. They were almost black." he looked at Kurt expecting him to look as confused as he felt, but he wore an expression of understanding on his face.
"Do you not know what that means?" Kurt asked.
"Of course I don't! That's why I'm so confused!" Blaine exclaimed.
"Blaine," Kurt said gravely. "Karofsky is dying."
Blaine sat there, feeling even more confused than before. "What do you mean he's dying? How could you possibly know that?"
"That is one of the last symptoms of the sickness," Kurt explained.
Blaine was stunned at the news. "Why didn't he say anything? He couldn't possibly be running Egarouc with the same illness that is killing everyone else!"
Kurt nodded, perplexed. "Especially not at the stage of the illness he is at. That is one of the last symptoms before death. He shouldn't even be able to get out of bed at this point."
"Then how did he fly all the way here just yesterday?"
"It must have something to do with his powers being at a higher level than most. He is stronger than most other elves are, so it must be taking longer for the illness to take him."
"Why didn't he say anything?" Blaine asks angrily. "Did he just think that he would miraculously heal and all would be well again? Or maybe he was just planning to die and not let me know what was happening until the news of his death reached me much later when I would realize that the elves in his city have gone without a baron for months? I swear they don't tell me anything just to make me angry!"
"Blaine calm down, it may not be as bad as you're thinking," Kurt said, trying to calm Blaine's racing mind. "Maybe he thinks he's getting better and didn't want to concern you for no reason."
"Oh, right," he laughed bitterly. "Karofsky cares enough about me to not want me to worry about him, you're right."
Kurt sighed. There was no use trying to calm him down when he was like this.
"I have to talk to Sue. Chances are, she knew about this too but doesn't respect me enough as her queen to tell me the things that just might be important," he ranted, standing up and heading towards the door.
"But," Kurt trailed off quietly, standing up.
Blaine turned to see Kurt's hurt expression. "I really am sorry Kurt," he said, looking genuinely upset. "I hate to cut this short, but this is really important. We can reschedule for another time right?"
"Yeah, that's okay. I get it," he said, standing, not looking up.
Blaine sighed and walked over to him. "Kurt, I can't even tell you how sorry I am. I know that this was supposed to be a nice dinner for us to catch up, and instead, I just complained to you the whole time and now I'm storming out to go yell at Sue. I'm a horrible person aren't I?"
"Well…" Kurt said, teasingly.
"Oh shut up," Blaine said, shoving him lightly. "I am sorry."
"I know. It's okay, really."
"It's not, but thank you for understanding," Blaine said, reaching up to hug him, shocking Kurt and himself with the foreign gesture. Just as he was about to lower his arms in embarrassment, Kurt pulled him into his arms in a tight embrace.
They stood there holding each other for longer than was probably appropriate, but neither of them wanted to let go.
"I'll talk to you later then," Blaine said, pulling away, feeling flustered.
"Good luck Blaine," Kurt said with a small smile, giving Blaine a lingering kiss on the cheek.
"I don't need luck. I'm the King." Blaine said sassily. But he knew better than anyone that he would need all the luck she could get.
"Sue," Blaine said icily as he walked into her study. "I need to speak with you."
Sue briefly looked up from the paperwork on her desk. "Can it wait? I'm busy," she said dryly.
Blaine took a deep calming breath to stop himself from losing control. "No, it cannot wait. This is a serious matter."
Sue waved her hand, as if to say 'continue' and looked back down at the papers on her desk.
"I recently found out that Karofsky has contracted the plague that's been going around, and I wondered if you knew anything about this," he got straight to the point.
Sue froze where she was absentmindedly flipping through the files. She looked Blaine in the face for the first time since he entered the room. "Where did you hear about this?"
"So you did know about it then," Blaine nodded knowingly.
"Of course I knew about it. The only reason you didn't was because you are much too foolish to notice anything important," she said, not noticing Blaine's growing anger. "That is also why I never even thought to inform you of Lord Karofsky's condition. I know you, and I know that you wouldn't know what to do when faced with a situation like this, so I simply didn't say anything," she stood up from the desk and looked at him as if she were speaking to a young child. "You should stop trying to involve yourself in adult matters that have no place for a child such as yourself. I don't know why you think-"
"I am not a child," Blaine said with clenched teeth.
Silence fell upon the room as Blaine stood firmly in front of Sue. Sue said nothing, but began to chuckle softly under her breath until she was fully laughing.
Laughing at him.
"You," she struggled to get the words out. "You really believe that don't you? That you're some powerful ruler. I hate to break it to you, but you're not. You may dress like a king, and walk and talk like a king, but when it comes down to it, it's just an elaborate game of pretend, isn't it? What have you ever done for the betterment of this kingdom as king? The answer is nothing. You have done nothing because the truth is, plain and simple, you are a child, Blaine. Andrew and Julia never should have passed on the rings to you. You weren't ready, and I'm afraid you never will be. I fear that your parents made the worst mistake by handing you the reins to the kingdom. All you will do is drag it down with you until it is nothing but dust-"
Sue suddenly found herself roughly pinned several feet above the ground against the wall with the harsh and unforgiving wind. She was thrown so violently the oak wall behind her was cracked and splintered.
Blaine stood where he had been before with his hand outstretched, holding her there. His voice was sharp and cold as he spoke. "My parent's biggest mistake was not allowing me my birthright to be king of this kingdom, it was allowing you, the scum of the earth, into our home. You think that because my parents are gone, you have all the power now? That you can control me? Make me believe that I am nothing? You're wrong."
As she spoke, the pressure holding Nilorac to the wall increased until he was fighting for every breath. "I am your King. You hold no power over me or my kingdom. All you have done is treat me like a toddler, and I will not take it anymore. I have put up with you for so long, and I am beginning to wonder why that is. After all, I am the one with the authority here. You better get that through your inflated head and let me do my job. If not, I will have no choice but to permanently terminate you from your job here at the palace. Do I make myself clear?"
Sue nodded as best she could from her position. "Yes your majesty," she choked.
Blaine released her, feeling he had made his point, and she fell heavily to the ground. He spun around on his heal and left Sue gasping for air.
Lord Karofsky,
The king knows about your illness. It is not long until he finds out about our plan too. I suggest you put it in motion as quickly as possible. Prepare the army. Your time is running out. -Sue
