A/N this is late...but I have an excuse! My friend, who we'll call "J" sent me a video of Curt Mega and Dominic Barnes on youtube talking about the complete and utter lack of "Trick" (Trent / Nick) fanfiction being written. (while in the middle of a crowded bar.) So, well, you know us, we took that as a challenge and had to write it. 13k words later...it's called "It's a Trick-y Situation" and it's by sufferingfromwritersblock (Christine) and me. Give it a go if you're so inclined! And thanks to Mardie for pimping it out like it was her job! lol
Congrats to peculiarproclivity and mrsdivine who both knew where "f*cking wifey" came from. Good job! :)
As always, I welcome your comments, messages and reviews. It's kind of ridiculous how giddy they make me. Hugs, guys, and make it a great week!
CHAPTER 68
"Do you watch anything on Wednesday nights? How do I not know what you like to watch after all this time?" Blaine asked.
"Not really, there used to be like a 'high school musical' type show on Wednesday nights and I watched that all the time, like religiously, but then they switched to Thursdays, then the plotlines got weird, then it was Tuesday night and the plots got more weird….my favorite couple was always being torn apart by stupid crap that I just wanted to shoot someone for….I couldn't bear it anymore! They were never allowed to just be happy!" Kurt sighed. "So um…no, the answer is no. I usually read." He smiled.
"So wait, you just stopped watching it altogether?" Blaine laughed.
"Blaine, when you watch something for so long, and the characters become like your friends and family, it literally becomes painful to watch the writers yank them around like puppets. Those characters are special to the viewers…I just couldn't bear another silly break up. I catch an episode now and then…"
"Awww, I'm sorry your show was ruined for you." Blaine snickered, unable to hide his smile. Kurt just glared at him playfully.
"Ha ha, laugh all you want. One day your world will come crashing down when Rick decides it's not worth it anymore and he kills Darryl, Carl and then himself without warning. When you're left stunned, I'll remind you of this little conversation!" Kurt said, looking down his nose at Blaine haughtily.
Blaine grabbed his chest, feigned a horrified gasp and Kurt smirked at him.
"K, then you won't mind if I suggest just….talking?" Blaine said, softly and a little tentatively.
"I'll never say no to cuddling and talking to you, B…it's sort of my favorite thing now."
"I dunno….probably depends on the subject matter, though."
"What did you have in mind?" Kurt said, his smile still firmly in place.
"I think we need to talk about Saturday as if it actually happened. You've been here for 3 days and nights with me now, and you haven't mentioned word one about it. It happened, and I need to know you're ok, Kurt. I worry…" Blaine told him.
Kurt sighed and sat up from where he'd been laying sideways across the bed. He made himself comfortable against the headboard next to Blaine and sat quietly for a minute.
"Ok, what do you want to know?" he asked.
"I need to know you're ok. I want to ask if you've called Dr. Stein at all…and if you have, what did she have to say about everything? I need to get inside your head and know that there's no lasting damage that's going to rear its ugly head in a few weeks and set you off…or make you crumble…and I won't be there to help you put the pieces all back together, Kurt, 'cause I'll be here." Blaine told him. The love in his eyes took away all of the snippy "for God's sake Blaine" type answers that immediately came to Kurt's mind.
"You know what…saying 'I'm fine' seems heartless and cold. I killed a man, Blaine. Killed him. He's dead now and it's because of something I did. I did not intend for it to happen, though. As a matter of fact, the reason Sebastian and I talked about the Taser to begin with was because I told him that I wasn't comfortable with a gun…because they're so final. This seemed like a logical alternative…and look what happened."
"No, no, no, Kurt. The Taser killed him because of substances that were already in his body…things HE put in his body. It wasn't your fault that happened." Blaine tried to reassure him.
"Oh, I know that. I do…if not for the drugs, he'd have survived and gone back to prison…and he'd have gotten out again, eventually, and I'd still be living in fear that someday he'd be there when I turned a corner or he'd be waiting in my apartment, or he'd somehow get to my dad." Kurt sighed.
Blaine reached over to thumb away the tear that rolled down Kurt's cheek.
"Blaine…I need to tell you something, and I hope…God, I sincerely hope that it doesn't change your opinion of me so badly that you want to run away…but you've asked how I'm feeling and I'm going to tell you."
"Kurt…nothing you say-" Blaine began, but Kurt shushed him and shook his head.
"Just listen, ok? Blaine…what he did to me…from day one, the things he did…he was mean. I didn't see it then. I didn't see that "oh, fish again?" was a bad thing, necessarily. It was just a comment. But when those types of comments are made daily…nightly…weekly, they start to break your spirit. You begin to think through everything twice, making sure you're not going to upset them with what you cooked, or what type of soap you bought for your bathroom or if you bought the right wine for that party he wants to take you to…and when you get there, he doesn't introduce you to anyone, so you feel like an absolute ass having to introduce yourself as he meanders around schmoozing people and ignores you all night. I'd be hard pressed to find something good that he said to me after our first two weeks of dating. He got comfortable quickly, and after that….well, I was comfortable, too. And I just let it happen without any real, conscious thought to it." Kurt's eyes were downcast and he took a deep breath.
"Kurt…I didn't mean to pry into your dating life or anything like that. Please don't feel that you have to discuss your past with him…I know it wasn't pleasant." Blaine said sweetly.
"No, I think I do need to talk about it, if you're ok with that?"
"Absolutely, anything you want to get out, just do it. I'm not going anywhere, baby." Blaine assured him, nudging in a little closer. Kurt tilted his head over to lay on Blaine's shoulder and continued.
"So there I am, in this relationship with a guy who's not bad looking…he was kinda hot when he gave an effort…and he takes me out now and again and I don't have to worry about a +1 anymore…all of my friends have someone steady, and now I fit right in. But they all talk about how they're happy and they can't wait to see him or her or whoever…and I don't feel it. I know he'll probably show up sometime after work, and he'll expect dinner to be done, as always, but he never says thank you, and he just shows up as if he's supposed to be there. Never once does he offer a 'hey, that wasn't half bad, Kurt' or anything like it. He never tells me he likes my outfit, or notices if I get my hair cut. It's never….enough.
And sooner or later, I start thinking 'what am I doing with this guy?' and that's right around the time he starts wanting more…wanting to be more intimate, wanting to delve into sleeping over and sex and everything, and suddenly I'm thinking 'oh, well maybe that's why his temper is short…he's not getting any!?'…but another part of me says 'Kurt…not your fault, not for you to make that happen…' once again I'm back at 'why am I doing this?'". Kurt shakes his head as if in exasperation and continues.
"When he got the message that I wasn't giving him what he wanted, he didn't break up with me, he didn't huff and puff, he didn't really do much of anything besides double his efforts to get in my pants. There were nights when I'd literally have to remove myself from a piece of furniture because he was just…just ON me. I felt like a piece of meat, and no matter how much I told him I wasn't there yet, he was sure he could 'get me there if I'd just loosen the hell up a little bit'. I didn't loosen up enough, apparently, and then the last straw was…." Kurt paused. It doesn't even matter now, Kurt, he told himself, and moved on with the conversation. "He just pushed too far, Blaine…hurt me too much.
Long story short, he began to get physical with me, there were restraining orders, which I've told you about, and then the final day when he went over the edge and showed up at my apartment. So then there were weeks in the hospital, the horrified look on my dad's face when he saw me, the ever present medical bills, the statements to the police I dreaded having to give, the embarrassment of being broken, the horror of it all…and he got 18 months because I didn't die. 18 months, Blaine…and then he got out early…only to show up and try to finish the job, not only on me, but on the man I'm desperately in love with…a man I don't think I can live without, really. So no…Blaine, I don't feel badly. That man put my family and me through a living hell, and he deserved what he got. I just hope that's not so vindictive that you can't see around the hatefulness it must sound like and-"
Kurt was cut off when Blaine grabbed him and hauled him to his chest forcefully, eyes shining and wet with unshed tears and a broken smile on his face.
"No, Kurt…just no. It's NOT hatefulness! It's self-preservation and fortitude and…"
"It's really not, Blaine. I'm relieved, really….and that's so wrong in my head!" Kurt sighs.
"God you're so fucking brave, Kurt. I don't know anyone else that could have gone through all of that and come out on the other side as strong as you are. There's no way I could hold any of it against you. I know that you didn't mean for him to die, Kurt. You did what you had to do, though, and I get that. I do…." Blaine told him.
"I'm not sad that he's gone, Blaine. Not one bit, and I don't feel guilty at all…sometimes I think that's horrible of me to say, but it is what it is. I can't bring myself to be a noble enough person to say 'he deserved a better ending' because no…no he did not!" Kurt said, tears now running freely down his cheeks. "And I won't apologize for being ok with it. I have done MY time, Blaine. I dated him, I was abused by him, I was nearly killed by him twice. I don't regret that it ended the way it did and I feel no remorse. I'm not sorry for not feeling remorse, either." Kurt said firmly. He sat quietly for a few minutes, Blaine's arms around him tightly, and just thinking. "If he'd gone to prison and then got out and went on about his merry way…made a new life for himself…left me completely alone…then…then I may have been able to say 'you know what…it happened…' and then moved on, but he didn't do that Blaine. He came back…he…he came back…." Kurt trailed off sadly.
"So, in answer to your question….I'm fine. I'm relieved that he's gone. I'm really and truly ok, now, B. I feel like I can finally let my guard down and live again after being afraid to do so for so long. And I want you to do all that living with me. It will be so much more fun with you next to me, holding my hand." Kurt smiled and linked their fingers together.
"Mr. Hummel, I'd love nothing more." Blaine smiled warmly and tugged him closer.
"Good…because I have some big plans for us, Mr. Anderson."
From Nicky: Are you coming tonight?
From Pretty Boy: I dunno, am I? Now there's a loaded question! *wink*
From Nicky: Ba dum pow! He'll be here all weekend, folks, and don't forget to tip your servers!
From Nicky: And I'm not EVEN commenting on "LOAD-ed" . I'm serious. Will you be at The Dive tonight? I'd like for you to be there if you're not busy?
From Pretty Boy: Welllll, I have laundry to do, need to streak my hair again maybe, dishes are piling up in the sink….probably should skype my mom and Gram…..
From Nicky: *pouts* don't make me beg, baby.
From Pretty Boy: What's in it for me? Because if the alternative is my Nicky begging…. *ponders*
From Nicky: How 'bout you put on those jeans that are my favorite, I take you out to dinner, you come with me to the bar, then we head home and let the begging begin?
From Pretty Boy: deal…but you have to do my dishes tomorrow.
From Nicky: is that a euphemism for something? (insert Joey Tribianni voice here) "I'd like to do HIS dishes!"
From Pretty Boy: (Insert Chandler Bing voice here) "Could you BE any more ridiculous? I guess you'll just have to wait and see? *wink* Besides….I want to talk to you about something tonight anyway. Been thinking…about stuff…you know. What time will you be here?
From Nicky: What have you been thinking about?
From Nicky: Jeff? Don't say that...it makes me edgy. Is something wrong?
From Nicky: ? Dude?
From Nicky: Baby….please?
From Pretty Boy: Sorry, David needed me. Wrong in what sense? Between us? No…. We'll talk tonight, k? Love you
From Nicky: Love you more.
From Pretty Boy: Not possible *smiley face*
Jeff smiled to himself. He'd been thinking a lot. Regardless of the fact that the apartment was Blaine's and then he'd moved in, Blaine always called it "their" apartment. He always thought of it as a temporary thing, and when it came right down to it, it was Blaine's place. Now Blaine was moving upstairs and Trent and Thad had already moved in, and he felt like he was invading their privacy. It didn't matter that he was there first, what mattered was that they were a couple and it was pretty much their home now, regardless of the fact that at the end of the month they'd play musical apartments and everyone would shift. He'd be the only one in Blaine's old three bedroom apartment, and he didn't want the responsibility of paying that rent on his own…especially when what he really wanted was to wake up every single morning with Nick, and go to bed every night with him as well. Although they'd been managing between the two living spaces, it was time to stand up and be a man, to show David Duval that he wasn't afraid of him. Shit, what did he have left to lose, anyway?
Yes, it was time to take Nick up on his offer and cohabitate. He smiled to himself knowing that Nick would probably be overjoyed and he couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he told him. Yes…it was time.
"Holy sh-….what the hell is all this?" Blaine asked when he walked into his room, eyes wide.
"Hmmm?" Kurt said, distractedly, tossing another cut sheet aside and picking up his long string of wood chips, all of them stained differently so that he could envision the finish on the dining room chairs he was looking for. Kurt sat on the bed surrounded by catalogs, fabric samples, paint chips, and wood finish chains. There were giant books of what Blaine thought looked like wall covering. There were magazines with pages torn out and things circled and also what looked like a scrapbook of sorts, pages neatly stuck inside with multi colored tabs running down the side. They were half a foot deep all around and he sat happily in the middle with a binder, making notes and clipping little pieces of material to cardstock photos of furniture.
"Kurt, what IS this stuff?"
"Oh! Um….I forgot to tell you. Before I left, Nick asked me for a favor. Apparently the new apartment upstairs….well, whatever, in a nutshell, the designer bailed and the guy liked my apartment…the wall colors and furnishings, etc, when he went through the building, so when Nick told him the designer bailed and could he pick a new one, the dude asked if he'd talk to me about picking out stuff!" Kurt smiled widely. "What better compliment to my design sense could there be?"
Blaine grinned at him, loving how Kurt looked when he was happy and content. He looked so at home with all that around him…in his element.
"Soooo, what have you picked out so far? Anything good?" Blaine asked, curious as to what would be in their apartment.
"Blaine, " Kurt said, looking over the top of his glasses….oh GOD, those glasses, they just did things to Blaine's body and mind… "are you doubting my design sense?" he teased.
"Absolutely not, not at all, but I wanted to know what you're thinking when you're picking stuff out, ya know?" he grinned.
"Well, I'll let you in on a little secret, then. When I did this for my own place, I had things all picked out, as to what I wanted. I also had a "second string" on hold in case something I wanted wasn't in stock or readily available. I'm being selfish, a little bit, because there were things I wanted and couldn't get then, but I'm putting them in his place, and the remaining stuff is my second string, kind of. If he likes what I picked for me, then he's going to like this, too, I hope, because it's still what I like! At least when it's done I'll get to see what it would have looked like if I'd put it in my place!" Kurt grinned. He was like a kid in a candy store.
"What's the budget?"
"I'm not going overboard if that's what you mean? Sticking to good, solid furniture manufacturers that don't take advantage of the buyer's wallet. In style, it'll rival anything in Nick's penthouse…for a mere fraction of the cost!" he laughed.
"Oh god, speaking of…get that same mattress Nick has. I don't care how awkward it is, find out where he got it and get it. It's a necessity!" Blaine laughed.
"Why, B, you sound like you'll be shacking up with our new neighbor or something?" Kurt said, once again peeking over his glasses at Blaine. His face suddenly fell and his eyes lost their shine a bit too, and Blaine would have had to be blind not to notice. Kurt quickly hid his faltering emotions.
"I'm…no, Kurt, that's not what I meant, I was just….I was thinking that…um…you liked it, so he'll probably like it as well, right?" Blaine stammered, trying to get back on track. He'd almost given away the surprise.
"It's not that." Kurt said, somberly, continuing to flip through pages in the catalog distractedly.
"Then tell me what it is?" Blaine asked him, concerned now.
"Cooper told me you're moving, Blaine. You haven't brought it up at all, and I was wondering if you were just going to be 'gone' one day when I woke up and walked to your door?" he said, unable to look Blaine in the eyes.
Fucking hell…damn Cooper and his big mouth! Blaine thought… He was angry and how the hell was he going to get out of this now? He didn't want to outright lie to Kurt, but he wanted to surprise him as well, and telling him the truth would ruin it.
"It's…um…it's temporary. I'm not…it's not that I'm leaving so much as I'm um… I'm not going far, just-" he stammered again.
A loud knock on the door interrupted their discussion, and Blaine breathed a sigh of relief jumping up to answer it. He whipped the door open, thankful to whoever had the world's best timing….until he saw who it was.
"Eli…" he said, rubbing the back of his neck in irritation and huffing out a breath.
"Hey, Blaine, listen, I'm working on grading those tests from Friday and I could use your help. Some of this is pretty straightforward, out of the textbook stuff, but when you ask for their ideas…well, that's something you should grade, Blaine, really…" he said, his smirk firmly in place. He was looking at Kurt over Blaine's shoulder, and Kurt was giving him his best 'I might kill you in your sleep' smile in return. "I mean, it's been nearly a week, and you told them you'd give this test back tomorrow. I'd like to get them in the gradebook for you…." He trailed off.
"Eli, just get what you can do finished and then I'll do the rest tonight or tomorrow…there's no need to-"
"Oh…well, I already have them all sorted and spread out over the desk in your office…" he began. " I know how you like things over the desk in your office…" he smirked, never meeting Blaine's eyes, but still watching Kurt. Kurt's expression never changed. If anything, he was only smirking back. He knew Blaine was just as irritated with Eli as he was. Blaine let out a long sigh.
On one hand, if he left, Kurt would be irritated with him. On the other hand, it allowed him to avoid the 'moving out' conversation for now, and he had told the kids he'd give the tests back tomorrow. It was his job, anyway, right? He sighed again, scratching at the back of his neck.
"Ok, go on back, I'll be right there." Blaine said, not sounding happy about it, but closing the door pretty much in Eli's face. When the door shut, Kurt's jaw was set…he could have spouted off a myriad of reasons why Blaine shouldn't go, but he kept silent. "I'll just be a few-" Blaine began, but Kurt cut him off with a wave.
"It's fine. Whatever…I'll just keep doing what I'm doing. Go do your thing…"
"Kurt-"
"It's your job. I know, just go."
"But-"
"You know what, Blaine? It's beginning to sound like you're trying to hide something. I understand that this is your job and you have to work with him."
"Then why is your jaw clenched tight enough to chip your teeth?" Blaine asked, getting a bit snippy himself.
"If you have to ask, then you're not as smart as I thought you were." Kurt smiled sweetly.
"It's my JOB!" Blaine said with some heat.
"As I have pointed out several times now, yes…yes it's your job, it's what you have to do…and what HE wants to 'do' is YOU! Should I be thrilled to send you right into his arms, Blaine?" Kurt sniped back.
"I wouldn't…I'm not going 'into his arms'….Kurt…damn it!" Blaine said as Kurt began shoving the catalogs, magazines and samples back into his big bag on the floor.
"You know what…this is ridiculous. I know this weekend was tough and I thought you needed me here, but I'm only making things more difficult on you by being here, so I'm going to head on back tonight, ok?" Kurt said, his mind made up. He couldn't stand ONE more day of watching Eli make lovey eyes at his boyfriend, and the fact that Blaine was so oblivious made him even more upset. The fact that he danced around the 'moving out' conversation wasn't helping either.
"What?! You're not making anything harder on me!" Blaine almost shouted.
"Yes, well, I'm sure Eli will be glad to hear that!" Kurt hissed back, casting a loaded glance at Blaine's crotch.
Standing outside the door, Eli was nearly dancing in the hallway as he listened to them argue. Kurt had every right to be afraid, because Eli had no intention of giving up until he had Blaine under him, sweaty, panting and hard as a rock while Eli pounded into him. He got what he wanted, even if it took a while, and Kurt needed to go. Blaine might be a hard nut to crack, but Kurt was only making it easier on Eli by leaving. He'd stroke Blaine's ego and remind him that he needed someone so much more supportive than that by his side.
The arguing continued and he could hear Kurt moving around the room. Blaine's voice never moved far from the door where he'd been standing when he closed it, but it was clear he was getting more and more anxious. As much as he wanted to stay and listen, Eli knew he better move. If Blaine found him creeping outside the door listening, he'd blow a gasket for sure. Better to be the good T.A. and have the tests ready for him when he got to his office. He slipped silently down the hall with a giddy grin.
Inside the room, the argument continued, only at a softer volume. Kurt didn't want everyone on the floor to hear them, so it went on as hissing and harsh whispers instead.
"You're so fucking oblivious, Blaine! He couldn't care less that I'm even HERE! He'd sooner bend you over your desk and make you take it while I'm standing in the doorway. WHY is that, Blaine? Why does he think he even has a sliver of a chance? I don't know…if I was after some guy and he made it painfully clear that he had a boyfriend and was not interested in any way, shape or form, I'm pretty sure I'd back off….but maybe, just maybe you haven't made it clear enough to him that his advances aren't welcome? Maybe he's hanging on because he thinks he's got a chance? And why would that be, Blaine?" Kurt asked, being very bitchy. He felt like he deserved his bitchiness, though, because Blaine clearly wasn't making it obvious to Eli that he needed to back the hell off. Well, he couldn't sit here and watch it another day.
"And maybe, Kurt, the reason he's doing it is to get a rise out of YOU? You're acting like a teenager! I don't want Eli, I've told him as much on several occasions, he's met you and I've been very clear that you're my boyfriend and we're committed. I don't know what else you want from me, Kurt? Short of punching him in the damn face, I've done what I could do! I give him no attention at all, and I avoid him when I can, but he's my T.A. Kurt! Jesus…." Blaine said, feeling his foundation shift under him as he ran his hands through his hair. He felt sick. Eli was making things unbearable, Kurt wasn't listening and he was still packing to leave and Blaine was stuck there for another four weeks.
"Look…" Kurt began, dragging his bags from his room into Blaine's room, all packed and ready to go. "Me being here is causing strife. I don't want that. It's not good for you and I, and it's not good for your work. And I can't really stand to see him daily, ogling you and have you not giving a damn enough about it to put an end to it. I'm gonna head on home and get some things done. I want this apartment furniture ordered for Nick tomorrow. I don't want to wait for the weekend to pass and maybe hold up the order…. and I can't concentrate here, knowing he's draping himself over you like a bad poncho. So I'm going to head on back and I'll see you this weekend, ok?" Kurt said, then leaned in and kissed Blaine sweetly and chastely on the mouth.
"Kurt…" Blaine breathed out, closing his eyes. "Don't go….I do need you here…always." Blaine nearly whined. "I don't want you to go…I'm telling you straight up, I don't want you to leave…ok? I love having you here! It's six weeks…only four left now! Soon I'll be back home and-"
"Yes, and where, exactly, is home now, Blaine? Because the last I heard, you're moving away from our home…and I'm not even sure why. I'll call you when I get back to the apartment, B. I love you." Kurt said, and strode out the door carrying all of his bags and the weight of Eli's amorous intentions on his shoulders.
Kailey Marsh made her way down the hall of staff dormitories hoping to catch Blaine before he went down for dinner. He'd called Sunday and gotten her at home, explaining that his boyfriend had gone through a hideously traumatic weekend and, rather than Blaine taking the time off, he wondered if perhaps Kurt might stay close by for a bit. Blaine felt that Kurt needed him, and he was hesitant to leave him alone. She'd seen the reports on the news, had figured out what had gone on, and felt like there was no way she could refuse as long as they were discreet. He'd been there nearly a week now and this was the first time she'd had a minute to introduce herself and welcome him to the campus.
As she rounded the corner and approached Blaine's door she heard them speaking, and the closer she got the louder their voices got.
And maybe, Kurt, the reason he's doing it is to get a rise out of YOU? You're acting like a teenager! I don't want Eli, I've told him as much on several occasions, he's met you and I've been very clear that you're my boyfriend and we're committed. I don't know what else you want from me, Kurt? Short of punching him in the damn face, I've done what I could do! I give him no attention at all, and I avoid him when I can, but he's my T.A, Kurt! Jesus….
She paused and listened for a minute, her shoulders stiffening. Eli. Every time his name was mentioned she inwardly cringed. The boy gave her bad vibes. There was just something about him…something she didn't trust…had never trusted, actually, since she'd been there. And now it was apparent that he was making advances toward a staff member that weren't returned. She settled back around the corner, waiting to see if there'd be a break in the conversation for her to knock on the door.
Look… Me being here is causing strife. I don't want that. It's not good for you and I, and it's not good for your work. And I can't really stand to see him daily, ogling you and have you not giving a damn enough about it to put an end to it. I'm gonna head on home and get some things done. I can't concentrate here, knowing he's draping himself over you like a bad poncho. So I'm going to head on back and I'll see you this weekend, ok?
Kailey was getting more and more upset with the conversation. Clearly this was a problem between these two men, and if she was reading between the lines correctly, Blaine wasn't interested, but felt like he had exhausted his options with regard to making Eli back off…without resorting to violence. This wasn't good. Staff members sexually harassing other staff members was never ok. She made a mental note to watch Blaine's classes over the next few class days. Having monitors in the rooms was just as good for watching the staff as it was for watching the students.
And now it seemed that Mr. Hummel was leaving. Well, what did that leave her with? A sad and / or angry substitute teacher in Mr. Anderson, who was loved and adored, even after barely two weeks, by every student he crossed paths with. No…this wouldn't do at all.
She heard the door open and the man she assumed was Kurt telling Blaine that he would call him when he got back and that he loved him. It was sweet…so sweet that she couldn't allow him to leave on these terms if she could help.
Quietly tip toe-ing back down the hallway a good few yards, she strode purposefully down the hallway just around the corner from Blaine's room and smiled widely when she saw the men at the door.
"Oh, wonderful, you're here!" she said brightly. "I hope you don't have alternate plans for dinner, Blaine? And I'm assuming you're Kurt? I've heard so many wonderful things about you, Kurt!" she said, extending her hand to shake with the young man before her. He was breathtaking…'nearly knocked the wind out of her' kind of 'breathtaking'. She steamrolled on.
"I'm assuming you received my email and we're on for dinner tonight, the three of us?" she said brightly, not giving either man a chance to say a word. "I know it's late…I generally do this meeting with a new staff member at the beginning of the school year, but as you're filling in for Karen, things are running a bit behind! So, are we ready to go, gentlemen?" she carried on, then eyeing Kurt's bags.
"Ms. Marsh…" Blaine began.
"OH, Kailey, when the kids aren't around, please, Blaine!" she laughed. "Kurt, are you storing things in your trunk for your departure tomorrow? I'm happy to help you take a few things down on our way out if you'd like? I'm so glad you didn't decline when I sent the email. I had to cancel a few things to work this in so I'm happy the time worked for you both! We should be on our way in a few minutes if we're to get a table without having to wait an hour!" she trudged on brightly. Both men stood, shell shocked, as she verbally barreled over them with plans for the night, Blaine mentally going over each and every email he'd received in the past few days and not remembering one from Kailey at all.
"I was, um…I'm actually on my way home, Ms. Marsh…" Kurt began.
"Oh nonsense! Surely you need to eat dinner first? And how will Blaine get home tomorrow if you leave?" she smiled widely. Kurt glanced at the floor. He hadn't thought that far ahead. When he looked up and saw Blaine's eyes searching his own with genuine hope, he gave a deep sigh and set his bag down in the hall.
"I'm going to head back to my office and grab my bag, I'll meet you in the staff lot in 10 minutes?" she told them…more of a statement than a question for sure.
"I'm…uh…." Kurt began.
"Great!" she crowed, her exuberance overwhelming to the two stunned men. "Kurt, I'm looking so forward to meeting you properly! As I've said, Blaine speaks so highly of you…" she trailed off as she rounded the corner on her way back through the building to her office. Smiling to herself, she hoped it was enough to make him stay another night. Leaving in anger because of Eli wasn't going to solve anything. She would make it her personal mission to make sure Mr. Clarington was reprimanded for his actions if they proved to be overzealous.
"Kurt, please…stay… please?" Blaine pleaded softly in the hallway. "Just stay with me tonight…have dinner with Kailey and I…don't make me explain to her that you don't trust me and you stormed out." Blaine asked, his eyes downcast now.
"Oh God, Blaine…I do! I DO trust you…I don't trust him, can't you see?" Kurt replied, equally staring at the floorboards. He gave a deep sigh and stepped up to Blaine, invading his space.
"Then don't punish me for things that he does. It's temporary, honey, only four more weeks. I'm so much better when you're here with me…when you're around. You ground me…you make me feel like I'm home…because home is where you are, now, Kurt." Blaine told him, his nose now playing at the sensitive spot behind Kurt's ear. Kurt giggled and shivered at the touch.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry I freaked out, Blaine. You're right, it was childish. You've more than told him that you're not interested…I just hate it that I know I'll be gone and he'll have you all to himself. He doesn't seem like the type of guy who gives up easily."
"Doesn't matter how hard he tries…you're mine and I'm yours. He doesn't factor in to that equation at all, love…not at all. It's just you and me…just us." Blaine told him, staring straight into the ocean pools that were Kurt's gorgeous eyes. "We have ten minutes…let's make the most of the time before we have to meet Kailey…" Blaine told him seductively, the back of his hand brushing over Kurt's fly. He sucked in a breath and his eyelids drooped.
"B-Blaine…" he breathed, head falling back against the wall as Blaine mouthed at his neck…. "God, B…."
"Come inside…" he snickered. "Then come…inside." Blaine teased him. "Let me blow you before we go, baby…" he trailed off, dragging Kurt inside the door.
Eli was tired of waiting for Blaine, so he came back looking for him. If nothing else, it would piss Kurt off. He heard the last strains of conversation from Kailey Marsh as she talked about looking forward to getting to know Kurt. Around the corner Eli stood listening…and seething. Apparently that bitch of Blaine's wasn't leaving tonight. Well, he'd have to step up his game. You're damn right….I don't give up easily, Kurt. I'll have him, come hell or high water. He clenched his fists when he heard a choked off, high pitched whimper from Kurt and the grunt that followed. He could just imagine what was going on behind that door, and it pissed him off.
"Hey, babe, it's me…listen, I have to miss dinner. David needs me to stay late. Usually this is something Kurt would do, but with him not here…" Jeff began.
"It's ok…don't worry. Will you be able to meet up later?" Nick asked him.
"I'll be there as soon as I'm done and I grab something quick to eat, ok? I'm sorry, Nicky…"
"No, no need to be sorry. Another time we'll do dinner. It's ok. Just get your stuff done and be careful getting there and I'll see you then, ok?" Nick said with a grin.
"Ok…love you."
"Love you move."
"Not possible…"
Jeff made it home around 8 pm to find Trent and Thad eating dinner at the dining room table.
"Gentlemen, what's up…?" he said, and tossed his keys in the bowl by the front door with everyone else's.
"I got a job today!" Trent said, his enthusiasm evident. "Food?" he said, motioning to the dinner he and Thad had made. Jeff grabbed a plate and fork from the kitchen and plopped down at the table to join them.
"Awsome, man! Where at?" Jeff asked.
"The Art Attack…that little gallery we passed when you and I were here visiting the first time? Remember we said we wanted to go in before we left and then things kind of went…haywire?" Trent grinned.
"Sweet! Full time, part time, what?" Jeff says, happy his friend has found a job he knows he'll love.
"Not quite full time. They only need someone like 35 hours a week, but it's ok, because my boss says…get this!" he squeals excitedly "she says I can have some of the loft space for my own work, and when I'm not on her clock, I'm more than welcome to work there and she doesn't care if I get paint on the walls and floors and ….well…anyway, I'm really pretty excited about it!" he grins, knowing he's probably made a fool of himself with his overenthusiastic reply, but he's really glad to have the job. Now Thad won't be supporting both of them, even though he can, easily. Trent wants to help, not be a drain on their finances. They talk about the job, what it entails and how Thad is liking his new job as well. Jeff finishes his dinner and grabs all of the plates to set them in the sink.
"Come out with me tonight to celebrate? I know it's Thursday night, man, but just a drink if you want to?" Jeff says, already pulling his shirt off over his head as he walks to his own room to change. He pulls on Nick's favorite jeans and a button up, throws on a skinny tie and messes with his hair to make it fabulous again after a day's work. At the last minute, he grins at himself in the mirror and slicks on some black eyeliner because he just knows what it does to Nick. Had they gone out to dinner before hand he wouldn't have, but he can now.
Stepping back into the kitchen, Thad whistles at him and tells him he better pack an overnight bag 'cause Nick's not going to let him go after he sees him.
"Are you saying I can't come back to my own home?" Jeff grins.
"Dude, you show up there like that tonight, and there's absolutely no way he's going to let you get away without fucking you senseless…and I need my sleep. Some of us have to work early tomorrow….SIR!" Thad teases him. Jeff turns a few shades of crimson, and then considers it. There's no reason he can't stay the night at Nick's anymore, is there? And what better place to tell him he wants to be there with him all the time?
"Maybe…" he trails off. "So you going with me?"
Trent and Thad share a look, then shrug. "One drink…just one. We can hang out for a bit, yeah." Trent smiles. Jeff's glad. He still feels odd walking into the bar alone for some odd reason, and sitting there alone watching isn't as fun as being able to chat with friends and stare unabashedly at Nick on stage.
Thad and Trent both head to the bedroom to change, quickly, and then they all head to Dive Deeper to watch Nick and the guys play.
From Finn: Dude, you are SO going to miss it all!
From Blaine: What am I missing? I'm not missing something important, am I?
From Kurt: Why am I included in this?
From Finn: Shane is messing with Nick again and Nick's about to go fucking crazy on him!
From Blaine: Define "messing with"?
From Kurt: Finn, that's not funny….ok, screw this, I'm just going to find out from Blaine. Hold!
"Speak now. So help me God, if Nick's messing around on Jeff I will personally screw with his life on levels you never knew were possible. NOT Jeff…" Kurt rails as they lay in bed snuggling after dinner with Kailey. He sat straight up in a hurry and his hackles were up for certain.
"No…it's not like that! Shane is…remember when I told you they hired the new guy and he was doing some of the stuff I used to do behind the bar? He wants to be a bartender, so he's 'learning' with Mickey, supposedly, but he's been sweet on Nick since day one, and Nick has done nothing but tell him no and give him nothing to hold on to. He will NOT give up though, and Nick's apparently about to lose it. He texted me about it the other day, wanting to know what to do about him." Blaine explained.
"WHY am I just now hearing about this? Do you know what Jeff will think if he gets wind of this? He doesn't know, does he? Because if he did, he'd have told me, Blaine. He may be your best friend, but he and I spend an awful lot of time together. This is so not cool!"
From Blaine: Man, I swear, if Nick erupts, you have to get it on video because I have to see it! He's so damn calm all the time. I don't know if it'll be scary or hilarious!
From Kurt: No, go back. I want to know exactly what "messing with" means, in detail Finnegan, and right now!
From Finn: He's always got his hands on him somehow…slipping his arm around his shoulders, swatting him on the ass, poking him in the arm for something, winking at him and all that.
From Finn: I guess he's texted him a few times today and Nick's totally pissed off that someone gave his number out. When Nick walked in tonight, Shane literally met him at the door like a dog and he's been trailing around him ever since. Nick came out of the john and there was Shane trying to get all up on that! Lol
From Blaine: That's every night, Finn. What's got him all up in arms tonight?
From Finn: Joe overheard him talking to Nick while he was warming up and he told Nick he could do so much better than Jeff….that their dad's did business together and that he knew Nick's dad hated Jeff.
From Kurt: Oh hell no….Blaine, get in the car, we're going home!
From Blaine: Kurt, I'm sitting next to you, you don't have to text me. And I can't go home until after class tomorrow!
From Finn: No, there's more! He said David Duval would be happy if they went out and Jeff was out of the picture since he was a poor nobody anyway and would never make anything of himself.
From Blaine: You guys are playing tomorrow night, right? Cause we'll be home by then, and we'll be there.
From Kurt: Don't warn this Shane person, Finn. Don't tell him we're all coming for him!
From Blaine: Oh God no, don't TELL him! I'm dying to see the look of utter surprise and terror on his face when Kurt lays into him! Hell hath no fury like a fiercely protective and raging Kurt Hummel!
From Kurt: Awww, thanks baby *smiley face*
From Blaine: Still sitting right here, Kurt *smiley face*
From Finn: I don't know that it's going to GET that far…Nick's ready to blow tonight. Shane needs to just leave before Jeff gets here!
From Kurt: Jeff's going there tonight? FINN! Don't let something awful happen!
From Finn: What the hell am I supposed to do, Kurt? Uh oh, too late. Jeff just walked in with those two dudes who just moved here…
From Blaine: I'm serious, man, if something goes down, I wanna know. I'm not happy about it. I feel like I should be there for Jeff if that asshole's gonna cause problems!
From Finn: I'll keep you posted! Almost time to play. See you guys tomorrow!
"You know I'm going to have to flay him open when we get there, right?" Kurt says softly, still lying in Blaine's arms in the dark now. Blaine is unable to see the myriad of emotions playing across Kurt's face…the pain, the memories, the tightening in his chest at the mention of someone trying to lure Nick away. It's an all too familiar sensation to him, and he despises it with every fiber of his being.
"I know, baby. I know…and you go right ahead." He grins into Kurt's soft hair. "And Kurt? I'm really so very sorry about everything with Eli. I'll do better. I see now, with all of this bullshit with Shane, that it's hard on the people on the outside…and I realize it's been hard on you. I'll make it stop, I give you my word. One way or another, I'll make sure that there's not an inkling of doubt in his mind about who I belong to and that he needs to just back the hell off. I'm…I'm sorry, Kurt. I love you more than you'll ever know, and I would never, ever knowingly put you through the mental stress this has apparently caused you." Blaine said softly into the darkness.
"Are you mine, Blaine?" Kurt asks softly.
"Without a doubt, I'm all yours, Kurt."
"Then that's all I need."
"Does it bother you if I stay?" Hunter asked Sebastian as they lay in bed together that evening in Sebastian's apartment.
"What? No! Why would it bother me?" Seb answered.
"I don't know…we've been spending so much time together, and I don't want to be that clingy boyfriend nobody wants." Hunter smiled.
"I don't care how clingy you get and I'll always want you." His boyfriend told him, leaning in to kiss behind his jaw up to his ear. "Thank you for being here with me." Seb breathed seductively into his neck.
"It's where I've wanted to be for a long time, now, Sebastian. I just didn't know how to come right out and tell you, and when I finally got the nerve to do so, you would say or do something to make me second guess what you wanted…so I held back….a lot."
"I blame myself for that so you don't need to. I was aloof about us for way too long. I'd deal with knowing you were going to be out with other guys by acting like it didn't bother me…pretending it wasn't a big deal…like we weren't a big deal, being an asshole….God, I did that a lot. There's only so much a guy can take, though." Seb said,
"What?" Hunter said nonchalantly. "You mean you don't like me going out with other guys?" Hunter said, feigning ignorance. "I mean…I kinda thought maybe we could have a night per month where we go out dancing and we can both go home with someone else, just for a change, you know, to keep it fresh and new and—" Hunter began, but Seb grabbed his wrists and pinned him sharply and surely to the bed under him, a possessive look in his eyes that Hunter had never seen before. It turned him on more than anything had his whole life.
"P-please…Hunter…don't even joke about that shit. I can't…I can't even consider what would happen if I thought you were out with someone else." Sebastian said and squeezed his eyes shut tightly. "Is that…do you still want that?" Seb asked, his heart in his throat.
Hunter thought he'd been clear…he was clearly joking, right? There's no way he wanted anyone other than Sebastian, ever, for as long as…well, forever.
"Seb…honey, I was…you're hurting my wrists, Seb." He said, a little breathless. As much as it hurt a bit, it was also the hottest damn thing ever and he found he was panting a little bit. "Ease up a bit…talk to me, ok?"
"'K….ok." he said, brow furrowed in thought. "Do you…is that something you want? Do you still need or want to go out with other people or are we…is it just us now?" Seb asked.
"Hey, babe…." Hunter said, wiggling his wrists free. At this point he wasn't sure Sebastian even realized he was still holding his arms down. He sat up a bit, put his palms on either side of Seb's face and pulled him in, nose to nose. "Listen to me…look at me, Seb…hey…" he coaxed, trying to get Sebastian to look him in the eyes. "Baby…just you. You're all I need…all I'll ever need. It's you that I love, ok? I don't want anyone else. I don't need anyone else. Just you." He said, giving his lover the kindest, softest smile he knew how. He pulled him into a tender kiss that lasted longer than his planned peck on the lips, but he was ok with that….so very ok with that. "I love you, you know it? I don't wanna pick anyone else up, I don't wanna take anyone else home with me. I just want to go to sleep with you every night and wake up with you every morning. If you're ok with that, then we're good, alright? You ok with that?" Hunter asked.
He was a bit unsettled by the look in Seb's eyes. He had this wild eyed torrent of frenzy going on in there and he looked pretty unnerved. Sebastian shook his head as if to clear it from a thick fog and settled down a bit.
"This isn't what I'd planned on…" he mumbled, and Hunter was suddenly afraid he'd said way too much.
"What's not….what hadn't you planned on, Seb?" He asked, needing to know but terrified that he'd pushed too far for too much in such a short time.
"I need to…um…" Sebastian said, staggering from the bed on wobbly legs and pointing toward the bathroom. He walked away leaving Hunter there, wallowing in his grief over his dead and buried dreams of being enough for Sebastian Smythe. Why...God WHY had he said so much?
Sebastian went into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror for a few minutes just staring at himself. He'd gone through a period not so long ago where he wasn't sure he liked who he saw looking back at him. Who did he see now? Was he enough? Was this what he wanted? It had been a long road to this point and it was sounding very much like Hunter had expectations…for them. He was short of breath and shaking now, everything rushing through his head. He felt kind of tingly in his fingers and thought maybe he was going to hyperventilate or something. He told himself to take deep, slow breaths and closed his eyes while he held on to the sink. In, out, Seb…he repeated to himself.
"Yeah, you're all about the in and out, aren't you, you asshole?" he said to his own reflection in the mirror. He needed to straighten this out…get on the same playing field as Hunter and put him in his place. Best to get it done now so there were no more misunderstandings.
He detoured to the kitchen for a bottle of water after taking a leak and then headed back to the bedroom to find Hunter laying with his back to him. Well, it was now or never. Hearts were made to be broken, and chances needed to be taken.
"Hunter…l-look at me….hey, roll over here. We need to…there are things…I can't…would you just LOOK at me, damn it?!" he said a bit too loudly.
Hunter rolled over and what Seb saw broke his heart. Red eyes and tears met him and he knew he needed to bring an end to that.
"Just do it…I said too much, I know I did. I'm sorry, I wasn't—" Hunter began.
"Just….just sit there and let me say what I have to say, will you?" Seb said, feeling sick. "I'm not good at this, Hunter….this…this relationship thing and I don't know if you're gonna want to be with someone like me for the long haul. I hadn't planned on this happening….like this….it wasn't like this in my head it was….it was different…more…I don't know. It's not what I thought I wanted, and I'm sorry, if it's not what you wanted but…" He paused running his hand down his face.
"Seb…" Hunter choked out. "Don't…please…don't push me away…please. My heart can't handle it again." He cried, big, sobbing, choking tears.
"What?" Sebastian said, not understanding. "I'm not pushing you away, Hunter!" he bellowed, dropping to his knees next to the bed. "I'm not…I'm not doing that! I'm…..I need….fuck, this is worse than I thought it would be!" he whined, then extended the small box in his hands straight out in front of him.
"Marry me, Hunter? Make me the happiest man alive…make 'you and I' forever?" he said, his smile hopeful.