It's probably about time to remind you that I don't own Glee, Fox, any of the characters you recognize of any of the songs Nick sings. lol If I did, Santana would join Dave for a long walk off a short pier... but I digress.
Ch. 92
"Tonight you're gonna sing for me, Warbler, and we're gonna hit all kinds of high notes together." Kurt purred.
"Kurt…." The word left Blaine's mouth like a prayer, a puff of vapor that whispered out on the cool air of the dark room and dissipated. He felt himself sway on the bed and his eyelids begin to droop a bit with the blood rushing in his ears. His heart was pounding and all the while, the vision of sex itself stood against the doorframe with an unearthly glow about him that knocked the sense right out of Blaine.
Rolling forward from his backside to his knees, Blaine slowly made his way to the foot of the bed and held his hand out toward the vision before him. Kurt smiled a wicked little grin, ran his tongue over his bottom lip and sauntered forward toward his lover, hands now loosely clasped behind his back.
"See something you like? I believe this belongs to you." Kurt teased, flicking the tie out away from his body as he reached the end of the bed, a mere foot from Blaine now.
"I hope to God the whole package belongs to me."
Blaine reached out tentatively and ran his fingers down Kurt's chest, then back up softly, slowly, his breath hitching all the while. He was pretty sure Kurt's heart was beating frantically, just as his own was, but Kurt's face showed no sign of distress…just nerves. This was so unlike him, and Blaine understood immediately. Kurt was nervous as hell. This wasn't him. It wasn't something he'd come up with on his own and put into action…but for Blaine, and for the fantasy he'd mentioned, Kurt would put himself on the line.
"You know…you know I love you, Kurt…more than anything or anyone else on earth, right? I mean, please understand that I'm dying here…dying…you're so inescapably stunning and my libido is currently in overdrive, but I know this…this sort of thing…it isn't…it's not um…your heart is pounding, baby. I can feel it here…" Blaine said softly, placing his hand over Kurt's chest, the pale skin prickling into goose bumps as he did so. "Don't do something that makes you uncomfortable just for me…although I feel the need to insert here that you…like this…are possibly the single hottest thing I've seen in my life. God, Kurt…"
Without another thought, Blaine surged up and placed his hands softly on Kurt's face, dragging him down for a kiss that left Kurt's knees wobbly. He moaned into Blaine's mouth, his own hands raising to slip into Blaine's hair and grip softly, but securely.
"I'd do anything for you…anything…." Kurt breathed out next to Blaine's ear, his face pressed against the side of Blaine's, moving his hands down to grip the man's hips. "Pick your poison, love…I'm yours for the evening…your little plaything. Do with me as you see fit and let's enjoy the peace and quiet…the ability to be as loud as we want for the first time, as well as this big ass bed that's been screaming my name since we arrived this morning. I'm all yours, Blaine. Show me what's been rolling around in that sexy little mind of yours all this time."
Blaine fought the urge to whoop with joy, instead he grabbed Kurt by the hips and yanked the pale body down on top of him as he lay back on the bed. "There is absolutely nothing about you I don't want right now, Kurt…desperately," Blaine said, pulling Kurt's face down to ravage his mouth again. He was tentative for about 2 seconds before he felt Kurt shift ever so slightly, nudging his own erection into Blaine's, which had sprung the second the moonlight filtered in and he saw his beautiful man in the doorway. His mouth was all over Kurt, his lips, his jaw, his neck and the noises Kurt made were every indication Blaine needed to know that he was on board with whatever happened.
Blaine's grip on Kurt's hips was firm, and Kurt reveled in the thought of those beautiful, purple fingertip bruises that he'd see in the morning. He wanted nothing more than to belong to Blaine in every way, and they were off to an amazing start. He felt Blaine's mouth on his neck and arched to accommodate him, giving him as much room as necessary. Blaine flipped Kurt over so he was on his back, then worked his way down Kurt's chest with his mouth, not stopping for even a second, covering every square inch of skin he was able to touch.
"You are so insanely stunning, Kurt Hummel…I adore you…" Blaine mouthed into his skin.
"Adore me down further….right smack dab in the middle of – ohhh…oh God, yess….yes, Blaine, please…" Kurt moaned wantonly, his head falling back to the bed and his eyes slamming shut as Blaine took all of Kurt's shaft into his mouth at once. His hips bucked up and he felt Blaine back off momentarily, probably to keep from gagging, and Kurt shuddered out a breath that echoed through the air around them. "…perfect, perfect mouth….ohhhh"
Blaine moved his hands to hold Kurt's hips down and continued his assault on Kurt's cock, the head hitting him squarely in the throat repeatedly, but he was getting pretty good at it. Kurt's self-imposed sexual hiatus had left them plenty of time to explore everything BUT penetrative sex, and Blaine was an expert on what drove Kurt crazy. Pulling off, he mouthed down Kurt's shaft to the apex of his groin and thigh, nipping at the sensitive skin with his teeth. He worked down further, licking a stripe up from Kurt's knee to his upper thigh, then positioned his hands under Kurt's legs and lifted him slightly and took his time mouthing at Kurt's scrotum, then back toward the pink puckered hole that was screaming for him. With a tentative lick over the object of his desire, he felt Kurt shiver and smiled to himself. A few more nips to Kurt's ripe ass cheeks and he worked his tongue over the pucker again, blowing soft puffs of air, after a warm lick, just to keep Kurt's attention.
"…killing me….please, Blaine…."
"Mmmm…please what, baby?"
"…fuck…God, your mouth…."
"You like that, hmm?" Blaine hummed with a devious grin, then pointed his tongue in and shoved it inside Kurt as far as he was able without any warning. Kurt arched as his body tried to buck up off the bed. He was a mumbling mess and Blaine was in heaven. He worked his tongue in and out, over and over until Kurt was only able to grab at him weakly, pulling his hair as he attempted to make Blaine understand he wanted him to move up.
"Can…can this be the part of the fantasy where you put your lover out of his blissful misery and fuck him senseless?" Kurt managed to get out.
"I think we can accommodate your request, Mr. Hummel."
Blaine immediately rolled to the side of the bed, whipped his drawer in the night stand open and fished around for lube, finding it readily, but...
"Shit…I don't have any condoms in here…hang on…" Blaine began, but Kurt grabbed him before he could leave the bed and pulled him back.
"No…not tonight. Not this time, please. As far as I'm concerned, from here on out it's only you and me…just us…and I want to feel you slide inside me, B."
Blaine was only able to nod, then worked his way back between Kurt's legs, running his hands up strong thighs to already bruising hips.
"You're so perfect."
"And you're very chatty…but it IS your fantasy, Mr. Anderson. What's your pleasure, sir?"
"Hmmmm…." Blaine had nearly forgotten this was Kurt's plan….Blaine's fantasy. "Yeah? You're ok with it…seriously?" He grinned.
"Absolutely…whatever my man wants…" Kurt said seductively, raising his hands above his head, stretching them and inhaling deeply. Blaine's eyes went wide.
"Take the tie off."
Kurt resisted the urge to pout. He loved the tie…and he'd figured Blaine did as well. But, it was what Blaine asked. He loosened the tie and slipped it over his head, handing it to Blaine.
"Wrists together over your head, Hummel." He purred, and Kurt's eyes went wide.
Blaine had a moment of second thoughts when he saw Kurt's face pale slightly and watched his body still. But just as quickly, Kurt raised his arms above his head sexily and gave Blaine a go-ahead nod.
Blaine's heart nearly burst with the immeasurable trust Kurt had just placed in his hands. God, he loved this beautiful man more than words. He tied Kurt's wrists together snugly, but not tightly, and then anchored them to the headboard. With one simple tug of the right end of the tie, he'd have Kurt free if it became necessary.
"Ok?"
"Absolutely…continue, Mr. Anderson."
Blaine warmed a palm full of lube between his hands and fingers and brushed a tentative digit over Kurt's entrance. He noticed it was a bit pink and knew it was because of his mouth…and that…that was heady. Locking eyes with Kurt, he slid a finger in slowly, watching as Kurt's eyelashes fluttered and his mouth fell open, a light huff exiting as it did. Never taking his eyes from Kurt's face, Blaine slid the finger out and back in numerous times, always slowly, until he whispered "another?" and Kurt nodded, eyes still closed, head tipped back and spine slightly arched in pleasure.
"Mmmm….please…" Kurt sighed, feeling Blaine's second finger work around him.
"This won't be quick, Kurt. I intend to make slow, sweet love to you on this bed and carve that memory into my brain forever. It's something 15 year old Blaine Anderson would have gotten off to five times a day if given the vision that you are, splayed out here before me. I don't want to forget a single second, and I'll relish every moment you allow me to worship you."
"…Oh God, Blaine, your hands…" Kurt murmured as Blaine worked two fingers in and used his other hand to glide up and down Kurt's thighs to his sac, fondling his balls softly and watching Kurt fall apart above him. "Slow…ok….slow is good…."
"I hoped you'd see it my way."
"Tell me about 15 year old Blaine?" Kurt asked, eyes still closed, trying desperately to stay calm and steady in Blaine's hands. He didn't want this over embarrassingly fast, so he thought, perhaps, making Blaine talk would keep his mind level.
"Hmm…I was a typical teenager, I guess. I'd just started at Dalton, decided I was going to play lacrosse and sing with the Warblers. Singing worked out, lacrosse did not…too small that year…but I was quick, and the coach told me to come back the following year when he'd have lost 7 seniors to graduation," Blaine said, curling a finger inside Kurt and reveling in the noise he made as he came up off the bed, a soft uhhh uhhh uhhh panting out.
"Blaine…another….."
Blaine slicked up a bit more and added another finger slowly, knowing he was really stretching Kurt now. He would never, ever hurt this man, not if he could help it.
"Go on…..did…did you… you come back the next year?"
"I did not…no. I had my uh….I had my hands too full, and I was needed elsewhere." Blaine answered as best he could. He was starting to have trouble with full sentences now as well, his own erection pounding against his belly, throbbing out its own tattoo as he watched Kurt writhe beneath him. "I uh….my friend needed me more….more than the lacrosse team did at the time."
"You're a fantastic friend, Blaine Anderson…top o' the l-l-line….oh shit…oh God, Blaine, enough, please…." Kurt pleaded. At this point, no amount of small talk would keep Kurt's need from surfacing.
Blaine was slow to remove his fingers, as he truly enjoyed stretching Kurt, watching him arch, beg and writhe beneath his careful ministrations. But the begging eventually got to him and he wanted Kurt to enjoy himself as well, so he carefully slipped his slick fingers out and, at the last minute, leaned down to engulf Kurt's cock in his wet mouth one more time before making love to him.
"I'm gonna die…I'm dying…" Kurt gasped. "I thought you loved me and here you are trying to kill me…" He babbled as Blaine quickly bobbed a few times to keep Kurt in the game, slick finger teasing into Kurt's hole now. Blaine grinned evilly, looking up toward Kurt's hands now fisted tightly since he was unable to grab hold of anything. Kurt strained against the tie holding him securely to the headboard of the bed and clenched his jaw, sucking in air between his gritted teeth. "Blaine….Blaine…." he chanted now, as Blaine licked a long stripe up the underside of Kurt's length.
Deciding he'd teased him enough, Blaine crawled up on his knees and slicked himself up quickly, still enamored with the way Kurt's head was thrown back in ecstasy. Slowly he traced the tip of his cock against Kurt's now straining pucker and gave a gentle push, easing the head in and watching Kurt tense for a brief second.
"I'll go slow…I promise, babe."
"I know you won't hurt me."
"Never…."
With super human willpower, Blaine slowly eased into Kurt's body, sheathing himself in slick heat and groaning his complete and utter satisfaction. He inched forward slowly, finally bottoming out and then just as slowly, he pulled back, nearly all the way out, before easing back in again.
"Shit….oh shit, baby, you're so….you're so tight…"
He found a good rhythm and kept it, studying Kurt's angelic face as he slid home again and again. It was the most amazing feeling, being connected like this with Kurt, and he craved it, needed it. Kurt's body took Blaine in like he was a part of it, like he belonged, and he felt that way…as if he belonged to Kurt.
Leaning over, he kissed Kurt's chest gently, mouthing over each new spot softly, murmuring soft, loving words to the man he loved as he continued to work his body inside Kurt's. Blaine's hands roamed every inch of Kurt's skin he could touch and he surged into him repeatedly, changing the angle of his thrusts to find any and all spots that would make Kurt whine his pleasure.
"Love you….just wanna love you…never want anyone else…just you, Kurt…only you…" Blaine whispered, nipping at Kurt's nipple. When Kurt arched in need, Blaine moved up to nuzzle his face into the crook between Kurt's neck and shoulder allowing Kurt to kiss him briefly as he brushed over his soft lips. Inhaling Kurt's scent, he continued to ease in and out as Kurt took every inch of him without so much as a whimper of complaint.
Blaine pulled back, brushing the backs of his fingers over Kurt's length, now laying against his abdomen.
"So beautiful, so strong, so powerful…" Blaine said, slipping his hand around Kurt's cock as it stiffened again in his grasp. He felt the heat begin to coil in his gut and sped up just a little bit, thrusting into Kurt with a bit more vigor than before, watching as Kurt's body began to move up the bed with the harder thrusts. Blaine kept an eye on the tie, on Kurt's hands and his wrists, to make sure he wasn't hurting him. That was the very last thing he wanted. It would probably hurt him worse to see unwanted marks on his lover's skin. The wanted marks…the love bites, the hickeys, the fingertip bruises…those were another story. Kurt wore those like armor. He was proud of them, and Blaine was proud to put them there.
"Blaine….touch me…please…" Kurt begged, reminding Blaine that he'd stopped briefly as he watched the play of emotion over Kurt's face. His thrusting was strong and steady now, the tight spring in his belly ready to snap. He jerked Kurt harder, keeping in time with his own thrusting, finally reaching up to yank on one end of the tie and let Kurt's wrists fall free to the bed.
He reached under Kurt's legs, lifting them up and settling them into the crooks of his elbows before giving Kurt every ounce of what he had left. It felt as if they'd been on that bed for hours, and although he knew that wasn't the case, he was overjoyed that Kurt had allowed him this…free reign to do what he needed, what he wanted. And he'd wanted to make love to Kurt here, in this room, in this house. It was like a baptism for Blaine, as if he could wash away all the sins, all the darkness, all the horror that had happened within those walls. With Kurt under him…with his shaft buried deep inside Kurt in his boyhood bed, where he'd woken way too many times to an angry father above him needing something to strike, Blaine's memories of that space would now be irrevocably altered and he could be free. He felt a vindictive sort of joy well up inside him as he looked down at Kurt and saw a man who loved him, respected him and wanted every single part of him without reservation. He could walk away now. He was free of this place and everything it stood for. He could, and he would, put it all behind him for good. His father had no power over him anymore. The only person who had any power over him was laying beneath him, allowing him every liberty and giving him unending love and acceptance.
With Kurt's legs propped up in his arms he thrust hard now, quickly, making Kurt shiver and beg. His cock was leaking between them and as the blood returned to Kurt's arms, he reached for it and began stroking himself, which made Blaine crazy. Eyes wild, he gritted his teeth and pumped hard and fast into Kurt, needing his release to seal his euphoria.
One, two, three, more pounding thrusts forward and he was coming so hard his legs went numb. He faltered, nearly dropping Kurt's legs in the process, and he felt them stiffen and saw Kurt's eyes roll back in his skull as he reached his own climax. He was shouting Blaine's name like a prayer to deities he didn't even give credence to as Blaine slumped forward onto his chest, breathing so heavily it was almost comical.
"Oh my God, Kurt….I love…love you so, so much…I can't…." Blaine huffed out, nearly gasping for air, his body shaking from its release. Kurt held him close in his arms, his legs wrapped firmly around Blaine's waist, with his own chest heaving and tears in his eyes.
Kurt wasn't sure what happened there with Blaine, but clearly something had…something big. As long as it was a "good something", he was on board.
"You ok?" Kurt shuddered out, trying to regain his breath. Blaine didn't answer for a minute, just rested his head on Kurt's chest, panting, his eyes closed and his body beginning to shiver with the sheen of sweat all over it.
"In all my life, Kurt, I have never been better than I am at this very moment, here with you."
Kurt's eyes blinked open at 4:47 a.m. and he was sore and cool. His body was well used and should have been pliant and relaxed, he thought, but instead he was pushed to limits he didn't know he had and that was just fine…just fine. He did, however, roll over and steal some of the covers back from Blaine before spooning up behind him and smiling softly, ready to slip back into sleep. Something held him back, however, and he couldn't put a finger on it.
The room was dark and silent and he smiled into Blaine's hair, kissing it softly as Blaine hummed and shifted, reaching behind him to pull Kurt closer, then his breathing went back to its previous cadence and Kurt closed his eyes again. After they'd made love the first time, they'd cuddled under the covers talking and drifting in and out of sleep for a few minutes. Blaine told him about his conversation with Cris…about the arrangement with the house, about Bill, and about their planned dinner for Saturday night…and he also revealed that he felt better about being there, having "exorcised some old demons", as he put it with a sly, wicked grin, and he felt content. He was finished with this place, this house, those memories and he'd never have to see his father again if he didn't want to after that weekend. And he didn't want to…he'd been very clear on that point.
Kurt was glad. Blaine had been so uptight, so unlike his normally upbeat and fun, smiling self since they'd come home to Westerville. He was infinitely glad Cris was moving to New York and would be closer to them. He knew Blaine had missed his mom, and after hearing what she'd found in the journals and that George Anderson had shoved her down the stairs, he just didn't feel that she was safe staying anywhere near him.
Talking with Kurt seemed to mellow Blaine out, and soon he was kissing Kurt again, tugging on his hair and then whispering in Kurt's ear to please make love to him. Kurt was up for the challenge, and they spent a couple of hours slowly using mouths and hands to bring each other to pleasure again before hobbling into the shower and swaying in each other's arms under the warm water until it ran cold. It was one of the best nights of Kurt's life and he would remember it always.
5:12 a.m. found him still awake and staring blankly at the wall, so he slid out from behind Blaine and figured he'd see if they had any milk and maybe he'd heat some up. He fished out a pair of flannel pants from his bag at the end of the bed and turned toward the door when he saw him there. The man casually leaning on the door frame in the hallway was unmistakably George Anderson. Blaine was the spitting image of his dad, and it shook Kurt for a minute before the situation took root in his brain and he went into flight or fight mode. Sorry, George, he thought, but it's just not your lucky day.
"Mr. Anderson." Kurt said quietly, without any hint of kindness.
"What are you doing in my boy's room?" The man slurred ever so slightly, wavering on his feet a bit. To look at him, he didn't appear at all impaired, but from everything Kurt had been told, it was clear that he probably wasn't' completely sober.
"I'm staying the weekend to help Mrs. Anderson and Blaine pack and get their things from the house. If you'll excuse me, I'd like to get downstairs to the kitchen." Kurt said, approaching with caution, but surely not trepidation. George stepped back and swung his arm wide into the hall as if to say "by all means, please pass…." But Kurt wasn't impressed. "I think I'd like it better if you came with me. Leaving you alone with Blaine isn't an option."
"..the fuck do you think you are, boy?" George hissed harshly, and Kurt was surprised he wasn't yelling, as if perhaps he wasn't ready to wake Blaine yet. Maybe he should have been concerned, but he wasn't.
"I don't THINK…I know who I am. I'm Blaine's boyfriend, I'm Cooper's friend, and I'm Cris' friend as well. I'm an invited guest, and if I'm not mistaken, you're not. Now I'll ask again, please accompany me down the stairs and allow Blaine to sleep. Being here hasn't been easy on him, and I don't want to wake him. I'm sure you can understand why, right Mr. Anderson?"
Blaine's dad gave Kurt a hard look and didn't move for several minutes. It was a classic stare down, and Kurt wasn't about to let George win. Finally the older man stepped back from the doorway and allowed Kurt to pass, saying "after you" as he did so with a calculating grin. Kurt's nerves were pulled tight, but he'd be damned if he'd show this man fear. Instead he walked casually down the hallway toward the front stairs as if he owned the place, hoping it would rile George up just a little bit more and keep his mind off of Blaine.
In the kitchen Kurt pulled open several drawers and cabinets before he found a small saucepan and placed it on the stove. He walked to the refrigerator then, pulling out a half gallon of milk and measuring out enough for one mug, then thought better of it.
"Warm milk, Mr. Anderson? Mine's pretty damn good, if I do say so myself." Kurt smiled with barely hooded disdain.
"Hell, why not?" George sneered at the younger boy, uncertain of his tactics. Kurt proceeded to pour another serving into the pan, then returned the milk to the fridge and grabbed vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and a pat of butter to add to the warming milk on the stove. Stirring slowly, he wondered when the older man would speak…or if he would…and he formulated what he wanted to say in his own mind.
"Why are you here, Mr. Anderson? Cris told us, in no uncertain terms, that she'd asked you to stay away this weekend while they packed and moved their things out."
"It's my house, and I'll be here when I want to be here, not that it's any of your fucking business...what's your name, boy?"
"Kurt…Kurt Hummel. And it's not your house…you know it and, surprise, I know it, too. I wonder, though….I mean, there's no car here. You couldn't have known we were here. Did you just stumble upon us upstairs?"
"Truth be told, I figured she'd make everyone stay somewhere else. Don't want any of 'em here anyway in my house…" George mumbled, glancing around at the boxes on the floor and the counter. I came to make sure she wasn't taking anything I wanted. I was surprised to find Blaine upstairs…and I didn't expect YOU at all, boy. I don't allow that bullshit in my house-"
"Oh, get over yourself. Blaine's a grown man and if he wants to fuck me six ways to Sunday in his bed, he'll do what he damn well wants, and you can be damn sure I'm gonna let him. You have some nerve preaching about sex and 'what you'll allow' when it's a known fact between your boys and your wife what you've been up to all these years. What gives you the right?" Kurt said, fiercely protective of his new-found family.
"What give me the-? What gives YOU the right to come in here and speak to me that way in my own house, you skinny little twink? I don't have to justify myself to the likes of you in my home! If I say you don't sleep with my son in my home, then you should have enough respect to—"
"Stuff a sock in it, I don't want to hear another word out of you about respect! You're a fraud and a phony if you want to babble on about things you know nothing of. What respect did you show to anyone else who lived in this house of horrors with you? NONE! You raised two sons who were terrified of you because you're a monster who drank too much and harassed them, beat them, tortured them until they both fled! You threatened them with violence toward their mother, you coward! What kind of man does that? I'll tell you the answer…..you're not a man at all, Anderson. Not even close. A real man cherishes the woman or the man that he loves, he cares for the children they bring into the world together. A real man holds his relationship with his partner as something sacred to be taken care of…he doesn't fuck every short skirt he sees for years, keeping his wife a laughing stock in town because everyone else knows what a cheating dog he is! A real man shields his family from the horrors around them and he holds them close to keep them safe. A real man is NOT the demon that hounds them for years until they have to flee from him in order to maintain any semblance of sanity. THAT'S what a real man is, Mr. Anderson…and you are not that man!" Kurt hissed, his eyes wild now and his torso covered in a sheen of sweat that was at odds with the cold he felt inside him at the moment. His hands were shaking and he was trembling all the way to his bones. He was relieved to realize, though, that it was from anger rather than fear.
"You've got some nerve, kid, coming here and running your mouth at me. I can still take Blaine, and I can damn sure still take you as well." George growled with enough menace in his tone to rattle Kurt.
"You might try, but let me tell you something, asshole. You make damn sure you wanna take this on, because the last man who threatened Blaine is dead, and I don't have any qualms about taking you out of the equation as well you old drunk. Now here's how it's gonna go down. You're gonna walk out of here, get in your car and go away. If there is a God, you'll plow that car into a tree on your way home and do us all a favor. I'm going to go back upstairs to bed with the love of my life and he will never know that you were here. Are we clear, George?"
"You're bluffing." George sneered.
"Am I? Jackson Hardy, age 27, August 23rd, New York City…I'll wait…google it on your phone." Kurt smiled with ease, poured himself a mug of milk and leaned back against the counter just watching to see what he would do. The older man faltered momentarily, squinting his eyes at Kurt as he stood staring again, unsure whether to believe him. "I'm sure you know Blaine's friend Jeff, don't you? He's a black belt…we've studied together extensively. See, I was bullied a lot back in high school, and it got old, very quickly, being the victim…and I swore it wouldn't happen again. But you can try me if you're really ready for that…although I felt that I should at least give you fair warning." Kurt repeated, eyebrows raised in expectation and a slow smile forming on his lips in a clear dare toward Blaine's father. "Whenever you're ready, old man….bring it on." Kurt said, his voice low and deadly calm, his eyes on George Anderson as if he would spring the minute the older man twitched.
With a sneer that would have shaken lesser men, George pushed away from the counter and cocked his head to the side, still watching Kurt as he stood, seemingly as calm as ever, drinking his mug of milk.
"I'm going to go, not because of you, boy, but because I don't have any reason to believe those three wouldn't concoct some ridiculous story and have me throw in jail again if I laid a finger on you. But mark my words, they better get every fucking thing they want out of this house tomorrow and be gone by Sunday morning, because I'll be back, and the shit will hit the fan if anyone's still here. You pass that along, will you, twink?"
"Oh you betcha!" Kurt said in his highest, most feminine drawl. "Move along now before you get hurt…and yes, that's a threat."
George slowly backed his way to the front door keeping his eyes on Kurt the whole time, sneering until the door clicked shut. The minute Kurt heard the car start up and back away he slumped down heavily against the front of the cabinets onto the cold tile floor and let out a breath he felt he'd been holding for the past 25 minutes. Then he started shaking.
"Kurt?" Blaine mumbled sleepily as Kurt crawled back in beside him 15 minutes later.
"Mmm…it's me…go back to sleep, baby."
"You're shivering…whole body's cold…" he mumbled again, pulling Kurt toward him and covering him with the comforter.
"I went down to make some warm milk…couldn't sleep, but I feel tired now. I should have probably put a shirt on…it's chilly with the air conditioning on." Kurt said, snuggling up behind Blaine and wrapping an arm around his stomach.
"It's funny…I thought I heard my dad for a minute…."
"He's just a nightmare, now, Blaine….sleep, ok?"
Minutes later Blaine's breathing was back to its slower cadence, but Kurt would remain painfully alert and awake the rest of the night listening for any and every odd sound
"Mornin' sunshine…oh shi-….I mean…I'm sorry, I didn't know you were down there!" Vivian breathed out, startled at the sight of Nick on the floor in Jeff's room. She quickly righted her sponge bath cart after nearly running Nick over with it. "What the heck are you doin' down there?"
"Push ups…what does it look like I'm doing?" Nick asked, giving her a genuinely quizzical look. "I usually hit the gym in our building at least 4 times a week…gotta do something to stay in shape. He'll need help getting around when we get home and I have to be up for the challenge," he smiled.
Vivian shook her head at him with a smile and then glanced at Jeff, still as ever, and offered a warm smile there as well. Nick's off handed "when we get home" gave her as much hope as anyone. He was so certain this was temporary, God bless him. She hoped with all that she had that he was right.
"Well, I know I'm early today, but I had to switch shifts with Ellen to be off for my niece's wedding tonight and I know you're picky about who's with Pretty Boy here," she said, giving him a prizewinning grin. "His color's good today, yeah? The bruising has gone down so much in his face…I'm sure doc's glad to see it?"
"Yeah, he was in earlier this morning and said he's hopeful…the swelling seems to be going down inside as well. Nothing to do but wait…and hope. He'll be back. He'll be back and better than ever, just you wait." Nick walked over to Jeff's bed and picked up his hand, kissing his knuckles as he always did, then leaned in to kiss his forehead as well. "You'll be back soon, won't you Pretty Boy? So many people here wanna meet you, and Blaine and Kurt are pullin' for you almost as much as I am."
"So are you gonna serenade me while I bathe our boy, here?"
"Thinkin' about it…why change a good thing, huh?" Nick grinned and picked up his guitar, seating himself on the chair and strumming softly, as he did, playing their song first, as he had every morning they'd been there.
"When my legs don't work like they used to before, And I can't sweep you off of your feet, Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love, Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks…."
Nick closed his eyes and played the song once more, singing with passion and so much energy that Vivian stopped what she was doing and just watched.
"I loved that song before, but I have to say, I love it even more now. And it's your fault that I cry every time I hear it on the radio now," Vivian teased.
"It's our song. We danced at our wedding to that song, and we kissed through that song and we made love through that song and—"
"Oh God, ok, I get it…TMI!" Vivian laughed. "Did they bring you a lip balm for him? There was one in here one day and the next it was gone. You have to keep his lips moist…well, not only for his health, but because you know you won't leave those lips alone when he's awake," she winked.
"Yeah, it's in the uh…over here in this drawer in that rolling table thing. I've been putting it on him. I wish I knew how all this worked…I mean, I know this one's breathing for him…I think—"
"No, it's not. He's breathing on his own just fine, it's just oxygen. A breathing tube would be down into his lungs and …well, he doesn't need that. The I.V. is for food and to keep him hydrated. His mouth will be dry when he wakes up and his voice will be harsh and scratchy probably. Make sure you keep some ice in your glass just in case." Vivian instructed with a smile. "My part's all done here. You wanna wash up his manly bits and finish it?"
"You know me so well." Nick smiled, taking the wash cloth from her as she stepped away. He continued washing Jeff, making sure he was fresh and as clean as he could be, then started drying him just as carefully, covering him back up with a kiss to his nose. "Thanks for that, though. I know you could have given me 27 kinds of hell that first day, and you didn't. Thank you…for letting him keep a little bit of dignity through all of this. You'd have to know him, Viv. He'd be so mortified with strangers doing this but—" Nick paused at the knock on the door.
"It's open."
"What's up with Blondie this morning, man?" Sebastian said, strolling into the room with Hunter behind him. Nick just grinned.
"Unlike this fool who'd more than likely make all the nurses go on a rotating schedule to fondle his junk." Nick snickered, throwing the towel in his hands at Seb.
"Hey!" Sebastian said, acting a bit offended for a second. "Wait, are these male nurses we're discussing, or-?"
"What? Really, Seb? Really?" Hunter chimed in. Vivian grinned widely and shook her head.
"I swear to all that's holy if I was straight I'd never leave this room. Never seen so damn man good lookin' men in one place. You come on back, Jeff, but until then, I'm gonna ogle your guests, babe." She said, squeezing Jeff's hand before waving and pushing her cart out the door. "You all behave yourselves!"
"Uh, no thanks….like that's any fun!" Seb snarked behind her.
"So what's going on, guys? What brings you here?" Nick asked.
"Waitin' on Blondie to wake up, man. I'm startin' to worry. Maybe it's time his lazy ass gets an intervention or something…this is just ludicrous. Now he's just milkin' it." Sebastian joked, trying to keep the conversation light. He wasn't looking forward to the conversation he knew he'd have to have with Nick.
"Uh huh…what's the real reason you're here? You look like you're about to vibrate outta the chair," Nick asked with a knowing look.
Sebastian sighed, figuring he may as well get it over with, but he gave a pointed look toward Jeff and then nodded out the door. He shot a look toward Hunter who just nodded back at him. Nick followed Seb out into the hall.
"They're uh..they're charging him with attempted murder, Nick. It was premeditated, they're saying, especially with everything else that's happened...Jeff's job, the apartment fire, his mom's car. It's not looking good, man. I just wanted you to know, because the press is gonna pick up on this and who knows where a reporter will pop out at you. I can have someone put on your door here if you want?"
"No, it's ok, I'll handle any security. They've been here the whole time we've been here, so this won't change a thing." Nick assured him.
"The guy in the hallway with the Beats on his head?" Seb asked nonchalantly.
"Yep, that's Joseph…he's my head of security. He's beating himself half to death mentally over this and he hasn't' been off shift for more than 6 hours since Jeff was hit. He fired the guy who was on Jeff that evening, thankfully, because God help him if I ever get ahold of him, but he still feels he was somehow responsible. I can't hold it against him, but what can you do?"
"Well, he sure fits right in with all the other down-trodden looking visitors. Anyway, if you decide you want police presence here, you only have to say the word."
"I appreciate that, man, I do. Thanks. I'm really hoping we won't be here too much longer. The swelling is going down, so that's a good sign. Are we done with the stuff he shouldn't hear?"
"Yeah, yeah…." Sebastian said, motioning back toward Jeff's door.
"Mr. Duval!" came a call from down the hallway.
"Mornin' Beth, how's things? How's that baby girl of yours?" Nick smiled.
"Oh good, good. She slept through the night last night, thank the Good Lord," the nurse smiled. "Here ya go, love. Eat up, there's more where that came from if you're of a mind to have some. Just buzz me if you get hungry!" Beth said, hurrying away.
"Damn, man, you've got a pretty sweet set up here." Sebastian teased him.
"I do, indeed. They've treated me like a king, and Jeffie even better. I couldn't ask for more. Someone brings in three meals a day, I'm not even shittin' ya. They have a chart, for crying out loud. Good people here, that's for sure." Nick smiled.
"But you'd rather be home with your boy, I know it."
"I'd give away every red cent I have for him to wake up and smile at me, Seb."
"I know you would, buddy. I know you would."
Despite being awakened that morning by Cooper's obnoxious bellowing through the house, Blaine had slept like a baby. It was odd to him, because he never slept well at home, with good reason. He felt as if his subconscious mind was always on alert for an attack here.
Kurt, on the other hand, looked like death warmed over and felt like he'd been hit by a Mack truck. Blaine had used his body relentlessly, and in turn, he'd done the same to Blaine. By rights Blaine should feel like crap, too, but he was chipper and rearing to go that morning. While Kurt reveled in the glow of making love with Blaine all evening and into the wee hours of the morning, mentally he was overwrought with thoughts of George Anderson…and physically he was well used. The corner of his mouth twitched up when he remembered a few key points to his night with Blaine and he may have pinked a bit from his ears to his neck. He just hoped Cooper hadn't noticed.
"Damn, Blainers, I dunno what you did to Kurt last night, but he looks like shit, man. Nice bags under the eyes, Kurt, and the blush…what were you two up to all night?" Cooper teased. Great, he had noticed.
"Cooper Anderson! Don't you ever let me hear you say such things about our house guest! What in the world?" Cris asked, appalled, and swatted her son on the butt with a roll of newsprint paper.
"Ow, mom, seriously? Damn…."
"Whiner baby…" Blaine teased him, using a childhood name Cooper had always called him when they were much younger.
"Shut it, Blaine…just because you probably had loud, obnoxious sex last night while I was alone in my hotel without my wife—"
"Coop, enough. You're crossing that line again. We've talked about this." Blaine said strictly, giving Cooper a pointed look.
"He's just angry that he wasn't here to photograph the whole thing and send pictures to all our friends—"
"HEY! I said I wouldn't do that again!"
"Cooper!? You did what?" Cris hissed. Kurt knew it was time to change the subject.
"Actually…now that we're all here and everyone's awake and …uh….I wanted to talk to you about something if you can spare me a minute. I'd planned to not really say anything, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it's probably best to mention….." Kurt trailed off, uncertain how to bring up the fact that they'd had a visitor last night.
Everyone had paused, mostly because of the tone of Kurt's voice. He was all business now, and Blaine, especially, knew something was up.
"Ok…we're all listening. What's up?" Blaine prompted. With a deep breath, Kurt began speaking.
"So, last night I woke up around 4:45…I figure it was probably being in a strange place, a strange bed and all that. I tried to get back to sleep, but I couldn't, so I came down here to make some warm milk…but before I made it out of Blaine's room, I was um…I realized we had a visitor."
"What? What visi—" Blaine paused. "Kurt?" He asked, his eyes hard now.
"Your um…your dad showed up last night. I'm not sure what he wanted, but he was standing in your doorway when I got up to come downstairs.
"Kurt! Why in the HELL didn't you wake me up?!" Blaine bellowed, standing from the chair he'd been sitting in and nearly upending it.
"Calm down, Squirt, let him tell us."
"I actually got him to come down here with me and I talked to him briefly while I warmed up some milk. It appears he wanted to see what had been packed so far…check out what you're taking…that sort of thing. Apparently he wasn't aware we'd be here, since there wasn't a car in the driveway or anything. I don't know the man, but I don't think he was specifically here to cause trouble. He was very surprised that I was here, though. I don't think he was too happy about it."
"Well, that explains the text message he sent me last night, then." Cris said, taking out her phone to show the boys.
George: What kind of mother are you, allowing your son to date a murderer and sleep with him in our home?
Kurt smirked and rolled his eyes.
"I was wondering what brought that up and how he'd known about that horrible man, Kurt." Cris said.
"I'm not certain, but I think he'd been drinking. He said something that I took as threatening toward Blaine and I sort of went off. When he pressed it, I may or may not have explained to him that I'd killed the last man who'd dared threaten Blaine in front of me. I'm not sure if he believed me, but I left him with enough information to google and apparently he took me up on it. He didn't seem too keen on staying after I'd acted with a bit more bravado than I really felt. In fact, I kind of melted down after he left the property and…well, he's gone now and didn't come back. I stayed up to be sure of it."
"Jesus, Kurt! Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You were sleeping soundly, and there was no reason to do so. All is well, he's gone, there was no physical altercation, and I feel that if there had been, I could have handled myself."
"Still, I don't even want you around him!" Blaine said angrily, pacing the floor in the breakfast nook.
"Well, after today I won't ever need to, right? He's requested that you have anything and everything you want out of the house by tonight…I'm supposed to pass that little tidbit along." Kurt explained.
With that, a rumbling filled the front of the house and a rather large truck could be seen through the front windows backing up the long driveway.
"Ok, the movers are here. Listen boys, and that includes you, too, Kurt…I want you to put anything and everything you might want on that truck after I put what I'm taking to my new place in…we'll have my things in first, so that they're last to be unloaded. This was your home, no matter how unsavory your father made it, and you are entitled to anything you want out of it. Let's get this done and get out of here, shall we?" Cris asked, a sweet smile on her face. "I'm quite serious, Kurt. If you come across anything that strikes your fancy, just say so. The fewer things we leave here, the better." Kurt just nodded his thanks and grabbed a box of kitchen items to head toward the front of the house near the garage entrance where everything else was stacked.
"I'm sorry."
"What? What are you sorry for?" Hunter asked, his brow furrowed and a smile on his face as he straightened his tie in the mirror. Sebastian sat on the sofa in their apartment just looking at him oddly, a half grin there, but with a touch of sadness as well.
"I'm sorry if I rushed you…if you didn't get what you wanted…the way you wanted it. I'm sorry we had to hurry back for Jeff and Nick's wedding, and then everything that followed it, making everyone's lives haywire. I'm sorry we couldn't do much about it and really didn't even get the chance to share anything and…and I'm just…sorry. I hope you're not too bummed," Sebastian told him with complete and utter sincerity. "I don't want you to resent me for it eventually."
"Oh my God, Seb, no…no, babe. Everything's….well, it's not ideal right now, no, not with rushing and the accident and the investigation and now my internship is going to start up. I know there's a lot going on, but I don't regret our trip, I don't regret a single thing that happened there…ok, except maybe the incident with the chocolate fondue and the sheets—"
"Yeah, yeah, go on. I hear you. I'll never live that down, will I?" Seb grinned, blushing.
"Probably not, but it's our story, and I love it…and I love you. More than anything in this world, Sebastian Smythe, I love you. I'm so proud of the man that you are and please don't think, for even one second, that anything that happened between last week and today is going to change any of that. Now come on. Pull yourself together, tie a knot in that tie and let's get going. I can't wait to introduce my parents to my new husband…even if they're the only ones who know besides us."
"I've had this ring for a week now…8 days, really, and not being able to wear it or say a word until we told your parents has been torture. Do you know how long I've wanted to introduce you as my husband, Hunter Clarington? Hmmmm?" Sebastian asked, sauntering up to Hunter and slipping his arms around his waist from behind. Seeing the two of them together in the mirror took his breath away.
"As long as I've wanted to introduce you as mine, I hope?" Hunter replied, turning in his arms to kiss Seb softly, then with more passion. "I love you, Seb...more than you'll ever know."
"Clearly you do, if you married me in Vegas…oh my God…." Seb grinned, shaking his head at their reflection in the mirror.
"I'd have married you anywhere, Sebastian….anywhere. But now I don't have to worry about that anymore, do I? You're mine until the end of time."
"Because Elvis said so?"
"Yep…because Elvis said so, Seb. Now let's go. The sooner we break it to my parents, the sooner you can tell whoever you want."
The truck was loaded until not one more box would fit on it. Cris' things were in the back, and the pieces of furniture and boxes of personal items that Blaine and Cooper wanted were in the front, to be unloaded first when they got back to New York. Even Kurt found a thing or two he knew he had a place for in their new apartment. In the end, the movers had done the majority of the furniture moving, but the brothers and Kurt had loaded the majority of the boxes.
Blaine caught his mother in the laundry room, staring reverently with misty eyes at the small pencil marks on the moulding around the door which led to the kitchen. The dates were now 30 years old or more, beginning with Cooper at age two and then Blaine at age two as well. He recalled the day his father had berated her for an hour for not allowing the painter he'd hired to paint over those marks, and when Cris had finally let a tear escape, he relented, shaking his head and calling her a softie. The scowl on his face showed that he would have said worse had the painter not been there.
As Cris walked into the hallway and informed them she was going to give her bedroom a once-over, Blaine dragged Cooper and Kurt into the laundry room and made one last measurement for Cooper, and then had Cooper do one for him. They brothers stood next to the moulding with the dark marks showing as Kurt took their full length picture with his phone, both boys smiling proudly for Cris. Blaine would have it printed out and framed when they got home.
They did a last walk through together and then headed out the house. Blaine and Kurt got in the truck and Cooper waited in the car for Cris. Through the front windows, which were in the home's expansive dining room, they could clearly see Cris running her finger over a buffet she had opted not to bring along, her head hung low.
"I can't believe how relieved I am to be gone from here and never have to come back….and then I look at Mom and I see how defeated she looks at having to leave her home. I need for her to be happy in the city with us, Kurt. I hope you won't mind too much if she comes over now and then or if we have dinner at her place often? I don't want her to be lonely or bored." Blaine said, his voice almost far away, as if he'd been thinking and the words just escaped on their own.
"Blaine, your mother is, and always will be, welcome in our home, no matter how often. I hope you know that I'd never, ever begrudge you that. I adore your mother, and I think she kinda likes me, too" Kurt said, giving Blaine a wink.
"Yeah, she kinda likes you, too, goofball." Blaine smiled.
Cris came outside, lowered the garage door and climbed in the car with Cooper. She said nothing, just kept her eyes on her lap.
"Do Kurt and Blaine have a hotel room with us tonight? I'd forgotten to ask you when you cancelled their reservation last night."
"Yes…they do, it's all arranged. We're to have dinner with Bill in the hotel's dining room at 8:00 pm. I hope you're not too tired?" She asked.
"No, not at all, but I'm afraid I didn't really bring anything decent enough to wear to a nice restaurant. I'll drop you off at the hotel and then I'll run out and grab a jacket. I wonder if those two brought anything along that's suitable for a nice place like that?"
"I'll find out…can we please just go? I don't …" she began, but quickly cut herself off, unable to speak the words.
"It's ok, Mom…it's ok. I get it, they get it, too. This is hard, but you'll be with us again and I hope you know how very happy that makes me, and Blaine as well. Maggie is over the moon that you'll be in the city and the kids have already made you a gallery full of artwork to hang on your new fridge. Please don't be sad to leave this place. It holds very few good memories for any of us. The important part of this 'place' was us…you, Blaine and me…and we'll all be together again, away from here, and that's ok. We love you, Mom." Cooper said, grabbing her hand and setting it on the console between them. He held her hand all the way to the hotel as she silently wiped at her tears.
Kurt opted to skip dinner. He had a raging headache and he was unbelievably tired from his lack of sleep the previous night. He felt, too, that it really wasn't his place to be there for this dinner with Bill. There would be plenty of time for that later. The last thing he wanted was to steal away Blaine's attention. He knew Blaine, and he knew he'd be sizing up the new man in his mother's life. He did not need Kurt there to give him reproving glances if he felt Blaine was being too harsh. Kurt certainly hoped Blaine would give Bill a chance. Still, he recalled the first time he'd met Carol, and he knew the thoughts going through Blaine's head right now. Was anyone ever good enough for your parent? He wasn't sure…but Carol was pretty great.
Blaine found Kurt a couple of hours later, half asleep with a magazine in his lap, the pages wrinkled from the bed covers as he'd rolled over to get comfortable. Moving it to the nightstand, he tiredly undressed, then slipped into his own cotton pants and crawled under the covers with Kurt, exhaustion having set in hours before.
"Mmmm...B?" Kurt murmured sleepily.
"Of course, were you expecting someone else?" Blaine teased.
"Dunno…Adam Lambert was here earlier and said he'd be back in a little bi- OW! You struck me! How dare you!" Kurt laughed, playing at being appalled as Blaine hauled off and nailed him with the pillow again.
"Adam Lambert, huh? Is it the hair? It's the hair, isn't it?"
"Mmmm, no, the eyeliner, babe. Gets me every time. So sexy..."
"Duly noted," Blaine replied with a sassy wink, leaning over to kiss his boyfriend.
"How was dinner?"
"Umm….ya know, it wasn't bad, really. I had a steak and Cooper had salmon—"
"Idiot, you know that's not what I'm talking about." Kurt chuckled.
"He's nice, Kurt. He's really, really nice and you can tell he really cares about Mom. When it comes right down to it, that's all that matters. She seems supremely happy with him, and who am I to get in the way of that? I'll give him a chance, I promise."
"Nobody can ask you for more than that, now can they?" Kurt grinned, rolling over to wrap his arms securely around Blaine's middle and laying his head on Blaine's chest.
"I suppose not. Missed you at dinner though. Is your headache gone?"
"Just about. I took some more Advil just before you came in I think. So tired, though. This really isn't how I prefer to spend my Saturday nights." He grimaced, thinking that just one week ago, they were at the wedding of their good friends, before all the chaos ensued. "Hey, have you talked to Nick today?"
"I haven't, but thank you for reminding me. It's not too late to call, is it? It's only 10. I talked to him yesterday morning and there was no change, but I don't want to not call…" Blaine said, grabbing his phone out of his pants pocket and dialing Nick's number.
"What's up, Blaine?" Nick asked, sounding in decent spirits.
"Not a bunch, man, just calling to see how things are going?"
"Good…well, as good as can be expected. No change with Jeffie, though. Well, that's a lie…they did another scan and said the swelling is noticeably reduced, so that's a good sign. On another good note, I think I've made peace with Ms. Caroline. She and Gram were in today and we talked for a long while. She had quite a few grievances to hash out, but honestly, I think it was a good thing."
"Her hashing out anything at you was good?" Blaine asked, confused.
"Yeah, well, she went on and on about this and that and what made her upset and how all this had happened to Jeff…but you could see it dawning on her as she spoke that none of those things were things I'd done. It may have helped, too, that Gram reminded her that every time one of those bad things happened, he and I worked through it, fixed it and made it better….together. I think it may have sunk in. We'll see. But…the real news is, like I said, his facial swelling and bruising is nearly gone now, which is great, and the swelling on the inside is reduced. Any day now he could wake up. When are you guys back?"
"We're leaving first thing in the morning to drive back. Should be back tomorrow night around dinner time. Mom has movers hired to unload the truck, so that's a definite plus. I did NOT relish the thought of all those stairs at the apartment. I'm thinking of just telling them to unload Coop's stuff into my old place. I'll probably regret that decision by Monday evening." Blaine laughed and noted Kurt's surprised smile.
"Probably, but he's your brother. Whadda ya gonna do, ya know?"
"Who knows…" Blaine trailed off and then yawned. "Damn, I'm tired. I forgot how much moving sucks the life out of ya."
"No worries. Hey, tell Kurt hello and goodnight and you guys get a good night's rest. I don't want you flipping the truck on the highway because you were driving tired. I'll talk to you when you get back, ok? Can't wait to see you guys."
"Will do, man. I'll stop in tomorrow when we're back in town. Tell Jeffie goodnight from us. You get some sleep, too, ya hear me? He's gonna need you in top form when he wakes up."
"I hear ya. I'm sleeping just fine here with my man. Talk to you soon, B."
"Night, Nick." Blaine said before disconnecting.
Morning dawned bright and clear and Nick whipped open the thick plastic blinds over the window.
"It's a beautiful day, Pretty Boy. How 'bout you open your eyes and take a look?" Nick coerced his husband. At the knock on the door, Nick turned to see who was coming in and found Donna smiling as she entered the room.
"Mornin' Nick!" she said cheerfully. "Sleep well?"
"Oh, you know…as well as can be expected I suppose," he answered with his own grin.
"On today's menu, Belgian waffles and sausage, compliments of Kennedy and her girls." Donna said, sitting the covered dish down on the rolling table. "I believe there might be some scrambled eggs in there as well."
"That sounds fantastic. Please thank her for me if you see her first."
"Will do, handsome. How's our man this morning? Oooh, look! Wow, the bruising's almost totally faded, isn't it? See what happens when I'm off a day? He looks fabulous."
"Of course he does, do you think I married him for his cooking skills?" Nick teased. "He's stunning…wait til you see him smile. It'll take your breath away, I promise."
"I can't wait. This boy….both of you…you have the whole floor staff wrapped around your finger and waiting with baited breath for this one to wake up. I've never seen 'em like this and I've been on this floor 11 years in December. Everyone's pullin' for ya'll."
"Nobody more than me, Donna. It's been 7 days now," Nicks said with a sigh.
"Don't you fret. It'll happen, I've got a good feelin'. Ok, meds for our boy, here, and I'll leave you alone to eat and serenade your man." Donna said, moving around the bed checking this and that, making sure everything was as it should be.
Nick plopped down in the chair as she worked and strummed his guitar as always, warming up and then working his way into the, now, very familiar tune.
"When your legs don't work like they used to before….."
Donna looked on with barely concealed emotion. This man…he was, by far, the most dedicated spouse she'd ever seen in all her years at the hospital. She finished up and busied herself with nonsense long enough to hear the majority of the song, loading his pitcher with ice and filling it with water about halfway. When she was through, she gave him a wink and slipped out.
"Baby, we found love right where were are…." Nick finished. Setting his guitar down, he picked up the dish and uncovered it, noting Kennedy had set a fork inside as well as the food, God love her. He took one bite, moaning around the waffle as he did so and stood again to grab a paper towel from the counter when he thought he heard a grunt or a cough. He swung around so fast he nearly stumbled, shooting his eyes to Jeff, but he was as still as always.
"You're losin' it, Duval…pull yourself together, man." He said, out loud, to himself before settling down in his seat again. As he raised the fork to his mouth he heard the sound again, but realized it was more of a smacking sound. Hoping against hope, he slowly raised his eyes from the plate to see Jeff's mouth move. Nearly upsetting the table, he plunged his fingers into the water pitcher and grabbed a sliver of ice, nearly thrusting it between Jeff's lips, careful not to let go of it. After a few seconds he pulled the ice back and waited. Then his heart nearly stopped as Jeff's lips clearly worked around the wetness.
"Th's Sterlin'-Duv'l, mis'tr" Jeff mumbled, his voice jagged and rough from days of silence.
Without warning copious tears escaped Nick's eyes and he let out a harsh, wailing sound like that of a wounded animal, falling to his knees at the side of the bed as he grabbed Jeff's hand and held it tightly to his lips, kissing it over and over.
"Baby….oh my God….Jeff….Jeff…." was all he was able to say as his voice shook and his hands shook worse. He was trembling violently all over and he felt as if his chest would explode at any minute. He couldn't make words come out of his own mouth and he just stared as Jeff's lips twitched up in a small grin, even though he had yet to open his eyes.
"Sing a'gn f'r me?" Jeff asked roughly, sounding like a 95 year old lifetime chain smoker. Nick burst out laughing, finding his way to his feet as he laid Jeff's hand on the bed, placing his own two hands gently on Jeff's face. He leaned in and softly placed his lips on Jeff's, resting their foreheads together as the tears continued to stream down his face in torrents. "Oh God, how I've missed your beautiful smile…everything…I've missed every little thing about you, Pretty Boy. God I love you…"
Regaining his senses, Nick hit the call button for the nurse, hearing Donna's voice shortly thereafter.
"What can I do ya for, handsome?" She asked cheerfully.
"I hate to bother you, but can you…can you come in for just a minute?" Nick asked, barely able to keep the sobs from his voice.
"Be there in two shakes, hon."
A few minutes later the door creaked open and she came strolling in, casting him an odd glance as she noticed his food, barely touched on the table which he'd apparently rolled away in a hurry. He'd pulled the chair right up to the bed and was holding Jeff's hand again as the boy lay still in his bed as always.
"Donna…I'd like you to meet my husband, Jeffrey Sterling-Duval. Pretty Boy, this is Donna…she's been taking real good care of you this week." Nick said with a big grin. Donna gave him and odd, patronizing look and was about to ask him if he'd lost a marble or two when she heard it.
"G'd morn'n, Donna…s'good to meet you." Jeff mumbled slowly with a wry grin.
"OH! Oh Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Nick! OH my goodness!" She yelled, smiling widely with her hand over her heart, her own excitement overtaking her as she rushed from the room, presumably to find Jeff's doctor.
A/N As always, thanks to Suzanne for editing for me and getting it back to me quickly.
For those of you who've missed our Pretty Boy...I hope this makes you as happy as it makes me :)
In case you were wondering, the song Nick sings to Jeff every morning and evening is Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran...but you knew that, right? ;) Thanks for reading you awesome people. Hugs!