I don't even know what to say except that, damn...I'm sorry. I hit the biggest writer's block I've ever had and it was...horrible. I blame Darren. I was perfectly fine before I saw freaking Hedwig on closing night, then WHAM! That boy fried my brain. Ugh... It wasn't that I couldn't write, I just couldn't write this...so I wrote The Escape instead and that seemed to help me knock the block away. I hope. Thanks for sticking by me while I floundered, folks. You rock.
Ch 101
Jeff paused in the hallway outside of a large, metal door with a small window, through which he could see a man sitting at a small table looking blankly ahead. He looked thoroughly disinterested, as if he was just waiting on someone to come and take him back to his cell and get the hell out of that room. David Duval didn't appear to be an overly large man. He was built like Nick, certainly, with grey beginning to weave its way through his dark, wavy hair. He wasn't stocky, but wasn't thin either. He was an above average looking man who Jeff would have definitely given a second glance to on the street because of his good looks, despite his age. But the deadly predator in David Duval wasn't painted physically onto his skin, which made him that much more dangerous.
David looked younger than what Jeff assumed had to be his age…at the very least he was in his late 50's if not a bit older. Jeff gave a half-hearted grin, knowing now that Nick would age well and be just as handsome as his father was in 30 years. And Jeff knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that he wanted to be there in 30 years, with Nick by his side still looking as drop dead gorgeous as he did today…if Nick didn't kill him when he got home.
Without thinking, he laid his hand on the guard's arm and asked him to wait before opening the door.
"Hey, man…give me a second, will you?" Jeff barely choked out, inhaling deeply. For all his bravado in front of Blaine about having this meeting with David, Jeff was duly terrified and his knees were actually knocking together he was shaking so badly. Apparently it was obvious.
"I don't blame you. Dude's intense. Doesn't talk, stares at files upon files of papers in his cell all day. Nobody messes with him in here. They don't dare. Rumor has it he took a hit out on someone and didn't even give a shit that his own daughter was with the guy. Almost killed him - and her in the process. Fucked up, man….fucked UP." The guard said quietly, never taking his eyes off of David Duval through the thick glass. "His own kid…."
Jeff felt his knees nearly buckle. But the guard wasn't through yet.
"But, you know, shit like that gets blown all out of proportion. Who knows if that's even true, right?" The guard asked with a grimace, finally looking back at Jeff, who was now staring through the window as well, the reminder of why he was here fresh again.
"Yeah….yeah, it's true. He didn't take out a hit though…he did it himself. The guy actually did die on the table in the ER, but they brought him back. He was in a coma for a week, his whole body broken and bruised, too. Duval's daughter ended up with a broken arm…got all banged up…" Jeff trailed off, staring again.
"You serious? How do you know for sure, man?"
Jeff merely turned briefly to look at the guard, his fingers lightly trailing over the puckered, pink scar on his right arm as he did so, then resumed staring at Duval through the small window in the door.
"I'm the guy," he said resolutely, then nodded firmly toward the door. He was ready now. When the guard didn't move at first, Jeff turned to look at him, wondering why.
"How'd you make it through the metal detectors, man? Fuckin' A…." He sputtered out. Jeff only gave him a questioning look, brows drawn, unsure what he meant. "You've got balls of steel, dude….balls. of. steel." The guard muttered before he reached to open the door and Jeff stepped forward.
"You stay?" Jeff asked the guard, his voice low.
"That's up to you, man. If you want me to, I stay. Kinda hoping you want me in there. I'm expecting a helluva show!" He said eagerly, though low enough that David couldn't hear him.
"Nick—"
"You…YOU do not speak to me, Blaine. D-Do not…" Nick said, breath rushing in and out his nose as he ground his teeth together and flopped in the chair next to Blaine. "I can't even look at you right now. HOW could you let him do this? HOW, Blaine?!" Nick seethed, shaking visibly.
"I—"
"NO…no speaking! I can't…can't even…Jesus fucking Christ, he tried to KILL HIM, Blaine; tried to END HIS LIFE and he's insistent on coming up here and talking to him no matter how many times I've told him he's not to do so, but here we are. That bullshit you two pulled to sneak away…fucking hell…not cool, man. NOT. COOL! Joseph's so God damned mad he can't see straight….questioning ME on MY mental capabilities and what the hell kind of man did I marry who thinks this is a legitimate option in the big scheme of things. I mean, that blonde brat is so freaking stubborn I can't even talk SENSE into him, Blaine. I've asked him, begged him, TOLD HIM this is not an option…and yet, here we are. What the actual fuck is even going on. God damn it, Blaine!" Nick roared, standing to pace the small waiting area, heedless of the others in the room or the female officer behind the glass at the desk. She thought better than to even utter a protest, secretly wondering how it'd all play out.
Nick turned to look at Blaine, wondering why he was so quiet and not replying, but Blaine merely sat there, stock still, almost terrified to even utter a peep. Blaine had seen angry people before, but never like this. This rivaled anything his father had ever spewed out, and the only thing left was for Nick to throw a punch at him. He'd never seen Nick so furious, or heard him utter so many foul words in one go. Nick was visibly shaking all over.
"Nothing to say for yourself?" Nick barked.
"You said not to speak," Blaine replied quietly, eyes on the floor, unsettled, unsure where he stood, besides firmly in the doghouse. He knew Nick would be upset and angry. He'd warned Jeff time and again, but Jeff was certain this was something he wanted to do. It was "necessary", he'd said. Well, now they would have to deal with the fall out. And it wouldn't end here. He'd eventually have to tell Kurt, and shit would hit the fan all over again. Oh God… Jeff was really going to owe him one after this mess blew over. If….if it blew over. He sighed and took up staring at the floor again, pinching the bridge of his nose as he felt a headache coming on, and hoping against all hope that he didn't vomit on the linoleum.
"Nicholas," the man across from them spoke. "I don't believe, in all my years working with your father, I've ever heard you speak to anyone in such a way. Your mother would be appalled," he smirked.
"Fontaine," Nick pushed through his teeth, barely able to stand the sight of the man before him. "Don't you dare, ever again, speak of my mother."
"That's all, no greeting, how are you, how do you do, what's been going on?"
"I don't care, Fontaine. I know you've been part and parcel to every shitty thing David's done all these years and you stood by and allowed it to happen with no regard to who he might hurt. And in the end, you'll defend him for all of his bullshit. No…I have no words for you." Nick spit. Now was not the time to try to make amends.
"I do my job, Nicholas. I'm his attorney, not his priest. He does not confess to me, he pays me to do a job and I do it well…even if it's a shitty thing he's asking me to do."
"I love the logic. That's like saying the drug lord isn't responsible for the overdose of the addict because technically he didn't actually hand him the product. No…you can rot in hell with him. Do you two have any clue how much shit you've caused? Do you have any idea how many lives you've turned upside down…destroyed and changed and fucked up irrevocably? ANY idea?" When Fontaine opened his mouth to speak Nick barked at him again. "No! I have no more oxygen to waste on you. Do not speak to me. I don't have the patience for it today."
Blaine was speechless. It was infinitely clear how angry Nick was, not only with him, but with this "Fontaine" across from them. He was a ticking time bomb and Blaine actually began to wonder if it would be safe for Jeff to go home with him that evening. He knew there was no way Nick would physically hurt Jeff, but he wasn't so sure he'd be able to keep his mouth from shooting off and saying things he couldn't take back. After all, he'd had the entire two hour drive upstate to stew about the visit and worry about Jeff…and apparently to work up quite the batch of fury toward Blaine…and maybe Fontaine as well.
"Take these…take his car home please. I'll drive him back," Nick said, handing Blaine his set of keys to Jeff's Audi. Blaine considered the keys for a minute, even went so far as to take them and curl his fingers around them, but there were too many things churning around in Blaine's head for him to acquiesce. In the end he shook his head 'no'.
"If it's all the same to you, Nick, I think I'd like to drive him home. He'll be shaken after this, I have no doubt about that. Anyone would be, even someone with a harder heart than Jeff has. He'll need to decompress on the way home, and he can't do that with you ripping his head off because you're angry that he didn't follow your orders. You're welcome to follow us back, but Jeff will drive back with someone who's not angry as hell at him. I don't mind saying that I'm not at all comfortable with him being in your company in your current mood," Blaine told him in no uncertain terms, girding himself for the shit-storm he knew was coming.
"You've got some nerve…" Nick said, his voice calmer now. He was shaking his head with an annoyed smirk on his face and Blaine couldn't read if he was peeved, angry or taken aback with Blaine's statement. "As if I'd hurt him, Blaine. He may be your friend, but he's MY husband—"
"He's my best friend, and if you want to get into a pissing match, I knew him before you, I know him better and we've been friends longer. He loved me well before he even knew you….but you and I both know that doesn't mean a hill of beans at the moment. What matters is that he's my friend, I love him as such, I want him to be safe and I want him to get this…this…whatever it is off of his shoulders so he can move on. It's weighing him down, Nick, and he can't recover from it until he does what – in his mind – he needs to do.
I want him to say what he feels he needs to say and be able to get past all this. But most of all, I want him to be able to go home and talk to his husband about it, like adults, because I know his heart. I know he loves you with every fiber of his being, and if you go at him, guns blazing, the minute he comes out that door, you'll both say things you can't take back. That's not good for anyone…not you, not him. You can be as angry at me as you want, Nick, but despite my telling him 37 different ways that I wasn't down with this visit, he was determined to do it. It's my job, as his best friend, to be by his side whether I agree with him or not. I'm here, I'll listen to him, hold his hand and let him scream, vent or cry on my shoulder…whatever he needs. And I'm afraid he won't get that from you in your current state. So…with all due respect, Nick…I think it's you who should go if you can't handle yourself respectfully when your husband walks through that door," Blaine spit, angry now on Jeff's behalf.
Nick didn't say anything, just sat there staring at the wall with a firm set to his lips and his hands clenched into fists. It was clear he wasn't pleased with Blaine's words, and Blaine was wondering to himself where he'd come up with the balls to say them when he knew how angry Nick already was.
"Listen, man, I know you're worried. I am, too." Blaine told Nick in a gentler voice. "There's a guard in there with him, though, and this is important to Jeff…he wanted to do this…needed to, Nick. Maybe this is his way of closing a door on all of it? Maybe this is how he needs to confront the trauma head on and move past it? I don't know, I don't pretend to know. But I do know he loves you, and that you love him. I know you don't want him hurt, and damn it, neither do I. I know that's why you're angry. I know you, Nick, and I respect you and who you are to Jeff. I'm not trying to make you mad, here, but you need to take it down about 37 notches so when he comes out he's not just as terrified of YOU as he is of your dad. C'mon…we need to be there for him when it's all said and done…not attack him for his attempts at getting some footing here, ok? Help me to help Jeff…be there in a good way, alright?" Blaine asked, his eyes on Nick, who was still focusing on the wall.
Blaine held out a hand to him and grudgingly, Nick took it and squeezed it tightly. It felt like a lifeline at the moment. Nick nodded curtly and Blaine heard him huff out a long sigh as he squeezed his eyes shut, obviously trying to clear his head of…well, probably everything.
When Jeff was ushered through the door he felt almost lightheaded. Sitting before him was a man who had tried to end his life not so long ago. He'd lived in fear of his father in law, who suddenly looked very small and un-intimidating, really. He'd worried about this man for so long that he'd forgotten what it felt like not to look over his shoulder every minute of every day. Now, here he was, ready to say what he'd rehearsed in his head a thousand times….and he couldn't make himself utter a single word as he nearly fell down in the chair before him. Was it intimidation or relief that had him tongue tied?
David stared at the young man across from him and said nothing. Truly, he was stunned and couldn't, for the life of him, figure out what the hell Jeffrey Sterling was doing in this visiting room. Jeff looked stoic, staring at David, studying him and taking everything in. He sat quietly, not even daring to blink too rapidly, but said nothing. Finally David had had enough of the waiting.
"I assume, if you came all this way to see me, that you have something you'd like to say, Sterling?"
That did it. That rattled Jeff enough make him blurt without thinking.
"It's Sterling-Duval now. Please try to remember it," Jeff said matter-of-factly, eyes on the man before him.
"So I've heard, yes." David huffed out an unamused breath. "And how is my son?"
"He's very well…better now that…now that I'm all healed up and he's not doting on me like a mother hen."
"Yes, well, Nicholas has always been the sensitive one. I can't imagine it sat well with him to have you…injured," David said with an air of arrogance that didn't sit well with Jeff at all. "So…what is it that you came to say, Jeff?" David asked. After having just sent Fontaine off with directions and specifics, he surely thought this particular meeting, if it ever happened, would be after everything he'd just set in motion was completed. Surely not so soon.
"I came to say that I'm alive…that you haven't broken anything but a few bones…surely not my spirit, nor my love for your son. I came to tell you that I won't leave him, no matter what you try to put me through - put US through – and that nothing you do or say will make me love him less. I came to make sure you knew that everything you've done has made us stronger, brought us together, not torn us apart. And I came to ask you if you're through…if you've had enough, and if you'll please cease whatever it is that you're planning next. To be quite frank with you, I can't bear to see Nick so broken all the time wondering if you're going to do something else to hurt him or his family."
David opened his mouth to reply, but Jeff held up a hand.
"No, I'm not finished speaking yet. It's my turn, so you can wait until I'm done. I think you've said plenty up to this point," Jeff said, his voice steady and level.
"As you wish," David replied with a condescending smirk and a nod, then motioned with his hand for Jeff to continue.
"I'm respectfully asking you to back the fuck off, David, because I care about Nick, and I don't want you to torture and punish him anymore than you have thus far. What you do to me affects him greatly, whether you want to think it does or not. He loves me, so anything that hurts me also hurts him. Likewise, when something hurts Nick, it hurts me as well…not that you care. He's a great man…caring, honest, generous to a fault…the best man I know…and I don't want to watch you tear him down for being with me. But I'm not leaving, David. I'm in it for the long haul, no matter what. So we need to hash out some new rules, you and I."
"Is it my turn now?" David asked when Jeff took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. Jeff had rehearsed this monologue in his mind so many times and he didn't want to miss a single point.
"No…I'm not quite finished. I know you don't think I'm worthy. I know you think I'm only around for his money, and let's face it, I'd probably question me, too, if I were in your shoes. But hear me when I say this: When I asked your son to be my husband, I required him to sign a pre-nuptial agreement stating that the money is his and remains his should things between us not work out. I don't want his money, his properties, his penthouse or his car, Duval. I only want him. He's enough for me…more than enough…and I'll never ask him for more than his heart. I'm here because I want to have a life with my husband which is free of threats, lingering doubts and looking over our shoulders for you. He deserves better than that, at the hands of his own father. I need for you to give me your word that you'll back off. I need for you to tell me what I have to do, short of leaving him, that will make you understand how much I love and care about him, and how much I need for him to have his life back. That's why I'm here."
David Duval sat quietly, observing Jeff as if he was studying a bug under a microscope, his head tilted at an angle as he took the man in. It was his first up close and personal look at his son's husband, and it startled David that his first thought was "yes, this is the sort of man I always pictured Nicholas with…"
Jeff was patient. He knew he'd put a lot out there and he knew David was taking it all in and weighing his words. He had time. He had nothing to get back to at the moment. Blaine would wait for him. He surely didn't want David to make any rash statements or decisions. This was his future, and he'd laid it all on the line…put it all out there, so to speak. Now he'd wait to see what his father in law had to say about it. He heard the guard shift his feet near the door and it reminded him he wasn't alone in the room with David, but oddly, his anxiety at being alone with David had worn off a bit after sitting there. He no longer felt intimidated or scared of this man across from him; not here, anyway. He felt safe here, and wasn't that why he'd opted for the visit to the prison to begin with?
Running through the spiel in his head, Jeff thought he'd done a decent job of saying what he wanted to say, so he gestured to David, indicating that he was through speaking, and it was David's turn.
As if things couldn't be more weird and uncomfortable, David did something Jeff wasn't expecting at all.
"Tell me about yourself, Jeffrey."
"I'm sorry…what?" Jeff asked, totally confused.
"Tell me about yourself. Tell me how you met my son. Indulge me."
Jeff shuffled his feet under the table and scooted back an inch or two in his chair, sitting up straighter because he was mentally thrown off balance. He wasn't sure what to say, but telling David the truth surely couldn't hurt anything. He was under no illusions that David already knew everything about him, anyway. With a deep breath and a long exhale, he began.
"I was born and raised in Ohio. My dad died when I was 8 years old. I was raised by my mom and my grandma.
I grew up dealing with the same shit every kid deals with. In middle school I hated homework. I wanted to play hockey and not study. I had bullies who tormented me because I liked to dance as much as I liked sports. They eventually backed off a little when I hit my growth spurt before they did and I had a good 6 or 8 inches on all of 'em. I was an honors student.
When I was ready for high school my mom thought it best to send me to Dalton Academy, where my dad had gone. She said it would be good for me and I'd meet the right people there. I did just that…met some great guys and got an excellent education.
I graduated at the top of my class, right next to my roommate, Blaine, and went on to college where I studied Elementary Education as well as Special Education. Graduated with honors and was hired right away for the school you had me fired from. I loved that job and I loved those kids and you ruined that. Strike one, Duval.
I had a great roommate and a pretty decent apartment. We hung out on the weekends when he was in town. I got along great with his girlfriend. Our apartment was a place our friends felt welcome and comfortable…until you ruined it. Strike two.
Blaine, moved to New York. He was never much for Ohio and wanted a change. He asked me to go with him, but I had my job and my home and it wasn't for me, then. He got here and got a job, where he met a great guy named Nick. Nick was looking over Blaine's shoulder and saw a photo on his phone and asked about the guy in the photo. Blaine gave him my number, we talked for hours, days, weeks… and when I visited Blaine and finally met Nick I fell head over heels in love with him…and then when everything in my life was suddenly going so very right…it all fell to shit. Because of you. Because you decided to ruin everything I held dear…and then tried to kill me. Strike three.
So you tell me, David. You know all of this already, I know you do. What is it that I did that upset you so badly? What sort of horrible person did I show myself to be that you thought you needed to destroy not only me, but my mom's property, my private property, my job and everything I held dear? What, exactly, did I do that was so wrong that you wanted me dead…besides love your son?
Again, David was silent and sat still, just staring at Jeff. He glanced up at the officer near the door and smirked. Jeff didn't know what that was about, but he was certain the guy behind him wasn't thrilled with David Duval after hearing all that. What decent human being would be?
"You'll excuse us, please," David said to the guard at the door. It wasn't a question, but a statement. David never looked at the guard, but it was clear who he was speaking to. Jeff was startled by that for a moment.
"Mr. Sterling?" The guard questioned, unsure if he should step out of the room. He wasn't required to be in there, but Jeff was glad he was there in the beginning. Now he felt they were on even footing. With the tiniest of grins, without turning around or taking his eyes off of David Duval at all, he answered.
"It's fine, thanks. Without a car as a deadly weapon and no henchmen at his beck and call, we're on even ground in here. I could take him out with my bare hands in a split second….and he knows it," Jeff said with no shortage of menace. The grin was gone now. Jeff was sure he heard the guard huff out a short laugh.
"I'll be right outside the door. You just yell when you're through here."
"Will do, thank you," Jeff replied.
"You're very sure of yourself, Jeffrey," David said with a devious grin.
"I'm sure of who I am and what I'm capable of. I'm sure of who Nick is. I'm sure of our commitment to one another and our love for each other. I'm sure, one on one, I could kick your ass right now and that guy outside would say he didn't hear a thing, had no idea how that happened. But you're Nick's father, and because I was brought up by good, God fearing women who taught me to respect my elders, I'll refrain; much as you might deserve it. I'm assuming you had something to say that you didn't want him to hear?" Jeff questioned.
"I'll say this much, Sterling…Nick has his work cut out for him with you, doesn't he?" David smiled. He smiled. It was a genuine, happy, glad, heartfelt, all-out smile as far as Jeff could tell…and it unnerved him.
"I like to think we keep each other on our toes," Jeff replied, uncertain.
"I'm sure you do. So here's the deal, my friend. We are friends, now, aren't we Jeffrey? I mean, you came to visit me and all?" Duval smirked.
"I don't think you should push your luck. I'm a pretty easy going, generous man, David, but even I have my limits. Let's not forget you attempted to kill me not so long ago."
"That I did…that I did…" Duval said, his fingers steepled and tapping together, and his gaze on the table. "But I'm going to make you a deal anyway, how 'bout it? Are you feeling lucky today, Mr. Sterling?" David Duval asked, his crooked grin in place. He looked very certain of himself and his "deal" and Jeff was intrigued.
Blaine wasn't sure who was more nervous. Fontaine was sweating bullets and it was obvious. Nick was bouncing one leg and then the other and Blaine was sure he was loosening screws from the chair he sat in with every movement. And Blaine…well, he was getting fidgety. Jeff had been back there visiting Duval for too long. Didn't these things have time limits? He was sure they did…but then again, he'd never actually been in a prison before, or in the position to visit anyone in prison. He'd been patient, Blaine had, and had remained quiet in the waiting area, but he was running out of patience and his anxiety over Jeff's visit was returning. Surely they sent someone in there with him, right? Had something happened, they'd have been notified, wouldn't they? The officer at the window knew they were both there with and for Jeff. Wasn't there a timer? How long, exactly, had Jeff been back there? Blaine glanced down at his watch for the hundredth time and still couldn't have said what time it was.
"Stop," Nick said, shattering the silence in the room. The other visitors were long since gone and it was now just the three of them waiting.
"Stop what?" Blaine asked.
"Your anxiety is getting all over me and it's not helping," Nick said, wiping at something invisible on his sleeve.
"How can you joke? He's in there with—"
"Don't. I think we both know I'm not joking. This is absolutely nothing I'd ever joke about in any lifetime. I'm as worried as you are, I feel sick to my stomach and I want to charge through there and yank his perky, fine ass out of that room….but I can't. So I'll wait and try to stay distracted. I'm reciting states and capitols in my head. Try it."
Blaine resisted the urge to laugh, rolling his eyes. It was clear, though, that Nick had calmed down immensely from when he'd originally charged through the door earlier. His breathing had evened out and he wasn't wild eyed and insane looking like he'd been when he first arrived. Blaine was glad, both for Nick's sake and for Jeff's. They were there for Jeff. Period.
When the door finally opened it sounded like a gong going off it was so loud in the quiet room. Jeff followed the guard through the door, turning to shake his hand and thank him…Blaine wasn't sure what for. That was…odd. When Jeff saw Nick, though, his eyes went wide.
"Nick…" wheezed out of his lungs, his face a mask of disbelief and concern as he glanced, alarmed, at Blaine. "What are you—"
"Pretty Boy," Nick breathed, taking Jeff in his arms and holding him tightly as if someone or something would try to rip him away. "God you're so incredibly stubborn. You worried me and I was so fucking scared, Jeff…" Nick's breath hitched as he tried to keep it together, placing his hands on Jeff's face and cradling it tenderly as if he was the most precious of belongings. Well…of course, he was. Nick feathered kisses across Jeff's face, both of their eyes closed, and Blaine suddenly felt like he was intruding on a very private moment.
"It's fine…I'm fine, baby. John stayed in the room with me almost the whole time," Jeff said, motioning to the guard he now knew by name. "Nothing to worry about here," Jeff said, holding on to Nick just as tightly. He gave a valiant effort at looking unaffected, but Blaine could tell right away he was absolutely shaken up.
"You're ok?" Blaine asked quietly.
"I'm ok, yeah. I'm…I'm good. It's all good. We had a long talk, got it all out on the table. Who knows what will happen now, but he knows what I came to say," Jeff said, looking like at least the weight of several continents, if not the world, had been lifted from his shoulders….yet still skittish and pale. Blaine was intrigued and wanted to know every word of the conversation, but he thought it better to wait until Jeff offered and they were somewhere more private to ask. Nick hauled Jeff into his embrace again as Fontaine watched intently, taking the scene in with a critical eye.
Blaine met eyes with Jeff over Nick's shoulder and mouthed "You ok, Jeffie?" He knew very well Jeff would never admit to feeling shaken with Nick standing there. He's just get the "I told you so" speech as to why the visit should have never happened, and Blaine really needed to know that Jeff was ok. Jeff forced a smile and nodded, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"Can we go home now? I think I could go for some lunch and an eight hour nap, really. Your dad's intense and exhausting and I'm kind of mentally fried, Nicky."
"That can be arranged. Anything you want, love. Anything at all," Nick replied, still holding on to Jeff as if he'd float away the minute he let go. With a deep sigh Nick finally loosened his hold and stepped away from Jeff, but he held on to his hand securely. With a nod to the officer behind the glass and a scorching glare at Fontaine, Nick turned and escorted his husband out the door.
With a fond grin, Jeff reached out and grabbed Blaine's hand, tugging him close, then threw his arm around Blaine's shoulder. As they exited the room, Fontaine got up and slipped back inside with the guard to speak to David Duval again. He was interested to see if the plan had changed.
"Good Christ, can't a man get a moment's rest even in fucking prison?" Duval boomed as Fontaine walked back into the small room. The guard received a scathing look as if it was his fault the lawyer wanted to come back. In reality, he couldn't think of a single reason anyone would want to visit this absolute douchebag of a man.
"Did you know he was coming? How did you not tell me he was coming here? I ran into them in the waiting area and Nick nearly ripped my fucking head off, Duval, what the hell!?" Fontaine boomed.
"Nick was here? My Nicholas?" David said, his eyes squinted and…was that a tinge of hurt?
"Of course your son, Nicholas. What other Nick would I be talking about!? Now would you like to tell me what the hell just happened? I hope you were careful with your words," he said, head tilting ever so slightly toward the guard outside the door.
"I say what I damn well want to say, Fontaine! I had no idea Sterling was coming here today. If I had, do you think you and I would have had the conversation we had? He took me off guard as well as he took you off guard. But I have to tell you, he's not what I expected."
"How so?" Fontaine asked, curious.
"He's…he's a handful, that one. Nick has his work cut out for him, certainly," David nearly grinned. "But it changes nothing, do you hear me? If anything, I feel even stronger about my position now. Keep to the plan. It plays out just as we've discussed. Sterling and I have reached an agreement. He keeps up his end of the deal and I'll keep mine. If anything, the plan is even more critical now. Make it happen, and don't disappoint me!"
"Do you intend to let me in on this 'deal' you've made with the young man you tried to-" Fontaine began, then glanced over his shoulder. "-with the young man who nearly died a few months back while walking with your daughter?"
"Absolutely not. There are things between a father in law and his son in law," David said with a wicked gleam in his eyes, "which shall remain private. He is…" David paused, choosing his words, "he's only mildly aware of what might transpire in the future. Let me be clear, Fontaine, if things don't go as I've instructed, there will be dire consequences. When I decide something, I expect it to be carried out to the letter, no questions. I hope I've been very clear on that score."
"Duval! You're not helping me, here!"
"And you're not helping me if you're standing here and not doing what we discussed this morning. Be on your way, Fontaine. There's nothing else to do here except wait. I have plenty of time for that, and I'm not paying you to sit on your ass and talk to me. I'm exhausted from all this bullshit. This meeting is over. Good day, Caesar."
David stood and walked to the door. John, the guard, unlocked the door and escorted David back down a hallway while another guard showed a very flustered and irritated Fontaine the way out.
"Nicky, I know you're angry with me—"
"I'm not angry. I was angry, but I'm not anymore. I was…worried. I was more anxious and uptight than angry, I promise. But you're ok, it's over, you've done what you wanted to do and you don't ever have to see him or deal with him again, and neither do I for that matter."
"He…" Jeff paused, unsure. "He misses you…your whole family. He's very lonely, it's obvious."
"He made his bed, now he has to sleep in it. I can't imagine giving two shits if he's lonely or not," Nick said, his face a mask of confusion.
"It's not that I'm concerned, per se, but…it has to be hard. I think he honestly thought he was doing what was best for you all along. Not just you…all of you."
"Jeff, he tried to kill you. Dead. And he nearly succeeded and took Bailey out in the process. I'm sorry that I have no sympathy for him. I'm not at all surprised that you do, though. It's not in you to hate someone…anyone…is it?" Nick asked, reaching for Jeff's hand over the console in the car.
"I came very, very close to hating him, Nick. I really did, but I…it's not that I want to be friends with your dad, but I don't want him to suffer forever because of me…because I'm in your life. I feel like I showed up and everything went nuts, and I won't lie to you and say I don't feel guilty about that. I know, I know…" Jeff placated Nick when he turned to show his outrage at the things his father had done. "I know he's done some shitty things, Nick…really, terrible, horrible, shitty things. He's…kinda nuts. But it's very obvious that he cares about you, Nick…and about your family. Whether he cares about me is irrelevant, though. Please just, I dunno, try not to harbor hatred in your heart for him. Like I said, I think he thought he was doing the right thing…defending you. Yes, he almost killed me, but he did it because he thought I was cheating on you…hurting you, Nicky."
"It's not right. What he did was inexcusable and I can never forgive him for that. I almost lost you because of him, and that's never going to be ok. Can we talk about something else now? I can feel my blood pressure rising and we have a long ride ahead of us."
"If you want, yeah. Blaine still back there?" Jeff asked, turning around in his seat to look. He laughed out loud, seeing Blaine's hair flying in the wind, and the man himself singing at the top of his lungs with the top down on Jeff's car. Nick smiled at the scene as well.
"He loves you, Jeffie. That boy is the best friend you'll ever have…not including me. He didn't say as much, but when I stormed in there, guns blazing, ready to take names and kick ass, he was calm, steady and ready to defend you til the end. He told me, in no uncertain terms, that he wouldn't allow you to ride home with me if I didn't calm the hell down. He said you'd need to de-stress, talk it out and may need a shoulder to cry on when it was all said and done, and that if I couldn't be those things for you, then you'd drive with him. Period. Blaine's a force to be reckoned with when he gets going isn't he?" Nick grinned, glancing back again.
"He is. He's unwaveringly faithful and the best friend anyone could hope for, and I love him, too." Nick cast him a sideways glance, with a curious grin, and Jeff nudged him in the arm. "Not like I love you, Nicky. I'll never love anyone the way I love you. You're my one and only, my other half, my soul mate. You're it for me."
"Wow, that's fortuitous, Mr. Sterling-Duval, since I feel the same way about you," Nick told him, turning slightly with a cheesy, love struck smile.
"I'm glad, because you're not getting rid of me. Now feed me, you fool. I'm dying of hunger!" Jeff laughed.
They stopped for food and Blaine refused to get out of the car until Nick produced a baseball hat that hid the crazy, hideous mess his hair had become as he drove home with the convertible top down.
"Here, you can have the hat, but first…" Jeff said, leaning in and sneaking a quick selfie with crazy haired Blaine, who nearly fell out of the car flailing to avoid the photo, without any luck.
"…hate you…"
"You love me, B, and I know it," Jeff grinned, throwing his arm around Blaine's shoulders and heading for the restaurant's door. "And I love you, man."
Kurt knew something was up. Blaine wasn't himself, and he was…fidgety. There wasn't any other word for it. He wasn't sure what Blaine and Jeff had done all day, just that Blaine had apparently had to drop off Jeff's car at the Penthouse after lunch with Jeff and Nick. Blaine came home and did a few loads of laundry, cleaned the apartment from top to bottom and offered to massage Kurt's feet when he dropped his bag at the door and flopped unceremoniously on the sofa. Something was up.
When he asked Blaine if something was wrong, Blaine just smiled at him and said everything was fine, why did he ask, etc. But Kurt could feel it in the air. There was something that Blaine didn't want to talk to him about and it made him edgy.
It wasn't that Blaine wouldn't normally do those things, it was his demeanor. He was quiet…contemplative…and it unnerved Kurt. Well, maybe Kurt's little surprise that evening would pull him out of his slump? He decided the restaurant wasn't the best bet, but he'd either ask Blaine on the way home or when they got home. One way or the other, he needed to have it done. The ring was burning a hole in his pocket and he was feeling desperate. He wanted that ring on Blaine's finger, and the sooner the better.
Rachel had called him that afternoon and asked him what was taking so long. He explained to her that he planned to broach the subject that night and he'd let her know how it went.
So now they sat in the restaurant, Blaine even more fidgety than he was earlier and Kurt was…unsure. Blaine entire demeanor was off and several times he looked like he was going to say something and then he'd stop.
"Blaine…" Kurt began, needing to know what was wrong before he could even think of asking Blaine to marry him. He wasn't going to force a situation at a bad time.
"Guys!" They both heard the call from the entrance to DeFaro's and looked up to see Nick and Jeff approaching their table. Blaine's eyes went wide and Kurt felt…defeated. Now Blaine would never tell him what was going on and he surely wasn't going to propose with company.
"Between the two of 'em you'd think we were unwelcome, Nicky," Jeff laughed, taking in Blaine's wide eyes and Kurt's dismal appearance.
"No…no, it's good to see you guys. What's up?" Kurt asked, regaining his charm and motioning for them to pull up a couple of chairs and have a seat. Jeff didn't hesitate to sneak a slice of pizza from the pie when it was set on the table, ordering one for him and Nick at the same time. Surely one missing piece wouldn't kill anyone, right?
"So here's the deal, B, I know you said you were uptight about it and Kurt was gonna kill you, but he clearly hasn't yet, so it must be ok, right? I mean, you're still sitting here…and…." Jeff trailed off as he looked up from his plate and saw Blaine's face, white as a sheet and eyes bugged out of his head. Kurt had slowly turned to look at Blaine to see what, exactly, was going on and what he clearly hadn't been told yet. "Oh…" Jeff breathed out quietly, realizing that Blaine hadn't even talked to Kurt yet. Well, damn. He'd had hours to just get it all out and apparently hadn't done it. "Shit…" he muttered.
"Blaine?" Kurt said, his voice crisp as he looked at his wavy haired boyfriend pointedly. Blaine squeezed his eyes shut tightly and grimaced.
"Can we do this later? At home, maybe? Where there aren't so many people around?" Blaine asked, never raising his eyes from his plate.
"Ya know…you've been acting off all day long. Our conversation on the phone this morning should have tipped me off. You were hiding something then, too, weren't you? And then you got home and you were fidgety…quiet…not forthcoming, clearly. So I really think I'd like to know what's going on, seeing as everyone else seems to know but me," Kurt said evenly, his tone a bit clipped. He was biting the side of his bottom lip, something that usually drove Blaine mad, but now it only made him sad and upset because he knew Kurt would be angry with him soon. With a deep breath, Blaine opened his mouth to speak and was instantly cut off by Jeff.
"Kurt, I forced him to go with me. I played dirty, made him feel guilty and all that. I asked him what kind of best friend he could call himself if he bailed on me in my time of need. It was my fault, please don't be angry with Blaine. I mean, he told me at least twenty times that it wasn't a good idea and how angry Nick was going to be if we did it—"
"Did WHAT?" Kurt asked, raising his voice a little bit and looking stern now. He was still looking at Blaine, who was still not returning his gaze.
"I wanted to—" Jeff began, but Blaine held up a hand and stopped him.
"Just…let me talk, ok?" Blaine asked, his heart pounding. "Jeff came to me with an idea a little while back. I thought he was crazy then, it's all over and done with and I still think he's crazy now, but, as his best friend, he wanted me there with him and I made the decision to go…so I did. We did. This morning…we went to see Nick's dad so Jeff could…put some things to rest."
At the last sentence, Kurt's eyes went wide and he scooted his chair back from the table a foot or so as if to get some air.
"You did what!?" Kurt hissed, mindful of the other patrons around them. "Y-you went there…to a prison…to see the man who tried to kill Jeff?! Jesus Christ, Blaine, what were you thinking? And Jeff, what in the world would ever possess you to…to think that was a good idea?" Kurt asked, and it was very clear he didn't understand. It had all been dropped in his lap so fast and he was reeling. Blaine had gone to a prison? It was almost humorous when Kurt thought about it. Blaine in a prison was like a fluffy, little lamb meandering through the Serengeti. "How long ago did this come up?"
"I dunno…'bout a month, maybe? 6 weeks? Jeff was having trouble dealing with…everything. He was still in his casts and miserable and I'd stopped over to harass him a little," Blaine huffed a mirthless laugh. "He told me what he wanted to do and that he was sure Nick wouldn't go with him, and I couldn't, in good conscience, have him go alone. I couldn't Kurt…and I wouldn't. I'm sorry if you're angry with me—"
"Why didn't you just tell me he wanted you to go? Why all the secrecy?" Kurt asked, eyes downcast now.
"I knew you'd freak out. I knew you'd worry if you knew ahead of time where we were going or when…so I said nothing. But you need to know that I had every intention of telling you that we'd gone once it was over. I just didn't want you to worry, Kurt."
"I'll vouch for that," Jeff chimed in. "Even driving there this morning Blaine said as soon as you guys had a moment together he was going to tell you everything. He was adamant that it wasn't kept from you," Jeff nearly pleaded, trying to smooth things over now that he'd blurted the whole thing out before Blaine had even had the chance to tell Kurt where they'd gone.
Kurt sat quietly, eyes on the table, shaking his head slowly back and forth. He wasn't sure what he was feeling…sadness that Blaine hadn't thought he could talk to him about it? Anger that he'd gone in the first place? Irritation that they'd all known what was going on and left him out of it? He felt overwhelmed and upset and he didn't know what to do with that.
"Nick…when did you find out about all this?" Kurt finally asked. Nick rolled his eyes.
"When Joseph called me this morning and said my hair brained husband had 'escaped' and he was fairly certain Blaine was with him.
"Yeah, wait…" Jeff started. "How did you know where we'd gone, anyway?" Blaine was curious as well.
"After everything that's happened since we met, Jeff, if you think I'm not tracking every move you make, either on foot or in that little hot rod, you're insane. I don't monitor it all the time, but if I need to find you, your GPS will tell me exactly where you are…or where you're headed. A few keystrokes this morning and Joseph's face went pale. I didn't even need to ask at that point. I knew, and within minutes I was in my car and on your tail. I probably broke a few land speed records getting there. You had a big jump on me."
The table was silent for a minute or two, all of them contemplating what they'd heard, before Kurt stood up from his chair.
"I um…I think I'd like to go home now if that's alright with everyone. Blaine, you can stay—"
"Kurt, no, I'll come with you—"
"I really think I'd rather you didn't, right now. I just…" Kurt began, scrunching his eyes closed, trying to stay level headed. "Let me just…think. Ok?" He asked so plaintively that Blaine couldn't argue with him.
"Kurt—" Jeff began, feeling shitty that it was his idea that had them in such a bad place now.
"No, Jeff, it's…it's fine. I just need to clear my head, ok? I'll see you guys later," Kurt said, striding toward the front door of the restaurant and disappearing through it without another word.
When Blaine returned home that evening Kurt's office door was closed, so he knew Kurt was still awake and he also knew he didn't want to be disturbed. A closed door was a sure sign that Kurt was busily working away and he was not to be bothered…about anything. Blaine hung his head, unsure how to go about groveling. In the end, he walked down a few blocks to grab Kurt's favorite frozen yogurt, then placed it on the floor outside the office door. He knocked, then quickly walked away, heading down the steps and out their door to go to work.
When Kurt opened the door, frustrated at being disturbed, he thought for a minute he might get testy with Blaine. Yanking the door open he spied the yogurt there with a note written right on the foam cup: I'm sorry. I love you. I didn't want you to worry. I love you. I'm still sorry. And I love you. It was such a silly little Blaine note that he broke his stern countenance enough to grin and shake his head at his boyfriend's silliness…and thoughtfulness. With a bite of the yogurt he took a deep breath and returned to his work, thinking of the ring that was, again, nestled in with his least worn scarves.
Kurt had to work late the following evening, so Blaine went in early to get the bar stocked and to do a thorough cleaning on the break room and the bathrooms, figuring he wasn't missing time with Kurt. It was his least favorite job, but it had to be done and the kid they'd hired to help out with that stuff, after Shane was literally thrown out, had gone back to school. It was high time the job was done, so Blaine put his mind to it and figured if it got really bad, he'd just run home and shower before it was time to play. In the end, he did just that.
Again, Kurt's office door was closed, so he was as quiet as possible and didn't knock, knowing Kurt was busy and wouldn't want to be disturbed. Instead, he grabbed a note pad and left a note for Kurt.
Missed you tonight. I know you're busy, though. I hope we can talk soon? I probably should have told you what was up, but I didn't want you to worry, and I know you would have if I'd spilled the plan, Kurt. I'm sorry about that…but I'm not. Still, I love you, and I hope you can try to understand why I did what I did. B
Kurt found the note when he walked into the kitchen to grab a drink and it made him smile. He knew he needed to talk to Blaine about what had happened. It had taken up a lot of his brain power at work that day and everyone noticed he wasn't all there or on his game.
Naomi had come into his office with an "Ok, What's up, Buttercup?" and a sweet smile. He had no doubts at all about trusting her, so he confided in her and asked for her honest opinion on the subject.
"Seriously, Naomi, I'm…I don't know what I am. I know what I feel I should be, but I'm really just confused, I think." Kurt looked defeated and it was clear he hadn't slept well the night before.
"Ok, if you want my honest opinion, I'll give it to you, but I want to hear how you're feeling first. I want you to tell me what you plan to do…what your heart is telling you to do about it."
"No, then you might change your mind!" Kurt laughed.
"I won't, but if it makes you feel better, I'll write down my reply so you can make sure I haven't changed my mind afterward?" So, that's what they did. Naomi wrote a few lines on Kurt's legal pad and then turned it over on his desk. "Ok, go. Speak. Tell me what's in your heart."
"For whatever reason, I feel like I really should be angry with him. I should be completely infuriated that he went to the damn prison with Jeff and kept that from me. He hid it from me, and that…doesn't sit well."
"But?"
"But I know why he did it…and he was right to. I would have been a stark raving lunatic. I would have given them all kinds of shit about it, tried to change Jeff's mind, thrown a fit about Blaine going…it wouldn't have been pretty, that's for certain."
"So…what are you saying, in essence?" Naomi grinned.
Kurt took in a deep breath and Naomi saw the little hint of a grin that took over his face. "I'm saying I know why he didn't tell me, and honestly, I think he was right not to. He knew how it would have affected me. I would have worried for days…weeks...and he was right to wait until they got home to break that news. It's not up to me whether Jeff visits David Duval or not, and it would have only caused me to fly into a panic if I'd known he planned to do so. It's also not my call whether Blaine makes that choice to go with his best friend…and I know he wasn't looking forward to it, but the simple fact that he went, when I know it probably terrified him beyond belief, says as much to Blaine's character as anything I've ever witnessed. He wanted to be there for Jeff, and he didn't want him to go alone…so despite him being certain of his own misgivings, he went…to be there by Jeff's side if he needed him…because that's the kind of man he is."
Kurt took another deep breath, fiddled with his fingers, and continued. "I know he planned to tell me, probably that night. He started to say something several times and paused just long enough for either me to start talking about something else or …I dunno, the waitress came to take our orders, or…even on the train some guy got a little loud just as Blaine started to say something. When I asked him what he was going to say he smiled, shook his head and said 'it'll wait a few minutes until we're off of here'. He wasn't going to hide it from me that they'd gone. He just didn't want me to worry, and he knows me well enough to know that I would have...incessantly…until I knew they were home and everything was fine."
"So…you're saying you're not angry with him?"
"I'm saying I understand. I wish he'd been able to tell me, but the reason he didn't tell me wasn't to be deceitful, it was to keep me from worrying and getting upset. If anything, it's my issues that kept him from saying anything…not his. He's always so worried about me and my comfort. I get it, I understand now. And even though I feel like I should be angry, given the circumstances and how things played out, I understand his reasoning…and I'm really not angry. In fact, I kinda love him more for worrying just as much about me as he was about Jeff. And I guarantee you, he wasn't at all worried about himself in the big scheme of things. He's just…so thoughtful." Kurt grinned, blushing a little when it crossed his mind how often Blaine would pause to ask Kurt "is this ok?" when they were intimate. Blaine was always overly cautious when dealing with Kurt. This was no different.
"You sound like you're expecting something – like you think people will expect you to be angry and upset and therefore you should be. I, for one, think it's time for you to look at what I wrote and we'll move on from there," she smiled.
Kurt reached for the sheet from the yellow legal pad and unfolded it, reading carefully, then smiling at what she'd written.
Kurt, seriously? That boy adores you and he'd never lie to you in order to be purposefully deceitful. Maybe he'd hold off telling you something to keep you from worrying so much until he could explain things, but he wouldn't lie to you or keep something from you just to hurt you or because he doesn't trust you. I think you know this, right?
Kurt met Naomi's eyes and blushed a little. It was comforting to know that everyone else could see how Blaine adored him. And God, he adored Blaine so much as well. His heart pounding, he rose from his chair and hugged her tightly.
"I know. I know how much he loves me. He shows me every day and I'm the luckiest man alive. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to pack it in for the day and see if I can catch him at home. I need to talk to my man," Kurt grinned. "Thank you…for listening to me vent and all that, ya know? I appreciate it."
"Anytime, Kurt. I'm always here to listen if you need me.
When Kurt got home, Blaine was nowhere to be found, so he busied himself with a few household chores, went to the grocery store a few blocks over, and then busied himself with work, not realizing that Brian had brushed up against the door and closed it. Clearly, at some point, Blaine had come home and left again, going back in to work. Kurt sighed, looking at the note Blaine had left him and smiled brightly. They'd get it all straightened out soon, he knew they would. He grabbed a pen and replied to Blaine's note on the kitchen counter, leaving it there for Blaine to find when he got home.
Missed you tonight, too, B. I still love you, and I always will. I'll talk to you soon. K
The problem was, Kurt couldn't sleep. He'd finished what he planned to do in his office and tried watching a movie to de-stress but it hadn't worked. He was still uptight about things between him and Blaine. He didn't like the fact that Blaine thought Kurt was upset with him.
Around 1 a.m. Kurt finally retreated to their bedroom and laid down. At that point he didn't care if he fell asleep or not. Truthfully, he'd sooner wait up for Blaine to get home so they could talk a little and clear the air.
About 2:40 Kurt heard the door open, Blaine sneaking up the steps quietly, dropping his keys in the bowl by the stairs and slipping into the guest bathroom to shower the bar smell away. This was his routine every night, not wanting to "bring the bar to bed", he'd said. When Blaine was clean and dressed for bed, Kurt was waiting.
Blaine was startled when he curled up behind Kurt and the man spoke clearly to him without warning.
"How was work?" Kurt asked quietly. Blaine nearly reared off the bed.
"Holy shit, Kurt…" He laughed.
"I'm glad to see you, too," Kurt laughed as well.
"I thought you'd be sleeping. Why aren't you sleeping?"
"I needed to be with you…talk to you. Are you tired?"
"Yeah…but I'm never too tired to talk to you, Kurt. Listen, I'm sorry-"
"No…B, let me talk, ok? I get it. I understand why you didn't tell me and you were probably right not to. I'd have been an absolute wreck and I would have tried to talk you out of going with Jeff. That would have been totally unfair of me. He's your best friend, and he's a damn good friend to me as well, and asking you not to be there for him, because of my own fears, would have been wrong. You knew me well enough to know how that would have played out, and you did the right thing. I know you wouldn't have kept it from me afterwards, and I know you started to tell me several times, didn't you?" Kurt asked with a fond smile Blaine could barely make out in the darkness of the room.
"I did…on the train…when the girl came to take our order…"
"I thought so. What I'm saying is that I understand why you didn't tell me ahead of time, I get it, and I'm not angry. Not at all, ok? I want this behind us because it's been weighing on me, and I know from your notes that it's been weighing on you as well, hasn't it?"
"Of course it has, Kurt. I don't like when I feel like you're upset with me. I hate it, actually. I'm not myself and everyone's noticed and asked if things are ok. Only Nick left me alone tonight since he's well aware of what happened. He said Jeff feels like shit that he let the cat out of the bag before I'd had a chance to say something to you. I was going to, I really was, Kurt."
"I know, don't fuss about it. Let's be done with that, can we?"
"As long as you're ok with us…then yes, we can put that behind us and move on," Blaine told him, whispering in the dark.
"Good. So, since our dinner was cut short the other night, I was hoping, perhaps, to get some Blaine time soon…make you dinner and maybe just hang out and watch a movie or something?" Kurt smiled sweetly, his hand resting on Blaine's belly as they lay face to face, both sleepy and losing the battle to stay awake.
"I'm all for that. I've missed just being with you, holding you…I feel like it's been forever. The holidays are upon us and we'll both be busy with work and...oh my god, we have Trent and Thad's wedding next weekend! On top of that, I haven't bought a single Christmas gift, and we haven't discussed whether we're staying here or if you want to go to Lima for Christmas or…whatever. Down time is a must, love."
"Mmmhmmm…'kay, Blaine…." Kurt mumbled, snuggling in closer as his eyelids got too heavy to fight. Blaine smiled and kissed Kurt's lips softly, tugged him closer, whispering "love you, Kurt Hummel…" and drifted off to sleep as well.
"I'm saying I think you should take a couple more days to rest up and let your stitches heal, that's all. That's just me, though, you know, the one with the medical training. Far be it from me to make a suggestion regarding your health and treatment when you have your mind set on something, Seb!" Hunter grumped as he watched Sebastian grimace while tying his tie. His stitches were pulling and it was obvious. He shouldn't even be up and around as much as he'd been the past few days but he was stubborn and wouldn't listen for shit. Hunter was angry and trying not to yell.
"I have stuff to do…paperwork to turn in that never got done after the…after that night, Hunter. I don't want to fall so far behind that I'm swamped when I go back. I can handle sitting in a chair for a couple hours, ok? Don't get all uptight with me, babe."
"Oh, I'm a little past uptight…" Hunter mumbled, gritting his teeth.
"I know you are, I can tell."
Hunter closed his eyes as he leaned on the bathroom sink staring into the mirror. Maybe it was time to bring it up. Maybe he should just say what was on his mind. Maybe he should keep his mouth shut, though. Was it his place to say anything at all? What would he do if the situation was reversed? With a deep breath, he walked into their bedroom and stopped, watching Sebastian, with his hands on his hips.
"Hunter, tell me what's on your mind?" Sebastian smiled sweetly. "Besides you worrying too much, that is."
"I do worry, Seb. I'll worry even more now and you know it. I just…do you even know….how…I…" Hunter began, but he felt his throat closing up and he choked on his own words, unable to force them out as he tried not to break down.
"Babe…" Sebastian said softly as he approached Hunter, winding his arms around his husband carefully. "I know you worry, and I know it'll be worse now, but it's my job. I'm ok. I was shot at and I'm ok and now I have to get back to work. It's what I do, and people count on me—"
"I COUNT ON YOU!" Hunter bellowed loudly enough that Sebastian jerked back, surprised. Hunter's hands were covering his face now and he was visibly shaking.
"H-Hunt…c'mon, babe, can you…will you sit down here and talk to me about this? I thought we'd hashed it all out, but apparently that's not the case. C'mon…sit." Sebastian said, leading a trembling Hunter to the bed as they sat, hip to hip.
"I count on you, Sebastian. I need you more than any governor or agency. If you died tomorrow they'd put an ad in the paper or on some government site and replace you in 5 days. I can never replace you, you fool! You're my life and my heart and my soul and I almost lost you! Do you have any IDEA how that feels, when your colleague pulls you aside and tells you that the man you love more than anything in the world is down the hall, possibly bleeding to death from being shot at by some crazy asshole just because he was doing his job and…and…Jesus Christ, Sebastian, I…I can't do that again. I died a thousand deaths between that room and the O.R. I swear to God, I did. The thought of losing you when I feel like I had to fight tooth and nail to finally be able to call you mine and I JUST got you…I don't know how to be without you, Seb. I don't know how I'll function if you…if you continue to do this job. I just…I can't." Hunter finished his rant and nudged into Sebastian's good side, breathing heavily and obviously wiping at his eyes.
Sebastian was stunned, every other conversation they'd had about it had been short and to the point. Hunter would tell him he wasn't sure how he felt about things now, that it had scared him and he wasn't certain how they'd get past it, but Sebastian knew they would and it was dropped. Clearly Hunter felt strongly about it and had given it more thought than Seb knew.
"Ok…ok, baby. I'll…I'll see what I can do. C'mon, it's ok," Sebastian murmured, holding Hunter tightly and carding fingers through his hair. "I'll uh…I'll talk to Jimmy, ok? Don't worry…don't give it another thought, alright?"
Hunter nodded, not letting go, and maybe even holding on a little tighter.
Kurt: Plans for today?
Blaine: Lunch with mom, library, dry cleaning pick up, told Jeff I'd spend some time at the school with him going over plans, checking things out. I should be home around dinner time, though, I think.
Kurt: Dinner with me tonight?
Blaine: Absolutely
Kurt: Not working?
Blaine: Not tonight. I'm yours all night, baby!
Kurt: I like the sound of that. A lot. I have big plans for you.
Blaine: You have a big what? Oh, yes…you absolutely do.
Kurt: BLAINE! Lol
Blaine: Yes, there will be time for you to yell that out as well. And I can't wait to make it happen!
Kurt: You're incorrigible!
Blaine: And you're sexy as hell. Can't wait to see you tonight. Can I do something? Bring something home? Pick up anything at the store?
Kurt: Bring your beautiful ass home around 6 pm and we'll see what you can do for me then.
Blaine: I look forward to it! Love you xo
Kurt: Love you more, xo
Kurt grinned to himself as he looked at his phone, shaking his head in amusement at Blaine. He was such a goofball…and Kurt loved him more than anything in his world. Tonight…tonight he'd ask Blaine to be his husband and they'd move on to the next stage of their lives together.
Blaine sat on the bed, chuckling at Kurt's replies, his smile bright and his eyes shining. God, he loved that man more than life itself. And tonight he'd tell him how much. He'd ask him to spend the rest of their days together as husbands, fathers perhaps, and definitely lovers. It was time.
Kurt left work after lunch, knowing that Blaine would be out of the apartment if he had a full day of errands to run. He stopped at the store and picked up a couple of steaks, some fresh shrimp, and the ingredients for the tasty sounding risotto he'd seen on the food channel. He grabbed some fresh veggies and a loaf of crusty bread, some oil and herbs to dip the bread in and a carton of the amazing gelato Blaine had brought home a few weeks back. They'd finished the whole thing in one night and felt horribly guilty for it. For about 3 minutes.
Around the corner from their apartment was a store that had amazing wines and other spirits, and he picked up a bottle that would complement their meal perfectly.
Kurt spent a good hour in the bathtub, jets working the knots out of his back and easing the tension there, then slathered himself in moisturizer and picked out a decadent outfit he knew Blaine wouldn't be able to resist. He laid it on the bed, not willing to risk getting stains on it as he cooked, then set to work on preparing dinner. He seasoned the steaks, cleaned the shrimp, chopped veggies and had everything ready to go. Then he texted Blaine asking him to let him know when he was leaving the school, figuring that'd be just about the right time to start cooking.
When the text came in, Kurt was snuggled up on the sofa with a book and he jumped a foot, startled out of the quiet.
Blaine: Leaving now. Be home in about 30-40 minutes?
Kurt: Can't wait to see you. Be careful! Love you, baby.
Blaine: Love you more. PS, I'm absolutely starving…ravenous. And I might want to have food, too.
Kurt: Such a naughty boy, B.
Blaine: Maybe *wink* if you're lucky.
Kurt: You're mine…there is nobody luckier than I am.
Blaine: *heart flutters*
Kurt: See you when you get here, Romeo.
Kurt was just finishing up the risotto when Blaine came bounding up the stairs, his grin wide and his clothes a mess.
"Holy hell, what have you been doing!?" Kurt gasped after just one glance.
"Well, we found these rooms off the back of the stage…I mean, rooms off of rooms that were apparently there for…shoot, I don't even know, it's all speculation I guess. We'll do some digging on the history of the building. Anyway, it was dark and cobweb-y and I feel like I haven't showered in 3 weeks, so if it's ok, can I just hop in real quickly?" Blaine asked, eyes hopeful.
"Yeah…I've got another few minutes on this risotto, so go ahead…but no dallying!" Kurt called after him as Blaine bound down the hallway, shedding clothing as he went. For a split second Kurt almost moved the pot from the burner and followed behind Blaine for the show.
Blaine showered and set out a new outfit, slipping it on quickly, as he knew Kurt would be waiting. After making sure Kurt was still in the kitchen, he went into the closet and pulled the ring box from his grandpa's suit, taking the ring from the box and slipping it into his pants pocket. Romantic dinner for two? Check. Beautiful ring? Check. Stunning almost fiancé? Check. He was ready.
Kurt continued to stir dinner, and removed the pot when he knew it was perfect. He pulled the steaks from the broiler, placed them on a plate to rest, then tossed the shrimp in a sauté pan for a few, brief minutes. His veggies were roasted and tented under foil and the bread was sliced and on the table. The wine was breathing but Kurt wasn't so sure he was. The ring was like an anvil in his pocket. He was sure Blaine would know something was up the minute he sat down.
Oh God, when should he ask? Should he build up to it? Give a big speech? Get down on one knee? This all seemed so easy and now that it was time, he was a nervous wreck.
"Alright, Hummel, pull yourself together. You can do this…" he mumbled.
"Yes, I have every faith in you Kurt. You can put dinner on the table!" Blaine joked, coming up behind Kurt to wrap his arms around his waist. Kurt jumped in surprise, but laughed it off. He was sure his heart was pounding and hoped Blaine couldn't tell. "And I'll be happy to help you as long as you share with me?" Blaine grinned.
"Nobody I'd rather share with, B."
"This…wow, Kurt, you really went all out. This looks fantastic and smells even better. You've outdone yourself!"
"I…I hope you like it. That new uh…the risotto is new…it's a new recipe, I mean and I saw it on the tv…" Kurt stuttered out, his words jumbled and his heart racing. Good God, Kurt, get a grip before you make a fool of yourself instead of getting through the evening in one piece.
"Well, if it tastes even half as good as it looks and smells, we're in for a huge treat."
Blaine helped carry everything to the table. Kurt had set Blaine's plate at the end, and sat himself next to him instead of at the other end. He didn't want to be that far away in case he asked and then passed out from nerves. At least maybe Blaine would catch him before he hit the floor. Oh God he was a mess. Breathe, Kurt. Just breathe….
They ate and talked for a few minutes, Blaine making sounds when he tasted the food that Kurt was hoping to hear from him again later in the evening…and not when they were eating. Kurt had given himself permission to hold off asking Blaine the all-important question until after they'd eaten. Otherwise he feared his stomach would be so unbelievably tied in knots that he'd end up throwing up. Why was he so tense? Maybe he should just do it? Get it over with? With a deep breath, he set his fork down and smiled at Blaine. Oddly, Blaine had a goofy smile on his own face and Kurt was about to ask why when there was a knock at the door.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me…" Blaine gritted out through his teeth.
"We can ignore it. We'll ignore it, don't…just stay here and be quiet." Kurt grinned, reaching for Blaine's hand.
But the knocking was insistent and with a huff, Blaine pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm gonna kill somebody…"
"Uncle Blaine? Uncle Kurt? It's Mattie. I have something important for you! Please answer the door. Dad says I can't just come in like he does. He says you get mad when we do that cause you're busy or something!" Mattie yelled through the door.
"I said they're 'gettin' busy'—" Cooper yelled after him. "Oww! Maggie…dang, woman! No hitting!" He whined.
"We have to answer it, Blaine. It's Mattie. We can't ignore a 5 year old," Kurt laughed.
Blaine sighed and got up. At the top of the steps he yelled "It's probably open, buddy!" Which it was. The door swung out and Mattie charged up the steps, his smile wide and his eyes shining with mirth.
"I drawed you something!" He smiled, shoving the paper in Blaine's hands as Kurt approached behind him.
"You did, huh? Well, come in for a minute and show me, then, little man," Blaine smiled.
"It's for Uncle Kurt, too, Mattie," Evee corrected him. "It's for both of you, really…sort of…" she stammered, her smile shy and not as enthusiastic as Mattie. Cooper and Maggie had climbed the stairs, but stayed at the landing, ready to head back down, apparently, when the picture sharing was finished.
"Ok, what do we have here, bro?" Blaine asked, flopping onto the sofa, Mattie next to him, nearly on top of him, and Kurt resting on the arm of the sofa on Blaine's other side.
"It's my family portrait. I had to make it at school when they said what we were thankful for and all that stuff. I said I was thankful for my family and you guys are my family so you're in the picture. Dad's mad because I made Uncle Blaine taller than him," Mattie laughed maniacally, giving Kurt the crinkly eyes.
"Ha ha, laugh it up, but who decides when it's bed time, Shorty!?" Cooper deadpanned from the stairs. Blaine just chuckled, staring at the photo with wet eyes.
Everyone was there, him with Kurt, holding hands, Kurt's shirt with a big K on it and Blaine's with a B. Under them was "my favorite uncles" which warmed both of their hearts. Next to Blaine was Cris, Cooper, Mattie, then Evee and Maggie, all of them wearing different brightly colored shirts with their initial on the front. Mattie was obviously very proud of his drawing and Blaine and Kurt both praised him for his abilities.
"I'm not sure, but I think Mommy's having an identity crisis. Is that M for Mom or for Maggie? Is that why there's a question mark on her shirt under the M?" Kurt asked, smiling at Evee as she gave him a bashful grin.
"Nope…it's definitely M for mommy. The question mark is because we don't know what's in her belly yet…a boy or a girl," Evee blurted out, then burst into a fit of hysterical giggles at the look on her Uncles' faces when it dawned on them both what she'd said.
"Wh-what? WHAT?!" Blaine nearly yelled, standing so quickly he nearly dumped Mattie from his lap onto the floor.
Kurt's face was comical, eyes wide and full of excitement as he grabbed the drawing from Blaine and looked at it again as if it held the answers to their questions. "You…Maggie! You guys are…you're…having a baby? You're pregnant!?" he exclaimed, overjoyed and unable to articulate his happiness.
Coop and Maggie stood by the railing at the top of the stairs grinning like fools until it was clear Blaine was about to implode and he rushed forward, grabbing Coop in a tight hug, tears in his eyes.
"When?" Was all Blaine was able to blurt out, his heart pounding and his excitement obvious as he caught Kurt out of the corner of his eye hugging Maggie tightly.
"Late May, they think. You're going to be an uncle, Squirt!" Coop told him, his chest puffed out proudly.
"Oh no, I've been an uncle now for months. I have the handsomest nephew in town and the most beautiful niece you've ever seen!" Blaine crowed. "But I'm happy to add to the bunch, you guys. Oh my God, I'm so excited for you! Congratulations!"
"Blaine…" Maggie began, tears in her eyes. "You've always been so good to them…"
"Well, I'm the cool uncle, right?"
"Hey! I resent that!" Kurt scolded. "I could be the cool uncle!"
"Really, Kurt? Really?" Blaine asked, rolling his eyes.
"We'll see," Kurt said, looking down his nose at Blaine, then grinning madly at him as Evee put her small hand in his and whispered in his ear as he bent down, "You are the coolest, Uncle Kurt." She kissed his cheek and then skittered over to hide behind Maggie.
Kurt and Blaine dragged Maggie and Coop in, forcing them to sit down and have celebratory gelato and by the time the reveling was over, everyone was tired.
"Ok, time to get these kiddos to bed!" Coop announced, grabbing Mattie by the waist as he tried to escape. "We'll see you guys around, yeah?"
"Yep…definitely. May we keep the drawing? I think it would look splendid on the fridge," Kurt asked. Mattie agreed, everyone said goodnight and Kurt and Blaine were left with a table full of half eaten food and full hearts.
"Leave it. I'll get it in the morning. Let's get to bed, shall we Uncle Kurt?" Blaine teased.
"I think we shall, Uncle Blaine. I'm so excited for them. And the kids seem to be pleased as well, so that's a good thing, right?"
"It is…it is," Blaine replied, sounding wistful. "It'll be us, someday, you know that, right? I can't wait."
"Me either…someday. But we have steps to take before then, I think?" Kurt asked, tentatively. He knew, in his heart, that it was the perfect set up…he could ask now and be done with it….but it wasn't the right time. He didn't want to share the day with anyone, and if he asked now it would always be "the day they found out about Coop and Maggie's baby…" and not their day. He could wait. He knew Blaine deserved his own special memory, one not shared with anyone or anything else. And Maggie and Cooper deserved their happy moment, too. Eventually it would happen for them, but tonight wasn't that night.
The pause was fat and looming and Blaine knew he was just handed the perfect opportunity to ask. But he didn't. They'd just shared important and special news with Maggie, Coop and the kids, and he didn't want to piggyback his proposal onto it. Kurt would want his own moment…not one shared with something else. They weren't going anywhere. It would wait for another day. Again.
"Yep….someday, Kurt," Blaine smiled, leaning in to kiss him. "Now take your man to bed, handsome!"
"Mmm, gladly!" Kurt smiled, tugging Blaine's hand and walking backwards down the hallway toward their room.
A/N Ok, really, again, I can only apologize for the long hiatus and hope that it won't happen again...but...I've recently gone back to work so my writing time is really, REALLY cut down from what it was. I hate it...I'd rather stay home and write all day long, but that's not paying the bills...yet ;) Maybe some day...we'll see. I hope you've all been well, and I've missed hearing from you guys. Don't be shy...give me some feedback please.
Big thanks, as always, to Suzanne for the beta work. She's kinda the best for that sorta thing :)