Blaine's housekeeper looks terrified when she timidly answers the door to Kurt's wild banging. Pushing past her, he marches through to the dining room, where the breakfast table is still waiting for Blaine to arrive.
"Where is he?"
"Mr Kurt, he asked me to..."
"Where is he?" he yells again, then runs back down the hall to the bedroom, which is empty.
"Mr Blaine is busy. He..."
"Bullshit," he shouts, then finds the door that leads to the gym.
Blaine is lying flat on a bench, lifting, but Kurt's angry footsteps have him setting the weight down as quickly as he can. "Kurt..."
"You BASTARD! You piece of shit!" Kurt screams. Entirely full of rage, he throws the newspaper at Blaine and then attacks him, landing blows wherever he can. Blaine is stronger though, and catches his wrists, holding him at arm's length.
"Don't you dare." He manages to stand, still holding Kurt, who spits at him. "Stop it."
"FUCK YOU!"
Blaine releases his wrists, and steps back. "You read the review, huh?"
"How could you do that to me, Blaine, HOW? You guilt tripped me last night, made me think I was the one who had ruined it all, but you'd already sent it, hadn't you? When I got here, you'd written that, and submitted it, and you knew what was to come. That's why you wouldn't speak with me."
"No," Blaine says calmly. "I wouldn't speak with you because you blamed me for your poor decision. Yes, I'd already written the review, but that wasn't why I guilt tripped you, as you put it. I wanted to tell you, to make you see how much you've hurt me."
"Because you haven't hurt me?" Kurt asks, his voice cracking along with his heart.
"It's my job to review the show, just as it's your job to act in it."
"But it's not though, is it? Frank said he didn't send you a comp ticket on purpose. You came of your own volition, so the paper wasn't expecting nor requiring you to review it. And even if you did review it, even if you gave it the zero stars that you did, why did you write all that stuff about me?"
"To try and make you see sense, since talking with you doesn't work."
"You've ruined me! It was bad enough when I was starting out, and you wrote all those ugly comments, but this? This is a whole other level. People know we're together. The circles we move in are one and the same. Each and every director in this town, hell, probably across the country and in Europe, knows who you are. They'll take one look at my name and know I'm the guy whose boyfriend publicly dissed him. Thank you, Blaine. It's not the show that's ensured I'll never work again, it's you."
"You'll work again." Blaine shrugs. "In time."
"You're entirely unrepentant!" Kurt screams. "I don't believe you!"
"What do you want me to say? I wrote my thoughts on the play and the lead's performance, nothing more, nothing less. It's work. I didn't slander you, I didn't spill your secrets, I merely tried to make you aware that I do care, and that I tried my damndest to stop you from doing that show."
"I want you to be sorry!" Kurt cries desperately. "Because you know what? All you said last night holds true for me as well. I fell for you, I let you in, I let you heal me in spite of my head which was telling me this was a bad idea. I told you things I'd never tell anyone, like how much it means to me to be held by someone who cares for me, because that's what I miss about him. He was my brother, and my best friend and I thought- stupidly thought- that you were my best friend too, my companion, the one who would hold my hand and tell me everything would be okay. But you sold me out, all for the sake of a story."
"Kurt, I'm..."
"Save it," Kurt says, choking on a sob. "It's over, okay? Us, this fling, or whatever it was, which seemingly meant nothing to you, it's done, finished."
In a flash, Blaine's eyes turn dark and he steps forward, holding a finger up to Kurt's face. "Don't do this," he warns, his voice low. "You hurt me and I hurt you. In my eyes, we're even. But if you walk away now, there's no coming back. I don't chase, Kurt. I never have and I never will, not even for you."
"That's fine," Kurt says, holding his head high. "Because I don't want you near me ever again."
For two weeks, there is a resounding silence. Kurt refuses to talk about what has happened, not to his roommates, his dad, and especially not to Frank, who easily guesses that they're no longer together.
After just four performances, The Life of Riley Morton is forced to close. Kurt is filled with relief. He picks up extra shifts at the coffee shop and doesn't even attempt to audition for anything.
He hurts. Day and night, his heart and his body ache for Blaine, but he knows he can't move past what he did. He cries often, and Anna and Meredith tiptoe around him, tentatively reminding him that they're here, should he need to talk, but talking would mean remembering, and processing, and Kurt doesn't want to do either.
It's a beautiful day, the late spring sunshine is warm, and many customers sit outside. Kurt notices nothing about the weather, until the thunderstorm which seems to come out of nowhere. Just like the sun, the customers take flight, apart from the few inside, and he and Karl stand side by side at the counter, watching the rain lash across the road.
The door opens, and Blaine bursts in just as he had all those months back, shaking rain from his hair and looking decidedly annoyed. Only before, he also looked pristine and now he looks like hell.
He has a beard, which is far more gray than black, the result of not shaving for the past two weeks. He wears navy pants and a black sweater, and Kurt knows he would never normally even think of that. Okay, so the sweater is cashmere but there's no collar underneath and now he's soaking wet, with hair hanging in his eyes, which are dull and lifeless. Standing before Kurt now, a shadow of his usual self, Blaine shivers. "Hey."
"What do you want?"
"To see you."
"What? This can't be to chase me, can it? You don't chase anyone, as I recall. Not even me."
"Kurt, I'm sorry," he says quietly. He glances across to Karl, sees he has no intention of moving, and swallows his pride. "What I did was unforgivable, I know, but I miss you."
"It was unforgivable, yes."
"Come to dinner with me. We can talk."
"No!"
"Just a drink then? Coffee? I'll wait until you have a break."
"No! You're not listening to me. You can't order me to dinner, Blaine. I don't want to talk. I don't want to see you now please, leave me alone."
"I can't." He shrugs, pushing his hair back from his forehead. "I made the mistake last time of not pushing hard enough, and it drove us apart. So I'm telling you, Kurt Hummel, I want you back. You might not want that right now, but I'm going to keep working on you until you change your mind."
He walks away, back out into the rain, and Kurt leans on the counter, resting his head in his hands. "Oh my God."
"He is so obnoxious," Karl says with a dreamy sigh. "I can see why you fell for him. Damn. He's a bastard but he's all forceful...dominant. Is he a good lover? I'll bet he's hot as hell."
"Yes he is. Very." Kurt answers without thinking, then silently reprimands himself for the burning in his loins. "Karl, are you even gay?"
"Nope," he says brightly. "But that man? I so would."
It's two hours before the flowers arrive, and they're so big that the courier can barely see past them. The card simply says 'Love, Blaine,' and Kurt makes Karl take them home to his mom.
Two days later, more flowers arrive. This time they come to the apartment, along with the beautiful blue glass vase that Kurt had often admired in Blaine's apartment.
"Why the fuck is he giving me his castoffs?" He grumbles while Anna and Meredith joyfully arrange roses in numerous containers.
"It's not his castoffs, he wants you to have it. I think it's romantic," Anna says, but Kurt storms off to his room, and slams the door for good measure.
Two days after that, it's a set of Louis Vuitton luggage, in navy, because Kurt had often told Blaine he thought navy was a classy color. He's baffled why he would send him a set of suitcases though, until the courier hands him a plane ticket back to Wisconsin for the next day.
"Joke's on him," Kurt says when he tells Karl later that day. "Because I've got shifts lined up tomorrow and all weekend."
"Yeah, no you haven't," Karl announces. "Hot stuff came in here, all clean shaven and handsome in a suit, and asked me to cover it. Oh, and it's paid vacation, before you flip out."
Of course, Karl refuses to divulge who exactly is paying Kurt for his time off, but he takes the flight anyway, figuring time with his dad is something he'll always appreciate.
"I got a letter," Burt says as soon as they're home. "From your man."
"You what? And he's not my man."
"He apologized for being rude when we met; said he was nervous to meet me and then it was unexpected, so he wasn't ready."
"I hate him."
"He also said he'd hurt you, and he deeply regrets it. Congratulated me on raising such a caring young man."
"Ugh."
"Are you being caring to him, Kurt?"
"I'm letting him send me gifts."
"Kurt! You know what I mean. He did hurt you, yes, but I think he knows he has a long way to go to make that up to you. At the same time, though, you hurt him. Are you doing anything to make amends?"
The presents continue. Day after day, Kurt receives flowers, clothes, chocolates, wine, but Blaine never calls. He writes a letter to Anna and Meredith, apologizing for being rude in their presence, and asking them to please forgive him. Included are three tickets to the sold out run of Madame Butterfly, plus paid for dinner reservations, and Kurt is dragged along. He begrudgingly admits he's enjoyed it.
"Thank Blaine, not us," Meredith says with a nudge.
"I'm not contacting him."
"Oh I have had it!" Anna suddenly shouts, giving them all a shock. "Kurt Hummel, do you know my biggest regret? I broke it off with your brother after a petty, stupid fight. We could have reconciled if I hadn't been so stubborn, but I was, and then suddenly he was gone. I have to live with that for the rest of my days. Knowing that I loved him, but I was too damn proud to say sorry. Blaine has put aside his pride, admitted his weaknesses not only to you, but to us and your dad as well. Now it's time for you to do the same. Call him, Kurt, make amends, before it's too late."
The next day, Kurt is still contemplating her words when another gift arrives. The box is small, but heavy, and he gasps when he opens it to find an elegant Cartier watch nestled inside.
"Holy shit!" Meredith pulls up short when she walks into the kitchen. "That's Cartier! You know those cost like fifty thousand dollars, right?"
"He wants to buy me."
"Oh don't be dumb. He's trying to say sorry, you moron, in the only way he knows how. There's a note. Read it."
"Kurt, I know you hate me. I hate myself...but I know how I feel for you. I am so deeply sorry for writing that review. I was upset, and I lashed out in the only way I knew to make people listen to me. It was wrong, and I feel awful. Please, just give me a chance to apologize face to face and after that, you can walk away. I desperately want you back, but above all, I want you to be happy. All my love, Blaine."
"Fuck."
An hour later, he pulls up in a cab outside of Blaine's apartment. He is greeted warmly, the fare is taken care of and the elevator operator is ready and waiting, but Kurt is focused on the Cartier box in his hand, and nothing else.
"Please stop," he says as soon as Blaine answers the door.
"Kurt, I um...I just..."
He hands the box over. "Just stop. It's enough, okay?"
Blaine drops his head meekly, setting the watch on the hall table. "Okay."
"I can't let you keep doing this. All these gifts, these notes, the letters to my dad, my roommates."
"That was... I'm just aware that I'm not a very nice person and I wanted to..."
"Stop," Kurt says firmly. He pushes him back into the apartment, closing the door behind him. "It's too much, because I need to apologize too, and I can't lavish gifts on you, I haven't got anyone to write. I just need you to know that I am so incredibly sorry for the way I acted. I love to pick fights with you. I love to wind you up on purpose, it's what we do, you and I, but this was me deliberately being mean, refusing to listen and then acting out. You were right; I had no one to blame for my poor decisions except for myself. The fact that you stood by me, that you tried so many times to help me, well, that means a hell of a lot.
I was so hurt by that review, and I won't deny it, but the devotion you showed to me when I was stubbornly insisting that I knew best, and the way you tried to protect me...that far outweighs it. Your determination to win me back, and the way you've apologized so many times kinda means everything too," he admits, his cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. "The fact is, Blaine... You make me so incredibly happy. I didn't think I'd ever feel this way, after Logan died. I thought I'd just exist...but you made me live. I've dated guys, cared for them, but I've never felt anything like the way I feel when I'm with you. So I might not have any fancy jewelry for you, but I do have my heart, if you'll take it, because it's yours."
Blaine cuts him off with a firm, intense kiss. He holds Kurt so tightly that he can barely breathe, but he doesn't mind one bit. In fact, he ends up breaking the kiss so that he can cuddle close, nuzzling in under his jaw.
"I've been an idiot, Kurt. I'm so sorry."
"Can we just say that we both were, and that's the end of it?"
"I swear I'll make it up to you."
"Just cuddle me."
"Ugh. See? I didn't miss your stupid cuddles one bit."
"Yeah I'll bet you didn't."
They laugh, but then suddenly Blaine gives a choked-off sob, and clutches him. "I thought I'd lost you, Kurt."
"Never."
Blaine pulls back, quickly wiping at his eyes. Kurt doesn't make an issue of it, but it makes him want to cry too, to see him so moved with emotion.
"Uh...come get a drink, or something," he mutters, embarrassed, and he takes his hand and leads him down to the kitchen. "Whiskey?"
"Blaine, it's not even eleven."
"Oh. Right. I don't know what to say, or do."
"You could... You could kiss me again, if you want?"
Blaine smiles, pulls Kurt close, and gently brushes their lips together. He pulls back for a moment, just to study him, but then he goes back in for more and this time, both of them fall into the kiss together, moaning softly when they feel their tongues brushing together. Kurt would like the kiss to never end; he's pressed into the corner between two kitchen cabinets, with Blaine pushed tightly against him and he brings one leg up, wrapping it around the back of his thigh.
Blaine gets the idea, and grabs Kurt's leg, pulling it higher and grinding against him. All the while, the kiss never breaks, and Kurt's head is swimming with all things Blaine, especially when he can feel his arousal.
"Where are your staff?" he asks, breaking away with a gasp.
Dazed, Blaine looks over his shoulder. "I don't know," he shrugs. "Somewhere. They knock off at twelve."
"So we have an hour until we can get loud?"
Blaine laughs, kissing softly at the base of his neck. "Yes."
"Come on. Let's make some cookies."
"Is that a joke?"
"No."
"I could be on my knees by now."
"Not with other people in the house!" Kurt maneuvers him out of the way, and starts to rummage in cupboards.
"Cookies," Blaine moans, his head falling back in despair. "This is not why I wanted you back. Coming in here, making a mess, baking cookies. Who wants cookies? Cookies, and damn cuddles. You're ruining me again."
"And you love it."
Blaine grabs him around the waist from behind, kissing his neck. "I really do."
Blaine doesn't do much baking. He spends most of the time trying to get his hands under Kurt's shirt, or down the back of his pants- anywhere he'll let him. When the cookies are done, they curl up on the couch to eat them and drink coffee, and Kurt cherishes being with Blaine like this again, chatting easily, feeling safe and secure in the comfort of his arms.
"Kurt? Are we totally good? I mean, I know how much you like to talk, so I don't want to assume everything's fine and then find out you're waiting for me to address some deep and meaningful issue that I'm entirely unaware of."
Kurt snuggles closer, rubbing a reassuring hand over his chest. "We are totally, completely, good. I promise. I think we've both said all we need to say and this? Right now? This is what I've missed the most."
Content, Blaine holds him that little bit tighter. "Me too."
"You know, I'm almost disappointed the show closed," Kurt says lightly. He lets his fingers travel under Blaine's soft sweater to where he can trace the trail of dark hair. "I'd love to rub this in Frank's face."
"Oh he'll hear about it," Blaine murmurs, his eyes closed. "I'll make sure of it."
"You know, that night, when you punched him? It was all kinds of awesome."
"Ha! I wasn't intending to. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He didn't try anything with you, did he?"
"No. I think he was biding his time, but the show closed before he had the chance."
"I heard he'd tried to pitch it out in LA."
"Really?"
"An ex-colleague told me. I might've told him exactly what I thought."
"I'm sure you did."
"He won't work again."
"Neither will I."
"Oh hey, no, Kurt, that's not what I meant." He sits, bringing Kurt up with him, and kissing his cheek. "We'll sort this, I promise. I'd like to help you, if you'll let me? I mean, I can't give you a role, but I can make sure people know you're better than that show. Come with me to stuff. As much as you can. I can introduce you, people will get used to seeing you around and then they'll already know you as a person when auditions come about."
"You don't want me tagging along all the time."
"Kurt trust me, I'd have you with me twenty four seven, if I could."
"That's very nice."
"Well, maybe not twenty four seven, since sometimes you annoy me. Maybe more like twenty three. Or just three."
"Shut up!" Kurt laughs, digging him in the ribs and tackling him backwards until he's sitting astride him. "You need to say sorry for that rude remark, Mr Anderson."
"Goddamn, I like you being up there," Blaine says. He keeps their hands laced together, but subtly shifts beneath him, biting his lip. "And I'm very sorry I was rude. Again."
"Mr Blaine, we are going now. We... Ahhh!" The housekeeper beams to see the two of them sharing a moment. "Mr Kurt is back. Carla! Mr Kurt is back."
"Yes, thank you, Rosa," Blaine says, rolling his eyes when Carla appears too. "And you, Carla. See you both tomorrow."
Kurt stays sitting astride Blaine, staring helplessly at the two women, who retreat into the hallway and finally close the door behind them. Then he looks back to Blaine, whose eyes are already darkening. "Race you."
They tear down the hallway, pulling off their clothes as they go and then naked, they tumble back onto the bed together, grinning with euphoria.
"You are so very, very hot," Blaine murmurs. He kisses Kurt's neck, moving down to his collarbone. "Please ride me. Take control."
Kurt sits up. "What?"
"Is that not...?"
"No, no, that is more than perfect. I'm just stunned that you'd relinquish control, that's all. Of anything. Ever."
"Well get on with it then, before I change my mind."
Though he is tentative at first, Kurt relishes everything about making love with Blaine again. His touch makes his body sing, and he cries out several times, just from the indescribable pleasure his fingers bring.
Blaine is responsive, and very vocal, especially when Kurt takes him into his mouth. He holds tight to Kurt's hair, and though it's killing him not to drive his hips up, he's true to his word and lets Kurt run the show.
"Jesus fuck!" Blaine cries when Kurt finally sinks down around him. "Oh I've missed you. This. Us. You're perfect."
"Yeah, pretty much." He yelps when Blaine smacks his ass, but then he slowly starts to ride him, drawing it out for as long as he possibly can. He's desperate to go hard and fast, but he knows this is driving Blaine wild so he holds off, until Blaine grips his thighs hard and draws his knees up underneath him.
"Please, Kurt, I'm begging you! You're driving me crazy. Please, please!"
Kurt obliges, digging his knees into the bed, resting his hands on Blaine's chest, and riding him as hard as he can. "Blaine...I need you to..."
His hand is there and the second he touches him, Kurt comes, right at the same time as Blaine. Both of them cry out loudly, and Kurt feels his orgasm ripping through him for the longest time, while Blaine pulses inside of him. Suddenly, it's all too much and he collapses forward onto his chest, lying there to catch his breath.
"That was... Oh my God you're something else," Blaine pants. "Something else."
Kurt manages to lift his head long enough to kiss him tenderly but then he goes back to cuddling close.
"I love holding you," Blaine whispers. "But don't tell anyone."
"Never."
"I want to take you out to dinner tonight, to celebrate us being back together."
"Hmm."
"No?"
"I kinda wondered if... If you'd come back to my place, with me?"
"Will your roommates be there?"
"Yes, and I'd really like it if you'd try and get to know them. If you and I last, then I want to feel like I can see them as well as you and it won't all be awkward as hell."
"Call them," Blaine says, kissing into his hair. "Ask them to join us for dinner, because I'm in a good mood, and I'm all wrapped up in you."
"You're wrapped up in me?"
"Very, and it feels wonderful, now quit fishing for more compliments and kiss me instead."