So, those of you who follow me on tumblr know that I struggled about continuing the direction of this story in light of the tragic and heartbreaking death of Cory Monteith. While Cooper is absolutely nothing like Cory, I didn't want to be insensitive by posting a story featuring major drug use. Overwhelming consensus was that it's okay for me to move forward. I still might change my original thoughts around Blaine's friend, Timothy. I'll see where things are when I get there. I just don't want to be disrespectful to the fandom during this tough time.
On a strange personal note, I finished this chapter last week before Cory's death. In light of his passing, Blaine's conversation with Timothy took on new meaning for me.
Enough babbling…
Every breath you take
And every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take
I'll be watching you
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Chapter 8
Anastasia smiled as she sat in her dressing room listening to Blaine. Her son sounded so happy and so very in love. So in love that he wanted to bring his boyfriend home to meet her.
"…and he's really funny, mom. He has this amazing, super sharp wit, but he can be silly too. One time during Warbler practice…"
Anastasia laughed more at the sound of Blaine's laughter than his story. She loved the beautiful, pure sound of her son's laughter and the happiness it communicated. That was all she wanted for her sons. For them to be happy.
"So, can I mom? Can I bring him home one weekend? I'd really like you to meet him. I think you'll really like him."
Anastasia closed her eyes and reviewed her husband's schedule in her mind. It would probably be best if he weren't home.
"Next Friday is the family dinner, so that's out, but your father goes to Florida the following Wednesday. He plans to stay the weekend to play golf which means he won't be back until Sunday evening, so how about that weekend?"
"Perfect! Do you think we could do something to make things look normal? I mean, I know we can't get rid of the guards, but could we tone it down a little? I'd really like the house to look a little less military base and more family home, and will you bake cookies?"
Anastasia's heart ached a little. She'd always wanted as much normalcy for her sons as possible, but with recent developments, getting rid of the guards could be tricky. And dangerous.
"I'll see what I can do. With your father gone, I'm sure I can work something out, and yes, I'll bake cookies."
"Thanks mom. You're the best! I love you."
"I love you too, darling. I love you too."
Kurt was fascinated by his bracelet.
It was black leather with inlays of stainless steel, comfortably tight, and felt perfect against his skin. He loved that it made him feel connected to Blaine, but the fact that he couldn't remove it filled him with a strange, unidentifiable feeling. He felt happy, cared for, protected, loved and something else…
"…owned by the crown at that time, so the colonists decided to…"
Kurt shook his head and blinked.
Owned?
What?
He looked up at his history teacher and then down quickly, pretending to take notes. When he looked up again, Blaine was staring at him from across the room with an intensity so strong, Kurt could physically feel it. He spent the final 15 minutes of class trying to concentrate with no success. Blaine staring at him turned his mind to mush.
When the bell rang, Blaine waited for him to gather his things.
"So, I was thinking that maybe we could go to the movies this weekend. Maybe see what's playing at the revival house."
Kurt shook his head. "I can't. I talked to my dad Sunday night and he reminded me that I haven't been home once. He's picking me up Friday afternoon."
Blaine frowned. "You're going home this weekend?"
Kurt sighed guiltily. "Yes. Can you believe I haven't been home once since getting here? My dad was very understanding, but I feel bad. I know he's missed me."
"But I go home next weekend. That means we'll be apart two weekends in a row."
"Oh. I guess I didn't realize that."
"Can't you wait and go next weekend?"
Kurt slowly shook his head. "I don't think so. I already told my dad I'd come home. I don't wanna disappoint him."
Blaine reached out and gently took hold of Kurt's wrist, curling his fingers into the small space between the bracelet and Kurt's skin.
"I don't like the idea of two weekends in a row without you."
"I know. I don't like it either, but I really need to go home. I feel bad for not going sooner."
Blaine stopped walking and pulled Kurt to the side of the busy hallway.
"From now on you need to ask me before making plans to go home. We should try to be gone the same weekend. Do you understand?"
Kurt slowly nodded. "Okay."
"Well, since you are deserting me two weekends in a row, you can make it up to me by coming home with me in three weeks."
Kurt grew excited. "Really? Seriously?"
Blaine smiled and nodded. "Yes. My mother would love to meet you."
"Oh, Blaine! I'd love to!"
"Good."
Blaine walked Kurt to his next class. As he turned to head towards his own class, he ran smack into Timothy.
"Oh, sorry. Hey! Timothy! Hi!"
Timothy looked down in embarrassment. "Hey, Blaine."
"Glad you're officially back."
Timothy looked up nervously. "Thanks. Um…about what happened at the mall…"
Blaine shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Your brother was just trying to look out for you."
"Yeah, but I'm sorry he basically accused you of being a drug dealer in front of your boyfriend. He just assumed…you know…with your family and all, but don't worry. I told him it wasn't you."
"Thanks, I really appreciate that. My family's into a lot of things, but drugs isn't one of them."
"Are you sure about that?"
"What do you mean?"
Timothy shifted nervously. "I…I'm not supposed to, but…I keep in touch with a couple of my old friends. I don't meet up with them or anything….just an occasional phone call to see how they're doing."
Blaine shook his head in disapproval. "Timothy…"
"I don't meet up with them, I swear, but I can't just desert them. They were my friends during a really tough time."
"They weren't your friends, Timothy. They were people to get high with."
"They were there when no one else was."
Blaine felt a wave of guilt. He should have paid more attention to Timothy last year.
"What did you mean by, am I sure about my family and drugs?"
Timothy suddenly looked scared. "Um, the bells about to ring. We're gonna be late to class."
"I don't care."
"Blaine…I just got back. I can't afford to get in trouble."
"Okay. Fine. We'll talk later."
Timothy nodded and hurried off.
Blaine leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.
Shit.
By Friday afternoon, Kurt was surprised by how excited he was to be going home. He was looking forward to seeing his dad, and Carol, and even Finn. He was going to help his dad at the shop Saturday morning, and had plans to hang out with Rachel and Mercedes Saturday evening. He would miss Blaine, but he was glad to be going home.
Blaine was silently furious that he was going home.
As he sat on the bed and watched Kurt pack, he vowed to make sure this never happened again. Two weekends in a row without Kurt was unacceptable.
Kurt zipped up his bag and sat it down by the door. He joined Blaine on the bed. Blaine reached for Kurt's wrists and curled his fingers into the bracelet. The gesture was becoming a habit. Kurt looked down at his wrist.
"Maybe you should take off my bracelet for the weekend."
"Why would I do that?"
"Well, I'm gonna be helping my dad at the shop Saturday morning. I'll probably just go over the office stuff, but I may need to work on a few cars. I don't want the bracelet to get caught on anything."
Kurt's explanation was very reasonable and made perfect sense, but there was no way Blaine was removing the bracelet.
"What do you wear when you work on cars?"
"Usually overalls. Very fashionable overalls of course, but overalls nonetheless."
"Do you wear long sleeves?"
Kurt nodded.
"Okay. Then just make sure the bracelet is covered by the sleeves."
"Well of course I'll do that, but why don't you just take it off and keep it for the weekend? It's so beautiful. I don't want anything to happen to it."
"Nothing will happen to it. It's very durable."
"But…" Kurt stopped talking when he saw the fierce look in Blaine's eyes.
"I'm not removing the bracelet, Kurt, and I don't want you trying to remove it. It's important that you always wear it. Do you understand?"
"Yes, but…why is it important that I always wear it?"
"Don't you want to wear it?"
Kurt quickly nodded. "Of course….I just don't under…"
"It's important because it's from me, and I love you. That should be enough."
Kurt didn't understand Blaine's insistence, but he didn't want to spend their last few minutes together arguing.
"Okay."
Blaine reached over and cupped Kurt's cheek before sliding his hand down to Kurt's neck.
"You are truly the most beautiful man I've ever seen."
Kurt smiled. "Ever look in a mirror?"
"Yes, and I wonder how someone as gorgeous as you, could love someone like me."
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Please. You're the alpha gay in this relationship, remember?"
"Alpha gay, huh?" Blaine thought for a moment before lunging at Kurt, pushing him down on to the bed and pinning his hands above his head.
"In that case, your alpha demands a hand job before you leave."
Kurt glanced at the clock. "My dad will be here in fifteen minutes."
"Then you'd better work fast."
x-x-x-x-x
20 minutes later, a very relaxed Blaine, and a very proud Kurt walked out the front doors of the dorm just as Burt pulled up. Kurt always felt proud and powerful whenever he jerked Blaine off. He loved that he was able to reduce his normally cool, calm, and controlled boyfriend into an incoherent mess. He also loved the soft, sleepy look in Blaine's eyes after an orgasm. It was so cute.
Burt turned off the engine and hopped out the truck.
"Come here, kiddo. Give your old man a hug."
Kurt hugged his dad tight. Blaine stood back and quietly observed. He wondered what Kurt had told his dad about him. Had he told him about his family?
Kurt turned and reached for Blaine's hand to pull him forward. "Dad, this is Blaine Anderson. Blaine, my father, Burt Hummel."
Blaine and Burt shook hands.
"Nice to meet you, Blaine."
"It's good to meet you, sir."
Burt shook his head. "You can kill the sir stuff. Just Burt is fine."
Blaine nodded and smiled. Burt looked him up and down.
"So, you like Dalton?"
"Yes sir…Burt. It's a fine school."
"Uh huh. And you like my son?"
Kurt blushed. "Dad…"
Blaine grinned. "Yes. Very much." I love your son.
"Well, I hope you're a gentleman when it comes to Kurt."
Blaine nodded vigorously. "Absolutely. Always." Except when I'm trying desperately to get in his pants.
Burt nodded. "Okay, well just make sure you continue to be a gentleman."
Blaine nodded while Kurt rolled his eyes. "Okay, let's get going."
"Nice meeting you, Blaine."
"Likewise."
Burt picked up Kurt's bag and headed towards the truck. Kurt turned to Blaine and smiled. "I guess you passed."
"Good. I'm gonna miss you. Text me when you get there."
"It's only for two days. Really one and a half. I'll be back Sunday afternoon."
"Still too long." Blaine was very aware of Burt watching them from the truck, so he only gave Kurt a quick kiss on the cheek, but he whispered in his ear.
"I'm going to jerk off every night to my dreams of making love to you. I can't wait for you to make my dreams a reality."
Kurt's pulse quickened slightly as the powerful feeling from returned. He gave Blaine a sultry look.
"Sweet dreams then." Kurt turned and walked towards the truck with an extra switch in his hips.
Blaine's jaw dropped. Kurt sexy flirting? Maybe they were closer to sex than he'd thought.
Blaine waved as Burt pulled off. He waited until the truck was out of sight before heading back to his room. He took out his laptop and pulled up an encrypted site. He typed in his password and smiled when a map appeared with a red dot moving slowly down US-33 towards Lima.
Blaine took out his book for English class and started working on his homework, glancing from time to time at the computer screen to check Burt and Kurt's progress. After almost two hours, the red dot stopped. Blaine clicked on the dot and Kurt's home address of 415 Whitman Avenue appeared in a small box. About five minutes later, Blaine's cell phone rang with a text.
K – Made it home. CU Sunday. Love You.
B – Good. Have Fun. Love You.
Blaine logged out of the website and headed to the dining room to meet Telio for dinner.
x-x-x-x-x
"So, you wanna start training tonight?"
Blaine nodded. Maybe getting his ass kicked by Telio would curb his sexual appetite.
The two looked around the dining room and spotted Timothy sitting by himself at a table, eating and reading a book. They headed over and sat down before Timothy realized what was happening.
Timothy looked at them nervously. "Uh…hi."
"Mind if we join you?"
"Um, no."
"Good."
Blaine and Telio ate in silence while Timothy waited anxiously. Finally Blaine spoke.
"So, explain what you meant yesterday."
"What I meant about what?"
Blaine sat back, crossed his legs and rested his hands on his knee. Telio suppressed a smile.
Like father, like son.
"What you meant by asking if I was sure my family is not involved in drugs."
"Oh." Timothy looked down at the table.
Blaine's eyes narrowed and his voice turned demanding. "Timothy, tell me what you know."
"I…it's just…I mean…I don't really know anything. Someone just told me…I mean, it's not like he's reliable. He was probably high when he said it."
"Said what?"
Timothy looked up at the tone of Blaine's voice. He suddenly felt more scared than nervous.
"Okay…um…well, like I told you, I still stay in touch with some of my friends from that time, and my one friend… he and I were talking, and he said there was this new, really pure product on the street. The type of stuff a small town like Westerville rarely gets. I asked him where it came from and…he said this guy told him…um….told him that he got it from this other guy who said…" Timothy trailed off.
Blaine leaned forward. "Said what?"
Timothy whispered. "He said the Andersons were bringing it in. I automatically assumed it was your family, but maybe not."
Blaine sat back.
Cooper.
Shit.
He glanced at Telio. His expression said he was thinking the same thing.
Blaine looked at Timothy. "Listen to me, Timothy. You need to stop hanging out with your old friends, especially if they're still using. You can't be around people who are using. You've gotta cut them out of your life."
Timothy glared at him. "Easy for you to say. You've got tons of friends. My Dalton friends are all scared to be around me, or aren't allowed to be around me because their parents know about last year. Everyone's been told to stay away from me."
"Then we'll find you some new friends. Just stay away from people who use, Timothy. Promise me you'll stay away from them."
Timothy gave Blaine a hard look. "So…is it true? Is your family into drugs now? Maybe I should stay away from you."
Blaine shook his head. "I don't know what's going on, but I'm going to find out. In the meantime, please, Timothy. Stay away from people who are still using. Promise me?"
Timothy nodded. "'kay."
After dinner Blaine and Telio went to the gym. As they pulled out the floor mats, Blaine told Telio about the conversation he'd overheard a few months ago and about the New York numbers on Cooper's cell phone.
"But it sounded like he wanted to get rid of the shipment. He said it was a one time thing."
"Well, maybe whoever he sold the drugs to turned around and distributed them in town. On the one hand, it's good that he didn't sell them to anyone in New York, but at the same time, selling in Ohio is going to get him killed by your dad."
"Selling drugs period is going to get him killed by my dad, plus the doing business in Ohio." Blaine sighed heavily. "Come on. Beat the shit out of me."
They spared for an hour. Mario had insisted that both Blaine and Cooper learn the basics of self-defense, but Telio's training had been far more intensive and specialized. He knew various forms of karate and hand-to-hand combat. He was an expert marksman, could handle a knife, and had even spent several months training with a mob assassin. At one point, Anastasia tried to put an end to Telio's training. She didn't like the idea of turning a young boy into a trained killing machine, but Telio loved the training. He was naturally gifted, and he loved the strength and confidence that came from knowing how to protect himself. He just wished he'd had the training sooner. Maybe he could have protected his mother and saved his father.
They stopped when Blaine finally managed to successfully slip out of Telio's hold and flip himself out of his reach.
Telio grinned approvingly. "Good, good. It's all coming back to you. You have the skills, you just need to start practicing again. We should definitely start working out twice a week."
They grabbed their water bottles and sat down on the bleachers. Blaine took out his phone and pulled up the tracking site. Kurt was still at home.
"Are you tracking him?"
Blaine didn't even look up. "Yeah."
Telio simply nodded. He had figured as much when he noticed the bracelet on Kurt's wrist.
"Does he know?"
Blaine shook his head.
"Do you think that's right?"
Blaine glared at him. "I don't care if it's right. I can't protect him if I don't know where he is."
"Like father, like son."
Blaine turned angry. "Don't say that. That's not true."
"Of course it's true. I've seen how you look at him. I've seen that look before. I guess it's good that you plan to introduce Kurt to your mom. Maybe she can prepare him for the life he's in for."
"Shut up."
Telio put his hands up. "Hey look, I don't give a fuck. The way you Anderson men treat your women…men is your business."
"So, you're telling me that if you ever manned up and talked to Alicia, and she became your girlfriend, you wouldn't track her?"
Telio grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "No, I wouldn't. But then again, I'm not an Anderson."
x-x-x-x-x
That night Blaine laid on his bed with his laptop open to the tracking site. The red dot hadn't moved from Kurt's home. Blaine hoped Kurt was having fun with his family. What would it be like to have a normal family? A home where there were more toys and friends, than gun and guards? He was excited about bringing Kurt home to meet his mom, but he was also worried. What if Kurt freaked out when he saw all the security? What if he decided it was too much to deal with, despite Blaine's promise to leave that world behind after graduation? What if seeing his home clued Kurt into what Blaine knew, but refused to think about?
That getting out was going to be easier said than done.
Blaine's cell phone rang. He smiled at Kurt's face on screen.
"Hey."
"Hi. I just wanted to call you before I went to bed. I meant to call earlier, but it's been nonstop since I arrived."
"So, I assume things are going well?"
"It's been great. I didn't realize how much I missed home until now. Carol cooked this great meal of all my favorites, which meant arguing with my dad about how much he was eating because most of my favorites are his favorites. And then of course, Finn…"
Blaine smiled as he listened to Kurt's happy chatter. Then Kurt dropped the news.
"…so he's decided to run for Congress! I can't believe it, but he's totally serious about it. Mr. Schuester talked him into it after Coach Sue, the crazy cheerleading coach who hates the glee club, and most everything else in life, decided she was going to run on a kill the arts platform."
"Congress as in US Congress?"
"Yes! I don't know how good his chances are, but Mr. Schue and the members of the local Democratic club seem to think he has a decent shot. I am a little worried about the stress it will cause. I don't want him to have another heart attack, but his doctor has given him a clean bill of health, and I know Carol wouldn't let him do it if she didn't feel his health was strong enough."
Blaine rubbed his forehead in worry. A mobster's son dating a US Congressman's son? This couldn't be good.
"Well I better go in. I'm sitting in the backyard and the bugs are starting to notice me."
Blaine climbed off his bed and went to stand by the window. He looked up at the sky. "Are you looking at the night sky?"
"Yes."
"Me too."
There was a minute of silence before Kurt spoke again.
"I really love you, Blaine. I'm glad to be home, but I do miss you."
"I love and miss you too. I can't wait to see you on Sunday."
"I should be back by 4:00 pm."
"I'll be waiting."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Blaine sat down on the bed and stared at the red dot for moment before logging out of the site and lying down.
He fell into a restless sleep as his mind refused to calm, and his body ached with warning.
Saturday morning, Blaine watched the red dot travel to 1236 East Main Street, the address for Hummel Tire & Lube. Once it stopped moving, he picked up his cell phone.
"What do you want, squirt? I'm busy."
"Nice way to greet your brother."
"What do you want?"
"How are you? What are you up to?"
"Seriously? You called to chat? Don't you have homework to do, or some song to sing?"
"Did you ever get your boxes moved?"
"What?"
"Did you get your boxes moved? You know. The ones that needed to be moved by Tuesday."
Silence.
"Cooper?"
"Cooper?"
"What do you want, Blaine?"
"I just wanted to make sure things got moved. I mean, I know its been a couple of weeks, but…"
"Why are you asking?"
"I don't want you to get in trouble. Dad would be very upset if those boxes were still…stacked up. They don't belong here."
Silence.
"Cooper?"
"Yeah, I got them moved."
"Okay. Well, that's good." Blaine waited a moment before continuing.
"Are there anymore boxes?"
Silence.
"Cooper?"
"Cooper? Look, I don't think you should pack anymore boxes. You managed to move those before dad found out. Don't push your luck."
Silence.
"Cooper?"
"Cooper?"
"Cooper!"
"Fuck off, Blaine."