Day 23: Worry/Missing
A/N: I am bound and determined to finish my Advent challenge! I am hoping some of you are willing to extend that Christmas spirit a bit into the new year as I write these last two chapters. Thanks for being patient. This chapter is canon and takes place right after Blaine decides to transfer to McKinley in "The Purple Piano Project" (Ep 3.1).
Kurt sat in his Navigator in the parking lot of McKinley High School first thing in the morning. He thought about the prior day when Blaine had surprised him at his locker, out of uniform, to announce that he had transferred to McKinley to be with Kurt. Of course, Kurt was thrilled to now be able to see Blaine every day at school – a happiness that was so overwhelming, he didn't even mind having the extra male vocalist competition in Glee Club. How could he possibly mind Blaine?
He woke up before his alarm this morning, determined to get to school early and meet Blaine to walk him in on his first day. Not five minutes after arriving, he smiled as he saw Blaine's Prius pull up alongside his car. Grabbing his bag, he rushed out to greet him.
"Well if this isn't the nicest welcoming committee ever!" Blaine said sweetly. He gave Kurt a wink, knowing that the parking lot of McKinley wasn't the best place for the kiss he actually wanted to bestow on his boyfriend.
"Only the best for the New Directions' newest star," Kurt replied, winking back. The boys fell into step beside one another, walking just close enough that their hands brushed without being too obvious. About halfway to the door, Kurt's steps slowed and then stopped. Blaine halted, taking the couple of paces back to where Kurt was now standing.
"Kurt? Are you okay?" He looked around, wondering if there was something that had frightened Kurt suddenly. "What's going on?"
Kurt bit his lip nervously. "Blaine?" he began, his voice hesitant. "Did I…did I push you into coming here?"
"What?" Blaine questioned, obviously confused.
"I was thinking about it last night. Don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic to have you here," he assured him, "but I can't help but worry that I, well – that I bullied you into it," he finished, his eyes dropping to stare at the ground.
"Kurt," Blaine chided softly. He took a half step forward and, homophobes be damned, placed a gentle finger beneath Kurt's chin to lift his head. "We talked about this. I made my own decision. I wanted to come here. I want to be here. With you."
"But you loved Dalton," Kurt countered. "You were happy there, and you had friends there. I feel like I made you choose between them and me."
"Dalton was good for me, that's true," Blaine agreed. "It gave me what I needed when I needed it. But now," he went on, coming around to Kurt's side and guiding him forward with a touch to his elbow, "what I need is to venture out of my safe bubble and experience something new. I'm sure there will be times when I am missing the Warblers, but," he leaned in and spoke quietly into Kurt's ear, "I guess you'll just have to give me extra hugs and kisses to make me feel better."
Kurt couldn't help the blush that crept across his cheeks, giggling and bumping Blaine's shoulder in reproof.
They crossed the threshold into the school, entering together for the first time. "I'm exactly where I want to be, Kurt," Blaine affirmed.
"Me, too," Kurt smiled back. "Okay, which homeroom are you in?" he asked, taking Blaine's schedule when he handed it over. "Oh, you're in Mr. Schue's homeroom with me. Perfect! Come on," he said, turning down a hallway and giving Blaine a mischievous grin, "I know a shortcut."