After the first episode was through, Kurt got started posting a passionate play-by-play response to the controversial winning design on his blog.
"You're posting about reality tv online, yet I get made fun of for reading some Star Wars fanfiction?" Blaine groused playfully.
"This is my work! Project Runway is serious." Kurt defended.
"Uh huh." Blaine smiled. "Well I'm going to get a drink of water. Don't write a whole essay this time; I want to get to see the next episode before dark." he teased.
Kurt shooed him away and Blaine obliged, feeling light. Weekends are the best. Sleeping in his own bed all week had been an adjustment but he had to admit that being away from Kurt most of the week made the weekends feel more special, even if they weren't going anywhere or doing much.
As he was pouring water from the Brita into a glass, Rachel emerged from behind her curtain.
"Off to rehearsal?" Blaine asked.
"Yeah, in a bit. Just getting things together," she replied, taking out a bowl and starting to put the now cooled cookies into it.
"Those were really good, by the way," Blaine complimented.
Rachel wrinkled her nose. "Nothing special really, though I guess Kurt would prefer I make cookies made of cauliflower or something," she muttered.
Blaine smiled sympathetically. "You okay? Not… too sore?" he asked quietly.
"Hmm?" Rachel looked up, not knowing what he was referring to at first. "Oh. I- um," she stuttered when she realized. "No, I- I'm fine. Wasn't—that big of a deal. Or at least—not now that it's over."
"I honestly wasn't eavesdropping, it's just hard not to-"
"I know." Rachel cut him off.
There was an uncomfortable pause.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up." Blaine apologized.
Rachel shrugged, looking away. "When we're all here I guess I can't exactly pretend like you're not going to know if I've been in trouble. We knew it would happen."
"Just as likely to be me next time," Blaine offered.
"Sometimes I think you got the better deal only coming by on weekends now. Less chance of being taken to any woodsheds."
"Heh. Guess I hadn't really thought of that angle. But honest, I didn't mean to embarrass you. I should know better- when I get disciplined I'm not so much for talking about it myself," Blaine shared.
"It's fine. Just… feel a little ashamed, I guess. He makes me crazy sometimes," Rachel shared, her voice lower for good measure, "but after it's all over, I know that he's just doing what I asked, more or less. Can't really complain on that score."
Blaine nodded. "Usually I just feel sort of foolish because I can't believe I got myself in that position. And then the embarrassment of—physically- being in that position… I'm not fond of the pain but sometimes that's the least of it almost."
Blaine sighed. "Even if it's kind of awkward talking about it, just know you're never going to find someone more sympathetic than me on that front."
Rachel smiled."I know. There really isn't anyone else I can talk to about this. I hate how he always manages to hammer down on the more… humiliating aspects. I mean I guess it's all humiliating on some level, but you know what I mean? When we first started I kinda made a play to at least have it just over my skirt or whatever, but that was a nonstarter with Kurt."
"He's old fashioned."
"Yeah I remember he gave me some line about it being safer somehow because he could see if he went too far, but I honestly think he just leans into the ritual of it all to… drive his point home more."
"He just knows if we hate it he won't have to do it as often."
"It is childish. And I get it. But in the moment I just always feel like- he doesn't have to be that strict all the time." Rachel grumped.
Blaine nodded, putting a hand on Rachel's shoulder. "You just have to always remember he just really cares about you. But he understands that no one wants to be punished, of course you're going to feel that way in the moment most of the time."
"I know. It's my own damn fault for telling him to stay on me about my diet—but in my head, I just meant like here and there though, not like so I can't get away with anything."
Blaine looked at Rachel funny. "You know he'd tell you we're not supposed to be trying to "get away" with things at all."
"…You know what I mean."
Blaine shrugged. "Usually if I have any feeling like I have to keep something from him it's usually a pretty good barometer that I shouldn't be doing it in the first place."
Rachel shook her head. "Sometimes I don't know how you manage to ever even get punished at all. You're like the biggest goody two-shoes I've ever met."
"Hey!"
"Well you are. I mean that in the nicest possible way, of course," she insisted, digging through a drawer to find some Saran wrap.
"Uh huh. You really are basically the sister I've never had," Blaine commented.
"Heh. Kinda." Rachel laughed. "Except I'm not sure most sisters have quite as up-to-the-minute report on their brother's sex lives as I do lately. You two couldn't wait until I left for rehearsal?"
Blaine's face colored. "I—um—we didn't think you'd hear—"
"Yeah you two are lousy at keeping it quiet."
"Oh… I—I'm sorry."
Rachel laughed. "Don't worry. I'm just teasing. I really don't care. Maybe a little jealous, honestly, but otherwise, have fun."
Blaine nodded, a little too embarrassed suddenly to look her in the eye. "He was worried you'd overhear," he admitted quietly, "but I told him not to worry."
Rachel shook her head. "You just came out of that crazy abs bootcamp class, he probably couldn't resist you," she teased.
Blaine smiled. "Not sure my body's any better after just one class." He patted his belly. "Kurt just has low standards I think."
"Come on, you're a catch! You just don't believe in yourself."
"I gained a lot of weight since moving here. I know it's just the Freshman Fifteen or whatever, but I was kind of freaking out about it and Kurt pushed me to do something."
"Explains the workout torture."
"It wasn't torture. It was fun for a bit. But I was glad when it was over," he confessed.
"Few weeks of that and you'll probably hardly feel it. My first month of school I thought my dance classes were going to kill me and then I sort of got used to it. You'll look forward to it after you start seeing the results you're looking for."
"I hope so."
"I admire you guys for taking it on, you're both so busy already. I'd be tempted to blow it off."
"Heh, no chance of that with Kurt going with me. He'd definitely have something to say if he went and I didn't show." Blaine said, looking back at the curtain, hearing the familiar sounds of Heidi Klum's voice in the Project Runway opening. "Well, gonna get back to the next episode. Have a good rehearsal, sis," he nudged Rachel.
"Okay little bro," Rachel laughed. "Stay out of trouble."