Warning for unapologetic schmoop and cotton candy fluff. Please brush your teeth extra carefully after consuming this :-)
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Chapter 17: With All My LoveKurt had gone to sleep happy after getting the macarons and the love letter. Blaine was thinking of him. Blaine wanted him back!
Part of Kurt had wanted to run to Blaine straightaway and lay the world's most passionate kiss on him, but he remembered what Trent had told him when Kurt had called him, in tears, two days after the Sebastian incident. "Don't give in too soon. If you do, Blaine will just go back to the way things were before, because it's convenient for him. Wait it out. Wait until Blaine is ready and willing to give you the kiss that will break the spell. And whatever you do, don't move back in with him until he's at least proposed to you."
So Kurt waited, and to his delight, Blaine sent him a new surprise every day.
The macarons were followed by a Wicked poster signed by the original cast – "No-one will ever sing Defying Gravity better than you. Nothing moves me as much as your singing. There's so much raw emotion in it that it tears me up every time."
After that came a book bag with a design printed on it that made Kurt giggle. Blaine had drawn stylised versions of himself as a puppy, sitting, lying, running, jumping, eating, looking up with a doggy smile, tongue hanging out. Kurt marvelled at all the different drawings – none of them were identical, and there were dozens! Around the puppies, there were paths of paw prints, adding a swirling pattern to the design to make it even prettier.
The accompanying note said:
"Dearest Kurt,
I noticed your book bag was getting kind of frayed, so here's a new one for you. Maybe I should have drawn different kinds of dogs, but… This is from puppy me to you, so I've drawn my likeness in the hope that you won't forget about me.
With all my love,
Blaine"
Professor Scher noticed the book bag the next time he had class with her, and cooed over it. Kurt felt his cheeks heat up and fiddled with his brooch to manage his nerves, but luckily, she didn't ask where he'd gotten the bag.
A few days later, though, she called him to her office, and as soon as the door was closed, she handed him a package that was clearly from Blaine.
Professor Scher grinned at Kurt's bafflement, and explained, "I knew that bag was Blaine's design. I'd recognise his style from miles away. So I asked what was going on, and Blaine said he'd been giving you presents to make up for what happened with Sebastian. He blames me, can you believe it? Thinks that I should never have brought Sebastian here so he could see Blaine and instantly fall in lust with him."
Professor Scher laughed as if that was an excellent joke, and Kurt felt his face turn into an icy mask.
There's nothing funny about Sebastian and his inappropriate behaviour. Don't expect me to laugh it off.
Professor Scher sighed. "But you're as much of a stick-in-the-mud about it as Blaine. Seb's harmless, really. A slut, yes, but he's into consensual sex. He really thought Blaine was agreeing to it."
"So did I," Kurt said in clipped tones. "That's why I left Blaine."
Professor Scher nodded. "But by now you know better, right? Blaine's not the kind to have hook-ups. And he's really cut up about this misunderstanding. So take pity on the guy and take him back. He's been sulking and whining non-stop and I'm sick of it."
Kurt squared his jaw. "Thank you for the package, Professor."
He turned around and left the office without one more word.
That afternoon, Sebastian dropped by the designers' department to talk to Kurt, not in the least disturbed by Kurt's arctic glare. "Paula says you're miffed because I made a move on that hot colleague of hers. I didn't know he was your boyfriend, man. If I'd known, I swear I'd have backed off."
Kurt didn't answer. He just turned back to his computer screen and went back to work.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry," Sebastian insisted. "And pass that on to the boyfriend, too, will ya?"
Kurt tweaked a circle he'd just drawn and completely ignored Sebastian until he went away. When the door closed behind him, Kurt let out a shaky breath and willed away the tears that were threatening. My boyfriend. I wish.
When he opened the gift that night, it was a balm for his wounded soul. Blaine had sent him a beautifully illustrated fairy tale book, and the note that came with it read,
Dearest Kurt,
Sometimes I feel like I'm in a fairy tale, waiting for my prince to come and rescue me. Only, he was there all along, wasn't he? I was just too blind to see it.
Kurt, my fair prince, I will dream of you at night and think of you by day and count down the days until you return to me, and we can live our happily ever after.
With all my love,
Blaine
K & B
Kurt did his best not to let his feelings show when he had class with Blaine, keeping his poker face on and not interacting with Blaine any more than he had to. That became harder week after week, because all Kurt could think of when he saw Blaine was the love notes and the gifts he kept sending Kurt.
The Burberry leash, because "it will go so well with your Burberry rain coat" – and of course it did.
The charming Alice in Wonderland themed tea set, complete with chamomile tea and a pot of organic honey, because "I heard you coughing in class, and I don't want you to get ill again, please. This will soothe your sore throat and help you fall asleep."
Blaine had always been attentive and caring, and Kurt had thrilled to that from the very beginning, but now Blaine was taking it to a whole new level, and slowly but surely chipping away at the walls Kurt had put up.
Kurt was starting to look forward to the gifts and the notes, and knew he would miss them when Blaine's charm offensive ended.
Three weeks into the spring semester, Kurt hummed happily as he came home from R/GA and put leashes on the poodles to take them to the park. It was Friday, so he had the whole weekend to look forward to, and at eight p.m, he'd be picking up three other dogs to go jogging with Trent, who no doubt would have a new surprise for him. Kurt couldn't wait to see what it was.
In the park, Kurt let the poodles run free for a moment and sat on a bench, day-dreaming. All of a sudden, his phone went off. An unknown number was calling him, and proved quite persistent. The ringing continued for a long time, and as soon as his phone pinged with a missed call notice, the same number called again.
Frowning, Kurt accepted the call. "Hello?"
"Hello, Mr Hummel. This is Denise Peters of the Sweetest Thing Bakery. You had an appointment with us at four p.m. to discuss your wedding cake and taste samples, but neither you nor Mr Anderson showed up."
Kurt, thinking on his feet, said, "Let me check my agenda, ma'am."
He rifled through one of his text books for school and then added, "Oh dear, it seems like we got our wires crossed. I have the appointment jotted down for tomorrow, at the same time. I'm so sorry, ma'am. Blaine must have made a mistake writing down the date."
"So you're still interested in having your wedding cake made by us?"
"Oh, definitely, ma'am, you were our top pick," Kurt lied glibly.
Denise seemed mollified by his praise and rang off with a "Oh, all right then, see you tomorrow at four!"
Kurt put his phone back into his pocket, whistled at the poodles to call them to him, and took them back home, fuming inside, and already thinking of what he was going to say to Blaine.
Seriously, who plans a whole wedding for someone he's not even dating? Was this supposed to be Blaine's last surprise? "I've brought all your friends and family here, and they're expecting us to get married today. Surprise!" That is just wrong on so many levels!
As soon as the poodles were in the apartment and their food and drink bowls had been topped off, Kurt jogged to Blaine's apartment, furious clean through.
When he banged on the door, though, it was Trent who answered, explaining that Blaine had turned into a dog again the previous night. Kurt knew the transformation had been involuntary, as always, but still, it incensed him even more that he'd have to wait a week to confront Blaine about this. The anger swirling in his gut exploded, and before Kurt knew it, all his vexation came tumbling out, the words coming so fast and furious that he stumbled over them.
Trent patted him on the arm and led him to the sofa with a, "I'll make us some coffee and we can talk it over, okay?"
Kurt sank down on the sofa with a sigh. This whole situation is such a mess!
Then, he noticed the state of the coffee table, which was chock-full of books and papers, and he decided to make some room for the coffee tray. But when he crouched down to pick up a few books and put them elsewhere, he recognised the top one as one of his own scrapbooks. How did that get here? He looked at the other books, and yes, they were all his. How did Blaine persuade Burt to give him Kurt's scrapbooks?
And then Kurt remembered the call from the bakery and gritted his teeth. Of course. Blaine must have called Dad with his wedding spiel, too.
Kurt took the topmost book of the stack. He recognised his most recent wedding scrapbook, compiled when he was about sixteen. He'd used several of these ideas for Burt and Carole's wedding, but had adapted them to fall colours and a ditto theme.
A few brightly coloured pieces of paper fluttered out of the book, and that tickled Kurt's curiosity. He picked them up, and read on the first one, "Top three for blue orchids: Stephanotis, Mary Quite Contrary, Top Pick Flowers. See wedding binder for more." The second one was about venues. "First available date at the Bowery Ballroom: 7th of June. At the NY Public Library: 14th of July. At the Loeb boathouse: 9 September. For more dates and venues: see wedding binder."
Intrigued now, Kurt sat down again and cracked open the book. It was full of post-its. Each one proved that Blaine had taken note of Kurt's wedding preferences and researched suppliers that could turn his vision into reality.
Moreover, the post-it notes also contained proposal ideas, each of them so very Blaine that they made Kurt tear up.
Contrary to what Kurt had thought, Blaine hadn't made any definitive plans yet. Most of the post-its mentioned the top three suppliers and a reference to this 'wedding binder'.
Kurt looked for the binder on the coffee table, and soon, he was completely engrossed in it. Blaine had thought of everything, making lists of suppliers for every aspect of the wedding, with extensive notes as to whom Blaine would pick and why. "I'd go with Stephanotis. Pricey but quality flowers, wide range on offer, quick delivery, beautiful compositions."
Soon, Kurt was full-on sobbing, because what Blaine had put together was so perfect that it hurt. It hurt so much, because Kurt wanted it. He wanted it all, and he wanted it now. He was so tired of fighting this. He was done being angry and sad and lonely. His heart yearned for Blaine.
All of a sudden, there was a warm body next to him, and a long tongue licking the tears from his cheek. Blaine! As always when he was a dog, he knew just what Kurt needed. That realisation tipped Kurt over the edge and made him break down completely. He put his forehead against Blaine's and cried his heart out.
How ironic was it that the puppy version of Blaine was so much more in touch with his emotions than human Blaine? Kurt had never once doubted puppy Blaine's love and devotion, because it just shone from his eyes and transpired from his every move.
On and on rolled his tears, and on and on, a warm and agile tongue made them disappear. Rather than grossed out, Kurt felt cherished and loved. He closed his eyes and stroked Blaine's back with the hand not holding the binder. I love you. I never stopped. I wouldn't know how.
The next thing he knew, there were arms around him, and kisses all over his face, and a voice soft and sweet like honey whispering love declarations.
Blaine! He was human again!
Kurt knew that he had to be strong. That he had to hold out, like Trent had advised him. But Blaine was right there, wanting him. For now, yes. It might not last and it might not work, but he needed to do this. He needed Blaine to know that he felt the same. Still. Always. "I… I love you too."
That made Blaine's face light up from within, and he kissed Kurt's cheek.
How had he transformed again so quickly? Kurt had had class with him only yesterday! And he always stayed a dog for a week. Unless…
And yes, when he asked, Blaine confirmed it. The curse had been broken. By Blaine licking him as a dog.
I'm sorry, what? True love's kiss is supposed to be a fairy tale moment, and this is what I'm getting? So. Unfair. I wanted a real kiss! With fireworks going off in my head and a popping foot and everything like in the movies. This is such a let-down!
Blaine found Kurt's indignation hilarious, which made Kurt even angrier, but then Blaine promised him as many kisses as he wanted, and that shut him up at once.
Oh yes, please!
Kurt closed his eyes and leaned in, and soon, Blaine's lips were brushing his, tentatively at first, and then more firmly. It felt every bit as magical as Kurt had always hoped his first kiss would be, and he sighed happily and drew Blaine in closer.
Kurt could have stayed like this for days on end, the two of them exchanging kisses and sweet nothings and laughing from sheer happiness. But all too soon, his alarm went off to warn him he had dogs to walk. He sighed and got up.
"You're leaving?" Blaine pouted.
"Duty calls," Kurt sighed.
"I'll come with you," Blaine offered. As he stood up, a dangling motion alerted Kurt to the fact that Blaine was naked as the day he was born, and that sent him into fits of laughter.
"You… You had better… put some clothes on," Kurt wheezed out as soon as he could speak again, "if you want to come with me."
Blaine looked down in astonishment, and started laughing too. "I'll be just a minute."
Ten minutes later, they were walking the dogs of Kurt's eight p.m. assignment to the park. That reminded Kurt of his jogging appointment with Trent. "I'm supposed to meet up with Trent. When did he leave, anyway? At some point, I looked up, and he was just… gone."
Blaine smiled. "Somewhere around our first kiss. I don't think he'll show up tonight. Won't want to be a third wheel."
"Oh," said Kurt.
"Do I sense disappointment?" Blaine asked. "What does Trent have that I don't?"
Kurt felt his cheeks heat up. "No, it's not… I… It's just… Whenever we've gone jogging together, the past few weeks, Trent always slipped me a gift from you. I'm going to miss that. I looked forward to it every day."
Blaine grinned. "Wait 'till we're in the park."
As soon as the dogs were running around freely, Blaine took something out of his coat pocket and handed it to Kurt. "For you."
It proved to be a unicorn brooch, with colours that really popped, and a note that made Kurt's throat clog up and reach for Blaine with trembling hands. "Never. You're all I can see, too. You're it, for me."
Blaine beamed and kissed him again, so thoroughly that he took Kurt's breath away.
When he came up for air, Kurt said, "I don't think I'll ever get tired of that. You know, I never understood what all the fuss about kissing was for. Swapping spit doesn't seem sexy, does it? But I get it now. I love kissing you. I never want to stop."
That declaration made Blaine reach for Kurt's face and claim his lips again.
The dogs got less petting and a longer playtime than usual that night, but none of them seemed to mind in the least. Their frolicking showed that they were just as happy as Kurt and Blaine.
After the dogs had been brought back to their respective homes, Blaine took Kurt's hands in his. "You're still dog-sitting, right?"
Kurt nodded. "For another three weeks and a half. Until the 20th of February."
"Can I come with you?" Blaine asked. "Please? I won't… I promised I won't try anything. I just… I haven't slept properly in weeks. I just want to hold you and know that I'm home."
"Ha! You won't be. It's not even my home."
"Home is not a place, for me," said Blaine. "It's the people that I love that make me feel at home. Wherever we are."
Kurt smiled tremulously. "Aww, you sap!"
"So can I come?"
Blaine unleashed the full force of his puppy eyes on Kurt, and of course Kurt gave in.
Later, when they lay in bed together, Kurt knew exactly what Blaine had meant. He'd clambered into bed and into Blaine's waiting arms, and it did feel like coming home.
They kissed for a good long while, until they started to nod off.
"Well, we'd best get some sleep," Kurt sighed. "I have to get up early again tomorrow."
"Goodnight, beautiful," Blaine said.
"Goodnight, honey."
"Kurt? May I take you on a date tomorrow?"
Kurt smiled into the darkness. "Yes. Yes, you may."
