For Eva, my good friend and awful proof-reader who just sits there like Puppy!Blaine going 'more now, Sarah!' but gets me AWESOME (but unnecessary) early birthday presents. How wonderfuly useless you are. *hugs*
Chapter 6 - Edelweiss
The phrase 'The Calm Before The Storm' is an unusual one. If a storm hit, surely anything beforehand would seem calm in comparison? This however, was eerie. No sound could be heard anywhere. Storms rocked Windsor House so frequently that there was barely any time for calm and yet never had there been a calm as loud as this.
With Windsor House being, well, Windsor House, it didn't take much to make Kurt suspicious. Silence, for example, was a dead giveaway. Whenever things got too quiet, bad things soon followed. Kurt strained his ears. Nope, no explosions coming from either of Drew or Satoru's rooms. No thumps or exclamations of pain either, so Reed was keeping quiet. The kitchen and common room were still off limits so no-one could be burning things or causing trouble in there. He couldn't even hear the sound of maniacal laughter from the twins indicating that another nerf war was taking place. Something was definitely going on. He just wasn't sure what.
With the soft pad pad pad of slippered feet on plush carpet, Kurt began his way stealthily down the corridor. Pausing every now and again to check for signs of movement, the flit of a shadow across a painting or the creek of a door hinge. But nothing seemed amiss, the corridors and hallways of Dalton remained empty and silent.
Kurt would usually vent his feelings through music, something that New Directions back at McKinley had taught him. Unfortunately, after the fiasco this morning with Logan and a mysterious new sign reading 'closed due to termites', the music room where the Warblers would practise was closed.
Just as he reached the foot of the grand stairway, directly beneath the Windsor gold and blue banner, he heard it.
"Kurt!"
The cry came from behind and Kurt whirled around to see Reed, running full pelt down the corridor towards him, hair wild, shirt rumpled, trousers long and shoes about to catch on-
"Ooof." Reed tripped on the corner of a Persian rug and would have gone sprawling had he not fallen into Kurt's waiting outstretched arms.
"Reed." Kurt said in a calm, patient, parental manner. "Breathe. You know you're not supposed to run. Now, tell me slowly and calmly what's wrong. What's happened?"
"It's Shane!" Reed cried, looking up into Kurt's concerned blue eyes. "He's here and I don't know what to do! I've managed to persuade the others to distract him so he's chasing Evan and Ethan around the parking lot or something. But Kurt, what if he wants to see me? What if he wants to take me out? What should I do? What should I wear?"
Kurt was about to answer Reed dismissfuly when the last question registered in his brain. "What to wear? Oh Reed, I have the most perfect idea. I saw an outfit in GQ last month which I've been dying to try out which would look perfect on you and I think I can recreate it." And with no further ado, he wrapped a hand around Reed's wrist, giving him a tug up the stairs all the while rambling and gesticulating wildly. Reed was too nervous to actually listen to what Kurt was saying, so was just concentrating on nodding and 'uming' and 'ahing' in the right places whilst making sure that he didn't trip on anything. Kurt was either too wrapped up in planning Reed's outfit to care/notice (pick one) or simply put it down to the other boy's nerves and decided not to comment.
They were approaching Kurt and Reed's room when Kurt finished, saying "... and I would finish it all off with this beautiful Hermés scarf I bought last weekend." as he rummaged in his pocket for his key to let himself in. Reed simply nodded as Kurt slid the key into the lock before opening the door.
Just as the door swung open and was wide enough for Kurt to step inside, two pairs of arms shot out and grabbed him before he could move and another two sprang out from inside his room. Then he was promptly dragged backwards by his arms and into the room behind them, the room opposite his own. With the realisation of what was going on, he began to struggle wildly, but before Kurt had the chance to escape, they'd spun him around and there was a small shove between the countertenor's shoulder blades and Kurt stumbled into the room, catching himself at the last second before he could fall. The sharp snap of Reed closing the door behind him, followed quickly by the click of the lock as well as the telltale scraping sound of shifting furniture indicated that Kurt had been correct and that Windsor was going to be rocked by a storm, the likes of which Dalton hadn't seen since Tabitha's frequent visits and yet more terrifying than those combined. He was about to bang his fists on the wood and shout when he noticed several things at once.
One, the room smelled like his favourite incense sticks, which was odd because Kurt had left his stash at home and sent the remaining back to Carole when he realised what a hazard and a threat they were to Reed's safety when they combined rooms. However Reed was obviously in on this plan so maybe a few more in the room wouldn't be so bad.
Two, the room was quite warm, even for this time of year, and there was a flickering of light on the door. As Kurt began to turn and take in his surroundings he noticed candles placed in small groups around the room: on floorboards, a bookshelf, on the bedside table, next to-
Oh! For number three was staring him right in the face, literally. Well, less staring him right in the face and more gazing into Kurt's eyes whilst a smile played at the corner of his mouth.
"Hey stranger."
Well, that explains the incense, Kurt thought to himself. What he didn't know was that when Kurt had packed up his incense sticks and sent them back to Lima with a note for Carole a reminder to Finn not to go within twenty metres of the stuff, Blaine had bought an entire crateful (just in case Kurt ever wanted to use it) which he'd stuffed under his bed, but was only now getting the chance to use some.
"Blaine, what's going on? You've been avoiding me all day." Kurt said in a small, controlled voice avoiding looking his boyfriend in the eye.
"And you've been avoiding me all day!" Blaine countered, taking a step towards Kurt, who reflexively took one back but his foot connected with the oak door behind him with a thud audible to both of them.
Blaine's face crumpled and his posture slumped as he looked down at the floor. "You really don't want to see me?" he said calmly and quietly. "It's ok, I'll have Evan and Ethan unlock the door and you can-"
"No!" Kurt took a step away from the door, and then another. "No, I don't want that, Blaine. It's just, what's going on here? The incense, the candles, the- what is that doing here?" He waved his arms towards the baby grand piano which usually resided in the practise room, but was now in Blaine's room and upon closer inspection, noticed a small box and a boombox resting on the top.
Blaine rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish expression on his face. "Yes. And yes it is what it looks like. Just," he paused and gave a frustrated sigh tugging his hands through his messy, curly hair, yanking at the ends.
Kurt immediately hurried over and with soothing sounds, removed his boyfriend's hands from his head. "Hey now, don't do that. We don't want your hair coming out now do we? That's one look I don't think you could rock and besides," he gave Blaine a small smile, "I don't want a bald boyfriend. You know I don't dig on boys who'll be bald by the time they're thirty.
It seemed as though all the air had been expelled from Blaine's lungs. With a loud woosh the breath he didn't realise he'd been holding was let out and his lips split into a wide grin. "Oh good. I mean, I don't think I'd look good either so I best make sure I keep my hair. But, oh Kurt, I was so worried. I mean, I'm still your boyfriend! That's good, that's really really good-"
His rambles were cut off when Kurt placed a soft finger to his lips. "Yes, Blaine. We're still together. We're still boyfriend and boyfriend." Kurt said smiling. "But would you like to explain this?" he moved his finger from his boyfriend's mouth and gestured to the room.
"Ah, well." Blaine's hand was back at his neck now, the nervous look in his eyes back again as he pondered. "You see, Kurt, there's been something I've been meaning to ask you. I just didn't know how."
And with that he went over to the piano, pressed play on the boombox and sat down on the stool. Kurt followed and stood facing him, next to the not-so-innocent-looking newspaper-wrapped box sat beside the boombox on the lid of the piano.
The tinkling of piano keys sung through the air and Blaine began to play, the sounds of a cello accompanying him from the boombox as Blaine began to sing.
I woke up early from my bed
With a secret in my head.
In the back of my backyard
I keep a spaceship in the shed.
I lit the engine and took the sky
From up here it looks so nice.
I didn't stop until the moon, where I
Picked a flower just for you.
It was a lovely song, Kurt thought. Not one which he had heard before or was familiar with, but he was enjoying it nonetheless. With a smile, he looked up to Blaine's eyes, happy to see him smiling back, a grin on his face as he gazed at Kurt and poured out his soul to the boy he loved, telling him the best way he knew how.
And I fell down to you in a parachute
of newspaper, rubber bands, tape and glue.
So you would see I would do anything for you.
Anything for you.
I didn't wanna wake you up,
so I put the flower in a cup.
On the floor next to your bed
Without a sound I laid my head.
At the mention of the word 'flower', Blaine's eyes flickered away from Kurt's for the briefest moment. But he ploughed on, pressing down on the ebony and ivory keys with determination, determined to pour out his heart to make Kurt understand.
Drifted off into a dream
Of what has been and what could be.
I saw your tears, I saw you fall.
But I saw us rise, I saw it all.
And I fell down to you in a parachute
of newspaper, rubber bands, tape and glue.
So you would see I would do anything for you.
Anything for you.
Blaine's playing became a little wilder now, really pressing on the keys in front of him and staring at Kurt like he truly wished he'd understand, like Blaine needed Kurt to understand what he was trying to say.
And I never want you to know
All of the lengths I've gone
To find where the flowers grow.
Love is never supposed to be
A present under our tree
I do it because I believe.
Blaine then stood up and walked the two steps over to Kurt. The cello playing on the boombox was then joined by notes from a piano indicating that Blaine had obviously practised and timed the performance well, revealing the real reason why Kurt had been banned from the practise room for most of the day.
Picking up the box on the piano he silently handed it to Kurt. A smile played at the corner of Kurt's mouth when he noticed that the box was wrapped using newspaper, rubber bands, tape and glue. Once he'd ripped those layers away it revealed a small black box, tied with a pale-blue ribbon. It fit comfortably in the palm of Kurt's hand and was quite light. Kurt looked across at Blaine, who gestured for Kurt to continue whilst tugging the two of them over to his bed so they could sit comfortably, leaving a small pile of crumpled newspaper and rubber bands lying on the piano's otherwise spotless surface.
Kurt gently tugged on the pale-blue ribbon and lifted the lid of the box.
"And I fell down to you in a parachute," Blaine crooned, rejoining with the music, holding one of Kurt's hands carefully in his own.
Of newspaper, rubber bands, tape, and glue.
So you would see I would do anything for you.
Anything for you.
Still holding Kurt's hand, Blaine gently brushed the boy's cheek with the fingertips of the other hand.
Anything for you.
He finished quietly, gazing into Kurt's eyes which were becoming wet with unshed tears.
"Blaine, I don't understand." Kurt whispered, nearly choking on the words.
"It's simple." He smiled as if it truly were the simplest thing in the whole world. "I love you. I love you so much. Every moment I'm not with you, my heart aches. You're breathtaking, you're kind, you're talented, you're wonderful, you're beautiful and," each statement was punctuated by a kiss to one of Kurt's fingertips before laying one on his palm and giving a playful nip. "You're all mine." He kissed Kurt properly, directly on his lips which were pink from where Kurt had been nervously biting them.
"Go to Prom with me."
Both boys froze.
"Um, Kurt?"
Kurt had gone rigid. His cheeks and face were getting rapidly pinker every second and soon he would be almost raspberry in colour.
Blaine smile grew wide and he cupped his boyfriend's face with the palm of both hands.
"Do you mean it, Kurt? Are you asking me to go to Prom with you?" he laughed, raining kisses on his boyfriend's cheeks, nose, forehead, eyelids, anywhere he could.
"Um, I guess I am." He murmured in reply, still shocked at his own audacity. He had asked Blaine to go to prom. Not the other way around. It wasn't like he was hoping or expecting and he now never would hear Blaine ask, but he didn't care. He and Blaine were going to prom together. It truly was perfect. Except for one thing. "Are you saying yes?"
"Of course I am." Blaine giggled and threw himself at Kurt, knocking him over backwards onto the bedspread with the force of the hug. "But, what do you think?" he asked, nodding towards the black box still carefully held in one hand.
"It's beautiful." Kurt replied, as Blaine reached inside and lifted out the white flower resting inside.
"It's an Edelweiss, Kurt." Blaine said as he held it at shoulder level for Kurt to take. "What do you think? It may not be appropriate for a boutonnière but I figured you'd like it." He finished with a smile.
Kurt's eyes were bright once more. "Edelweiss as in The Sound of Music Edelweiss? Oh Blaine, I don't know what to say! It's wonderful. I love it, I mean it, I do!" and he reached forward and kissed Blaine once more. He then proceeded to quietly sing as he stared down at the flower and Blaine hummed alongside him.
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow
Bloom and grow forever
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever
"You know," Blaine said softly from where the two of them now lay on his bed. "That's not the only reason I chose you an Edelweiss."
"Oh? Not just because of my name and The Sound of Music reference? What other reasons are there Mister Anderson?" Kurt raised his head and looked across as the boy slowly sat himself up.
"What do you know about floriography?" Blaine asked. When Kurt remained silent, he pressed on with a small, almost embarrassed smile. "It's the language of flowers. It's something my mom taught me a little back when, well, back when. It was used back in the Victorian era as a method of communication between lovers," his eyes flickered to Kurt's before looking away, "when they couldn't verbally express their feelings towards one another, so they sent flowers instead and each flower would mean something different." Blaine explained, carefully tracing a pattern on the comforter.
"So tell me," Kurt said, stilling Blaine's hand with his own and instead tracing patterns on the back of Blaine's hand. "What does the edelweiss mean?" and he nudged the open box between them where the flower had been replaced.
"Well, it has several meanings actually."He raised their now entwined hands up and kissed Kurt's. "All of them perfect for you.
"The most commonly known meaning is the German translation. Edel means 'noble' and weiß is German for white, making it 'Noble whiteness' or 'noble purity'. He kissed Kurt's cheek. "And I don't care what anyone, terrifying ex-cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester or not says, you're my Sweet Porcelain! My noble, handsome prince."
"Mmmm." Kurt sighed dreamily, closing his eyes and stretching out on the bed. "All yours."
"In Persian, the edelweiss is known as Gol-e-yax which means 'ice flower' and you, my darling, have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen." He leant across and his breath ghosted across Kurt's face before carefully leaning down and kissing each of Kurt's eyelids. They opened with his touch revealing the ever-changing eyes beneath which entranced Blaine so. "So expressive." Blaine muttered as he gazed at them, his finger ghosting down the side of Kurt's cheek. "Sometimes they're a clear icy blue, sometimes steely grey, sometimes stormy green. Sometimes they're all three and sometimes they're something wonderfully new. You enchant me, Kurt. I'm completely under your spell."
"As I am under yours." Came the reply and Blaine's grin looked like it would split his face in two.
"And now," he heaved a sigh and rolled over onto his back. "Now we get onto the scientific part. Leontopodium, a Latin adaptation of the Greek 'lion's paw'." He stared at their fingers threaded together. "You're no Cowardly Lion, you're the bravest, strongest person I know. You stand and fight when most would turn and flee, no matter the cost. They grow in harsh mountains where most flowers would wither and die, you know. Tough and strong, no matter what anyone throws at them, like you." Kurt smiled at this. "Edelweiss are symbols of bravery because to get to them, you've got to climb the most dangerous routes up moutains, but it's worth it in the end I think."
Kurt laughed. "Now I don't know whether you're talking about the flower of me anymore."
"Hmmm." Blaine nuzzled Kurt's exposed neck. "Noble, pure, daring, courage. Pretty sure I stopped talking about that little white flower a while back."
Kurt rolled his eyes. "Courage, Blaine, really?" He pushed Blaine off his shoulder and rolled so that he was straddling the boy. "You got me a flower to tell me courage? I'm not even sure how you got me an edelweiss and I don't think I want to know," he added, seeing that look in Blaine's eyes. "But courage!"
"You're right, I should have just texted it to you. I know how romantic that is and would have gone down so well with you. You could add it to the hundred other courage texts I've sent you on your phone." When Kurt didn't answer and looked away, Blaine's smile turned menacing. "You've still got them all, haven't you?"
Kurt's shaky squawk of a protest 'No!' sounded fake to both their ears. "Ha." Blaine turning the tables once more so that Kurt now lay beneath him and he rested his chin on Kurt's chest, gazing into his eyes. "I don't even care right now. I'm too happy. I'm going to Prom with my boyfriend who asked me and it's going to be perfect."
Kurt's smile was just as wide. "On one condition, Blaine." He said, running his fingers through Blaine's hair. "You leave the gel behind. I like this curly look. You're like a hobbit!"
Yes, Blaine thought, being called a hobbit is a completely reasonable excuse as to why you tickled your boyfriend to death.
Ta-da! It's up at last. Well, what do you think? I tried keeping them in character, but then I threw up fluff all over it. My bad!
The song Blaine sings to Kurt is really beautiful, you must look it up! It's called Anything For You and is by Brendan James. http : /youtu. be/ RaQ0ZsWrwaU (just delete the spaces, I hope it works). I think the lyrics are beautiful and as soon as he said 'flower' I jsut knew it would be the song for Kurt (originally it was going to be 'I'll Be' and Blaine would dance Kurt around the room, but I like this better. Unless you want me to write that too?)
And duh, the second song is Edelweiss from The Sound of Music.
Of course I had to pick that flower for Kurt. I did lots of research on it (there was more stuff on it, and while Blaine would have memorised so that he could tell Kurt all about it, I didn't want it to be a big long list of how awesome Blaine (and I) thinks Kurt is.
This was the only scene I thought of when I first came up with the idea here ( http: / / tinyurl. com/ 6bldosn - just remove the spaces) and look what happened! Boom, over 10 000 words, that's what! Still, it was fun and I hope that you enjoyed it. I've an idea for an epilogue, but it would just be a couple of hundred words and I like how this ended here, what do you think?
I love reading your reviews, so keep them coming (or if there's something you'd like me to write for you?)
Sarah xx