A/N: I have brought you chapter four. In this chapter we see an unexpected character give Kurt advice, which eventually leads into some emotional drama in the next chapters. You'll see why. I've also decided that unless I change my mind, this is going to have about three more chapters, maybe two. The next two/one will also be more from Blaine's perspective. The very last will be Kurt again. I featured music in this again, though it doesn't fit the story as well as in the last. I debated even including it, but I figured as this was Kurt coming to hear Blaine sing, I needed music. Besides, then I can include Blaine's cute little speech. The song is Keep Your Head Up by Andy Grammer. Thank you to everyone who is bothering to read my little story, and to the few of you who review it. Your reviews honestly make me smile every time I get a new one/
"Kurt!"
A mass of brown hair flew at Kurt nearly bowling him over in enthusiasm. Kurt struggled to regain his breath as the mass, now identifiable as human, was pried off him by his step-brother. Rachel Berry smiled up at him, though letting go of the tight hold of him.
"I know I haven't seen you in a while Rachel, but was nearly crushing my sternum really necessary?" Kurt chided. He was surprised when the young woman came flying at him again, though with less of the first's death grip.
"Oh Kurt, how I missed you and your bitchy ways" Rachel grinned widely pressing her face into his chest. Kurt tried to pry his arms free, but for Rachel's lack in stature she made up for in her vice like hold.
Finally, Rachel relinquished her hold on the countertenor. She took a step back smoothing out her dress, which Kurt had to admit was fashionable. New York and stardom had done wonders for the small diva's wardrobe, and Kurt approved.
"Uh, guys, I know you have, like, lots of catching up to do, but if we don't leave now we'll miss the first song" Finn interrupted just as Rachel was about to open her mouth again. Sighing, Rachel shut her mouth and turned, reaching out to take Finn's hand.
The pair started walking out of Kurt's flat, leaving Kurt with the impression that he should follow. He grabbed his keys off the counter and headed out the door, locking it behind him. He couldn't see Finn and Rachel down the hallway, but could assume they were already heading downstairs.
He caught up to them after they had already exited the building and were walking along the streets, their connecting hands swinging between them. Kurt paused slightly behind them, a wave of jealousy hitting him hard. No, he wasn't jealous of Rachel, or even Finn for that matter. He was jealous of what they had.
He'd tried going out with other people, all through his high school and college years. They had all been nice and decent people, but none had lasted long, not with his feelings for Blaine still lingering around. Kurt didn't feel right dating someone when he obviously still had feelings for someone.
Kurt eventually took those last few steps, closing the gap between him and the pair. Rachel immediately started chattering at him, something he only half listened to. He answered at all the right times though, and that was enough for Rachel.
Thankfully, the bar where Blaine was playing in wasn't that far from the flat. They arrived about ten minutes after they had started walking. The place was rather crowded, not surprising for a Saturday night, but the fact that multiple live bands would be playing was also a draw. The three wrestled their way through the crowd, avoiding getting any drinks spilled on them.
A crooning Jazz band was just finishing their set, quickly thanking the crowd before stepping off the stage. They were replaced by Blaine's band, including Nick and Jeff who waved at Kurt enthusiastically. Blaine was yet to be seen.
Kurt had just pressed the cool glass of beer he'd acquired to his lips when Blaine finally took the stage. His gaze seemed to search the crowd before they settled on Kurt and he lit up like a child at Christmas. Kurt chuckled into his glass when Blaine started waving, holding up a hand to return the gesture.
Nick came up behind Blaine and shoved him toward the microphone; Blaine looked to it and seemed to remember what he was supposed to be doing. Blaine stepped up, his fingers wrapping around the microphone as he leaned forward to speak into it.
"Alright everyone, I know it's been a while since I've had the pleasure of seeing you all. Recently I went through something that I thought would break me. Now, I've realized that it wasn't the end of the world. I can stand here and safely say it didn't kill me.
But, I don't know what would have happened if my best friend hadn't been there. He picked me up, gave me a place to stay, even allowed me to cry into his prized and ridiculously expensive clothes. He's amazing, and made me realize that there wasn't any use in my moping. So I guess the first song tonight is dedicated to him" Blaine finished, signaling to the band to start.
I've been waiting on the sunset
Bills on my mindset
I can get deny they're getting high
Higher than my income
My income's breadcrumbs
I've been trying to survive
Kurt smiles slightly, this isn't exactly the kind of song he wishes Blaine would dedicate to him, but it's nice all the same. His foot taps to the rhythm, closing his eyes as he sips more of his beer.
The glow that the sun gives
Right around sunset
Helps me realize
This is just a journey
Drop your worries
You are gonna turn out fine.
Oh, you'll turn out fine.
Fine, oh, you'll turn out fine.
Rachel and Finn have disappeared from his side, presumably to go off and kiss. They were disgustingly attached like that. Kurt plopped onto one of the barstools, spinning around do that he could watch Blaine perform.
But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
You gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
"Hello Kurt" The voice broke through Kurt's concentration on the stage. Kurt froze, turning his head a little to see who the voice belonged to. His eyes widened in shock, because there, sitting right fucking there was him.
Jeremiah.
I know it's hard, know it's hard,
To remember sometimes,
But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
"What are you doing here?" Kurt hissed setting his drink down with a harsh clunk. He was ready to do whatever he could to get Jeremiah out of this bar before Blaine saw him.
I've got my hands in my pockets,
Kickin these rocks.
Its kinda hard to watch this life go by.
I'm buyin in the skeptics,
Skeptics mess with, the confidence in my eyes
"Relax; I'm not here to upset him. I actually stopped into this bar by coincidence" Jeremiah sighed, picking up his own drink and taking a sip.
I'm seeing all the angles, starts to get tangled
I start to compromise
My life and the purpose.
Is it all worth it,
Am I gonna turn out fine?
Oh, you'll turn out fine.
Fine, oh, you'll turn out fine.
"Really? Then why the hell are you still here?" Kurt was close to seething, and debating the consequences of putting a fist to Jeremiah's face.
But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
You gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
"I saw you and I was curious, have you told him yet?" Jeremiah questioned innocently, looking at Kurt over the rim of his glass.
I know it's hard, know it's hard,
To remember sometimes,
But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
"Told him what?" Kurt honestly didn't know where Jeremiah was going with this. Was this some scheme to hurt Blaine further?
Only rainbows after rain
The sun will always come again.
It's a circle, circling,
Around again, it comes around again.
"That you love him" Jeremiah answered easily. Kurt froze for the second time that night, his fingers stilling from where they had been tracing patterns on the outside of his glass.
Only rainbows after rain
The sun will always come again.
It's a circle, circling,
Around again, it comes around,
"What are you talking about?" Kurt tried to swipe the question aside, feigning ignorance. He didn't want to talk about this with the guy who had broken Blaine.
But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
"Oh please Kurt, it's obvious to everyone except Blaine" Jeremiah laughed, his gaze flicking away to the stage momentarily. They couldn't be seen from the stage due to the amounts of people in the bar, so Blaine couldn't see Jeremiah.
I know it's hard, know it's hard
To remember sometimes,
But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
"So what do you want from me? I haven't told him alright?" Kurt said turning his own eyes away from Jeremiah to look broodily into his drink.
Keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
Keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
Keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down.
"You are going to have to someday" Jeremiah said simply, as if this was a fact. Kurt was about to respond when the song ended. He turned around and clapped, just as the group started in on their next song.
"Why? Why do I have to? Why can't he live his days peaceably, not having the burden of knowing his best friend is in love with him?" Kurt brought a hand up to his mouth, it was the first time he'd said it out loud. He usually didn't allow himself to think of the word love about Blaine. But his reasoning seemed weak now.
"Because, I've heard before that if someone never realizes they hold your heart, they can never break it. That can be both good and bad Kurt. Sure, you'll never be thoroughly heartbroken, but you'll also never be able to move on."
"Why are you sitting here Jeremiah, giving me this advice?"
"Because I think, deep down, I did love him, if only a little. Never as much as you though. He needs you, whether he realizes it or not. You're good for him Kurt, in a way I never was"
"But, you left him. If you loved him how could you leave him?"
"I said I loved him a little Kurt. It wasn't enough to stop me from cheating and lying. I'm not one to be tied down, Blaine was safe and oblivious"
"I can't tell him, all he can talk about is what a great best friend I am, it would ruin our friendship"
"You're always thinking about him Kurt, what about yourself? This is your chance at love or freedom. I'll leave you with that, just think about it" Jeremiah stood from the stool and left his empty glass on the bar. Kurt watched him push his way through the crowd, disappearing amongst the bodies.
"Kurt! Are you okay?" Blaine's voice worked its way through Kurt's heavy thoughts and Kurt looked up to find the singer looking angry. Oh no, he must have seen Jeremiah.
"Where did he go? Did he hurt you?" Blaine's worried gaze checked Kurt for injuries. Kurt shook his head, both answering the second question and trying to dislodge the thoughts Jeremiah had planted in his brain. Blaine's hands made their way to his shoulders, grasping there as if trying to steady Kurt.
"Why are you so pale? What did he say to you? That bastard, I swear I'm going to-" Kurt cut Blaine off by grabbing his wrist, preventing him from running after Jeremiah like it looked like he wanted to.
"No I'll be fine, he didn't do anything wrong. I'm sorry you had to see him and get so worked up at my expense. Really, he just gave me a few things to think about"