Sam sighed and leaned against a wall, pulling out his phone to go over Kurt's texts for the thousandth time that day. He was on break at work and was waiting for more orders to come in for him to make a round of deliveries. He could not remember ever wanting to be elsewhere any more than he did now. After his revelation to Kurt the night before, Sam wanted nothing more than to be able to see Kurt and talk about what was going on between them. Since he had had to drop Kurt off at his house after they got back from the park, they wanted to see each other the next day, but Sam told him he had to work. Screw having responsibilities.
Feeling antsy and having reread his and Kurt's conversation from earlier in the day once more, Sam put his phone away and crossed his arms, ready to lose himself in all the thoughts he had continually been trying to put on hold all day. His momentary mental escape was interrupted by a call from the front of the restaurant.
"Sam!"
"Yeah? I'm back here! I'm on break!"
His boss poked her head around the corner and spotted Sam by the back door. Crossing halfway through the kitchen toward him, she jerked her fist back, thumb extended, pointing toward the front. "There's some kid here who wants to see you."
Sam gave her a questioning look and stepped away from his position against the wall to see if he could peer around her and catch a glimpse of whoever it was from back here. No luck.
"What? Who is it? No one visits me at work…" Sam felt his pulse quicken as he inwardly hoped it was who he had been dying to see all day.
His boss just shrugged. "Hell if I know who wants to visit you. Some short guy with dark hair. Looks kinda pissed if you ask me."
Sam felt his stomach clench in dread and lowered his voice cautiously. "What? Um, look, if it's who it sounds like, I don't really wanna talk to him right now. Just FYI, I'm afraid he might wanna start trouble with me. I'm just gonna try to get rid of him, okay?"
His boss raised her eyebrows at him. "What you been up to? I don't need anybody bringin' trouble in here. It's enough of a shithole here without bloodied delivery boys and flying furniture."
Sam put his hands up and whispered hurriedly, "No, I haven't done anything! Lemme just go tell him to leave, okay?"
She put her hands on her hips and looked him up and down. "Yeah, yeah, alright. But be quick. You look about twice his size anyway. You can take him, Blondie."
Sam gave her an apologetic smile as he shuffled toward the front of the restaurant. Peeking quickly through the open doorway, he saw his visitor standing with his back to him, arms crossed and not looking too happy. It was Blaine, just as he had feared. Sam steeled himself and moved forward to stand behind the counter. Blaine turned at Sam's approach.
Urging himself to act natural, Sam gave him a friendly smile. "Hey, man, how you been? What's up?"
Blaine made a condescending sound of disbelief. "Don't give me that, okay? We both know why I'm here."
"Uh…no?"
"I can't believe you two. I don't appreciate you being shady with Kurt. You've been spending way too much time together lately. And I saw you all over him at the carnival last week when we got off that dumb ride. It's not classy."
Sam shifted his eyes around the room. It was so hard to look Blaine in the eye when he was so worked up for good reason. "Okay, look, dude, I think you need to chill. Me and Kurt are just friends. Trust me." It killed him to have to say that. It was technically still true, though, as much as he hoped they would not stay that way. "As for last week, Kurt was upset because of you guys' fight. I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't comfort him when he needed it."
Blaine rolled his eyes and made a huffing sound. Sam looked him straight in the eye before continuing, "Kurt is a big kid. He can make his own decisions and spend his time with whoever he wants to. He can have relationships with people other than you. And if I gave my two cents, I'd point out that the one not being classy is the person trying to control his boyfriend's life." It was all Sam could do to stay civil with Blaine. All the resentment and jealousy he had buried for months was fueling real anger toward him.
"Really? That's ridiculous. You sound just like him. It's not control to have some rules. Rules that seem very reasonable now that I hear how inexplicably loyal to him you sound."
Sam felt himself clenching his teeth. "Dude, I legit cannot right now. You need to leave. I'm at work, and even if I wasn't, I wouldn't really wanna waste my time talking to you."
"Fine. You're right. This is a waste of time. I just wanted to stop by and tell you I'm leaving you to your Jerry Springer classiness. Obviously you two are madly in love with each other and I'm just a douchebag. Peace." And with that, Blaine turned on his heel and made his dramatic exit.
"He puts on a show, don't he?" Sam nearly jumped. He turned and went back through the doorway behind the counter to the kitchen. His boss was standing to the side of the doorway, leaning against the wall and eating a piece of pizza. Talking through her food, she looked over at Sam as he stopped in front of her. "He queer?"
"Uh, yeah…"
"Yeah, heard you say 'boyfriend.' Never woulda guessed it of that one." She paused, seemingly waiting for a response from Sam that he did not provide. "He seemed to think you was too."
"Yeah…I don't know. I guess they had a fight and he's…well you heard him." Sam looked down at his feet nervously. "Anyway, sorry about that."
"It don't matter, you got him outta here without nothin' crazy goin' down. Anyway, got another couple orders a few minutes ago. They're just about outta the oven, so break's over."
"Alright."
Later, after he had completed all the deliveries and was on his way back to the restaurant, Sam pulled over into an empty parking lot. He was still a little shaken by his encounter with Blaine. How much did he know? Sam had played it off, but Blaine was so upset. He had trouble feeling guilty about what had happened last night since he and Kurt had had a growing relationship for months and Kurt had said himself he was done with Blaine, but Sam was uneasy about Blaine's anger nonetheless. He pulled out his phone and called Kurt, who picked up after only one ring.
"Hey!" Sam could hear Kurt's smile and involuntarily grinned himself at the sound of his voice. "Aren't you supposed to be at work?"
"Yeah. I'm actually out on a delivery right now, but I had to call you."
"You had to call me? I appreciate the sentiment, Sam, you know that I do. But I don't want you fired." Sam could tell Kurt did not really mind, though.
"I just had to tell you about something. Blaine came in a few minutes ago."
"What? Did something happen?" Kurt said with worry tingeing his voice.
"Uh, well, kinda…He came in pretty much just to tell me he's pissed at me, at us, and that I'm trashy for spending time with you."
"Oh…oh God. I'm sorry, Sam. This might be my fault."
"How? Did you tell him something…?"
"Well honestly, I don't think he has a reason to think anyone's trashy. I didn't cheat on him, as much as he thinks and wishes I did, multiple times. No, I broke up with him today," Kurt said a little breathlessly.
Sam felt his heart beating against his ribcage. "You did? Like, officially?"
"Yes, 'officially.' Although honestly I think that for all intents and purposes we haven't been together for a couple weeks. It's such a relief to finally kick him to the curb. I was kind of scared to, you know, but…I finally felt strong enough to take back my independence. Especially after last night." Sam was silent. Kurt could only hear his breathing for a few seconds. "Sam, you there?"
"Yeah, sorry. Yeah, I really wanna talk about that…last night, I mean. I'm sorry I'm busy," Sam mumbled.
"I know you are. Speaking of, you need to get back to work. Call me when you get off and we'll plan something for tomorrow, okay?" Kurt paused for a moment before continuing in a softer tone, "Look, Sam. No matter anything else, we're friends. No matter where we go, as far as I'm concerned, we always will be friends. I know how you're probably feeling right now, but relax, okay? For me?"
"Yeah…yeah, okay, I will, Kurt. Thanks." Sam exhaled slowly and deliberately.
"Good. Call me later. 'Bye!"
"Talk to you later." Sam heard the call end and sat there alone for another minute or so, lost in thought, before composing himself and driving back to work.
Sam had been sitting in his car in front of Kurt's house for a good five minutes. Why was he so nervous? Kurt had been happy to hear Sam's feelings toward him. And they had kissed. Kissed. It suddenly struck Sam that that had been their first kiss. But he was being silly having to steel himself like this. He saw Kurt's front door open and Kurt stepped out into view, waving him over.
Sam stepped out of his car.
"Sam! What are you doing?"
With an apologetic smile, Sam just shrugged as he walked up. "Sorry, my mom called me about something," he lied.
Kurt gave him a disbelieving eyebrow raise and then stepped aside and ushered him into the house before following him in. "Dad! Sam's here!" he yelled to his father then added to Sam, "Go up to my room. We don't need my dad overhearing us."
As Sam started up the stairs, Burt must have heard their steps because he yelled back, "Kurt! Door open!"
Kurt rolled his eyes, but Sam turned and gave him a sharp look. Kurt just lightly nudged him forward again before replying. "Don't worry, I didn't say anything. I told him months ago you were, for lack of a better term, 'undetermined,' so I'm sure that's what he's thinking."
"Months ago…?" Sam questioned as he made the landing and headed into Kurt's room. Kurt brushed past him and sat on his bed.
"Well, yeah, I think you remember our duets assignment. I thought of it as wishful thinking more than anything else, but then again here we are." Kurt smiled up at him.
"So…" Sam's word trailed off.
"So…" Kurt echoed him.
"So where do we stand?" Sam could not keep his voice from shaking a little. It did not go unnoticed.
Kurt blinked up at him and then slid himself back so he was sitting against the headboard, propped up on his pillows. "Well you don't need to stand at all. Sit down or something. Get comfy." Sam came over, sat on the edge of the bed, and continued to look at Kurt hopefully. Kurt had to smile to see Sam so nervous. "Okay. Well, as far as I can tell, we've been spending a lot of time together the past couple months, and the night before last you revealed you had feelings for me. And I was delighted. And then we kissed. I think that's where we stand. Oh, and let's not forget I finally plucked up the courage to break things off with Blaine."
Sam stared at Kurt for a second and then swallowed hard and looked down. "No, I mean, I know what's happened, but…"
"I know what you meant." Kurt scooted forward toward Sam, who looked up to meet his eyes. Kurt smiled a little shyly and continued, "You know, to be honest, it's nice to be pursued." Sam gave a half-smile out of embarrassment. "I didn't get that from Blaine. I've never gotten that before, not really. I guess…I guess what I'm saying is, I believe you. I believe that you do care about me. I see it. I have seen it. I never really gave up on you. Even though I gave up our duet so long ago when we first met, I've still always liked you, and the feeling only grew as we got to know each other. You know, you've always been a friend to me, even when it wasn't convenient for you. You've never treated me bad. I can't say the same for Blaine. Or Finn for that matter, bless his heart."
"That's because I care about you."
"I know."
"But Kurt, I really mean that. I know I told you the other night, but I would tell you every day if you'd let me. I don't know if I'm…if I'm…" He glanced at the open doorway before whispering, "…gay…but I know how I feel about you."
The two of them held eye contact for a few moments. Kurt exhaled a little shakily and said, "Well, do you wanna give this a try?"
"You mean…?" Sam held his breath subconsciously.
"Us. If you wanna give us a try, I do too."
Sam broke into a wide smile. "Yes, I really do, Kurt."
Kurt smiled back. "Alright then, it's settled."
After sighing to finally release his nerves, Sam took Kurt's hand. "Kurt, I wanna take you out. Like, on a real date."
Kurt widened his eyes. "You don't half-ass things at all."
"No, I don't. I'm taking you out, okay? And I won't take no for an answer." He smiled playfully, and Kurt huffed animatedly.
"Well, fine then. I guess I don't have a choice then, do I?"
"Nope."
"I look forward to it." Kurt removed his hand from Sam's and scooted himself back against the headboard. "Oh, and by the way, I'm so sorry Blaine came and harassed you at work."
"It wasn't your fault. Besides, I got rid of him."
Kurt crossed his arms and sighed. "School's going to be really awkward now."
Sam furrowed his brow. "What? Why? You don't even have to talk to him if you don't want to."
Kurt raised an eyebrow at him. "Um, Sam? Oh! Did I never tell you? Blaine transferred to McKinley a few weeks ago."
"What!" Sam's surprise and outrage almost made Kurt laugh.
"Yeah…it was inevitable, I guess, especially after I transferred. Dalton was a real financial burden on his family, and he hated me not being around him anymore. I can't help feeling a little bitchy for breaking things off now."
"Kurt, you can't stay in a relationship that makes you unhappy. Don't feel bad. After all, you said yourself it was inevitable. And it sounds like he couldn't afford Dalton anymore anyway."
"You're right, I know. But still."
Sam slid over beside Kurt to sit next to him. "Well we will deal with Blaine if he makes anything awkward, or worse."
"It's not your responsibility, though."
"No, it's not my responsibility, but I care anyway. That's awhile from now, anyway."
Kurt turned and smiled halfheartedly at Sam. "Thanks. You're right."
They sat for a few moments before Kurt broke the silence. "So, what do you wanna do now?"
"…I know what I want to do." He bit his lip to fight back a smile and gave Kurt a sidelong glance.
"Sam. There's a reason my dad wanted the door open."
"Oh well." Sam's face fell exaggeratedly. Kurt rolled his eyes.
"Maybe next time."
A/N: Obviously I'm overstepping canon with Blaine's transfer, but I figure it's an inevitability he'll move to McKinley in season 3, so I had to find a way to get him there even though he and Kurt won't be together. So sue me.
Also, I apologize for how long it's been since my last update, but in my defense, the #DontCutTheChord debacle really shook me. I should be back on track now.
I appreciate all the reviews I get, so thank you so much to those of you who have reviewed! They always make my day!