I feel like I begin every chapter with WOW but seriously, WOW. I'm fast approaching 300 reviews and new people are reading everyday and leaving THE sweetest messages. I'm so grateful. Above all, I'm just thrilled you actually ENJOY it. I honestly, never thought people would keep reading :D
I'm pleased the last Chapter was received well regardless of the change of pace – phewf! I had to add in the Hudmels because, well, how can you resist? I find Finn hardest to write because he's so specific and an iconic Glee character so THANK YOU to those who said they thought he was written OK. I will still try hard with him : )
I adore Burt (I'm sure I've mentioned that before) and I LOVED LOVED LOVED writing him in this chapter. The way the writers approach his relationship with Kurt has always been so special so I can't even hope to achieve a scene as touching as that but I try to simply keep them in character.
I am able to write a Chapter every day/other day as I'm off for Christmas. I'm a trainee barrister so usually my days are CRAMMED full and EXTREMELY busy but I always find time for my escapisms – Musical Theatre, Knitting, Vintage Shopping, Writing and watching movies. That's pretty much what my weeks have been since breaking up (plus seeing friends) so for those that asked how I can get a Chapter out reasonably quickly... there's your answer. Also, if I sit down and write it, it honestly does NOT take me too long. Plus, I write on my Blackberry on the train ;)
Thank you all so much again and honestly, I really do take into account your reviews so ANY con-crit is really appreciated. Obviously the "awwwwwwwwwwwww"s are also ridiculously appreciated. Also, I worry for a few of you ... the amount of reviews I get about not being able to breathe and about your faulty hearts... it's a concern :P
Ooo one last thing. People keep asking if I'm British. Yes, I am. I try SO hard to keep up the Americanisms. You have NO idea how many times I type "jumper" instead of "sweater" and have to change it ;) Also, Google was my friend for Vermont/Airports/Travel times! I have a LOVELY friend in the US (the one who introduced me to Darren a year and a half ago) who helps me out so THANKS to Annie : )
Ok, shutting up now. I really hope you like this one. A few moments in this had me smiling ridiculously as the images were SO clear to me and SO painfully cute in my mind. ENJOY...
Kurt was sure he was dreaming. It was all a little odd having two halves of his life spectacularly collide in one sudden move. He watched as the golden lights scattered past the window as they drove in the dark, the two hour journey back to Lima. Kurt sat in the back of their truck with Blaine, the air thick and a touch on the tense side. He glanced over just as Blaine did, the silence dominating, but Blaine offered a small smile, his eyes twinkling from the glare of the headlights of passing cars. Kurt breathed in, slow and deep, relishing in the rush of emotion he felt.
"So Blaine, Kurt tells me your parents are travelling this Christmas," Burt offered from the front of the cab. He'd been silent so far. Kurt smiled, secretly so grateful for his father's attempt to make conversation. It was painfully obvious it was strained.
Blaine didn't seem to realise, exercising his very natural charm and ability to remain cool in any circumstance. "Yes Sir, my mother is a writer and travels a lot with her work. She always said that Winter evokes more meaning and sentiment and decided, this year, to vacation in Whistler, Canada instead of spending the holiday at home. Dad always travels with her. Usually I stay at Dalton but ... it's not the most festive environment once the boarders have all left."
Kurt glanced out of the corner of his eye. Blaine didn't seem too affected by what he was saying but Kurt could see his tiny shift in mood, a shadow of disappointment.
"I see," Burt said in a voice that Kurt knew was a little softer, even for his dad, "so you were travelling to Vermont?"
"Yes. My Grandmother Sylvia lives there. I used to stay there a lot when I was younger over the holidays and she is one of my favourite people in the world."
"Well, we will try to get you a flight out as soon as this snow clears."
Kurt wanted to hug his father so badly for the kind way he spoke but instead chose to smile at Blaine again, warm and cheerful, with an aim to make Blaine feel at home as possible. It was obvious the other boy was on his best behaviour, staying on the other side of the car and keeping a safe distance from Kurt at all times. He hadn't even spoken that much to Kurt since they'd met up with Burt, instead choosing to talk to Kurt's father and offer constant and almost regular expressions of gratitude.
"I am so grateful for all of your help Mr Hummel. I can't quite believe you drove all of this way."
The wry laugh Burt let out made Kurt sure there was a quip to follow. "Once my son has an idea, I've learned two things. It's usually for a good reason and to never say no."
Blaine laughed, his eyes knowingly planting their gaze on Kurt's who ducked his head, his trapper hat tails falling. He smirked. It was the first time Blaine had come close to touching him as he reached over and tugged the thin tassels hanging down by Kurt's neck. It was both playful and heartfelt causing Kurt to blush and his heart to speed up. He was infinitely grateful for the darkness.
-.-.-.-.-.
As they pulled up the drive, Kurt glanced over to Blaine, his hand immediately covering his heart as he realised Blaine had fallen asleep. It was achingly endearing. Kurt watched as Burt carried the bags into their hallway and took it as his chance to wake Blaine up without the panic of his father watching.
"Blaine? Hey Blaine, wake up, we're here," Kurt whispered, his hand unsure if to move. He did reach out and touch, his finger brushing Blaine's arm through his coat. The other boy mumbled something and nuzzled sideways into the seat. Kurt suppressed a laugh. "Blaine. Blaine. Blaine. Blaine. Blaine," he repeated jokingly. Blaine eventually opened his eyes and cringed.
"I fell asleep," he yawned, frowning in regret and rubbing his eyes roughly.
"You're perceptive," Kurt retorted with a cheeky grin, "you planning on sleeping in the car or are you coming in? I promise Finn won't bite, I'll stop him before he reaches you and my father's gun is locked away in the basement, I think."
Kurt burst into giggles at Blaine's face. "I'm sleeping in the car," Blaine replied, startled.
"Come on," Kurt urged with amusement, his hand moving without thought to rest lightly on Blaine's arm. He jumped a little, startled at his sudden ability to be easier in Blaine's company. He was on his own territory and excited to be able to take care of Blaine and be there for him. It felt cosy and terrifying all at once but a thread of something solid spread through him. It was as if everything he wanted was in one place, everyone he lov...
"Hey?" Blaine called as Kurt turned his back to climb out of the car, his hand reaching out to grab Kurt's scarf tail. Kurt flipped to face him, his eyes wide and alert and glancing down a fraction at the touch. They were able to do that now and it was ok.
"Yes?"
"Thank you for this," Blaine spoke softly, "it's... you're... just thank you."
Kurt felt himself blanketed in warmth. He smiled, his skin awash with happiness. "No need to say thank you. New rule. Ok?"
Blaine closed his eyes, laughing a little at the use of his own words. Kurt was different; he was still himself and still as pure and open as he ever was but there was an air of confidence since their moment in the common room. As he looked up and back into Kurt's eyes, he knew that something had unequivocally changed in his life- for the better.
-.-.-.-.-
Kurt watched as Carole sweetly hugged Blaine followed by Finn who slapped him on the back and exclaiming "Good to meet you Bro!". Kurt almost laughed wondering how many times Blaine had been called 'bro'.
"Thank you so much for having me here. I'm honestly eternally grateful. Port Columbus wasn't the most hospitable airport."
Blaine was ever the gentleman, much to Carole's surprise. Kurt stifled another grin as he watched his family's reaction to such politeness. Blaine, the picture of good grooming and a respectable upbringing looked positively comical beside Burt in his oil smeared jeans. Kurt felt a desperate need to hug them both.
"Well, Blaine, we're glad to have you," Carole chimed up to break the slight silence, "I've set up a bed for you on the couch if that's ok with you and we'll work the rest out tomorrow."
Blaine ducked his head, bowing a little. "That's perfect, thank you. I don't want to be a burden." Kurt coughed before he knew what he was doing. As Blaine turned to look at him, Kurt simply raised his eyebrows in accusation. If Kurt couldn't use that word then there was no damn way Blaine got to. The other boy smiled knowingly and shook his head, obviously realising he was over doing it.
"Nobody's a burden. We're glad to have you. Kurt mentions you so often when he calls, you'd think you were part of the family already sweetheart."
Blaine felt Kurt's blush without looking and could hardly stop his own. Kurt watched as Finn smirked to himself. It was all a little awkward.
"Ok then," Kurt blurted out, attempting to move the conversation into clearer waters, "I'll take Blaine down and show him where everything is. That ok?"
"Yes but there's a bed on the couch. Remember," Burt warned with a firm glance at Kurt.
Kurt all but pushed Blaine down the stairs and into his room. The room felt a little crowded and Kurt simply wanted Blaine to himself, to reconfigure their relationship and simply talk.
"Well, he seems like a lovely young man," Carole cooed, sidling up to her husband, her arm threading through his.
"Lovely young man or not, he sleeps on the couch."
Carole laughed tunefully. "Darlin', Kurt's not stupid, he knows the rules but I have to say, that boy definitely makes Kurt happy, he has a glow about him."
Burt groaned outwardly but inwardly registered every single nuance of change in his son. He'd smiled wider, his eyes lit up, his stance grew taller and more confident and above all else, he could see the flush on his son's cheeks. He wasn't blind and, in a way, it comforted him to know Kurt was happy. Just as long as the kid respected the ground rules.
-.-.-.-.
Kurt was grateful for Finn leaving them to it as he watched Blaine duck into the basement.
"Oh."
"You like it?" Kurt asked, his stomach tensing with nerves. No other guy had been in his room before, with the exception of Finn, and it was strangely petrifying. Kurt felt himself view the room with a stranger's eyes and panicked, worrying in case Blaine thought it all a little over the top. Nobody else had really commented on it before, not even the girls, and Kurt wasn't so sure what to do so he simply watched Blaine's face.
"Did you do this yourself?" the other boy asked, shrugging off his coat and folding it carefully over his arm. Kurt felt his eyes scan the way Blaine looked in his dark woollen cardigan, shirt and fitted jeans. Seeing that image standing in the centre of his room made his skin hot and feeling he wasn't sure Burt would appreciate, swim deliciously inside. Blaine was sitting on his bed now, running his fingers along Kurt's duvet and glancing at the art hung from the pale walls. Kurt could barely move, knowing that if he did he wouldn't be able to stop himself from crawling on top of Blaine and pouring every ounce of the passion he felt into a kiss. He could just see Finn's face now.
It was disconcerting, feeling so strongly about, simply, a boy in his room but it wasn't any boy. Kurt felt the nerves take hold, unyielding, and accepted them. Every step was new and every feeling was so deep and shocking that it almost knocked him off his feet.
Kurt suddenly remembered he'd been asked a question. Walking slowly over to his desk, not even sure why he was moving and how his feet found the confidence to walk, he spoke.
"Um, yes. All my handiwork. Do you like it?" he asked again, desperate to hear Blaine's thoughts. He'd become difficult to read. At Dalton, it seemed easier but sitting in amongst his family and entire life, Kurt could barely function to de-code emotions anymore. He was focusing entirely on breathing, speaking and intensely controlling himself around Blaine.
The other boy glanced up, incredulous. "Kurt it's incredible."
It was as if he'd been deflated. The pressure drained from him at those words, suddenly letting himself feel relieved and proud.
"Nobody really comes in here," Kurt explained, leaning against his desk gently, his eyes flickering with nerves, "I never really know how people will react."
Blaine was speechless if he was honest. It was beautiful and so inherently Kurt that it felt like a cocoon. He was surrounded by everything that made Kurt who he was. It was clean and bright, pure and flawless but the white wash colour was so innocent yet bold. The whole room spoke to him in a way he was sure was so unintended.
"So that's another talent we can add to your ever growing list?" Blaine asked with a soft smile, fully aware of Kurt's anxiousness.
He watched Kurt smile, his shoulders square slightly. "Oh believe me, you haven't seen anything yet."
Kurt's brain celebrated, his body thawing and shivering with pleasure. Blaine liked his room. Blaine thought he was talented. Blaine was sitting on his bed. Blaine looked edible. Blaine. Blaine. Blaine.
"So, you've got me here and rescued me," Blaine began, a glint in his eye, "now what?"
Kurt's felt that ache again, his heart tensing wonderfully. He took a breath, channelling his spirit. "Well, you always get to be the white knight, I thought I'd try my hand at it."
Blaine laughed, all breathy and cute, making Kurt shudder with the complete lack of hold on his own self control. He couldn't stand it any longer, staying on the other side of the room, so he glided to Blaine's side, settling himself on the bed.
Blaine felt it. Something was different now. It wasn't just head reeling and sweet and adorable now. Something was firmer, more tense but making his feelings even stronger. He was looking at Kurt now, really seeing him and watching every movement of his hips, his eyelashes, his hands. It was mesmerising and so hot he wasn't sure he could deal with it all at once.
"You're good," Blaine murmured, turning slightly, his eyes unable to move from Kurt's lips. The trapper hat was still there and so was Kurt's coat. It was a barrier and Blaine wanted it removed so badly. He wanted Kurt near, close, tight against him. It was as if a switch had been flicked since Kurt had kissed him. The complication wasn't there anymore and his heart and mind could focus on other things... like the way Kurt's lips pouted slightly and seemed the softest Blaine had ever seen.
"I know," Kurt whispered, his hand lazily finding his hat and pulling it off slowly. He immediately straightened out his hair with a flurry of his hands. He couldn't take his eyes off Blaine for a second.
"It's a family tradition to go to the Christmas Market tomorrow. Dad and I go every year. I keep him away from the crepe stand, he steers me away from the shiny things and we both drink hot chocolate. It's always a nice day but this year it's Carole and Finn's turn to come along. Will you come?" Kurt asked, realising just how close he was to Blaine and how easy it would be to close the gap.
Blaine smiled wide. "It sounds wonderful but just as long as I get to let you loose on the shiny things. I'd love to witness that."
Kurt laughed, his eyes fluttering to his fingers as they unbuttoned his coat. He had to look away, there was no way he could be trusted to keep his eyes on Blaine's for too long at a time.
Blaine felt something teasing inside. Hearing of cute family traditions and the way Kurt spoke about his father felt alien. He was jealous but far too enamoured with the idea of sharing that kind of day with someone, with Kurt, to let the realisation of his own family's lack of such aspects get him down. The image of Kurt sliding his coat off his shoulders to reveal a tight and very deep green and red button up shirt was far too distracting anyway,
"Boys!" Carole called, already appearing at the top of the stairs, causing Kurt to almost jump a mile in the air.
He felt his face turn a fierce red at the fact he and Blaine were inches apart and sitting on his bed.
"Carole! Um, I was just showing Blaine-"
She smirked, nodding. "Yes sweetheart of course. Your father wondered if you'd like to come up and we could watch a movie together. I could make Blaine some food, that's of course if you're hungry honey?"
Blaine stood up immediately, smoothing down his shirt. "That's very kind of you, thank you."
Kurt could feel his palms sweating and eyes still blown wide. He could hardly quieten the panic racing through his veins. It was new. He felt like he'd been caught stealing or something equally awful.
As Blaine walked past Carole up the stairs, Kurt tried to scream at his brain to cool of his face. He had to get a grip. He tiptoed across the room, reaching Carole and attempted to pass her without a glance. He jumped as she touched his arm with humoured eyes and a deliberate smirk.
"He's extremely handsome," she whispered, stroking his shoulder. Kurt was sure the noise he made was entirely incoherent and ridiculous but he nodded and turned a deeper red, much to Carole's amusement. "Just don't let your father catch you. I think he still owns that gun." Kurt's blood turned cold, his eyes alarmed. Carole simply laughed, shaking her head. "Come on sweetheart, lets get that boy fed."
NOTE: I know this one was a littler shorter. It's because the next is a LOT longer and filled with so much. I'm sorry for the extra delay in posting. I had a BUSY day full of seeing friends, shopping and my Christmas Ball. NO where near as swoon worthy as the Snow Ball but fun regardless ;)
I hope you enjoyed it :D