Hey Everyone :D So sorry for taking a little while to post this... (see notes at the end for more info).
Just wanted to give a shout out to a story that I think is wonderful on here. It's by CrazyShenanigans and called "Skin and Bones". I've had a few people asking about stories who have taken the relationship slowly and REALLY focused on the tension and nuances that are so ... REAL! It IS a future!fic but I'd urge you to read it- I love it and would definitely recommend it!
Also, if any of you have had your 'Glee fan' head in the ground and HAVEN'T read 'Dalton' then GET TO IT. I swear I read it MORE for her OCs than Kurt/Blaine now. Anyone whose heart DID NOT break at the end of Chapter 18... well, I don't know how it was possibly for it not to. Shane and Reed literally have my heart. Monique's a wonderful wonderful writer.
I have to thank a couple of people. Firstly, to JP-Wings for leaving THE most supportive and lovely reviews since I first started this story, welcomemoon for THE most overwhelmingly sweet message and mot51 for leaving the most enthusiastic comments!
I also have SO many LJ recs but just go and look yourself ;) Anyway, I will have another Chapter up tomorrow as this is a slightly shorter one...and (as explained later) doesn't have many major Kurt/Blaine scenes. This COULD be described as the Chapter of loose ends, but I hope it doesn't leave anyone disappointed.
I hope you enjoy! : )
-.-.-.-.-.-
"Darling?"
Sylvie was proud as punch. The crowd's reaction to Blaine's performance had made her the happiest grandmother in the world. It was always a treat to hear Blaine sing, his voice improved from year to year and he truly was growing into his own. There was only one thing standing in his way.
"Yes mother?" Monica replied, her eyes scanning the crowd for her husband. He'd disappeared to speak to the Principal about Blaine's fees.
Sylvie pursed her painted lips. "Go and see your son. I'm going to locate Alexander and engage him in scintillating conversation and we all know how dearly he loves me." Every word was laced with piercing sarcasm.
Monica blinked. "Mother, I-"
"No daughter of mine is going to continue to behave the way you have. This is the one and only time I am going to say this and you will listen," her hand found her hip purposefully, "your son is a hard working student, befriended by most at this institution, well liked, extremely respected, talented beyond expectation and strives to do no more other than impress the people around him. I think it's high time he only sought to impress himself, don't you?" Monica glanced at the floor, her eyes darkening under her mother's steely gaze. "So this is what you're going to do. You're going to find him, explain to him honestly using the words I know you so eloquently possess just how outstanding his performance was. You're then going to apologise for the poor decisions you made on his behalf. You will explain that you accept him, you wish him to be happy and, above all, that you love him. He will be free to live his life as he wishes and by free, I mean entirely free to experience love, loss, heart break and the kinds of feelings every teenage boy should be offered. He is not your robot Monica and neither is he Alexander's to be commanded and dictated to. He is a young boy with a heart left in an iron grip. I will not sit back any longer and watch this happen. Did you know Blaine asked me to keep you and Alexander away from some of his friends through fear of you both treating them badly? Your own son is on edge. "
Monica coughed, her eyes still focused on her shoes. Sylvie saw her daughter's cheek glisten and reached out to touch. "Moth-"
"Go right away. I know my daughter is still in there somewhere. I'm waiting for her to realise her mistake and to regain that strength I taught her from infancy."
As a single tear fell from Monica's eyelashes, her mother knew she'd done her job.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Kurt was sure he'd be covered in bruises in the morning from the dozen back slaps and multiple high fives he'd received in the space of an hour. Their group performance of "Such Great Heights" had been received with rapturous applause and a rousing speech by the Principal in response to their talent. For the first time, Kurt felt as if he belonged. He'd been given the opportunity to shine solo and then perform as an ensemble which, if he did say so himself, sounded amazing.
He'd watched Blaine disappear after his performance to wait alongside the Principal and the Heads of Faculty in order to file on stage for the closing speeches. As Head of the Student Council, he had duties to fulfil. Kurt had waved a goodbye which was met with a warm smirk and left Blaine to it. He only wanted to run and pounce on him, to hug him tight and tell him how beautiful the song was and how the words meant so much but he knew there would be time later. He would make sure of it.
He joined The Warblers in the senior commons where Isla had laid on a feast for kings. "Kurt?"
He turned to see Wes standing tall and official looking. It was disconcerting enough to be called his actual name.
"Yes Wesley," he replied sarcastically.
"Kurt we'd like to offer you a solo for Regionals. It will be regulated and discussed as a group regarding choice of song but the opportunity is there if you'd like it?"
Kurt gasped in air, his face beaming. "Oh my god, really?"
"Yes really," was the reply, stern and sure. It almost caused Kurt to burst into giggles at the sight of Wes in his official capacity.
"Well I accept. Thank you."
It was then that Wes jumped on the spot, his guard fallen, and ruffled Kurt's hair. "Awesome. Oh new kid, how you've grown!"
It was odd and completely baffling how it seemed as if there were two very different people in one person's body but Kurt didn't care. He had the chance to kick ass and take centre stage- nobody was going to take that away from him. No way were the council going to inhibit his song choice. It was time for him to assert some Hummel magic and show them how it was done.
Wes pulled him to the centre of the madness as every Warbler, in a sea of navy and red, stood raising glasses of sparkling cider. Kurt smiled, picking up his own from the trays positioned on the table in the centre, and raising it as high as he could. Blaine wasn't there and he was missed but Kurt thought of him and felt a surge of happiness as David bumped his shoulder with a goofy grin.
"To The Warblers!"
-.-.-.-.-.-
Principal Masters gave Blaine a firm handshake and thanked him for his effort. Thomas was close-by smiling fondly. As the Principal was steered away towards the theatre exit, Thomas took two steps and smirked, perching on one of the theatre seats.
"So Golden boy, how you doing?"
Blaine mirrored his friend's position at his side and rested slightly against his shoulder with a friendly bump. "Surprising good thanks," he replied, smiling secretly.
Thomas frowned, searching the other boy's face. "Spill."
"Nothing, I'm just pleased the day's nearly over that's all."
"You don't fool me Thornton," Thomas urged, ducking his head to catch Blaine's eye, "come on, what happened? Your eyes are all shifty and your cheeks have turned a lovely shade of scarlet."
Blaine laughed, raking his hand over his face. "Go away, you think you're so clever," he scolded with tight lips and amused narrow eyes.
"Never."
"I may," Blaine explained carefully, "I may have thrown caution to the wind and pretty much ravished Kurt behind the curtain backstage."
Thomas started to laugh, his eyes rolling in their sockets. "Jesus Thornton, talk about being discreet."
"Oh man," Blaine sighed, unable to keep the grin from his lips, "it was one of those moments of pure insanity."
"Good insanity?" Thomas asked suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows and playfully rolling his shoulders. It was a sign that their relationship was so comfortable.
"Words don't even come close," Blaine breathed quietly, blushing.
"Blaine?"
The sound came from behind them, slight but with a hint of desperation. He turned to see his mother, bag hanging from her arm and pale cream coat draped over the top. She shifted on her feet and smiled a little, full of apology.
"I'll see you later Thornton," Thomas stated, nodding gently in Monica's direction with the utmost respect. She offered a small smile, nodding back before walking closer to her son.
"Your performance was wonderful Blaine."
He sat himself on the edge of the seat again. "Thank you."
"I wanted," she stuttered, "I wanted to tell you that I'm, that I'm so very... very proud of you." Blaine didn't speak. There was nothing to say that hadn't already been said in the past so he simply listened, feeling that he hadn't heard enough from his mother over the years. The sound of her voice was almost alien to him. It was about time she spoke up. "I watched you with your, um, friends and you're obviously well liked here and are thought of very fondly. I do worry Blaine, I do. I don't want you to ever think I don't and I have possibly done you a disservice over the past year. I haven't done my duty as your mom."
He took a breath. "You knew didn't you?" he asked, his eyes planted on hers, deep and pleading.
Monica opened her mouth as if to speak but then stopped, her eyes clouding with regret. When she found her voice, it was small. "Yes."
Blaine closed his eyes tight, pressing the tears back. "You never ever told me it was ok."
"Blaine I accepted who you were a long time ago and I have no problems with your choices but-"
He snapped. "But you asked me to refrain from acting as myself, from being who I was and told me in no uncertain terms that if I did act on my feelings, my natural feelings, then it'd disgrace the family. Short of telling me you were ashamed of me, there was nothing worse you could have done."
Monica didn't speak. Blaine could see the damp circle around her eyes, the way her forehead wrinkled painfully and her flawless skin flush. "Blaine I am so very sorry if it got out of hand."
There was no way he was going to hold back now. The pain rushed to the surface and the years of frustration fought at his lips and burst forward. "I've had boyfriends. I've had my first kiss. I've been attracted to guys mom and you know what? It's never felt right because I've always had dad's words in the back of my mind. How I was on an ultimatum. I shouldn't feel that way. I'm always terrified that I'd suffer for just being me and for being happy."
"Blaine I don't want you to feel that way."
"Then come with me," he forced, his eyes wide and bright now, flowing with honesty, "come with me and don't judge. Just open your eyes. Just listen."
He signalled for her to walk behind him sharply. Monica obeyed.
-.-.-.-.-.-
Kurt needed to change. Other Warblers were mingling in everyday clothes and settling down to celebrate and relax before the beginning of term. Most had said goodbye to parents or family. The mood was uplifting and there was a definite sense of camaraderie in the air. Something felt spontaneous and Kurt made a plan to monopolise on that, not before he let his mind map his closet, choosing an outfit mentally and enjoying the creative outlet as he sauntered through the dim-lit halls.
"Kurt?" He turned to see Blaine and Monica approaching up the corridor. The initial thought was to feign ignorance and pretend he hadn't heard but Blaine had urgency written all over his face and a frantic look in his eyes. Kurt didn't move. "Mom," Blaine gestured, "I'd like you to meet Kurt."
The other boy blinked rapidly, catching up. It couldn't be happening. He felt the panic rise and shifted on the balls of his feet. A breath managed to escape just as he found his confidence reserve and straightened his shoulders with a smile. "It's good to meet you Mrs Thornton," he spoke softly and stretched out his hand daintily for her to shake. The first thing to notice was her hair. She was closer now and her dark curls appeared more prominent. She had Blaine's eyes, although darkened with something but Blaine's elusive and enchanting colour that was a colour so completely indescribable.
She was rigid in place but extended her hand too and took Kurt's. He felt how cold her fingers were and saw the startled look in her eyes. She smiled beyond it, glancing confusedly at Blaine.
"Kurt transferred here this year from a different school," he explained, his eyes urging his mother to see the similarities, "I'm sure you saw him perform tonight."
Kurt stood still and watched Monica relax a smidgen, her cheeks sharpening as she grinned thinly. She was obviously much more than she showed normally and it was clear that she was trying hard not to cry. "Yes. You have a beautiful voice," she said, her voice tiny but firm.
"I stayed with Kurt at the beginning of the holidays when flights were grounded. His family were kind enough to offer me a bed for a few nights."
Kurt shot a glance at Blaine, unsure as to why this was happening. He waited for Blaine to act, trusting him implicitly. A swell of pride filled his heart as he realised Blaine had chosen to stand by his side, their arms almost brushing.
"Oh. That's very kind of you Kurt. Please thank your family for their generosity."
"I will but honestly, it was no problem."
Blaine beamed. "Ok, am just going to show mom back to the entrance but I'll be back for Warblers stuff in a bit, ok?"
Kurt was taken aback still but nodded, his eyes warm and understanding. Blaine was proving a point and something had changed. He was taller and shining bright.
As Kurt retreated back into the common room, Blaine sighed, glancing at his mother. She sighed and reached to lay her hand on her son's arm.
"He seems like a lovely boy," she smiled, her lip quivering, "does he make you happy?"
Blaine fought back tears and bit his lip hard. His head nodded without a single thought.
"Blaine. This is all I want, all I've ever wanted. Your father may be uncomfortable with your choices and concerned about their effect but I want you to know that I am not, I never have been."
"None of that matters if you sit back and let dad dictate to me."
"I know Blaine," she sighed, wiping her eyes, "I know. Are his rules holding you back from a relationship with this boy?"
"From being close to Kurt, from spending time with Thomas and from making my own choices. I can't invite him as my date to prom, I can't show him off in front of my friends, I can't invite my best friend to events and you have no idea how much Thomas means to me. He has been there throughout it all and I don't know where I'd be without him. Kurt makes me smile wider and walk taller and sing better and feel actually good about myself... and that's who I am when I'm with him. Myself and yes I am a man, regardless of what Dad thinks."
Monica was crying. She fished in her bag, finding a folded tissue and used it to dab her eyes. "I've failed you," she mumbled and extended an arm to wrap around Blaine's shoulder tightly.
He swallowed, his throat dry and thick. There wasn't a reply possible to her admission. "I can't talk to dad."
"I know," she whispered against his hair, her finger smoothing his curls in a way she hadn't done since he was a child. He sighed into her shoulder, closing his eyes. She smelled of Lily of the Valley perfume, her hair tickling his cheek as she spoke. "I will talk to him. You don't have to worry. Please apologise to Kurt for me. I'm sure I made a terrible impression."
"Kurt's not one to judge mom."
She pulled her purse over her shoulder and stood taller. The dimmer switch behind her eyes moved to a wider beam, her face relaxing slightly. "I want you to call me. I want us to talk again like we used to."
"What about dad?" he asked, somewhat taken aback.
It was as if she was choosing the words with inextricable care, every syllable precise and with force and conviction. "Let me deal with your father Blaine. You live your life and enjoy your time here. I owe you that much."
With that, Monica leaned forward with her hand firm against her son's shoulder and softly kissed his cheek. After months and months of feigned memories of his mother, Blaine felt one step closer to knowing her again.
-.-.-.-.-.-
The corridors were no longer bustling and the car park was empty once more. Sylvie had revisited Blaine's room and said her goodbyes until the next holiday. The twinkle in her eyes told Blaine all he needed to know regarding his mother's 'seeing the light' and there was no doubt about it any longer that Sylvie Dawson was the world's most formidable woman. He owed her that CD of his songs more than ever.
Blaine was dressed in his more comfortable clothes; the blazer hung up lovingly for another evening, and followed the noise to the senior commons. He could hear singing- one voice louder than the others- and began to laugh as he leaned against the door frame and took in the scene unfolding in the centre of the room.
To hand crafted beers made in local breweries
To yoga, to yogurt, to rice and beans and cheese
To leather, to dildos to curry vindaloo
To huevos rancheros and Maya Angelou
Certain of the more formal Warblers sat stiffly wide eyed and in shock but most were swaying or leaping alongside Kurt, Wes, David, George and Henry. George's sexuality was always undefined- Blaine was sure knowing the lyrics to La Vie Boheme was a pretty god damned enormous neon flashing arrow kind of hint, especially as he flounced more than Kurt. Henry, being the guy with the sense of humour, didn't seem fazed by not knowing the words and strutted along with energy.
Emotion, devotion, to causing a commotion
Creation, vacation, mucho masturbation
Compassion, to fashion, to passion when it's new
To Sontag, to Sondheim, to anything taboo
Kurt sang loudest, Wes joining in to attempt to compete. Each boy who knew the words provided a line and they played hilariously off each other. They'd had lobotomies in the few hours since the show- it was the only explanation for their ... well, their new found fabulousness. Blaine laughed, rolling his eyes before noticing that Kurt's very tight skin tight plaid trousers weren't inhibiting his movement at all as he shimmied with George across the large wooden table. As his eyes and mind followed them hypnotically, David jumped in front of his face, shocking the life out of him.
"Blaine. This song kills. I mean, it has every word in it, or you know, most of them and it's smart-" he rambled before Wes dragged him sharply back into the hustle and bustle with a wink in Blaine's general direction. Kurt was still entirely unaware of Blaine's presence at the door and it worked. Blaine had the most perfect viewing spot.
Ginsberg, Dylan, Cunningham and Cage
Lenny Bruce, Langston Hughes, to the stage
To Uta, to Buddha, Pablo Neruda, too
Why Dorothy and Toto went over the rainbow
To blow off auntie Em
La vie boheme
Sisters?
We're close
Kurt attempted to grab Wes, the other boy's eyes leaping out of their sockets. Kurt just laughed. The easiness with which Kurt smiled made Blaine's heart happy; he wasn't so used to seeing him so free from inhibitions. It was if there was a point to be proven but Kurt didn't even realise he was achieving it as his hands posed, his lips pouted and eyes twinkled in amusement. There was something spectacular about that. Blaine blinked back into reality just as Wes and Kurt jumped up and down, wiggling their shoulders, as the wooden bench creaked beneath them. A few of the other boys were clapping and cheering along now, clearly swept up by the madness.
Bisexuals, trisexuals, homo sapiens
Carcinogens, hallucinogens, men, Pee Wee Herman
German wine, turpentine, Gertrude Stein
Antonioni, Bertolucci, Kurosawa, Carmina Burana
The fact Blaine was witnessing sons of esteemed politicians or business men joining in with these words was enough to entertain him for life- where was a video camera when you so desperately needed one?
To apathy, to entropy, to empathy, ecstasy
Vaclav Havel, The Sex Pistols, 8BC
To no shame never playing the fame game
To marijuana
To sodomy, it's between god and me
To S&M
La Vie Boheme!
As David bopped along, leaning on Kurt at the only word he knew in the entire song, Henry, George and Wes lept in a circle around them, their faces red. Kurt started to laugh at the sight, his sides in pain as he took in the way the guys he knew for being stuffed shirts were now sweating and screeching about 'transexuals' and 'sodomy' or at least clapping along, in a way so uncharacteristic that it was impossible to resist finding it ridiculous. They could not dance to save their lives, they knew a rhythm well but their hips and feet were attuned to side-stepping only. It was as the singing died down due to a roar of laughter and much high fiving, that Kurt noticed Blaine standing in the doorway wearing the goofiest grin and a particularly delicious tight brown plaid shirt.
Blaine's breath hitched as Kurt rushed towards him. The tight pants had made enough of an impression on him without Kurt's rosy cheeks and bold grin. Blaine watched as the boy in question glided to take up the spot by his side, leaning slightly against his arm, and pursed his lips in mock thought.
"Like putty in my hands," Kurt asserted with a self assured flick of his eyebrows over the insanity in front of them. Blaine huffed out a laugh and shook his head, the curls inhibited much to Kurt's happiness.
"Did you drug them?" Blaine asked, bewildered still.
"Just sprinkled a little of my magic. We used to put on impromptu numbers at my old school and I felt particularly sneaky so I took advantage of their mood... again, like putty in my hands," he mused cleverly.
Blaine kept his eyes on Kurt as he watched the boys lark around, taking in his confidence and the way his skin seemed to shine. The other Warblers didn't appear to be paying much attention to anything except a cushion fight which had broken out and a tray of cakes brought in by Isla who ducked as a velvet pillow narrowly missed her head.
Blaine felt lighter. His mother had seen sense and assured him that he was no longer restricted from taking his life into his own hands, he'd spent time with Sylvie and Thomas both in one day and he'd performed with every ounce of energy inside of him. The fact that on top of that, he and Kurt had shared a moment so defining in their relationship that everything had changed, was a little too much to believe. There had been no nerves behind that curtain, no worries about insecurities or their fears, it was just an impulse that both felt and acted upon. It'd felt better than anything Blaine had experienced in a long long time but standing mapping every detail of Kurt was proving to be just on par. He knew he was in trouble – he didn't just like Kurt, he was so ridiculously into him that Wes could have developed a second head or Neil Patrick Harris could have waltzed in wearing only a tie and his mind would not have flickered for a second. Kurt had his heart. The trouble was, Blaine wasn't all too sure that Kurt knew how much.
"Earth to Blaine," Kurt sang, snapping his fingers with a searching smile, "oh you are alive, hi!"
Blaine chuckled, motioning for Kurt to step out of the door for a second. He obeyed with a courteous nod. "I wanted to ask you something," Blaine began.
In the dim light of the corridor, Kurt's mind raced back to the night of the Snow Ball. Things had changed so drastically since then, his heart was still catching up with his head and nothing made any sense anymore. Everything was just one emotional moment after another, one sharp fleeting moment of pain or a soaring dream-like few minutes but then it'd be gone and Kurt would be left reeling and wondering how the hell he fitted into it all. Not that he disliked the drama or excitement, it was thrilling in moderation, but he was used to watching Quinn or Finn travel through such mess and crazy, not himself. He had no idea how to catch up with his own inner monologue screaming pointless insecurities or recoiling in panic from fear of exposing too much and there was Blaine, so solid and sure who, even after feeling low and anxious, looked the picture of composure. The added ingredient of pesky hormones flitting about inside so fickle and addictive causing him to sigh and breathe in without remembering the 'out' part, was just too much to handle.
Kurt knew what he wanted, no, needed. He craved time alone with Blaine just something simple so that they could fit into their own rhythm, free from distractions. As he looked into the other boy's eyes, he wanted a day spent lost in them to understand truly what was going on and how he felt because his swooning heart was too captivated to process anything serious in the short moments they'd been given so far.
"Ask away," Kurt replied, stepping a smidgen closer and enjoying the way Blaine did the same.
"Well," Blaine started, his fingers reaching out to find Kurt's sweetly, "as you know I'm always one for tradition," he swallowed, "so I wanted to know if you'd like to go on a date. With me."
Kurt's eyes lit up, his entire body standing taller. "An actual date?" He let his brain catch up, knowing he'd never ever considered that he'd have a first date. It'd always been other people taking a potential boyfriend or girlfriend to Breadsticks. The closest he'd gotten to joining in with such occasions was helping chose an outfit for Tina or listening to Finn's mindless rants about the cute way Rachel ate spaghetti. Other people did dates.
"An actual date," Blaine confirmed with a slow smile. Kurt just couldn't tear his eyes away. Blaine was so handsome when he was serious, his eyes strengthening and speaking for him but most of all, his voice drawled out notes that would melt butter. Kurt was sure his spine tingled from the sheer fact that every sentence was considered and usually littered with words so refined. Kurt nodded quick, making sure his silence wasn't misconstrued as hesitation, causing Blaine to grin wider.
"I just thought, things have happened so quickly and in a really unconventional order and plus, we haven't had a date, not a proper one."
Kurt glanced down. "I, um, well this would be my first."
Blaine ducked, his hand reaching for Kurt's chin and tipping it up. "I know," he urged soothingly with a warm smile, "that's why I asked you. You deserve a proper first date. The way it should be."
There it was, Blaine's inability to be anything other than a complete gentleman. Kurt felt a blanket of tingles wash lightly over his skin. "So where are we going?" he asked, cheeks flushed still and eyes shining with a potent mixture nerves and pure adrenalin.
"Well," Blaine considered as his hands found Kurt's fully and threaded themselves like puzzle pieces, "it's the weekend tomorrow and we have the full day so I'll come collect you in the morning and it'll be a surprise."
Kurt beamed back. "Ok," he agreed, bending his knees eagerly, "but promise me you'll let me know what I need to wear?"
It was with a fond chuckle of agreement that Blaine led Kurt back into the Warbler madness. Tomorrow would be a day to remember, he would make sure of it.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-
I know this Chapter is odd in that it doesn't have any major Kurt/Blaine scenes but as you'll be getting two/possibly three solid Kurt and Blaine intense Chapters to come, I thought I'd post this one now as I hadn't posted in a day or so. I've been very busy with getting ready to travel back home to my little flat after the holidays so I'm SO sorry about the delay. The next chapter is half written so the wait should not be long at all!
Thank you for sticking with me. I ALWAYS worry that people will begin to get disinterested. I know there a LOT of chapters here but most of my Chapters have been around the 3,000 mark so the story's not EPICALLY long but I do get concerned I may lose readers and their interest. Please let me know if you feel this.
I won't be dragging on the story pointlessly, I know EXACTLY what's going to happen and how it will end but I just need to get there so, if it's what people still want, then I'll write it. DEFINITELY. I adore writing it :D
For those who aren't familiar with the musical Rent, which I'm sure many of you are, then the song used is "La Vie Boheme". It's one of my cherished songs from any musical (and being a huge Broadway/West End theatre geek from an early age) that says a lot. It makes you happy about LIFE and you THINK... signs of a great song. Go listen if you haven't heard it!
Anyway, ramble over. I'm eternally grateful for your wonderful reviews and HELLO to those new readers AND a couple of my lovely friends in America have started to read too (hello, you know who you are, i love you lots!). The next Chapter is full of, oh god fluff and lots of it... one of my favourite Chapters so far and will be posted either tomorrow or early the day after : )