First of all, I'm SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY. I've explained at the end but I'm sorry for keeping you guys waiting and hope you're still with me...
So... we're on Chapter 27. Seriously? Good god. It's TERRIBLY scary. I just can't thank you enough for your lovely lovely lovely words. Over 600 reviews and increasing every day...
So, where most of this ultra shameless fluff came from, I have no idea. Ask my pathetically soppy subconscious ;)
Someone commented on me writing a story about a young gay teenager and how I somehow managed to tap into his emotions. Firstly, I'm flattered that you even think I do! Secondly, I'm 21, straight and female so I can imagine why it seems weird. My Uncle is gay, two of my very best friends chose me as the first person they told about their sexuality ... so I guess I have some first hand experience of the feelings and anxieties normal at Kurt's age. Mainly though, it's not the fact he's gay that's even the major thing. It's just quite a small thing I think. I see the emotions as pretty much universal when it comes to never having had those experiences and being nervous of them- you don't have to be gay to feels those things. Obviously, their struggles have a LOT to do with being gay (Blaine's family and Kurt's struggle with being bullied because of it) but, I guess I started writing this story because I felt like I understood a lot of Kurt, the fact he's fabulous and I was intrigued by Blaine. That's it really ;) Got very little, if anything, to do with the fact they're gay!
I missed a name from the previous chapter... I had to thank court4short – your messages never fail to make me smile, ha! Don't be crazy, as Darren once alluded to... don't think you're creepy or a stalker, I'm the one writing about fictional characters with more fluff than a bunny ;)
Oh and look who worked out that there was a 'horizontal ruler' to separate posts... haha how embarrassing!
So, without further ado ...
As Kurt draped his curtains back, receiving a happy 'good morning' chirp from Pavarotti, he legitimately had absolutely no idea what Blaine had in store for him. It was exciting but also un-nerving. As a person attuned to being in control, Kurt wasn't so sure he liked being at someone else's whim. He smiled though and wandered into his bathroom to begin his morning regime.
"So you're taking him where?" Wes asked, sitting drinking the biggest mug of coffee on his bed.
"I forgot what it was like when you stayed here. Do you ask David so many questions when you stay there?"
Wes frowned. "David asks the questions. I listen like the good friend I am."
Blaine scoffed with a roll of his eyes. "You are incapable. Anyway, it's none of your business where I'm going today."
"Dude, it's your first date with our new kid, you can't blame me for being curious. You're taking him to a museum aren't you? So you can impress him with your knowledge of renaissance art? Or a park so you can marvel at the landscaping or impressive flora?"
Blaine peeked his head around the bathroom door. "I swear if you don't shut up you'll be wearing that coffee in three seconds flat." That seemed to keep Wes quiet for more than a few minutes. "So," Blaine asked as he stood in the centre of the room with his arms out at his sides, "how do I look?"
Wes glanced away pointedly, his eyes flying out to the window, eyebrows raised in mock indignation. "You told me to shut up remember? I'm obeying like the good roommate I am."
"You barely sleep here Wes, I'd hardly class you as a roommate, more like a regular visitor. Look, just tell me if I look stupid."
Wes glanced judgementally and wrinkled his forehead. "Lose the gel and those shoes are ridiculous. Apart from that, you look like you always do... like you're off to play golf at a country club."
It was like Wes had slapped him in the face. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
As Wes shuffled to the edge of the bed, he placed his coffee down on his table and huffed. Time to play Queer eye.
"The shirt and sweater combo. The safe jeans. The gelled hair. The preppy shoes. My grandmother would find you extremely dashing."
If he wasn't averse to violence, Blaine was sure he'd have hit Wes right away. "What else am I going to wear? I spend most days in my blazer so sorry if I don't look as if I'm straight off a catwalk in Milan."
"Look dude," Wes began, "I've seen that kid's labels. Make an effort and I swear he'll do that eye thing he does when he sees you, you know, the 'I want to eat you up' stare thing with the lip biting. You know the one?" Blaine's face rushed through a number of emotions as he nodded, mainly embarrassment, dismissiveness and fondness before resting in a frown again. Wes was making too much damn sense. "So try again kemosabe."
It took twenty minutes and Blaine was sure he'd nailed it. He tried, he really did, attempting to team colours together and a fit that suited him. It'd been a long time since he'd really thought about an outfit but for Kurt, he didn't want to look anything other than his very best. It was a foregone conclusion that the other boy would look the very height of Winter fashion so there was a need for serious effort.
"Ok. If you don't like this," Blaine said firmly, standing once again in the centre of the room, "then I give up."
Wes had picked up a book and was thumbing through it aimlessly but as he glanced up, taking in Blaine's attire, he smiled. "If I was gay I'd do you."
Silence reigned for a second as Blaine shook his head in shock. Wes could render even the chattiest person utterly speechless. "Not the most demure compliment I've ever had but I'll take it," Blaine droned out, still unable to believe his own straight 'roommate' had been so blunt. He slid his scarf around his neck after a brief look out of the window – clear and crisp. Perfect. "Well, as always Wesley it's been a pleasure," he called, heading for the door.
"No trouble bro, always glad to help," he muttered, now mindlessly ensconced in the random book.
Kurt pulled his favourite deep green scarf over his head and tugged, positioning it perfectly and threading the loose end through the loop. He stood back, surveying the ensemble, and smiled contentedly. Whatever Blaine had in store... Kurt's outfit would do. He'd opted for his long deep grey Mac, his favourite tight deep blue jeans and his black boots- all of which hadn't come cheap.
He heard a faint knock in his door so with a quick stroke of Pavarotti and a top up of his dried berries, Kurt opened up. It was all he could do to breathe right.
"Morning," Blaine sang softly, "you ready to go?"
Kurt still had no words. Blaine looked... well, he looked hot. Really really really hot. His hair was, as Kurt had enforced upon him, looser which was enough in itself but as Kurt glanced down, he felt himself staring widely. The jeans were dark brown, fitted but not too slim, and in an odd material reminiscent of corduroy, which had the potential to be a disaster but was so far from it, not when teamed with worn but still clean sneakers; on his torso Blaine had a slim fitting black sweater lined at the neck and cuffs in an emerald green. The autumnal colours brought out the tarnished brown of his eyes and caused him to look positively edible. Kurt realised he still hadn't spoken.
"Um yes," he stuttered out, suddenly a hell of a lot more nervous than he'd envisaged, "I'm ready."
He was. Definitely. Kurt wanted to venture out into public for the first time with a guy and be proud, however, this was bigger now- that guy would be Blaine and he looked like something from a fall catalogue. Suddenly Kurt felt excited to show him off. "You could have made more of an effort," he stated in a last ditch attempt to avoid looking as if he were drooling unattractively.
Blaine smiled fondly, storing a reminder to thank Wes for being such an ass because it was worth every second for the look on Kurt's face. "Sarcasm this early in the morning," Blaine chimed sarcastically himself, "not like you at all."
Kurt knew that the day was going to be impossible if Blaine retained this dashingly handsome, self depricating, funny, charming, cheeky and flipping perfect persona. He needed to see a flaw and he needed it stat.
"Ok then smart ass, where are we going?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"It's all part of the Master plan Kurt. Just let me take the reigns. You don't need to do anything today other than enjoy yourself."
Dammit, Kurt thought, Blaine was very nearly a control freak until he said that end part. Being someone usually relied upon to plan, conceptualise, control and lead, it felt nice if a bit disconcerting to be somewhat powerless.
Blaine had it all organised in his mind, even down to the very tiny details but also knew that if a spontaneous moment presented itself that he'd be happy to go with it. The fact he was actually going on a first date with Kurt was weird as spending so much time together had caused them to be so used to each other's company for days at a time- this was new though as it was a day solely dedicated to them.
Kurt felt himself smile coyly at all of Blaine's little gestures like opening the car door for him or turning up the heating in the car so he didn't get cold. Kurt sighed happily at the fact that Blaine was thoughtful, which was something he was not all that used to. Finn's answer to chivalry was resisting touching Rachel's boobs- end of story.
As they pulled up in a local town, one which Kurt was entirely unfamiliar with, Blaine once again opened the door for Kurt. He was nervous in the knowledge that Kurt had never experienced a first date, wanting it to be perfect and to do all of the things he'd cherished so much the first time around. Blaine found himself wondering if he should just reach for Kurt's hand and hold it as they walked but there was an air of tension since leaving Dalton- it all seemed very real. He'd have done it at any other time and without a second thought but the whole purpose of the day and the meaning behind it made even the smallest actions so much more important. He held back, instead feeling his hand naturally rest against the small of Kurt's back as he steered him in the right direction.
"Wow, it's pretty," Kurt sighed out as his eyes scanned the view in front of him.
The sign declared 'Astronaut Grove'. It seemed an odd name for something so quaint and secluded but nevertheless, it did not take anything away from the over-hanging trees weighed down with snow, the reeds frozen solid like crystal poking through the sheet white ice of the lake in the centre. A few couples and some small children were skating freely, some tottering before falling, but Kurt felt himself staring. He'd never been ice-skating before- another first.
"So," Blaine said suddenly, positioning himself in front of Kurt, "you still with me?"
Kurt couldn't move nevermind answer questions. He felt himself still gawping, mouth open a little, taking in the glittering landscape.
"Um. We're going on... there?" he asked, suddenly very aware that his jeans alone cost him half a year's worth of allowance and were, for all intent and purpose, his most favourite pair. A pair not designed for sliding across sheet ice in minus temperatures. He shook his head, the worries falling freely, as Blaine slid his arm, once again, along the curve of his lower back. It felt so very nice.
"Yes, but only if you really want to."
Kurt bit his lip. "It's just I've never really done that before."
Blaine's eyes widened. "What? Never?" It was difficult to believe. Kurt had more grace than world class ballet dancers had in their little fingers and he'd never experienced ice skating. Blaine smiled wide. "You're going to love it."
A small booth had been set up alongside the lake and Blaine visited it, leaving Kurt at the water's edge poking the snow with his shoe, an expression of deep concern painting his face. Blaine knew he'd love it, he knew he'd be good at it and, most of all, it'd be fun even if none of that became reality.
"Got you the shiny pair," Blaine chimed, sitting down on the helpful bench as Kurt blinked out of his daze. A small pair of patent white skates were perched close by.
He smiled and sat close to Blaine, enjoying how he always felt so warm even when they didn't touch. "They match my outfit," Kurt said dreamily, glancing up at the other boy and wondering how in hell he got to be so thoughtful.
"Well the fear's written all over your face and we're not on the ice yet. I was worried what you'd do if I gave you the battered ones." The smile in his voice was evident as Kurt nudged him playfully, feeling the trademark shiver of pleasure up his spine. Regardless of how ruined his cherished jeans would be and how stupid he'd look spending an inevitable amount of time lying on the ice, Kurt was sure he did not wish to be anywhere else in the world.
As they laced their boots, Blaine reaching over to help Kurt's shaky fingers, it felt domestic. Kurt watched through the falls of Blaine's hair as he ducked down and could see the concentration in the other boy's face, the honest to god seriousness with which he looped and pulled the laces. He was trying so hard and Kurt could see it.
"Ready?" Blaine asked, standing up expertly in his own skates without a single wobble. Kurt inwardly groaned- he couldn't add 'bad ice skater' to Blaine's non-existent list of flaws.
"As I'll ever be," he mumbled, placing his hand hard against the wooden bench and easing himself up. He felt his feet slide and arms fly outwards immediately without even a shade of elegance. "Oh my g-" he muttered frantically and grabbed tight and fast to the first thing he laid his hands on.
As he opened his eyes feeling support, warm and steadying, around him, Blaine was close- very close. "You need to center yourself. Lean into the motion instead of against it and do not, whatever you do, close your eyes." Blaine words were warm on his cheek sending cascades of tingles over his body, even under the many layers. Blaine smiled cheekily. "Ready to try again?"
Kurt pursed his lips and nodded stiffly, attempting to remain vertical and composed. As Blaine steadied him, his arm firm around his waist, Kurt took small and gradual steps until they were standing on the ice itself. Kurt noticed a small girl, not older than six, shoot past, her little legs moving swiftly and in expert patterns. "If a little kid can do it," Kurt asserted, full of confidence, "then I can too."
They began slowly, Blaine teaching him the best position for the feet, the motion that pushes you forward and, most importantly, the correct amount of lean. Blaine had to stifle the odd giggle when Kurt either swore under his breath or huffed at young girl he'd nicknamed 'The Precocious Child'. It was fun, playing and experimenting together in a place so pretty it was hard to compute.
"How are you so good at this?" Kurt whined with a bemused look as Blaine slid his hand down the other boy's arm to grasp his hand tight. Kurt's arm stiffened as he felt himself alone on the ice, merely connected at one point of contact.
Blaine chuckled, his hand gripping tighter and steadying at each tiny wobble. "Sylvie. She's pretty good herself. There's not much my grandmother hasn't attempted."
"I've only been roller blading with the New Directions once and not that it will be a surprise to you but my father's never attempted figure skating so I'm definitely what you'd call a newbie."
Blaine smiled affectionately. Kurt's 'concentration face' was adorable, his lips pressed together, brow furrowed cutely and eyes never leaving the ice. "Well you're doing great. You want to try by yourself?"
"No no no no no no don't you go anywhere," Kurt demanded, clinging to Blaine's arm again and sliding himself closer, "keep hold of my hand."
Those words did things to Blaine that he wasn't ready for. It was comforting in the oddest way being asked to stay close.
"Ok, I promise," Blaine soothed earnestly. They skated together for just over half an hour, Kurt getting much more confident and even being able to skate himself with Blaine's fingers barely touching his own. He still couldn't venture on his own but Blaine was sure to keep letting him know how amazing he was doing.
"Ok we need to give the skates back in ten. Before we go, you're going to skate towards me without me holding onto you."
Kurt's eyes flew open wide. "No, don't you dare," he warned, his fingers digging into Blaine's arm. He felt himself tense in panic, refusing to let go.
"Look," Blaine chuckled, "you're skating alone and I was barely touching you. Just try. You can definitely do it. Trust me."
Kurt scowled playfully. "Why did you have to say that? Now I have to do it."
Kurt watched Blaine's self satisfied grin followed up with a tiny smirk. "I won't let you fall."
The cold air had caused Kurt's cheeks to flush pink, his lips to turn paler and his eyes to sparkle brighter. Blaine was sure being so close to him was a serious health hazard. He was so mind-blowingly 'pretty' for a guy that it was almost unfair to everyone else, especially when Kurt was so pleading and petulant and god damned adorable.
"You promise you won't let me fall?"
Blaine held up fingers in a mock sign. "Scouts honour," he declared with a warm smile. The way Kurt studied him intently with the soul purpose of spotting a flicker of insincerity in his eyes made Blaine almost squirm- those eyes. "Honestly, I promise. I'm not like a dad who's teaching his kid to ride a bike and who lets go. I'll be here right in front of you."
Kurt kept his eyes on Blaine. The other boy was the picture of honesty, not to mention the fact he looked as if he'd materialised off a schmaltzy Christmas card straight into real-life. He was so scrumptiously handsome surrounded by the shimmering white snow, all wrapped in his scarf and coat. There was no way Kurt was going to say no to that.
"Ok," he forced out, instantly regretting it but as he glanced to Blaine, he shot him a look that unmistakeably said 'I'm not pleased about this but I'm doing it for you'.
Blaine chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Ok, just stay still and I'll skate ahead of you. All you need to do is skate towards me like we've been practising."
"Easier said than done Scott Hamilton," Kurt whined with laughing eyes, "you're not going to be the one picking shards of ice out of their hair."
Blaine was giggling now, actual giggles, watching Kurt keep his hands to his sides, glaring in exaggerated fear. He was impossibly cute when he was irritable and even more then it was put on for show. "Not that you're dramatic at all," he teased, winking in Kurt's direction only to receive a glare back.
"Oh a date," Kurt spoke to the wind as he prepared himself, "yes of course Blaine. I'll share my very first date ever with you. I thought a movie, dinner, shopping, a theatre show, a concert perhaps but no. My very first date ever is standing on top of a frozen lake, which by the way I heard crack before, in the middle of I don't know where wearing my most expensive pair of jeans and feeling unmentionably terrified that at any second my feet with slip from under me and I'll break a bone, ruin my clothes and that precocious little child will skate past laughing as her whizzy little legs expertly twirl her off into the distance."
Blaine couldn't breathe- his stomach was beginning to hurt, his cheeks aching. It was far too hilarious. Kurt was frozen to the spot, ranting as he shuffled on the ice slightly in an attempt to stay upright and composed. He was fine, he wasn't going to slip because Blaine knew he'd reach out in a second to stop him but still, Kurt could not be convinced. Watching him huff and puff and complain in the most animated way, all eyes and pouts, Blaine was sure he fell in love with him a little more.
"Ready?"
"No Blaine, no I'm not ready," was his reply, snappy and almost laughing.
As the only skating family left the ice, Blaine positioned himself facing Kurt, his arms out slightly. "Ok, just do what I taught you. Push off with your right, lean into the motion but don't close your eyes. You can do it."
"Oh god," Kurt groaned, his hands still outstretched and shaking a little, "if you let me fall I'm never speaking to you again."
Blaine started to laugh again, knowing he had to keep it together to focus but he couldn't stop his eyes from misting over as he laughed harder. "I'm here. Go." With eyes wide and frantic, Kurt took a deep breath and tentatively moved his right foot in a sliding motion. It was all so quick as he looked as if he was going to fall, his hips wobbling and hands grasping at thin air but in a second, he leaned forward a fraction and slid smoothly. Blaine noted the look of accomplishment in his eyes as he tried again, each time stronger and with more confidence. "That's perfect."
Only half a metre from Blaine, Kurt felt his right leg slide a centimetre too far, his other leg too slow to react and before he knew it he was shuddering and flailing his arms. "Oh g-"
Blaine was there in a second. His arms flew out to catch just under Kurt's arms, pulling him up in an instant without anything having to hit the ground. Kurt was breathing heavily, his eyes screwed shut and legs shaking. "You're ok. You're fine. You did good," he cooed gently, the humour still in his voice.
"I hate you," Kurt breathed out, eyes still closed and brow furrowed deep. Blaine couldn't resist. The pale pink blush on Kurt's cheek was now deeper and almost perfectly round causing him to look cherubic. He was glowing. It was too much to handle in one go; Blaine loved the feistiness and catty comments, the way he wouldn't let anything beat him, the inner strength all melded together underneath an exterior of blissful innocence. It was almost too good to be true- Kurt was too good to be true- so he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to the other boys gently. It was as if he needed them desperately.
The warmth was the first thing Kurt felt. He didn't open his eyes but gasped in slight shock. He felt Blaine's lips on his, teasing and slow, a hint of a grin forming gently. "I hate you," he mumbled again into the kiss, his heart swooping in his chest sending tidal waves of something precious over his skin. He was about to swoon, his brain slowly turning to mush and limbs losing their resolve but couldn't let Blaine get away with everything. He was about to protest again, a giggle close to escaping, when Blaine kissed him harder; he felt arms wrap themselves around his waist and hold tight, the heat from a body so close made his skin shudder through to his core. Damn Blaine for being so sexy, damn him for standing by his promise, damn him for being so much of a gentleman... just, damn him.
"No you don't," Blaine murmured, slow and woozy as his lips gradually lifted.
Blaine had to breathe to bring himself back down to Earth. Kurt's eyes were glazed and a tiny hint of a smile tugged at his lips- he was mesmerising. Blaine watched as he closed his eyes, his face relaxing and laughing out his huffiness with a smirk so adorable it caused his own heart to swell to twice the size.
Kurt couldn't help it. He'd dreamt of his very first date: who it'd be with, where they'd go, how he'd manage to get through it without collapsing with nerves, what they'd do, what the topics of conversation would be and how well they'd get on. As Kurt stood there, the heat from Blaine's body thawing out his fingers pressed into the other boy's scarf, the snow-filled landscape all around them as the sky darkened slightly... it was a moment he knew he'd never ever forget. It wasn't a pretentious restaurant where they'd ordered something cliché and shared desert only to return home underwhelmed, it wasn't a theatre show where they'd sat in the dark and been unable to interact- it was unique, idiotic, fun and completely perfect.
He couldn't move, not because he would fall and not because he wanted to leave, but because it meant breaking the moment. Instead he leaned closer and pressed his head against Blaine's shoulder, his arms bunched up between them. Regardless of Kurt's added height, it was tight and cosy, the world shrinking in seconds and only existing bubble-like around them.
Blaine blinked back as Kurt snuggled to him. He smiled lovingly, understanding exactly what Kurt was trying to say in actions rather than words. He'd worried that his plans for the day wouldn't be what Kurt had expected and felt those nerves as they'd pulled up but it didn't even matter where they were now- it transpired that as long as they were together, it was always going to be great.
"Blaine?" Kurt whispered into the folds of scarf.
"Mmmm hmmm?"
"I can't feel my toes."
Blaine began to laugh, his heart skipping. He leaned back, looking into Kurt's glinting eyes and tapped a gloved finger to the boy's nose. "Ok then, onto our next adventure?"
Kurt's eyes startled. "There's more?"
TO BE CONTINUED...
Wow guys that was a BITCH to write. Not because I didn't WANT to or didn't know HOW to but because I had THE roughest week and felt pretty yucky so there was NO way I was able to write fluffy happy stuff. It felt like I was having to force myself and it wasn't coming out right. I REALLY didn't want to disappoint but I knew that if I could get myself to write something, that it'd be awful and completely devoid of any emotion and depth. I eventually found my words again and managed to write it and, in the end, really enjoyed it all... ! I'm SO sorry for the delay and I promise you won't be waiting as long next time.
Thank you to EVERYONE who sent messages and to those who are STILL commenting and reviewing. Your words mean the world. Thank you.