I'm back! GOSH I am SO sorry, so so SO sorry for the wait. I have SO much work to do that it's actually RIDICULOUS. I've really struggled to find time to even have a life nevermind write or do any of the other things I enjoy. I can only apologise for the wait and HOPE that this chapter makes up for it.
It's a long one, nearly 8,000 words ... 8,000 words of shameless and complete and utter soppiness but it felt necessary.
I am so grateful for those who are STILL commenting and for those who have even sent messages to me via tumblr, twitter and on here. Your words and encouragement mean the world so THANK YOU.
The fact that the past few weeks have been pretty much a non-stop cascade of spoilers, photos, awards ceremonies, appearances, news and clips... not to mention songs... it's all so exciting that it's coming back! 4 days now! We've even got our Mr Criss on Ellen tomorrow- good GOD. I can hardly wait and if the behind the scenes shots were anything to go by, well, it looks AMAZING.
Can't WAIT for the Superbowl AND obviously Valentine's Day. "Silly Love Songs" is one of my songs that I share with my dad, it's a special one for us so to have Darren sing it is so incredibly wonderful. If he can pull off Destiny's Child he can certainly ACE a bit of McCartney ;)
If I don't post before Sunday, I hope you all have FUN watching the new episode. I'll be over in the UK jumping up and down at 1am in excitemen,t in my pjs (sometimes you'd never think I was 22) with you all :D
This is BLATANT "honeymoon period" stuff... and FAR too fun to write. Also, I know ZERO French. PLEASE tell me if I got it wrong!
Thank you all SO much for being so kind and for actually ENJOYING my little story. I really hope you like this one and I PROMISE I'll try and write the next one sooner. Only a few to go till the end!
PS: I've got a couple of one-shots to post too which are VERY different to this story so, if you enjoy my writing then keep your eyes open for them : )
Kurt was considering seeing a doctor. He wasn't sleeping, wasn't eating right and certainly wasn't focusing on the important things he knew he should be focusing on. He was a wreck.
He lay, sleepy and daydreaming on his bed, a half opened copy of the most recent Vogue beside covering a black moleskin notebook in which he'd began doodling some new outfit choices for when he ever managed to claw his way out of the red and navy uniform.
He could hear Pavi's feathers ruffling and the tiny tweets he would make every few seconds; it was comforting, both for sleeping purposes and also to ail whatever insane virus or illness was creeping over him. He remembered the day before, sitting in French class, trying to finish the translation task they'd been set in timed conditions and finding his mind drifting, thoughts fleeing his brain and all of his expert knowledge and fluency becoming a distant memory. Something was seriously wrong.
His phone buzzed by his side.
"Hello?"
"Kurt! It's me."
"Mercy," he sang happily, waking himself and sitting up against his pillows.
"How's it going?"
"I think I'm ill," he admitted outright, unable to keep it in.
"Oh my god sweetie, what is it? Have you seen a doctor? What's wrong?"
"I can't concentrate on anything. I'm not sleeping or eating. I feel like a lot of this is out of body and that I haven't got a grasp on my life anymore."
There was a hum on the end of the line. "Do you feel sick?"
"Sometimes. Not sick, sick but just this feeling, I don't know, a feeling, that's all I can describe it as."
"Well, it doesn't sound like anything serious. Have you guys got a school nurse there, maybe you should ask."
He frowned. He didn't even know if they did. "I guess I could find out," he answered weakly.
"Kurt are you sure you're not just tired? You been getting enough sleep?"
"Yes, yes I've been sleeping lots since Blaine told me I needed to stop working myself into the ground. He's been almost putting me into bed most nights," he explained, heart beating a little faster as he remembered being kissed goodnight most evenings as Blaine came to check on him.
"Ooooo," Mercedes sung on the other end of the line, "he sounds dreamy. Have you told him you're not feeling too good?"
Kurt sighed. "Kind of, but he laughed at me. Evil boy."
"He what?" she shouted, almost enraged, "Honey you need to tell your man to step up and take care of you."
"No, Mercedes," Kurt explained carefully, recalling his conversation with Blaine the day before, "you see he seems to think he knows why I feel like I do."
"Ok, and is he a doctor? No. So you need to go see one."
Kurt chuckled lightly. "Calm the rage," he said firmly with a smile, "he just decided I was feeling like this because, well, I was erm..."
"What, Kurt? Because unless he's got a freakin' Phd, I don't think he's in any position to make a diagnosis witho-"
"He thinks I'm in love."
Silence reined for a second.
"Are you?" she asked, her voice softer, her smile evident through the tone of her words.
Kurt could feel his heart quickening again, the same way as it had been doing the past week without any way of slowing it down.
"I told Blaine that I love him."
The screech was so audible that Kurt was sure it could crack glass. He began to laugh silently, clutching his phone and burying his head in his duvet.
"You did what? Kurt! Oh my god boy, why did you not tell me this?"
"I didn't plan to tell him or anything. I just said it and there it was."
"Oh Kurt that's so amazing. I'm so happy for you, honestly, I really am. You deserve to be happy like this."
"There's just the small matter of my temporary insanity to rectify," he laughed out, shaking his head, "I just can't get a hold on myself. Last week when I told him was an awful day. I'd spent a solid week studying for out assessments and had hardly slept, I mean you have no idea how bad I looked: dark circles, patchy skin, you know? Like a Lindsay Lohan mug shot... it wasn't pretty but I had to keep working. You know how much my dad sacrificed to get me here and how important it is and I didn't want anything to go wrong. I was a mess and felt so bad but Blaine took care of me and we talked a lot out."
"And...?" she asked, the eagerness in her voice coming across strong.
"And he was his usual trademark self. He basically put me to bed and told me to sleep and stop being so stressed. He stayed with me and he um, he held my hand."
"Oh and now it all makes sense," she chimed, bold and full of understanding.
"I mean, it's not the first time it's happened but it was the way he did it and why he did it. It was just sweet," Kurt mused, his head tilting a little, "more than sweet actually."
"Have you felt like this ever since then?" she laughed.
"Yes."
"Think your boy might have a point, Kurt. Maybe you are just a little crazy at the moment but is that really a bad thing? How long have you waited for this to happen for you? I say you just enjoy every second."
-.-.-.-.-.
Dalton had become a playground. Kurt felt his heart speed up daily as he passed Blaine in the corridor on the way to separate classes, or when they walked to class together or shared lunch or met at Warbler's practice or sat together on the expansive lawns or attended Wes and David's DVD nights or... Kurt was becoming increasingly aware of the way Blaine's presence seemed to make any act, whether it be boring or monotonous, surprisingly wonderful. Kurt found himself racking up a decent amount of go-to mental pictures to suppress his constantly rising blood pressure (amongst other things) in Blaine's presence too- it was a process.
There were moments when things became too good to be true, when Blaine would turn and flash his charming smile and Kurt would honestly have to resist turning to see if the attention was directed at someone behind him. It wasn't down to low self esteem now; instead it was borne out of the sheer bliss that was their new-found relationship and the inevitable shock that flowed from Kurt's realisation that he had an actual boyfriend. He could do those things he'd seen Rachel and Finn do like hold hands in Glee club, lean on each other, sing to each other openly, plan together and share their lives. It had always felt entirely otherworldly but now, by some beautiful miracle, it was Kurt's reality.
"Earth to Kurt," came a voice, smooth and teasing effortlessly.
Kurt blinked rapidly, head shaking a little as he came back to the moment. He was sat in the senior commons, his back against the couches and knees bent in front of him. Blaine was sat beside him to the right, coffee in hand, with a gliding smile spreading across his face.
"I was distracted."
"You don't say," Blaine smiled.
"Well," Kurt groaned, "you're not the one with the French test tomorrow so you, Mr Thornton can gladly go and take your sarcasm elsewhere." As he spoke, he could barely wipe the smile off his face. Damn Blaine, even his snappy comments were losing their effect with his inability to resist the warm swirly feeling in his tummy.
"Oh Mr Hummel," Blaine emphasised, "I hardly think you're the one to scold me for sarcasm."
"Drink your coffee," Kurt mock scolded, pressing his lips together hard to force away a smile as he turned to the book placed to his left side.
Blaine huffed out a laugh, rolling his eyes. He watched as Kurt feigned ignorance and kept his face still, blatently trying to mask a smirk. It was adorable and entirely distracting. He bit his lip, wondering how he got so lucky in finding someone like Kurt who was not only full of heart but who also refused to change and would always speak his mind. It was a combination so intoxicating that Blaine was sure it could be addictive. He waited and thrived upon Kurt's comments, his quirky ways, and never failed to sigh ridiculously inside and sometimes out loud in the most obvious way; it was all very natural and, if honest, Blaine didn't care how much of a loser he looked, it felt too good.
He kept his eyes on Kurt, watching him focus intently on his reading with a look of steely determination and, simultaneously, an air of haughtiness. It was so typically Kurt. The fact that he'd chosen to select a rather tight deep blue shirt, buttoned high and tucked into his jeans was enough to tip him over the edge. Blaine breathed in deeply, placing his cup to his right and leaning in close to Kurt's neck to press a tiny kiss there. The other boy's sharp intake of breath caused enough of a stir to satisfy Blaine but it wasn't as if he was able to stop- that was no longer an option for them. Kurt kept staring ahead, his eyes intent and deathly focused, but the low hum in his throat was characteristic of his melting will. Blaine knew he was onto a winner. He leaned in again, this time with a smile on his lips, and nuzzled against Kurt's jaw, pressing kiss after kiss gently in a line.
"How dare you," Kurt sighed, low and slightly breathless.
Blaine laughed lightly against Kurt's neck, continuing with his purposeful kisses until they landed close to Kurt's lips. Blaine felt Kurt's shoulders slump slightly from their taut position as he draped his arm on the couch, letting his fingers idly play with the hair just over the collar of his shirt, Kurt's eyes fluttering closed.
"You don't need to study so much. Your French is wonderful."
Kurt turned a millimetre to his right, skin on fire, to meet Blaine's shining eyes. He couldn't bear the sheer level of will power it took to hold back but, instead, raised his eyebrows playfully.
"Je vous déteste," he drawled, biting his lip.
Blaine chuckled, shuffling to catch Kurt's lips before they escaped. With each breath, Kurt leaned closer, attached at the lips and completely letting his guard down. He could feel the smugness almost soaring from Blaine's fingers as they slid around his waist and clasped together at the back.
"I've found a flaw," Kurt mumbled against Blaine's persistent lips.
"Oh really?" Blaine asked, eyes filled with amusement, "and what would that be?"
Kurt positioned his shoulders and smirked. "Impatience," he stated simply. A giggle was somewhere deep down, bubbling and ready to escape at any second but Blaine's pupils were dilated, a woozy smile on his face atop a slightly ruffled shirt, which only made Kurt's heart beat more wildly in his chest.
"Well there might be a reason for that particular flaw coming to the surface," Blaine said, leaning close again, a sly smile apparent instantly.
Kurt avoided Blaine's lips, almost comically. "Semantics," Kurt mused, eyebrows darting up again cleverly.
Blaine began to laugh, clasping both of Kurt's hands in his own and pulling them down to his lap. Kurt shuddered, suddenly rendered completely incapable of speech due to the subtle insistence Blaine showed. The air thick, as usual, surrounded them in a second, both lost in the moment and drunk on the ability to let loose with another person.
"Maybe," Blaine whispered, "but you don't seem to be complaining."
Kurt swallowed a giggle. "And there's another," he sang cheekily, "so much cockiness Blaine Thornton."
"No, just the truth."
The sound of Blaine's voice, low and velvety, as his lips traced the tip of Kurt's nose was a little too much to handle. It was then that Blaine tipped forward, pushing Kurt over in an instant and hovering above as Kurt gasped indignantly.
"What are you doing?" he cried, half shock and half amusement.
Blaine placed his hands either side of Kurt's hips, almost pinning him on the spot, and leaned over slowly with a smile. "This," Blaine said in the softest voice just before his lips found Kurt's once more, eliciting another muffled gasp.
It was like a dream. Kurt knew he should close his eyes, knew he should melt into the moment and drift into a happy place surrounded by Blaine's arms and with Blaine's lips pressing feather-light kisses but something kept him on the brink. It was a feeling too intense that it tingled fiercely throughout his entire body, sending every nerve ending into over-drive with each fraction of movement. Nothing had even felt as wonderful; not only was it playful, it was fun and unbridled. As Blaine's lips sucked free, Kurt's breathing shuddered causing his eyelashes to flutter in time. Their foreheads pressed together naturally.
"Wow," Kurt rushed out, a tiny puff of breath blowing against Blaine's cheek. It was monumentally sexy and far too cute at the same time- those two parallels, where Kurt was concerned, embodied the same meaning and double the impact. Their eyes lingered together, hearts beating close. "Oh mon dieu," Kurt murmured, his eyes dazed still but a lazy smile spread across his face prompting the most delicious reaction from the boy lingering above him. Blaine laughed, lowering his head on Kurt's chest, feeling the warmth in its rise and fall.
"Promise me something?" he laughed out lovingly.
Kurt cocked an eyebrow, still highly amused and nerves firing. "Depends what it is."
"Always," Blaine kissed him again lightly, "always... always practice your French on me... ?"
It was Kurt's turn to respond, a bright smile evident as he turned his head a fraction. "Only if you promise that you'll keep having so many faults like this one. Impatience looks good on you."
He knew it was far too flirty than intended but the noise that came from Blaine's lips before he rushed down for another kiss was the most exquisite form of reassurance.
-.-.-.-.
Mornings were the most incredible moments. Kurt always dressed in routine, allowing allotted time for specific rituals that were almost as old as he was. He sang normally, letting his voice soar over the rush of the shower and then hum tunefully along with his iPod. Pavi often joined in, much to Kurt's amusement.
As he topped up Pavi's water, there was a knock on the door- right on time.
As Kurt grabbed a pile of books, not before making a quick and frantic check in the mirror, he pulled the door open much too eagerly.
"Morning," Blaine said, as he did every day, holding out a steaming coffee which Kurt always happily took with a contented sigh.
They usually walked in a comfortable silence, pressed close to each other's side the entirety of the hall way, down the large flight of stairs when Blaine's hand would linger on the small of Kurt's back protectively and along through the rush of students. Kurt would sometimes reach to carry Blaine's books, enjoying the small gesture and the inevitable flash of fondness he was treated to in response.
Kisses were kept to a minimum in the hallway, mainly as their relationship was known but kept from being thrust down every student's throat. It felt unusual to display affection in front of a school full of boys where it was unusual compared to an ordinary school where genders mixed freely. Neither minded, instead feeling adventurous and charmed by the many ways they'd express their feelings.
"You ready for your test?" Blaine asked, wrapping his fingers around Kurt's wrist and pressing lightly to his pulse point.
Kurt breathed in slowly, squaring his shoulders and enjoying how much taller he felt. Blaine smirked, knowing exactly the thoughts that were cascading though Kurt's busy brain. "Oui," was the reply, sure and lyrical.
"Well," Blaine said softly, "good luck and I'll see you after for lunch. Meet you in the cafeteria?"
Kurt nodded. He turned to enter the door, most other students having filtered inside leaving the hallway much clearer, but stopped and flipped back around.
"Blaine?"
The other boy stopped and swivelled on his heels, his perfectly slim starched uniform remaining in place.
He spoke with a smile. "Mmm hmm?"
Kurt could feel the blush creep in as it always did then he could feel his emotions conveyed openly. It was still so new but the practice of testing the waters and experimenting was becoming a little addictive. With a hammering heart and racing brain, Kurt scrambled to find words.
"Thank you for the coffee," Kurt stated, his eyes rolling of their own accord. It was awfully obvious that he simply didn't want Blaine to leave.
"You're welcome," Blaine soothed, stepping closer and planting a quick kiss on Kurt's temple, "and I'll miss you too."
Now it was Blaine's turn to flush somewhat as he turned on his heels and sauntered off down the corridor. Kurt watched him go, the bell ringing loudly, with only one thought: he's mine.
-.-.-.-.-.-
Kurt's fingers were shaking of their own accord. He'd been treated to a date and fussed over enough to warrant serious reciprocation and, for that reason, he stood in front of his full length mirror preening and straightening. Wes had been more than flexible, much to Kurt's surprise, about keeping any Warblers away from his dorm room. Most of the guys had other plans on a Friday evening so had left the grounds but Kurt knew, as usual, Wes had planned his DVD night for those remaining.
Kurt glanced around the room. Sweet talking Isla into allowing him to use the kitchen had been difficult as he was a new and relatively junior student but as he'd explained it was for a very special occasion, her eyes had sparkled. Kurt didn't give anything further away, except that it was an important anniversary and he simply wished to cook a modest meal with one oven. She had all but supervised him to prepare the most incredible mozzarella, onion and tomato salad with basil dressing to start, followed by a slow baked vegetable lasagne.
The room was suitably ambient. Kurt checked his strategically placed candles and smiled widely, a little shake in his lips. The nerves were kicking in, they were inevitable but if anyone knew how to create a mood, Kurt did. He was sure of his handiwork, letting his eyes glide over the small table pulled into the centre of the room laid with two plates, cutlery and two water goblets. It was simple, very chic and effortless- perfect.
The shudder to his fingers intensified as time ticked by. He straightened his shirt collar, smiling at the ensemble he'd created that afternoon. A fitted white and black herringbone shirt buttoned high teamed with slim fitting dark jeans; it was striking enough to cause Kurt to feel confident but simple enough so as not to overwhelm the situation. The shirt cost a month's pay check at the Hummel garage so Kurt was eager to give it its first outing – where better than with Blaine on the six month anniversary of their meeting.
It was growing dark slowly causing the dusky light in Kurt's room to glimmer in the most astonishing patterns. Kurt swallowed every minute, frantic about checking every last detail over and over in a manner akin to OCD- it had to be flawless. As it was the very first time he'd ever cooked for someone in this way and definitely the very first date he'd planned himself, Kurt was desperate to ensure that nothing was over-looked.
Blaine was used to posh dinners, high class events and the finery his family name brought with it; in comparison to Kurt's previous Friday night dinners when Burt would prepare a modest but hearty meal (usually either burned or under cooked), drop a couple of bottles of soda (which Kurt always swapped for bottled water) on the table and finished up the evening playing cards or watching 'The Deadliest Catch', Blaine was practically royalty. Kurt cherished those dinners now, realising their significance and enjoying the comfort of home but this dinner, this particular Friday evening, was almost defining.
As Kurt was smoothing down the silken cloth he'd spread over the table, he watched his hands shaking. They wouldn't stop and he knew exactly why they wouldn't. Blaine was becoming the instigator in their relationship; his tactile nature and abundant confidence made it effortless but, for Kurt, it was a little harder. He was affectionate, yes, but still there was a nagging thought in the back of his mind that flickered to the forefront every time he considered touching Blaine or kissing him, causing him to question if Blaine wanted it or if Kurt was acting appropriately or even if his urges were normal. As odd as it sounded, Kurt realised his abnormal way of over thinking and his past tendencies to push where pushing weren't appreciated, so there was a mechanism in place now, one which would kick in whenever an intimate situation presented itself. Tonight was the night he'd planned to get rid of it all-together. He was going to be in charge and show Blaine that he was willing and pretty much intoxicated with the need to do so many things that his brain could barely cope with so much want on such a frequent cycle.
There was a knock on the door. Kurt closed his eyes, pressing his fingers to his temples, and took the deepest of breaths before, once again, smoothing his shirt, lengthening his neck and striding to the door.
As he opened it, there was no amount of prior notice that could have prepared him for the way Blaine looked. There never was.
"Hi."
Kurt swallowed again, a tiny smile on his lips. "You look...," he breathed, "really nice."
Kurt caught the blush on Blaine's cheeks prompting his tummy to swirl with the most intense set of butterflies imaginable.
"You look as incredible as always," Blaine stated matter-of-factly with a grin, "and wow, I mean... wow." Kurt watched as Blaine took in the room in all its glory, eyes lingering on the smaller details which screamed 'this is an important night'.
"I've been busy," Kurt said, ducking his head with a quick bite of his lip.
"Evidently."
Blaine could barely believe his eyes. The room, normally beautifully decorated anyway, was candlelit, sparkling and arranged so elegantly that it was difficult to recognise its former state. His eyes eventually fell on Kurt who stood to his side, his gaze mirroring Blaine's own in a clear effort to map his reaction. Kurt was a little nervous, it was obvious, but it was the underlying confidence that shone through and coursed Blaine's veins with an odd sense of pride.
"So, we've got mozzarella salad to begin followed by slow roasted vegetable lasagne with sun dried tomato salad and erm," Kurt paused dramatically, fingers lingering over a cloth covered platter, "a pretty enormous New York vanilla cheesecake, you know, if you're interested?"
Blaine saw the smirk and bounced on his heels. "You remembered?"
Kurt flushed slightly. "Course. After the five hundredth time you told me it was your favourite, I think I'd just about got the idea."
Blaine sighed, slow and deep. "You," he breathed out, walking towards Kurt, "are just... well, I don't know."
Kurt laughed lightly, eyes flickering. "Go on... you know how much of a fan I am of hearing how amazing I am."
Blaine laughed loudly, reaching for Kurt's hands and pulling him closer. "Oh well in that case I refuse to indulge you."
The scowl that came in response was possibly the most adorable image Blaine had ever seen. Petulance never failed to look good on Kurt, as silly as that sounded. Blaine watched a cheeky grin form on Kurt's face. He shook his head, chuckling lightly.
"You hungry?"
"Very."
As they sat together, eating, Blaine noticed things that he hadn't before. Kurt would daintily cut each portion into pristine shapes before lightly placing them in his mouth. It was mesmerising how specific he was at this tiny and obviously inherent routine. Then came the sipping of water. Blaine was sure he'd never ever, as long as he lived, get used to Kurt's lips. They were unique to Kurt in so many ways but as he watched them pout at the edge of a water glass, he couldn't stop looking every time Kurt licked his lips, his sharp tongue flicking over his bottom lip.
Kurt's skin tingled. He knew Blaine was watching him as he could feel eyes lingering, their gaze leaving his skin feeling hot and stomach swimming with a surprising amount of desire. It was oddly intimate but it required no action on his part and he was reassured that he didn't eat like a horse... something was working in his favour.
"Kurt this is amazing," Blaine eventually spoke, breaking the tension.
"I know," was the reply, sarcastic and delivered with a smile, "Isla helped me as I may have almost burned Dalton down." Blaine raised his eyebrows, amused. "Never used a gas over before," Kurt explained with a sharp laugh.
"Well, it's delicious."
As they reached desert, Kurt was proud of himself for remembering to wheel a clean catering trolley down to place behind his door for ease. The noises Blaine made while he ate his cheesecake were beyond distracting, the low 'yum' and the breathless gasps at each bite were enough to drive Kurt wild. It was the incentive he needed for the confidence boost necessary to carry out his plans for the evening.
Kurt motioned to collect Blaine's clear plate but was swatted away quickly.
"Let me," Blaine drawled, smiling sweetly and sauntering over to the trolley. He dropped the crockery and at that moment Kurt felt the fear creep in. Now what?
Blaine turned with a smile, cocking his head. "You know how you always talk about the little things? The firsts?"
Kurt swallowed quickly, he could barely stop it, and nodded. "Yes."
Blaine's head ducked slightly as he rubbed his lips together. He was still on the other side of the room. "Nobody has ever made a meal for me before."
The soaring happy flood that made his way to Kurt's heart acted as a catalyst. It was exactly what he needed to be reminded of – Blaine wasn't 'Mr Experienced' in everything.
"Well now they have," Kurt said, his voice smaller than intended. It was silent for a second until Kurt took another breath, shaking his head slightly to reduce the tension. "Do you want to watch a movie? I um, well I bought elderflower spritzer because I didn't think water was very special and well," he pressed his lips together, "I didn't know what you'd like so I hope it's ok."
That was Blaine's cue to cross the room. His heart hammered as he drew closer to Kurt, desperate to just reach out and touch. The fact that Kurt had gone to so much trouble and spent actual quality time considering what Blaine wanted was enough to cause his heart to clench in the tightest burst of adoration.
"I've never had it before," Blaine explained, sidling closer, "but I'm sure it's nice."
Kurt let out a small cough. "I um... movie?"
"What did you have in mind?"
As Kurt all but jumped over to his collection, Blaine made himself comfortable on Kurt's bed, breathing in deeply, inhaling the faint smell of vanilla and cologne- inherently Kurt.
"Well," Kurt spun around, DVDs fanned out in his hand, "I have a lot."
Blaine laughed. "Well, as you made me food and I'm feeling spoiled right now, how about you choose? What's your favourite movie? I can't believe I don't know that already."
Kurt ran his tongue along his teeth and smiled. "Well, I'm not sure you're going to want to watch it."
"Try me."
"The Sound of Music."
Blaine chuckled lightly. "So much makes sense now."
As Kurt crawled onto his bed after sliding the DVD into the player, he frowned at Blaine. "And what is that supposed to mean Blaine Thornton?"
The look of sheer playfulness on Blaine's face was precious. "Your mum was a fan I presume?"
A slow smile spread on Kurt's face, only tinged slightly with a flicker of painful memories. "Yes."
Blaine cringed inwardly, regretting broaching the subject judging by the flash of pain in Kurt's eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to bri-"
"No," Kurt silenced, raising a gentle hand, "don't say sorry for that. It was her favourite. We used to watch it together and it's where my name comes from so..."
"And the rosy cheeks are just a coincidence, right?"
Kurt went to slap Blaine's arm, shooting daggers from his eyes but Blaine only used the momentum to his advantage, grabbing Kurt's arm sneakily and pulling him close. "Thornton you're on thin ice. My cheeks are not rosy, I'm not a doll."
"Thought that teacher of yours used to call you 'porcelain'?" Blaine asked, wriggling as Kurt sighed into his shoulder, his right arm tentatively placing itself lightly on his chest.
"She did," Kurt retorted, "but I like to think that has more to do with the impeccable care I take in maintaining my skin rather than any creepy resemblance to china dolls."
They fell silent, Kurt relishing in the rush of two very intense emotions. The opening music of the movie never failed to instigate a flurry of wistful melancholy and this night was no exception. Even more distracting was Blaine's general presence, tight against him and breathing slowly in the most mesmerising rhythmic pattern.
"Comfortable?" Blaine asked, breath hot against Kurt's ear.
"Mmm hmmm."
Kurt arched his back, pushing his feet into the duvet to curve around in order to see the TV positioned at the end of his bed. It was as his right foot pushed too far, that his leg entwined with Blaine's. He gasped and stopped moving for a second, expecting Blaine to react in some way but as Kurt glanced out of the corner of his eye, Blaine's were fixed on the screen, an arm still wrapped around his waist. Instead of reacting and pulling away, Kurt lay still and relaxed into the position, trying to picture something, anything horrific or distracting. It was a constant cycle of Mr Schuster's sweater vests again but this time it was teamed with Rachel Berry's garish blue pant suit and someone taking scissors to his favourite Marc Jacobs jacket. Nothing worked. He could feel the heat from Blaine and his brain was no longer responding. Now was the time to act- there was nothing to stop him.
"Blaine?"
"Yes?"
Kurt shuffled to a sitting position and took a breath. "Can I try something?"
Blaine's stomach clenched immediately, a warm sensation somewhere in the depths of his torso began to spread. "Go ahead." He had no idea what he was agreeing to but the glitter in Kurt's eyes caused feelings he wasn't ready to let go of.
Kurt pursed his lips again and untangled his legs for a second, long enough to slide one over Blaine's hips in order to straddle him. Blaine's breathing shallowed, his shoulders tensing as he watched Kurt's movements. Kurt kept his eyes transfixed as he let his hands rest just under Blaine's chin, slowly tickling down the front of his shirt to the buttons there. There was nothing in the world that could have made Blaine move a centimetre, instead he kept his eyes on Kurt's face and enjoyed, far too much, the look of intense concentration and the cautious lick he gave his lips. It was too hot to handle.
"I just wanted to, um..."
Blaine was careful not to make any sudden movements. He gradually pushed himself to a sitting position, Kurt moving in his lap to gain balance, and before they knew it they were sitting facing each other. Kurt's added height was perfect as he returned to unbuttoning Blaine's shirt with great attention paid to keeping his hands from shuddering- it was a fine line between confidence and falling completely apart. So many questions were firing through his head: what is Blaine thinking? Does he want this to happen? Am I doing this right? Should I have kissed him first?
In an effort to power through, Kurt stopped and chose to look into Blaine's eyes again. He was met with a slow smile, one so fused with heat that it took seconds for his lips to find another pair and press forward. The extra inches advantage forced Blaine back into the pillows with a gasp as Kurt kissed with purpose, letting his newly acquired skills lead him. At the second Kurt's hands resumed unbuttoning, Blaine could barely hold back any longer- desperation seemed to rise in his chest with a half gasp, half groan.
"Kurt," was all he could say. There were no other words to hand when he felt cool fingers slide inside his shirt and push it apart gently. Blaine could hardly breathe. Kurt's lips pressed harder, fingers turning to palms by his hips so delicately, the weight pressing down on him- all of this combined sought to simply melt his brain. Kurt began to kiss down Blaine's jaw to his collar bone, his stomach coiled up in nerves and excitement with the outcome being a delicious cocktail of headiness potent enough to spur him on. When Blaine felt Kurt's lips on his exposed skin, he lost it completely, especially as the touch was cooler than expected sending shivers cascading in the most incredible way. He had to grab onto something, to hold onto Kurt and do something instead of squirming underneath Kurt's more than attentive touch. As Kurt leaned up for a second, Blaine chose his moment to wrap his arms around Kurt's hips and flip them over. It was so quick that Kurt barely registered the audible gasp he made, instead his eyes rolled back feeling the spark and ache of whatever the feeling is pulsate through his body.
"Is this ok?" he gasped out, trying to breathe through Blaine's kisses.
The rumble of laughter in Blaine's throat was insanely hot and reminiscent of some beautiful dashing male lead in the movies he'd spent his entire life watching and dreaming about.
"No talking," Blaine offered, just as his hands found Kurt's shirt buttons. The same dizzying wooziness began to set in as gradually, slivers of skin began to appear. Kurt shut his eyes tight, trying to retain dignity and avoid making any noise which may turn him into a stereotypical hormone-ravaged teenager. That was the moment he realised he was. He'd wished for this for years. The abandon was blissful and addictive, something he could get very used to even on top of the intense waves of nerves threatening to snap the moment in a heartbeat.
It escalated quickly and before Kurt could grasp how and when, his shirt found itself pushed back. The first thought was 'oh god it's so expensive' followed by 'Blaine's lips' in a constant repetitive stream, enough to free his mind of any clothing related concerns.
"Blaine?"
In between languid kisses and the act of pushing his hands, palm down, around Kurt's middle, Blaine spoke. "Mmmm?"
"I need to... I need... Blaine... I need to know..."
Kurt felt the pressure lift a little from on top of him. Blaine sat back, eyes filled with concern. "Oh god we've got carried away haven't we?"
Kurt laughed sharply, screwed his eyes shut and groaned. "Shut up Kurt, shut up shut up shut up."
Blaine's smile was wide and affectionate. "What do you need to know?"
Kurt felt his pale skin redden at the way he looked, shirt open, hair no doubt mussed and lips obviously pouting. He cracked open his eyes. "Um."
Blaine chuckled, his hand sliding free and slowly teasing a stray lock of hair back into Kurt's perfectly style quiff. "Um?"
"Wow," Kurt mused, dazedly, "this isn't awful and awkward and embarrassing. Well... as much as it should be."
Blaine bit his lip, taking in every single part of the image below him. Kurt had instigated this, he'd been ballsy enough to start this off and it wasn't awkward at all, Kurt was right as always. "We're good together." Kurt's breath caught. He felt the enormous smile grace his lips but he couldn't look into Blaine's eyes, he just couldn't manage it as it was a one way street to an enormous amount of blushing, a ridiculously swooning expression and a noise reminiscent of something cat-like.
"Don't say those things," he whispered.
Blaine ducked his head, looking at Kurt through his eyelashes. "We're amazing together," he pressed, drawling the words out slower each time.
"Stop it," Kurt snapped, eyes closed now and his bottom teeth nipping his top lip.
He felt Blaine's lips tease at his own faintly and hardly touching. "I'd even go so far as to say it was magical."
Kurt laughed then, close to a giggle. "Found another flaw," he breathed.
"Never going to stop being pathetically romantic so get used to it," Blaine sang happily into Kurt's skin.
"Oh god I could get used to this." Kurt blinked his eyes open frantically. He hadn't said it had he? No. Definitely not.
Oh god he had. He's pretty much whimpered. Oh god.
Blaine looked at him, really looked, and Kurt couldn't look away. "This," Blaine motioned between them with a gaze so intense that Kurt felt himself squirm, "this is something special isn't it?" Kurt couldn't speak, his usually vocal nature suddenly turned numb with passion and a million other emotions intent on rendering him incoherent. Instead, he nodded. "You're indulging my pathetic side and you're not being sarcastic and telling me to shut up or that you hate me or that I'm straight out of a harlequin romance."
Kurt bit his lip again (it was a natural reaction to anything Blaine said) and laughed lightly. "They're just words. It's my thing."
"I know," Blaine sighed happily, "and I love it but you're not doing it."
"I don't want to," Kurt said, his voice tiny. They were still half naked and sitting in the world's most intimate position but for some reason the making out had stopped and they were talking. It was so inherently... them.
"Why not?"
Kurt was silent for a second. "I um," he swallowed, "speech isn't really possible."
It was Blaine's turn to blush. "Gotcha," he breathed against Kurt's neck as he leaned back in, close and warm.
"Is this ok?" Kurt murmured, nerves suddenly setting in as he remembered his bare chest possibly wasn't the image Blaine had expected.
"Is what ok?" Kurt felt the vibrations of the words under his ear as he wriggled into Blaine's touch.
"Me."
Blaine flinched. "Quit while you're ahead," he warned, shaking his head. Kurt chose that moment to sit up, awkwardly detangling himself and kneeling in front of Blaine, regaining his added height.
He leaned in close, feeling Blaine's breath on his nose. "May I?"
The warm and lopsided smile in response was better than words. Kurt stretched his fingers before laying them tenderly on Blaine's collar bone, tracing the curve of his neck and drinking in Blaine's smell.
"Do you realise you tilt your head when you do that?" Blaine muttered breathlessly, his skin tingling again from the ghost of Kurt's fingers.
Kurt stopped and locked their eyes again. "Is it weird?"
"No, not weird at all, it's just different. Why do you do it?"
Kurt blinked back, unsure if the truth and absolute honesty was going to come back to bite him when Blaine was reminded of how virginal and completely inexperienced he was. "I've never really, um, never touched anyone before. I'm making the most of it."
It was the heaviness of Blaine's eyes and the way they slid closed with a smile. "Don't let me stop you."
Kurt laughed nervously and continued, his fingers outlining every curve of Blaine's neck, his shoulder and then eventually, with a deep breath, eased Blaine's shirt over his shoulders, letting it slide down his arms and onto the bed behind him. With a quick glance into Blaine's eyes to ground himself, he basked in the way his chest tightened with an odd rush of emotion- an emotion far too deep to bear.
"That would be my shoulder," Blaine whispered, lowering his head to Kurt's gaze with a grin.
Kurt chimed out a laugh so sweet that Blaine felt himself fall completely in love. It was the most intimate moment of his entire life and nothing felt as fitting or as perfect- he was sure nothing else ever would. Nobody had touched him this way. Kurt wasn't just letting his fingers feel skin, he was memorising, tracking every single millimetre and was so intent on just touching and experiencing that the closeness was overwhelming.
"You're shorter than me but much broader."
"Sylvie used to call me her munchkin," Blaine admitted, immediately regretting it. He winced, waiting for Kurt's reaction.
"There goes the least sexy thing anyone will ever say to me," Kurt giggled, his chest wobbling as he sat back on his heels. He was laughing infectiously now.
"Oh I just lost you didn't I?" Blaine asked with a desperate frown.
Kurt looked up, his hair now falling in his eyes and eyelashes fluttering. "Will you stay here tonight?"
"If I can avoid the corridor police, definitely. We haven't caused them to suspect so far."
"I know we've slept beside each other before but-"
"I call big spoon," Blaine rushed out, words spilling together it was so fast. He nibbled his lip with a smirk.
"Deal."
Blaine climbed off the bed, noticing the clock on Kurt's nightstand was flashing close to midnight. "You want to sleep now?"
"We move fast," Kurt said quietly with a wrinkled brow. The frantic and changeable events had left him reeling. Blaine sat back down, nudging him with his shoulder.
"I know."
"I like it in a really weird way."
Blaine glanced over to find Kurt grinning quite ridiculously. "One extreme to the other." Kurt nodded.
"Pandora's box..."
It was on that note and with a happy grin, Kurt realised just how far they'd come. The nerves were there, they were real and distracting but it was the power to battle through them and to experience what lay beyond. The fact that he'd begun to stop questioning every detail was like being presented to front row seats at New York fashion week- life changing.
It took them a short while to change. Kurt disappeared into the bathroom, his eyes finding the mirror immediately prompting his hand to fly to his mouth. His hair stuck up a little, curling at the bottom, his cheeks were slightly pink and eyes glazed but the smile painted on his lips was unmistakeable. For the first time in a very long time, his fingers did not re-preen, they resisted and enjoyed the rush of happiness knowing that on the other side of the door was Blaine... waiting for him. He felt the tension in his stomach but relished in it, knowing that he was going to fall asleep wrapped in someone's arms for the first time in his entire life. It was something so fused with intimacy, however, knowing Blaine was going to be so close and would be the one to share such a moment with him- that was the deciding factor.
He folded his clothes neatly, sliding into a pair of blue cotton shorts and a white t-shirt before teasing the door open gradually. The tidal wave of insecurity hit prematurely causing Kurt to walk slowly and his shoulders to curl in on themselves slightly. It was a stark contrast to his usually fierce stance.
"Which side do you like to sleep on?"
The image was adorable and wildly mind-blowing. The curls weren't gelled down as much and Blaine had borrowed a pair of dark grey lounge pants and a black t-shirt which left nothing to the imagination. He checked the lock on his door, flicked off a still singing Julie Andrews regretfully and made his way with a pulsing heart towards the bed, the insecurity dissolving slowly.
"Any."
Blaine focused in on Kurt's face. He knew. "Sleeping together is pretty big isn't it?"
"Huge."
"I won't bite, I promise." The cheekiness with which Blaine's words were delivered was enough to break the ice. In one swift movement, Kurt flicked off his lamp, blew out the candles and slid under the covers.
The heat was the first thing he noticed. Sleeping alone was a singular battle to warm up the covers so that no matter where you moved, you weren't shivering. Kurt's eyes travelled over the shadowed room, lingering on a sleeping Pavi and then turned on the pillow to meet a pair of eyes shining bright amidst the blackness.
"Blaine this is so weird."
"Come here," Blaine said gently, his words spoken with a smile.
Blaine reached out, tugging Kurt towards him.
"Bossy."
"You love it."
Kurt was sure he was supposed to face away from Blaine and lie as people did in movies with their arms wrapped together in front of them but it wasn't so simple. Kurt pressed his cheek against Blaine's chest, curling his arms up too so that space between them was non-existent. The heat enveloped them both instantly and doing it all perfect and staged just wasn't an option anymore.
"Never thought I was a cuddly person," Kurt spoke softly.
Blaine pulled his arms in tighter, keeping them tense and, in turn, Kurt held closer to his chest.
"You're so wrong," Blaine murmured fondly into his hair, "but I suppose you have to put up with me so what hope did you have?"
"I'm doomed," Kurt laughed, nuzzling closer and letting his shoulders relax eventually.
"Thank you for tonight Kurt, I really mean it."
"You're welcome. Anniversaries are important to me even if they are of the day we first met. If I celebrate Lady Ga Ga's birthday then it's only right I celebrate you too."
Kurt felt the sing-song laugh rise in Blaine's chest and his arms squeezing him tighter. He shuffled, feeling every single contact point. Blaine's arm was a warm weight around his waist, his face buried in Kurt's hair and their legs were tangled easily; it was a cocoon of heat, lust, comfort and safety. Kurt felt Blaine's fingers wrestle free from their hold and begin drawing unidentifiable patterns across his lower back, just above the hem of his t-shirt. He shuddered with a stifled giggle.
"I'm going to apologise for this in advance..." Kurt didn't have the will power or sense of whereabouts to even answer in words, instead choosing to nod a reply.
Blaine began to hum fluidly, like melted butter on toast, like velvet and in the smoothest deepest tones. The hums soon turned to words but Kurt only caught the final few phrases and was sure he would never experience a moment so defining for the rest of his life.
"I finally found you, my missing puzzle piece, I'm complete..."