Music Inspiration: Cough Syrup, Blaine Devon Anderson {played by Darren Criss}.
Rating and Warning: M
Ownership: I don't own Glee, but this story I do. Four words came from a certain someone, which inspired this chapter, so recognition for them being from 'Him'. {psst quietly, his name we do not say too loudly, just yet…}
Dedication: For those who can't decide who they're attracted to, those who lie to themselves. And those not brave enough to act on their impulses.
I don't have any association with anyone for music. I've purchased all that I listen to. But if you're going to buy anything, please don't go down the pirate road. Worst thing to do. I don't ship pirates.
Thank you: To my collection of supporters, I'm truly wonderfully encouraged and massively inspired by such nice words and belief in me – awww shucks I love you too. So read, enjoy, review, follow, fave, just don't forget.
~ Converting Kurt E Hummel ~ Ch 21 Engagement Party ~
'Startled like a giselle', that's exactly what Sugar was feeling. She felt vulnerable, exposed, thoroughly insecure, her heart was beating as fast as a startled and frightened giselle, caught in the spotlight of danger…
She'd been watching Twilight, the night before, with her girlfriends and their sudden surprised sleep over. Always her heart would go to the deer when Edward honed in on his chase and the kill. Last night she had cried so much at that scene, Rachel's arms around her only helped a little bit.
Knowing how close Kurt was to Rachel irked her jealousy buttons, knowing Rachel didn't totally approve of his break up with Blaine and then attachment to Sugar, that hurt too. However, chin held a little higher, Sugar would prove Rachel wrong, and their love would blossom, if it killed her. Reality was on Sugar's side, she'd been in love with Kurt for so long, and pursuading him wasn't necessary, his love for her was a natural progression to learning about himself.
The biggest hurdle, was coming out, to everyone, that he was straight. All the questioning was irrelevant when his gut told him, to follow his heart, believe in himself, give in to different and true feelings of attraction and non-attraction. All that having been done, Rachel could answer to Kurt, but neither Kurt nor Sugar answered to Rachel.
After Sugar's sook moment, she let Rachel take the floor with a mocking reminder of Kurt getting so drunk before school and then throwing up on Miss P's shoes. Tina was laughing with Mercedes and then they missed each others bumping of shoulders and fell over.
Tina was so close to Blaine, he'd been off loading on her shoulders and chewing her ears with his view of things, Sugar was totally amazed that she would have come to an event of 'The Bitch who stole Kurt from her Blainey Boo!'
After such a good beginning to the night, she was angry at herself for not inviting her to the engagement party. As the hilarity and mirth subsided, Sugar found herself standing up and saying, "What's up McKinley Bitches!"
The room of girls stopped their chatter, some held their breaths and Santana naturally kept drinking her wine. "I know it's short notice, but for those I forgot to invite to our engagement party tomorrow night, please consider yourselves invited now. And please say you'll come? … and celebrate mine and Kurt's engagement." She looked hard at Tina, waiting for her to turn around from her sudden whispering with Santana.
"Tina? Say you'll come?"
Slowly Tina turned around, knowing how hurt her Blainey Boo would be if she went, but also remembering that awful saying, 'Keep your friends close but your enemies closer'. A smirk of a smile appeared and slight sarcasm dripping in her next words, "Sure Sugar, I'd love nothing better than to celebrate Kurt's engagement. So I'll be there."
Hearing the nastiness but encouraged by Rachel's eyebrows wiggling and her smile that this is a good sign, that Tina was at last talking to her again, she started to say, "Well, …. well that would be great." She hesitated and wanted to retract the invite, "I'll make sure you get a good seat near us." Wishing to God she hadn't just said that out loud.
The rest of the sleep over wasn't too much of a bother, not like the glease sleepover. Marly and Kitty plaited everyone's hair, Unique painted their nails, Santana and Brittany slipped away to make out, Tina and Mercedes flitted between everyone, Rachel kept the music playing and the food refreshed, when Dottie finally arrived she tended to everyone's drinks. Sugar occasionally felt out of place, but she put that down to not having seen everyone for so long.
After all, with everyone going their own way after graduation, she tended to either be working, seeing her family or being with Kurt. And spending every lovely moment with him was pure delight, this was the honeymoon before the wedding.
However, …
Right now, she's up on the stage, helping set up for karaoke. The engagement party night had started nice and early, everyone except Tina had turned up, had given hugs and kisses, given well wishes, had dinner, given gifts, had dessert, watched them open the gifts ….
The noise of the dance music is too loud to yell over, there are so many couples dancing on the floor, that running to be by Kurt's side wouldn't be possible before they get to him. The gifts were practical, towels and other linen, an old cookbook that Kurt had searched high and low for, a box of sequins and a new sewing machine for Sugar …
If ever she wished her daddy was in the mob, it was now. Kurt was careful with all the wrapping paper, cards and envelopes, making sure that Sugar wrote what was from who, so they could send personal thankyou notes …
The mood lighting is just right for the dancers, the mirror ball throws white beams, the coloured lights blend with the music. In the far distances of the walls, and the edges of the dance floor the lighting is darker, tea lights glow on the tables where some guests sit and drink, talk or cuddle.
The music has been a variety mix of Kurt's choices, nothing to bring up bad memories, flashbacks and music to encourage dancing of respectful maturity for the older dancers. His dad wanted some John Cougar Mellencamp and Carole wanted some Billy Joel.
The music choice right now is a waltz, a long waltz that Kurt has insisted is a semi competition to see who can last the longest on the dance floor. Kurt is with Rachel, Mike with Brittany, the blend of dancers are thick and Sugar's mind is swirling as she watches them pass before her.
Alternating dancing partners is increasing to her annoyance, Kurt is remaining too far away, Sugar's heart rate is increasing and she can't understand why no one is noticing what she's noticing and why no one is noticing that she's paralysed.
Suddenly Puck is laughing too loud to her left, Quinn laughs on her right with someone else. Sugar searches for her daddy, he's talking with the Chef, near the kitchen doorway. She waves to him urgently, he doesn't see her.
The Chef, receding hair line, slightly bald, more cuddlier like a huge teddy bear than chubby, is a very good friend of her daddy's. All the catering was perfect, all place settings perfect, every f…g thing has been perfect ….
Until now!
The Chef, she imagines, if her daddy was in the mob, to be the ideal hit man. With his cell phone, one dial and he could order the hit she needs. The Chef and her daddy continue talking, the Chef starts laughing and echoes of bits of her last conversation with him swirl, as her anxiety level increases … "Enough giggling, can you get your dad for me please?"
Giggling, if only she could find some of this funny.
Tina's wide smile, directly at her, is showing how much she finds this funny.
The music tempo changes, and Tina joins the other dancers on the floor. She makes her way toward Kurt, there is a swap of partners, Tina blends closer.
Sugar grabs at her stomach, she grabs the microphone stand, tears and silent screams welling up in her chest. Unable to do much, other than watch the slow agonizing play as if she's behind Alice's looking glass, not invited to participate further.
Finally a musician on the stage notices a difficulty with Sugar, he places a hand on her shoulder and near yells in her ear, "What's wrong?" He shakes her a bit until she turns to him, her face ashen and her breathing halted.
She looks back to the dancers, two more beats and partners swap once more…
Kurt has remained too far away, enjoying his dance with Rachel, Miss P, Dottie. He enjoyed dancing with Dottie the most, her delicate light frame and sweet disposition he found refreshing.
Two beats and he lets Dottie go, to the arms of the next partner, Tina!
Dottie has left his arms and Tina waltzes her away, confusion on Dottie's face and Tina winks at Kurt. He stumbles as other dancers bump near him, but then he regains composure and moves back in with the rhythm of the dance, his face is down as his next partner grabs his body for his turn at dancing together.
Kurt doesn't quite recognize the unfamiliarity of what was once so familiar. The shiny black shoes, his hand firmly on his hip and the other hand holding his palm…
Step and dance and move with the music, his new partner jolts him closer, the hand from his hip slips behind to the small of his back … it happens so quickly.
The scent of familiar hair products and cologne hitting his nostrils at a lightning speed and recognition hitting his mind and kicking the air from his lungs …
Left and right, around, back and forth, hold, step together and twirl ….
He looks to his dance partner and over his shoulder sees Sugar in the distance, looking straight at them. Her face is fallen, matching Kurt's questioning look.
Blaine pulls him closer, too close for dancing, Kurt felt the space lessen, his ears screaming with his mind …
The music indicates to change partners, Kurt moves to push Blaine away. But Blaine doesn't let go, the other dancers swap, and some stand without a partner now …
Blaine waltzes Kurt, holds him firmly, possessively and guides him to the exit he used as an entrance.
Kurt tries to speak, thinks to fight his old beau off, but Blaine has changed since Kurt knew him. He had to change, he had to grow and mature, Kurt had forced his hand at that.
Out of the circle of dancers, Blaine stops their dance and catches his breath, a smile or held laugh showing a new Blaine. "That was fun!" He manages to say, arms still holding Kurt firm, Kurt is rigid, not knowing how to process what has happened and if it's over yet.
Grabbing Kurt's hand, Blaine walks him over to the doorway, "What are you doing?" Kurt finally manages. He tries to pull his hand from Blaine, but the grip is too tight, he only manages to stop him from walking.
Blaine looks at him, looks at the guy who shared so many first times with, who helped him come out to his father. Kurt's lips are the same ones he used to enjoy kissing with, his arms are the same he used to enjoy holding, his body is the same that used to enjoy canoodling with. The clothes are the same, God dammit!
Blaine's mind is wild with questions, "What are YOU doing?" he yells at Kurt. "You don't believe in marriage, you didn't believe in girls. Remember all the stuff you said to Finn? How they're the reason to so many problems."
The arguing has finally been noticed by Sugar's daddy, he and the Chef carefully walk closer.
Kurt steps back from him, "I'm not having this conversation with you, … again, …. right now." Blaine reaches for his wrist, he lifts it up, twisting in the process and kisses the inside of it.
"Blaine don't!" Kurt's weakest spot, and if this doesn't hurt either of them, nothing ever will. Eyes locked, Kurt demanding Blaine to stop and Blaine daring for Kurt to respond.
Blaine holds his arm up, positions his lips for another kiss, a nibble if he could, Kurt pulls as hard as he can, but the hold is strong and he only manages to hurt his own elbow.
"Blaine stop!" Sugar has managed to get off the stage and to them. He stands up taller, looking at her alongside Kurt now, the Chef and her daddy behind.
The room is deafening quiet, music stopped, dancers stopped, a derisive snicker from Santana, Brittany eating at the food table. Miss P sneezes.
Kurt now manages to rip his arm away, "Obviously you gate crashed and have issues to deal with." He wipes his arm, turns around and says to everyone, "Please go back to having fun, we'll be back in a moment for some karaoke."
He turns back to Blaine, arms folded in front of his chest. "Please leave, I'll organize to see you during the week. I'll see my therapist first and then we'll organize a mediation." Calming himself down, his breathing is steadier, he sighs heavily.
He turns to Sugar, they share a knowing smile and he turns back to Blaine, "Would it make you happy if we do that?"
Tina comes around to Blaine's side, and stands confronting the engaged couple. "No, it would not make him happy for you to do that." Blaine looks at her somewhat bewildered, "Tina, it would make me happy."
He turns back, "I'll look forward to your call then." He takes Tina's hand, "Let's go."
He doesn't give her a moment to complain, and just walks her out of the building. His search of a confrontation having been met, and not wanting to embarrass any one further.
Sugar's daddy decides now is a safe moment to intervene, he's proud of his little girl, "Anything you want me to do pumpkin?"
"No daddy, not just now. But thank you. This is a lovely engagement party." Kurt coughs at that, "Well, most of it is." She adds.
"Okay then, well Phil and I are discussing the wedding menu, so you love birds get back to celebrating."
Interruption over, Kurt takes Sugar's elbow and guides her back to their table.
Once seated, they hug, he's clearly shaken and right now, singing is not on the table of necessary activities to soothe him.
However, he chose the music for the night. He painstakingly sorted through all his music, with his therapist, and chose specific songs to blend in and out as he thought the night would progress.
The guests are at their tables, enjoying drinks and conversation. The musicians are preparing the stage for karaoke, Kurt and Sugar are consoling one another.
She's behind him, her arms wrapped around him tight. He holds her firmly and kisses the back of her hand.
He leans his head back to whisper, "You know what?"
She nuzzles into his neck and whispers in his ear, "What?"
"Life's too short to even care, whoah oah, …" he sings quietly, "I'm coming up now, coming up whoah oah, …." She joins him, "There's fishes in the sea, they're staring at me …"
Extra author notes from a kute little author: Thanks to 'Lucky Phil', another Hunny that I kind of know, although we've never met in person and the mere sound of his voice and I'm in stitches of laughter, and I have no idea why {although he's cheeky and blah di blah}. Anyhow, thanks for the inspiration. I could write more for their Engagement Party, but honestly, that was the scene I needed to get out and get up.