A KLAINE/ PUCKOFSKY FANFIC
What I Did for Love
Author's note: I'M SOOOO SORRY! -for uploading this a billion times; the music part was not cooperating- I try to center-aligned all the lyrics, but I'd post it and find half the lyrics moved back to the left margin and bits of the dialog would be center-aligned. So I'd delete the chapter and try to fix it and it would be the same. So I tried just italicizing the lyrics, but when I posted, I found parts had moved to the sub-note section. X_X I am pulling my hair out in frustration! Ahhgg! I'm really sorry for blowing up your chapter alerts :( so I'll post this once more and if it screws up, I'll just leave it that way. I'm really, really sorry about this. (does anyone else have this problem?)
I'm planning to wrap this fic up before Glee returns in February. We'll see where my writing goes from there.
This is a very CP Coulter-esque chapter. We love her and worship at the altar of Dalton. link: www (dot) fanfiction (dot) net/s/6515261/1/Dalton
Song links at the bottom!
*** Didn't own Glee yesterday, don't own Glee today, but ahhh... the promise of tomorrow : )
CHAPTER 8: IN WHICH WES AND DAVID'S PLOTTING TAKES EFFECT AND MUCH SINGING ENSUES
Warning: Hedley, seagulls, potted plants
*DALTON*
.
Warbler practice was about to start, and while the other boys were milling about, Blaine was lying in wait inside the Warbler's music room doors. The moment David entered the room, Blaine's hand shot out and pulled him aside. Wes followed momentarily. "I'm getting nervous." Blaine hissed. "Just tell me what you're planning."
The pair shook their heads, "Now, now, you must have patience, young Simba."
"You must wait to be king." added David.
Wes and Blaine stopped and looked at him for a second.
"Simba?" Blaine repeated in an entirely un-amused voice. He stared his friends down. "Please do not tell me that you've nick-named Kurt as Nala."
"Oh, don't be offended; it's not because Kurt is particularly effeminate; we based it purely off eye-colour."
"We had to google it."
Blaine groaned.
"Hakuna matata!" they chimed, pushing him into his seat.
Blaine chewed his finger nervously as the meeting opened and Wes stood up to announce that, "In order to find new talent to showcase for Regionals, and to give everyone a fair shot, we will be holding a series of small competitions." Out of the corner of his eye, Blaine saw Kurt turn and look at him. Blaine met Kurt's eyes for a mili-second then looked down at his hands. "To streamline the process, the first round will be duets. You will choose your partner's name out of the hat." Wes gestured to a yoghurt container on the table with the word "HAT" scrawled on the side. Blaine glanced back and forth suspiciously between the "hat" and Wes' devious eyes. "The duet teams that pass get to perform a solo for the next round." Wes cleared his throat. "OK, newbie first! Pick a name, Kurt!"
Kurt approached the table nonchalantly and drew out a slip of paper. The countertenor stared at it for a second with a funny look on his face, then quickly cleared his features. "Blaine." he announced, waving the paper in his direction.
Suddenly David leapt to his feet, pointing out the window, and screamed, "LOOK! A SEAGULL!"
No one noticed when Wes surreptitiously pulled the first container under the table while David replaced it with an identical one.
"Order." Wes banged on the table, faux-glaring at his partner in crime. "OK, Spencer, you next."
.
.
The next afternoon found Wes and David were lurking in the hall outside the music room. Wes leaned casually against the door, while David stood a few paces away behind a large potted plant, wearing sunglasses and an army helmet.
"Nala's on the move, operation Lion King is a go." Wes whispered into his cell phone.
"Roger that." David murmured into his hand.
Wes glanced over. "Hey, that's not a phone, that's a Coffee Crisp!"
"I know," said David, taking a nibble, "It's much nummier than my phone."
"Well, get the real thing. You call Simba, I'll call Nala. Tell them: Music room in five. And loose the helmet; they'll know something's up."
.
.
Wes and David waved their friends over to the piano.
"Why are you covered in leaves?" Kurt inquired, brushing off David's shoulder.
"I was investigating vegetarianism."
Blaine scrunched up his eyebrows in confusion.
"Not for me. There is a reason cows are too fat to run away."
Wes cleared his throat. "Because we are your dearly beloved friends-for-life, we have consented to help you out with your duet." He announced.
"Yeah... we need to pick a song-" began Blaine
"Beat ya to it!" David handed them each a sheet of music, with their lines highlighted.
Kurt raised an eyebrow. "When you two said you would help with our duet, I thought we were just going to bounce ideas off you."
"Lucky for you, we are super-awesome ninja friends, and took care of it all for you. Now sing." Wes sat down at the piano, and ruffled his sheet music and began to play the intro. David settled himself beside Wes and smiled expectantly at his friends.
Kurt looked at the song, then turned to glare at the two on the bench, but as soon as Blaine opened his mouth to take the first verse, Kurt's eyes snapped back to him.
Falling a thousand feet per second, you still take me by surprise
I just know we can't be over, I can see it in your eyes
Making every kind of silence, takes a lot to realize
It's worse to finish than to start all over and never let it lie
Kurt took a breath and came in with harmony
And as long as I can feel you holding on
I won't fall, even if you said I was wrong
Blaine fell silent and watched Kurt sing the chorus.
I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?
Blaine joined in again, intertwining their harmonies, voices trading the occasional solo line.
Making every kind of silence, it takes a lot to realize
It's worse to finish than to start all over and never let it lie
And as long as I can feel you holding on
I won't fall, even if you said I was wrong
I know that I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?
Blaine held the other boy's gaze as he took the next verse;
When you're caught in a lie and you've got nothing to hide
When you've got nowhere to run and you've got nothing inside
It tears right through me, you thought that you knew me
You thought that you knew
Kurt took a breath and joined Blaine once more.
I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my personality?
I'm not perfect, but I keep trying
Cause that's what I said I would do from the start
I'm not alive if I'm lonely, so please don't leave
Was it something I said or just my, just myself
Just myself, myself, just myself
I'm not perfect, but I keep trying.
The two singers stared at each other, trying to recover their breaths. Blue eyes held the hazel and the world disappeared.
Wes and David bumped fists under the piano and snuck out the door unnoticed.
Kurt took a deep breath, "Blaine-"
"Kurt-" Blaine started at the same time.
They laughed awkwardly.
"Listen, Blaine, I'd like to apologize for flipping out on you the other day." Kurt sighed, "I was just having a bad day and... it got the better of me. I'm really sorry."
Blaine grinned a little. "Same goes for me Kurt, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that." He shook his head. "We caught each other at the worst possible moment. I am sorry."
Kurt smiled in relief.
"You had a point though," Blaine continued "Without a proper teacher leading us, we just govern ourselves the best we know how, and it's not always fair to everyone."
"I really shouldn't have said those things," Kurt said remorsefully "Of course there can't be complete equality if you have to look after yourselves. The only reason New Directions was treated equally was because Mr. Shue was in charge; no one student had to be the leader." Kurt smirked as he thought of Rachel. "Not that some didn't try."
"I feel really bad about it, Kurt. Can you forgive me?"
Kurt quirked an eyebrow playfully, "Only if you can forgive me."
Blaine grinned and pulled the younger boy in for a quick hug. As he released him, he asked, "What had you so upset, anyway?"
"Oh," Kurt groaned "I got the news that my old Glee Club probably won't be able to compete at Regionals; they don't have enough members."
Blaine seemed to read his mind; "Hey, it's not your fault, you weren't safe there."
Kurt sighed. "I know, and they've told me the same thing. It's just... it means so much to all of them, and our club's not cool like yours, it's impossible to get people to join; Glee is social suicide at McKinley. On top of that, our school doesn't have a huge budget; if we don't bring home trophies, they've threatened to cut the club."
Blaine noticed Kurt's unconscious use of 'our' and 'your', realizing with a pang that Kurt still felt like an outsider deep down.
"Hey," he put a hand on Kurt's shoulder "don't worry about it too much; they'll be fine."
Kurt nodded, trying to convince himself. He looked up at Blaine, "And what was bothering you that day?"
"Nothing." Blaine whispered, looking away.
Kurt raised his eyebrows. "It doesn't seem like nothing."
"I can't talk about it right now, I uh, gotta get an essay done." He gave the other boy a pained smile. "I'll see you later Kurt."
.
.
The day of the Warbler's solo competition rolled around. It was an unusual experience to hear each boy sing alone, but they all had something special, and the Warblers cheered each other on as they learned more about the unique voices around them.
Blaine was the 5th singer drawn out of the "hat". He walked up to the front of the room, guitar in hand, settled himself on a stool, and plucked out the opening notes.
When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
Blaine raised his head from his guitar and gazed at Kurt.
I'm on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Kurt's breathing hitched a little. Blaine's voice was perfect for the song, and Kurt knew the dark-haired boy was telling him something.
When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
Kurt smiled back at Blaine.
I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
The Warblers applauded as Blaine strummed the last chord.
"Thank you, Blaine," one of the senior council members said. "Kurt, you're up next."
Kurt made his way to the front, slightly nervous of what the Warblers would think of his song choice. It wasn't his usual style, but after his duet with Blaine, he'd had Hedley on a loop. Kurt nodded to Wes, who was playing the piano again.
Kurt took a deep breath and looked straight at Blaine.
Some say love is not for sinners
I believe that isn't true
'Cause when I was finished sinning
Love came down and showed me you
And you told me how to get there
So I tried to find a way
Then I ran into your garden
But I tripped out the gate
I tripped out the gate
What are you doing to me?
I'm so into you
And the hardest part is knowing
That I'll never follow through
You're slowly killing me
And I wish it wasn't true
Cause I'm so into you
David nudged Wes, whispering, "See? He's confessing he likes him but he's too shy to do anything about it!"
"David, shut up!" hissed Wes.
Like a ton of bricks it hit me
And woke me from this dream
No matter how hard I tried to wash my hands
I could never get 'em clean
I could never get 'em clean
What are you doing to me?
I'm so into you
And the hardest part is knowing
That I'll never follow through
You're slowly killing me
And I wish it wasn't true
Cause I'm so into you
Can you hear me?
Cuz I can't change what I'll always be
What are you doing to me?
I'm so into you
And the hardest part is knowing
That I'll never follow through
You're slowly killing me
And I wish it wasn't true
Cause I'm so into you
Cause I'm so into you
I'm so into you
Kurt was met with whoops and applause. "Thank you, Kurt. It's nice to see you step outside the Broadway and try something a little different." the council member stated before announcing the next competitor.
Between contenders 8 and 9, Blaine's phone buzzed. Kurt glanced sideways and saw the other boy's face turn white as he looked at the screen. Without a word he rose and walked quickly out the door, bringing the phone to his ear. Kurt stared after him, wondering if he should follow. He shot a concerned glance at David, who just shrugged his shoulders, while Wes called the singer up.
Blaine didn't return by the time Warbler's was over, and was not in his room when his friends checked.
"He didn't look good;" worried Kurt, "we should try to find him."
Wes and David exchanged a look. "OK, you check the upper floors, we'll sweep the lower ones."
Kurt nodded and began climbing the stairs. Wes and David looked at each other. They knew where Blaine would be. The pair went back to their room to wait with the comfort of snacks.
.
.
The countertenor wandered the upper floors for a while with no sign of his friend. Kurt turned down a rarely-used hall way.
Blaine was leaning against a window, forehead pressed against the cold glass, eyes closed. He was breathing deeply in and out, looking very much like he was struggling to keep control of himself.
Kurt approached the other boy slowly. "Blaine?" he whispered.
Blaine rolled his cheek against the glass, not opening his eyes.
Kurt touched the older boy on the arm, "Blaine? What's wrong?"
The dark haired boy opened his eyes and clenched onto the windowsill, trying to keep his voice from shaking "It's my older sister, Marie."
"I didn't know you had a sister," Kurt murmured.
"We've always been pretty close, in spite of the age difference. She's been the most accepting of me in my family. She always found time to talk... even though she was in fourth-year University..."
"Was?" Kurt whispered.
"She's in the hospital now;" Blaine closed his eyes again, inhaling "something's wrong with her liver... it's shutting down on her." Blaine breathed out. "This last week...she's not doing well."
Kurt felt his throat closing up. "Oh, Blaine," he whispered.
"The doctors were blunt: for someone in her condition, survival rates aren't high, and the waiting lists for transplants are long." Blaine let out a shuddering breath and bit down hard on his lip, clearly trying to keep it together.
Kurt sighed and looked into Blaine's eyes "Why didn't you just tell me?"
Blaine looked away. "I figured you had enough to worry about with fitting into a new school, being unhappy in the Warblers-"
Kurt opened his mouth to protest-
"You are! I can tell Kurt, even with the new arrangements; you still miss your old Glee Club."
Kurt kicked himself mentally for letting his dissatisfaction show.
"Kurt, you go through so much. I just didn't want to burden you with my troubles as well."
Kurt shook his head incredulously. "Blaine, you have been such a good friend to me; you helped me with the Karofsky thing-" Blaine grimaced; he still didn't like hearing about Karofsky. "you've made me feel welcome at Dalton, and most of all you're always there when I need someone" Kurt reached out for Blaine's other arm, and continued softly, "and I promise I'll always be here for you. You don't have to go through this alone, Blaine, just talk to me." Kurt's eyes held Blaine's as they started to well up.
"It's just- I- I'm really worried about her, Kurt," Blaine whispered brokenly.
Kurt stepped forward and pulled the older boy into a hug. Blaine drew in a shaky breath as he wrapped his arms around Kurt and buried his face in Kurt's shoulder. Blaine began to cry silently, shuddering against Kurt. The younger boy realized how much it pained him to see Blaine hurting.
Blaine lifted his head slightly, "I'm going to get your blazer all wet." he mumbled apologetically and for the first time, Kurt couldn't care less about his clothes.
"Hey," murmured Kurt, "if you need to cry, just cry, it's ok."
At Kurt's words, everything Blaine had been holding inside over the past week just spilled over. He broke down and sobbed quietly against Kurt's shoulder. "It's ok," the countertenor whispered, holding the other tight. "It's ok..."
Kurt closed his eyes and rested his head against Blaine's and the two boys just stood there holding onto each other for a very long time.
Songs:
Hedley- Perfect: www (dot) youtube (dot) com/watch?v=-nBU9VR2X5g
Simon and Garfunkel- Bridge over Troubled Water: www (dot) youtube (dot) com/watch?v=GYKJuDxYr3I&feature=related (In my head I can head Darren's voice singing this song and it sounds perfect.)
Hedley- Trip: http:/ www (dot) youtube (dot) com/watch?v=2BXu-puOA4k&ob=av2el
Note-lets:
-sorry for the angst-attack. *surprise!angst kitten leaps out and bites you*
-I didn't intend to feature so much Hedley, but the songs just seemed to fit.
-I know Wes doesn't play the piano in canon Glee, but he just seems like a piano-player to me.
-Wow, upon reviewing, I noticed there was a lot of deep breathing in this chapter. It's like a yoga class up in here.