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I know many of you didn't exactly appreciate Sebastian's appearance in the last couple of chapters, but Klaine is back in this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, nor do I own anything you may recognize.
It was a beautiful afternoon in Central Park. The air was chilly, but it was a rare day in the cold New York winter in which the sun appeared. Couples and families were taking advantage of the clear day and several could be spotted strolling around the many paths in the park. The Starbucks across from the park was bustling with life, every second the door opening with a 'ding' signaling the arrival of a new customer. For everyone, it was just another normal business day. It was also the afternoon that Kurt and Blaine had agreed to meet up.
Kurt was beyond nervous. He knew he owned Blaine an explanation for his recent behavior, though he had no idea where to start from. He spent weeks trying to figure out what he should tell Blaine, and yet had come up with nothing. He showed up a few minutes early, getting in line and ordering coffee for them both. He hoped having some caffeine in him would ease the tension and nervousness he was feeling at meeting Blaine. He knew he shouldn't have shut him out, especially after the talk they had in Ohio over Thanksgiving, but he needed time to collect his thoughts and think about what he – they – was doing. His talk with Wes and David the previous day had stuck with him, they had accepted without so much as battling an eyelash. He saw that Blaine acted as if he was okay with everything Kurt told him, but he knew the man; he knew that Blaine was hurt that he had hid that fact from him. Even if he told no one else, he should have told Blaine. The curly-haired man deserved to have known about him and Sebastian before everyone else, and not find out from at the same time as the others or worse, through their friends. And if nothing had happened, that was what would have happened. Thinking like this, Kurt felt like a crappy friend. Even though they weren't exactly on speaking terms, they had still shared eight, almost nine years together, and, that alone, should be reason enough for Kurt to have told Blaine when things became serious. But that was in the past now. And he would have to listen to what Blaine had to say, and they would have to decide where to go from there.
Blaine arrived a couple minutes late, immediately spotting Kurt in a corner table right as he entered the shop. He looked a bit down, curls tamed but still a bit messed. The designer looked up when he entered and gestured to the second cup of coffee in front of him. Blaine's face lit up in a smile when Kurt spotted him, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. He nodded in thanks and walked towards the table, running his hand through his curls in a fashion Kurt knew he only did when nervous or anxious about something, before sitting down in the chair opposite Kurt.
"Hey." Was all Kurt said in greeting, allowing a small smile grace his features.
The shorter of the two looked at Kurt and saw he was a bit thinner and had a few faint purple marks under his eyes that were slightly red rimmed. His hair was less put together than normal, but that could be crossed off as style, and his outfit was still impeccable. To any outsider Kurt Hummel would look as fabulous as ever, but Blaine knew better, and he knew Kurt was probably still having a hard time, struggling with the memories, and dealing with it all.
"Hi Kurt. How have you been? You don't look too well." Blaine took a sip of his coffee slowly savoring the warm liquid, humming contentedly when he felt medium drip warm his taste buds. He looked at his former partner in concern, a questioning look in his eyes.
Kurt just shrugged, not bothering to cover up and slip into false mode. "I'm okay, I guess. I had a rough night, that's all. Wes and David called yesterday to check up on me and I ended up telling them everything."
Blaine fought the urge to drop his head to the table. "God, what did those two say? I promise I didn't tell them a word of what you told me. I was feeling a bit down these last few weeks and they cornered me at work yesterday. All I told them was that some things we talked about in Ohio were kind of a difficult to discuss, and the consequences weren't great either, but I promise I never breathed a word of what you confided in me to them. And I only told them because they kept insisting and wouldn't leave me alone otherwise."
Kurt looked on, sipping quietly his coffee, waiting for Blaine to stop talking. Once he was done, Kurt placed his coffee back down and raised a perfect sculpted eyebrow at Blaine.
"Blaine? Shut up. I know you won't tell anyone. I trust you. And they are your friends. I trust them too. You rely on them for everything, I wouldn't have been mad if you had told them. But they called because apparently they were worried about me, since I seemingly disappeared from everyone's radars. They sensed something was up, and they weren't wrong. I know I'll have to tell all of you eventually about Bas, so I guess yesterday was as good as any day to tell them."
Blaine nodded and looked at Kurt closely. "Are you okay though? You seemed pretty devastated when you told me about him…you could hardly finish your story. I can't imagine you opening about it again without breaking down."
Kurt nodded, taking another sip from his coffee. "Yeah, I'm okay. I did have a breakdown, I think I left them staring blankly at the computer screen for a good ten minutes before I composed myself enough to finish talking to them, but that was expected. Turned out I didn't have to utter those words in the end. I think they put everything together and figured out themselves what happened. I really don't know why I was so afraid about telling you all. They both took the news well, they were extremely supportive." Blaine nodded, knowing that Wes and David truly considered Kurt a friend, and would support him no matter what, and Kurt continued talking. "But I'm as well as can be expected today. I can't let myself dwell in it too much every time I either speak or think about it. It was easier this time, although it still hurt to think about it. I think what made it hard the first time with you, was that it really was the first time I talked about it, with anyone."
Blaine nodded, not knowing what to say and they finished their drinks, sitting there in silence, a slightly awkward atmosphere hanging around them. After their drinks were finished they each got a refill, Blaine insisting on paying for both their coffees this time and headed out towards the park. They strolled around in a leisure pace for a few minutes in silence, basking in the contrast of the warm sun and chilly wind, before Blaine finally broke the silence.
"Can I ask you something?" Kurt glanced at him and motioned for him to continue. "When would you have told me about Sebastian if I hadn't felt the chain around your neck that night? What would have happened that night if circumstances were different?"
Glancing around, looking anywhere but Blaine's eyes, Kurt sighed. "I seriously don't know. I would have told you about him eventually, that's for sure, but I have no idea when I would have gathered the courage to do so. It was hard enough for me to do so that night. As for what would have happened that night, if things hadn't gone awry, I think it's pretty obvious. We were slow dancing, caught in the moment, a spark was there between us."
Kurt paused when Blaine whispered a quiet "I felt it too."
He finally looked back at Blaine. "It wouldn't have taken much more for us to something about it." He said softly, his tone indicating that he knew what could have happened and that he was glad nothing had.
"It was certainly something I was thinking about; whether or not I should take the chance and kiss you right there or not." Blaine admitted quietly. Kurt nodded silently, a bit sadly, understanding.
"Tell me what you were really thinking that night, please? No sugar coating, no leaving details out, just the plain truth?" Kurt requested softy after a while.
Blaine sighed and nodded, agreeing. He took a moment to collect his thoughts and frowned. "You already know what my first thoughts on the matter were. Sorry for the outburst, by the way."
Kurt dismissed it. "You had reasons for it. What I did, keeping the truth from you, was inexcusable." He shuffled nervously and Blaine cleared his throat to continue speaking, shaking his head to let Kurt know it was okay.
"I really don't know what to say here, Kurt. Was I affected by what you told me? Of course I was. I don't know if there really is a protocol to follow when you find out the person you spent at least eight years of your life loving suddenly tells you that he was happily engaged to another person. Was I shocked when I saw the ring? Beyond shocked. At first I thought you were still engaged or in a committed relationship while we were both kind of flirting with each other. After the initial shock, came the sadness. I mean, of course I was happy that you had found happiness again, like I told you I hoped you would, but I think a part of me will always feel a pang of pain whenever I receive news that you've moved on. And as for the most part, I think I was just hurt you didn't tell me, and sorry that you had to go through all that alone. No one deserves to grieve in solitude."
Blaine stopped and looked at Kurt, who already had tears streaming down his face. "I'll be honest with you, Kurt. I never forgot all our memories of our time together. Those years we spent loving and supporting each other are still the best years of my life. I did, and still do, regret letting us fall apart. But never once did I wish you anything but happiness. Your happiness was always on my top-priority list. So if Sebastian made you happy, I'm glad you had him. And now, I hope I can be someone you can rely on always, and perhaps bring color and happiness back into your life."
Kurt sniffed and the heartfelt words Blaine had just said. He knew that he hadn't taken the news lightly, just like he knew Blaine wasn't telling the whole truth.
"Blaine. Wes and David said you were upset and not yourself these past weeks. And I can see there is something else you are not letting on. What is it? Don't hold anything back, please?"
Blaine sighed. "It's just that after we talked in the park that day I was hoping that we could talk about giving us one more shot. I was actually going to breach the topic that night, while we were slow dancing. Kiss you, see how you would respond, and see where things went from there. But judging from all you've told me and all the emotions you've showed, I can see that you are still grieving Sebastian, and that you still love him, and are in no way ready to move on. It just hit me, you know? My hopes were high and they suddenly got crushed. Don't take this the wrong way; I don't blame you at all. I understand you are going through a hard time, and will need time to recover. But it still hurts."
The glasz eyed man could see in Blaine's eyes that he was being sincere. He nodded and opened his mouth to speak.
"I'm so sorry, B. I guess I did lead you on a little, but I think I was just caught up in the moment and old memories. But, you are right. I'm not ready to move on, and I don't know when I'll be. So, please, don't keep on waiting. I still love Sebastian, Blaine. The same way a part of me will always love you, he will always be with me and I think it will always hurt for me to think about what happened. And while I really feel at home with you, it really is still too soon for me to think about being with someone else." He paused and took a deep breath.
"I want this Blaine. I've always wanted this, and I've never wanted us to end the way we did. But I don't want to hurt you more than I've already have, and I won't let you be a rebound. If we ever get back together, it has to be when I'm sure I'm ready to take that step, without feeling guilty or anything about moving on. And I'm saying if, and not when, because I can't know if the day will ever come. It took me over a year to even think about moving on from you. It may take me even longer to move on from Bas. And it's not fair of me to ask you to wait. All I want is for you to be happy; I want you to have someone to share your life with. So if you find someone tomorrow, or tonight, someone that will make you happy and love you the way you deserve to be loved, go after him. Don't hold back on your happiness on my account."
Kurt was now holding onto both sides of Blaine's face looking deep into his hazel eyes willing the man to understand what he was saying, glasz boring into hazel. Blaine leaned into the touch and smiled softly and sadly in return.
"What if I already found this someone?" He asked quietly, eyes showing an intensity that let Kurt knew who he was talking about.
"If that is the case, I'll have to ask you to wait. I already warned you that I don't know when I'll be ready for anything more than friendship." Kurt answered sadly, swallowing down tears and looking away.
Blaine grabbed the baby soft hand touching his cheek and kept it there.
"I still love you, Kurt. I never stopped loving you. I won't give up on you, now that I have you again. I'll wait forever if that's what it will take." Blaine took the hand he was holding gently and lifted it to his lips pressing a soft, reassuring kiss; the kiss speaking everything he couldn't put in words.
Kurt wiped away tears, feeling overcome by emotions, and glanced back at Blaine, his expressive eyes boring into Blaine's own.
"I promise I'll let you know when I'm ready for more. But regardless of what happens, promise me you will always be my best friend? I don't think I could live with myself if I let you float away again."
Blaine laughed and pulled Kurt into a firm hug. "Of course, dummy. You will always be my best friend, regardless of what happens. I'm not letting you go again so easily. I'm afraid you are stuck with me, forever."
Kurt smiled into Blaine's curls, breathing him in. "I think I can live with that, B."
They stood there for a while longer, before deciding the day was too beautiful to waste indoors, and kept walking around the park, talking about trivial things and everyday life for a couple of hours more, enjoying being in each other's company with no barriers in between.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
FGT - Famous Gossip Today
What famous figure was seen hugging a former love? Here on FGT you get the scoop of it all.
Fashion designer Kurt Hummel, 31, was spotted in Central Park this afternoon walking around and getting cozy with who we believe is his ex-boyfriend, former hit singer and now music producer Blaine Anderson, designer is known for his secrecy regarding his personal life, not having been romantically with anyone since before he left the States for a five year run in Paris, France – his last known relationship being Anderson himself.
Hummel and Anderson dated for years, ever since high-school, but they never flaunted their relationship out to the world, never mentioning it on interviews, and they have never outright confirmed it. No one knows for sure what happened, or when it happened, but we do know that the two called it quits sometime before Hummel left for Paris.
Sources say the pair strolled around Central Park talking freely and intimately for hours. Are the ex-couple reuniting and reigniting former flames? Is the world-famous designer, featured among the 20 sexiest men alive, and among the 50 most influential figures, off the market once again?
Follow FGT and we will have updates soon!
(AN: I want to apologize on my huge delay in updating this story. I am very displeased with how where this story is heading – I feel like I'm going in circles. I have tons of ideas in my head, and the plot is changing itself in my head but I can't seem to make the connection needed between existing chapters and new to change the plot now. I'm currently writing chapter 14 and I have written and re-written that at least 20 times now, and still not happy. I was planning on updating this only when I finished chapter 14, but decided not to let you waiting any longer. My updating schedule will probably slow down considerably, and I won't promise to update this within the month because I'm planning on finishing until chapter 15 before I update. Again, I'm sorry, but I'll finish this story, I promise!)
Once again, thank you all for reading. Let me know what you think of it! And what does the article have anything to do with the rest of the story? Stick around and see!
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Xoxo – Julia