A/N: I don't know where this came from, this was not supposed to happen but it just did. Not my best chapter and I'm sorry for the wait, I'm really lacking motivation to write lately. Got kind of angsty? But nothing too bad. Enjoy!
The next day, they're both fully recovered. The night had left Kurt with a renewed vow to never drink again, and he felt that, if anything, the whole experience had only brought himself and Blaine closer together.
Blaine was insistent on taking Kurt shopping, something they surprisingly hadn't done yet, and he seemed slightly shocked when Kurt wasn't as enthusiastic. It was clear to everyone who knew him that fashion was something Kurt was passionate about; but that didn't mean he couldafford the clothes he wanted in the shops on Fifth Avenue. He explained this to Blaine, not giving away any of his secrets of how he actually came to own so much designer clothing - mainly secret sales, online deals, and a fabulous eye for bargains. But when Blaine began to pout Kurt couldn't say no.
Which is how he finds himself staring in awe at all of the amazing clothes in front of him. He's already decided that he wants everything - fashion has no gender- and that this is definitely the worst kind of torture. He recognizes some of the items from reblogging them on Tumblr, and when he'd checked, they weren't available yet in the places he usually looks, and he just really, really wants them.
"Hello, do you need any help?" Kurt reluctantly tears his eyes away from the gorgeous polka dot shirt that would look fabulous with his grey plaid pants, and turns to see an attractive woman, maybe in her early-thirties, smiling sweetly at him. Kurt would usually hate being harassed by staff when he was shopping, but this was Gucci.
"Patricia?" Blaine says from behind him - and it's not like he'd forgotten Blaine was there, he'd just been... distracted.
"Blaine! Darling!" Patricia all but shouts, running toward Blaine on the tip of her heels to hug him. "It's been so long!"
Blaine doesn't reply until she's pulled back and Kurt watches, amused. "I'm sorry about that. Oh, and this is my boyfriend, Kurt."
A second later Kurt is enveloped in a hug just like Blaine's.
"We have so much to catch up on, Mr.," Patricia says, wiggling her finger in Blaine's face.
"Of course, and we shall, while Kurt shops," Blaine replies.
"Oh, no. I could never afford any of this," Kurt protests.
"Go and get whatever you like," Blaine says seriously. "My mom gets like a huge discount here and it's all going on her tab anyway. I don't take enough advantage of it, go."
Blaine looks at Kurt; eyes daring him to turn down such an amazing offer. And it is amazing, but Kurt could never accept. "I-I couldn't do that, I wouldn't be comfortable with that," he weakly argues.
"How about you go and have a look around while I talk to Patricia and if you can actually leave all of these amazing clothes behind, then, well, we'll see what happens, okay?"
His resolve crumbles more and more with every item he sees. Everything is so gorgeous, and it would be so easy - but he could ever let Blaine do that for him. Kurt almost lets out a whimper as he sets his eyes on a beautiful black and red bag that would be perfect for NYADA. Biting his lip, he slowly walks closer, falling in love more and more every second. Cursing how weak he is, he spots a mirror and gently picks up the bag with care and places it over his shoulder.
"Wow, that looks fabulous." Another employee walks towards him, stopping just a few feet away. He's not much taller than Kurt himself, with neatly styled blonde hair and a lovely smile. "Do you need any help?" he asks sweetly.
"Oh, no, no, I was just looking," Kurt says, quickly placing the bag back where he got it from.
"It would be a crime if you did not own that bag. It looks better on you than it does on the model." The guy winks and walks closer to Kurt, and Kurt instinctively takes a step back, his cheeks heating up.
"U-um," he stutters out, "I-I couldn't afford it," he offers lamely.
"I'm sorry, where are my manners. I'm Eric, and that is such a shame." Eric's smile turns into a smirk and Kurt's eyes flicker back to the bag.
"A terrible shame," he mutters mournfully, distracted once again by the beautiful item.
Eric steps to the side of him and picks up the bag and holds it in front of him. "You know, I get a great discount working here and maybe we could work something out if you would like to give me your -"
Suddenly, a protective arm wraps around his waist, making Kurt jump.
"Eric." Blaine's voice is cold, colder than Kurt has ever heard it, effectively cutting the boy off mid-sentence.
Eric's body stiffens. "Blaine," he says, his jaw clenched.
They stare at each other for a long moment, the atmosphere almost unbearable until Kurt clears his throat.
Blaine turns to smile at him apologetically before addressing Eric again, "I see you've met my boyfriend, Kurt."
Eric's face morphs into a sickly sweet smile, obviously forced. "Of course, I was just showing him this lovely bag that looks amazing on him."
"Hmm, I'm sure it does. Kurt looks amazing in everything."
Kurt is just about to interrupt and remind the two boys that he is actually here, but Blaine carries on talking.
"We'll take it."
Before Kurt even gets the chance to protest, Blaine snatches the bag out of Eric's hand and heads towards the register, dragging Kurt along with him. Kurt watches in shock as Blaine kindly converses with the sales person behind the desk, explaining who he is and handing her a card. He still can't find his voice as the woman wraps up the purchase neatly and hands it back to Blaine.
Blaine searches for his hand and leads him towards the exit. He can feel Eric's eyes following them, and he doesn't miss the look that Blaine gives him as he squeezes Kurt's hand.
"Goodbye, dears," Patricia calls as they leave the shop. Blaine waves and smiles and Kurt offers a halfhearted "goodbye" back.
"So, where to next? I was thinking we could get some coffee, unless you want to carry on shopping?" Blaine asks once they're outside, and Kurt is once again lost for words. Is Blaine seriously going to act like none of that just happened?
Kurt quietly huffs, snatching his hand from Blaine's, and carries on walking. He doesn't want to make a scene in the middle of Fifth.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Blaine asks softly, struggling to keep up with Kurt's quick pace.
"How can you even ask me that?" Kurt whispers harshly. "Can we please just go back to your apartment?" He doesn't know if Blaine looks so hurt because of his tone or because this is the first time Kurt has referred to his apartment as anything other than 'home'.
"Sure, okay," Blaine says quietly, looking a little lost, but Kurt refuses to feel guilty; his mood is justified by whatever the hell it was he just witnessed in there.
The cab ride back is stifling. Kurt sits in a quiet rage, becoming madder every time he thinks about the way Blaine had acted in the store; Blaine sits awkwardly next to him, quickly realizing his attempts of small talk are not going to be acknowledged.
"What the hell was that?" Kurt almost explodes once they make it back to the apartment. Maybe he's worked himself up a little bit too much, but he did not appreciate being treated like that one little bit.
"What was what?" And Kurt doesn't know if Blaine is honesty oblivious or just playing dumb.
"I'm-I'm not just some, thing you get to decide everything for!"
"Kurt what - what are you talking about?"
"I told you I wasn't comfortable with you buying things for me, and yet you don't even ask me before you get all macho and protective and buy the damn bag for me anyway." Kurt tries to keep his voice even, not too loud, but he's frustrated and it's proving difficult. "I reiterate - what the hell was that?"
Blaine suddenly looks guilty; he looks away from Kurt and bites his lip. "I... I'm sorry, I just -" Blaine breaks off, sighing and Kurt feels the fight leave him at seeing how small his boyfriend looks right now. "I just, I really, really hate that guy," Blaine continues, and Kurt can see his hands clenching into fists. "And I couldn't just stand there and watch him flirt with you like that."
Now it's Kurt's turn to act confused. "Wait, what?"
Blaine finally makes eye contact again. "What? You can't tell me you didn't know he was coming on to you, Kurt." Kurt thinks and shakes his head, maybe Eric had been a little over friendly, but his attention was more on the bag than anything else. "Well, he was. And who can blame him? You're absolutely gorgeous, and I... I got jealous," Blaine admits in a small voice.
Kurt has to bite his lip to keep the laugh that's bubbling up inside him from escaping. The whole situation is ridiculous, but Blaine looks so insecure.
"You silly, silly, boy," Kurt says, his grin growing wider as he steps towards Blaine. "You have no reason at all to be jealous. Why would I even look twice at someone like that when I have you?"
Blaine huffs out a laugh. "I'm sorry."
"I didn't like the way you handled that at all, though," Kurt admits, reaching for Blaine's hand.
"I know, I'm sorry. I didn't even realize. Fuck - I was a jerk, wasn't I? I can't stand Eric and seeing him like that with you. I love you, I'm stupid, I'm sorry. Will you ever be able to forgive me?"
"We still need to talk about this properly, but of course. I love you, too."