I. Am. So. Sorry.
How long has it been? Jeez, it's been way too long. I have missed you guys all so much, and while I have been uploading other stuff it's not the same. Something's Coming is the story this all started with, and if I hadn't hashed out a plot and written the first few chapters just to see how it went I wouldn't be sat here right now, in my living room at ten to one in the morning writing this A/N. I would probably be starting yet another novel idea in my bid to become a published author before giving it up a few days later and starting another one. Fanfiction has been my one stable (if not slightly delayed at times) writing outlet, and I am just so shocked that all of you want to share that with me. Really, thank you. It means the world to me.
Now I would give you excuses as to why it's taken me nearly three months to update, but really there's no point. The important thing is that I'm finally uploading! *celebration* And hopefully I'll be updating soon (famous last words, much?) because I have Monday and Tuesday off of school *even bigger celebration* which means I can get working on Chapter 35! I might start that now actually...
I wouldn't be surprised if you'd forgotten what's happened so far, so here's a little update: Our boys are living together (yay) and the night before this chapter they celebrated Rachel's birthday.
Again, a thousand apologies for not updating sooner.
Sunday. The day of rest, peace and tranquillity. At least, it would have been for Blaine if he hadn't woken up with a pounding headache and a thorough disdain for any and all sources of light. Squirming under the covers, Blaine attempted to bury himself within the mattress as he prayed to fall back asleep sometime soon. When he couldn't fall asleep, Blaine groaned into his pillow and fisted the sheets. He didn't remember drinking that much, but then again it had been a while since had gotten properly drunk. The last time had been the day Sebastian had gone to Wisconsin, and even through the break up Blaine never felt the need to get inordinately pissed again because he found the comfort he needed in Kurt, not the bottom of the nearest bottle. Peering up at his bedside clock, Blaine whined first of all when the red digits blinded him, and second when he managed to read 9:13. "Too early," Blaine grumbled, curling up into himself as tightly as he could.
That was when he heard distant sounds from the kitchen. He recognised a few as pots and pans being rattled around in the cupboard, and despite the distance it still made him wince. He could hear the fridge door opening and closing, as well as the very faint sounds of things being moved about inside. That was when his foot drifted over to the other side of the bed, and he could just about detect warmth lingering on the sheets: Kurt.
Blaine sat up a lot quicker than he intended to. He was suddenly very wary about Kurt's absence, and in his hungover state it took him a few seconds to link the sounds coming from the kitchen to his boyfriend's side of the bed being empty. When he did so he breathed a sigh of relief, then instantly rolled over and threw up into the bowl Kurt must have placed there either the night before or that morning. He was honestly astounded that Kurt was taking so much care of him, but was even more surprised that his aim was so good considering how absolutely shit he felt.
Kurt came running in a few seconds later, crawling onto the bed behind him and gently rubbing his shoulders. "You okay, babe?" he asked in a quiet, soothing voice, keeping a steady rhythm across Blaine's back. Blaine nodded weakly, but made no attempt to speak in case he threw up again. He was more worried about Kurt seeing him throw up than actually throwing up again, so he decided to focus on applying a steady in-through-the-nose, out-through-the-mouth pace to his breathing. "How's your head?" Kurt chuckled softly when all Blaine did was groan into his pillow. "You see, this is why I didn't get drunk last night; getting drunk gives you hangovers!"
Blaine rolled over and, in the clearest voice he had all morning, declared, "Drinking does not give you hangovers, Kurt, waking up the next morning does." And with that he rolled back over onto his front, face buried deep into the pillows. Kurt gently rubbed his back and rose from the bed with a chuckle.
"Well, either way, you have a hangover, Blaine. You also have a performance this afternoon, and Sue will kill you if you turn up like this." He retrieved the bowl from Blaine's side of the bed and disappeared out of the room. He returned a few minutes later and sat back on the bed, his fingers gently stroking Blaine's soft curls as he began to hum a melodic tune under his breath. Even though Blaine didn't know the song – or if it was even a song in the first place – the sounds helped to soothe him and his pounding head. Kurt seemed to sense this as he sang for another five minutes, the tune changing and never repeating, but still keeping a strange familiarity with each note. "You need to have a shower," Kurt finally said, his fingers dancing across the nape of Blaine's neck. "It'll help you to feel better."
"If I move I'll be sick," Blaine moaned into his pillow. Kurt smiled softly as he gazed down at his boyfriend, recalling from personal experience how it felt to be hungover.
"If you don't shower, I'll be sick," Kurt replied. "You stink of alcohol, Blaine."
"Gee, thanks," Kurt smirked at the sarcasm in Blaine's voice. Blaine rolled over to face him, Kurt's hand moving back up to stroke his curls as he did so. "Thank you," he said quietly.
Kurt frowned slightly, tilting his head to one side. "What for?"
"Looking after me," Blaine answered with a smile, feeling a swooping sensation in his chest when Kurt blushed and tried to hide his smile, modest as he was; Kurt was so adorable when he did that.
"Anytime," Kurt returned with a smile. Blaine couldn't help but stare when Kurt smiled at him, memorising every inch of his face and the love it projected towards him, just hoping that Kurt could feel how much he loved him in return. Reaching out, Blaine took Kurt's other hand in his from where it had been resting on Kurt's leg. Kurt smiled down at the gesture and Blaine noticed how Kurt still blushed at his small signs of affection. Blaine wasn't going to let himself get emotional over this, because he didn't need Kurt to know that he hadn't felt this loved since before he came out to his parents, but he needed Kurt to know that he appreciated everything Kurt did for him.
"I love you," Blaine murmured, squeezing Kurt's hand. Kurt, without breaking eye contact, lifted Blaine's hand to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss.
"I love you, too," He whispered when his lips were free. They sat there together; each of them gazing at the other in a moment of pure bliss, where the outside world melted away and they were left, just the two of them, on Blaine's bed.
Blaine got up not long later, stumbling to the bathroom and declaring to Kurt that there was no amount of money in the world that could make him drink ever again. Kurt laughed at his announcement from the kitchen, waiting until he heard the running of the shower before he turned back to his phone which had just buzzed on the kitchen countertop. He opened his most recent text message and smiled.
Still on for this evening? Xxxx
He typed out his reply and pressed 'send' before turning back to the food he had gotten out earlier, ready to make Blaine some breakfast for him to eat after his shower.
Can't wait :) I'll head on over after Blaine leaves for work xxxx
The hot water of the shower revitalised Blaine, and although he was exactly dancing through the halls he was a lot cheerier by the time he arrived at work that afternoon. He had an hour until curtain call and so, as he made his way to his dressing room, he reflected on the afternoon he'd had with Kurt.
When Blaine had returned to his bedroom after his shower, a clean, casual outfit consisting of jeans, polo shirt and a cardigan was laid out on his bed. Kurt had already laid out breakfast for him by the time he reached the kitchen, the two of them sitting opposite each other at the table as Blaine ate and occasionally fed Kurt despite the teacher's protests he had already eaten. They spent most of the morning lazing in the living room, the TV on a comfortable volume that made it possible for Blaine to doze off most of his hangover. Over the course of several hours, he had awoken to Kurt grading papers, Kurt watching TV, Kurt reading and finally Kurt dozing too. Kurt woke up not much later and, after Blaine promising he was feeling much better, shared a few lazy kisses as they lay tangled up together on the sofa, the TV forgotten about across the room. They went out for lunch after one o'clock after Kurt declared that he shouldn't have to cook on Sundays, and it was quiet, peaceful and relaxed. They'd returned to the apartment just after half past four and so Kurt made them coffee which they sat and drank in the living room, Kurt sat on one end of the sofa and Blaine at the other, their legs tangled together between them until Blaine had to leave for work. Blaine smiled as the whole day replayed in his mind over and over and he wondered what Kurt was up to now. He knew that Kurt was going out that afternoon, but wasn't exactly sure when.
He waved 'hello' to the other actors and actresses as they wandered through the halls, some just arriving and some – like Richard and Wes – trying to find someone to annoy. Quinn and Sunshine both greeted him with a smile, while Brittany opted for a hug as she made her way to Santana's dressing room. Blaine was just about to open his door when a voice to his right stopped him.
"Hey, Blaine," Blaine looked up and froze. The sight before him wasn't what he'd expected to see when he'd gotten to work that day, nor was it a sight that he'd expected to see for a long while to come yet.
"Hey yourself," Blaine took a cautious step forward, unable to hold back his grin. It was either that or tears, and he didn't really want to cry right now. His step forward was scoffed at, and Blaine stumbled as he was pulled into a tight hug, arms around him holding him close.
Kurt pushed the door open to the café and frantically looked about the store. There was a slight chill in the April air and he had the unwavering feeling that it might rain by the end of the day, and so the warmth of the establishment was incredibly welcome, the smell of coffee and freshly baked pastries even more so. Scanning the tables Kurt unwound his scarf from his neck until finally his eyes landed on the table whose occupant he was looking for.
Kurt wound his way through the tables until he reached his desired target, sitting down across the table from her as he decided on his order.
"Hello, you," Kurt looked up to the girl across from him, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders and her warm smile somehow managing to light the room even further. Kurt felt himself instantly relax into his chair, wondering how he didn't spend more time with the woman opposite him: it really was a crime against their friendship.
"Hey Tina," Kurt returned her smile, reaching a hand across the table to squeeze hers. He really cared for her, and they had been close friends from the moment they'd met as teachers-in-training. Tina had been quiet then, and although it had taken her a while to warm up to Rachel she had immediately clicked with Kurt. He'd let her talk in her own time and listened to her when she did so, and he often assured her not to worry about Rachel's diva-moments when the young Asian girl was left fearing for her life in the first few weeks.
And so it was a shock to him when he realised they spent little time together outside of NYADA's buildings, a shock caused when he overheard Tina telling Rory about what she had done over her Christmas holidays and Kurt had had no idea, whereas he had known Rachel's schedule backwards two weeks before the holidays. When Kurt got the chance to talk to her about it a week later, both of them expressed how much they missed their old friendship and agreed to take more care to see each other more often. They had nearly cancelled this rendezvous as both of them had attended Rachel's party the night before, but given that they hadn't really been able to talk much it seemed logical for them to still meet up on the Sunday.
"How's Blaine doing today?" The Asian girl asked with a giggle. She had seen the beginnings of Blaine getting drunk the night before, and Kurt thanked every lucky star in existence that no-one had seen him at his most intoxicated.
"He's okay," Kurt began with a smile, a few giggles escaping when Tina gave him an 'oh really?' look. "No, he's fine. It took a little nursing on my part this morning, but it really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Blaine just seems to be able to handle hangovers." Kurt finished with a shrug, noticing a waitress coming their way in the corner of his eye.
"He can't handle his drink, though," Tina teased, taking a sip of her cappuccino just as the waitress reached their table. Kurt shot her a mock glare before smirking, turning to the waitress to order. Kurt thanked her as she walked away, before directing his gaze back towards his friend who was still smirking into her coffee.
"And Mike's so fantastic at that, isn't he?" He shot back with a grin. Now the banter was starting.
"Hey! My boyfriend can hold his drink!" Tina exclaimed, maybe a little too loudly for the quaint coffee shop, a few patrons turning to stare at her. She shrank back a little under their gaze but soon returned to her normal state once their heads turned back around. She looked across to Kurt, who was snickering into his hand, and batted his arm in fake agitation. "Mike can handle his drink," She restated, a lot calmer this time.
"Yes, because dancing on Rachel and Finn's dining room table without his shirt on is a very common sign that someone can handle their drink…" Kurt trailed off casually. Tina was about to protest when the same waitress from earlier reappeared, setting down a blueberry muffin and a hot chocolate in front of the chestnut-haired teacher. When Kurt looked back up across the table, Tina was smiling warmly at him again.
"I've missed us hanging out like this, Kurt," She leant across the table to take his hand again, giving it a gentle squeeze before retrieving it to take a sip from her drink. "Hey, have you heard?" she leant forward suddenly and lowered her voice to a whisper, her eyes alight with excitement. Kurt was pulled in immediately.
"Heard what?"
"About Ellis!" Tina exclaimed. She seemed shocked when Kurt replied he knew nothing about the gossip surrounding Jonathan Ellis, NYADA's Practical Acting Professor. He taught some of the acting classes at the Academy, the 'Practical' in his title meaning he had nothing to do with the theory side of theatre studies like Kurt did. It was also why Ellis' lessons were favourable among the more dramatic of the students, whereas Kurt's suited the more academic ones. Kurt and Jonathan met up twice a term to discuss the direction of the course and how the students were progressing, but emails were exchanged everyday between the two teachers on how they could adapt and mould their lessons. Although they worked with the same students, Kurt and Jonathan rarely talked: Jonathan only ever turned up for his lessons and the rest of the time he was off on auditions, the amateur actor that he was. "Well," Tina started, mischievousness dancing in her eyes like those of a child who had found out something they shouldn't have, like where their parents had hidden their Christmas presents. "Rory told me that he overheard Jonathan telling Shelby that he's got a part off-Broadway, which means he'll be leaving NYADA."
Kurt's jaw dropped. Not out of distress at his colleague's departure, but at the idea that Jonathan had gotten a part off-Broadway. It wasn't that he didn't think the man was worthy; because Kurt had seen him act and Jonathan had proved every ounce of his worth, but it had taken him so long and now he was finally getting the career he'd dreamed of that Kurt himself even found it too good to be true. "Wow…" Kurt blinked a few times as the news settled in, his gaze directed at the table but not really seeing. "So- so that means there'll be a new teacher arriving, right? When does Jonathan leave?"
"I'm not sure," Tina informed him, "But yes, I expect Shelby will be holding interviews soon. After his leaving is officially announced, that is." Kurt hummed in agreement, the cogs in his mind already working onto what sort of person he would want to work with after Jonathan. He was a little confused as to how Rory and Tina had found out before he had, Jonathan being his colleague and all, but he was happy for the actor nonetheless. Jonathan was nothing if not dedicated, and his seemingly limitless enthusiasm was incredibly catchy. Kurt would miss working with him, but at the same time he wished only the best for him. "Who do you think could replace him?"
Kurt thought for a while about his answer to Tina's question, picturing all the possible types of people he could who could fill Jonathan's shoes. When none of them seemed to quite fit the picture, he sighed and shook his head as he reached for his hot chocolate. "I have no idea."
Blaine arrived home with a slight urgency in his step, a desperation to find Kurt and tell him about his afternoon driving him forwards. He found Kurt sat up in his own bed intently reading a book, and the scene looked so perfect Blaine didn't want to ruin it by speaking. But Kurt had noticed him and appeared to read until the end of his paragraph before sliding his bookmark into position and closing the book. He smiled up at Blaine and tapped the bed next to him, signalling for his boyfriend to join him in bed, which Blaine eagerly obliged to.
"How was the show?" Kurt asked as Blaine undressed. The teacher placed his book onto the nightstand and turned to Blaine, trying to keep his gaze focused on Blaine's face rather than roving down his body over his defined, muscular chest and arms. It was rather a hard task.
"Oh, you will not believe who I saw at work today!" Blaine proclaimed as he shimmied out of his jeans. Kurt lifted his eyes from Blaine's ass to his face just as the actor turned around, a soft smile on his lips as he shook his head; he had no idea.
"Who?"
"Thad."
Kurt's head shot up from where he'd been rearranging his pillows. "What? I thought he was babysitting?"
Blaine nodded in agreement as he slipped under the covers. "So did I. Turns out his mom wanted to spend some time with the grandkids once she found out Thad was looking after them," He pulled a face; he didn't like Thad's mother much, "Funny that."
"Mm, how coincidental," Kurt murmured. "What did Thad say?"
"Well, first of all he apologised. Again. An apology which is extended to you, too," Blaine laid down and propped himself up facing Kurt, his head resting in his hand. Kurt smirked; Thad had already apologised for his reaction, but it didn't seem to be enough for Blaine's best friend. "And then we chatted for a while… and then he told me he's leaving West Side." Kurt could hear the melancholy tone to Blaine's voice; he and Thad had started West Side Story together, they'd gone through school and survived their teens together, and now Thad was leaving. Kurt gently took Blaine's free hand in his own, rubbing his thumb along the back of it as he listened to Blaine tell the story. "Apparently, he's gotten a lead role in Les Miserables. He's been after that part since we were seventeen and we went to see it on Broadway," Blaine smiled at the memory; Thad had been enthralled by the musical all about the French Revolution – a completely different story to how the boy was in his actual history lessons at school. "God, I'm so proud of him. I'm just going to really miss him."
"Hey, you can still see him," Kurt soothed, shifting closer under the covers. "You guys are best friends, right?" Blaine nodded solemnly. "Right, so it's not like you're going to fall out of touch or anything."
"I know, but I won't see him at work anymore," Blaine sighed, "It won't be the same."
"I know, honey, I know," Kurt pressed a kiss into his boyfriend's hair and held him close. Blaine melted into his touch and snuggled in closer, snaking his arm around Kurt's waist as he did so. They laid together in silence for a while. Blaine tuned into the rhythm of Kurt's heartbeat and Kurt listened to the steady in-out of Blaine breathing, his warm breath against Kurt's chest.
Finally Blaine looked up at his boyfriend, keeping his arms around Kurt and holding him close. "How about you? How was your day?" Kurt smiled as he thought back over his afternoon.
"Well, I met up with Tina just after you left for work. It was really nice, y'know, just the two of us? Over the years, we've been spending less and less time together outside of school, so it was really great to spend some time with her," Blaine hummed in agreement.
"Did you guys do anything fun?"
"Just met up for coffee," Kurt gave a one-shoulder shrug, "Gossip and chitchat, y'know."
"Anything interesting?"
"Actually, now that you mention it, something pretty interesting did come up…"
"Oh?"
"Yeah," Kurt gazed down into Blaine's eyes, open and expectant, already eager to hear the gossip. "Tina told me that Jonathan – you know the actor guy who does the practical side of the course? Well Tina told me he's finally gotten a part off-Broadway and he's going to be leaving NYADA." Blaine's eyebrows almost reached his hairline before dipping back down into a frown.
"So, what does that mean for you?" he asked, "Will you have to teach both sides of the course? Or will there be a replacement?"
"Oh, there'll be a replacement," Kurt assured, "But it might take a while. I might have to teach both sides for a few weeks." He thought for a few seconds. "Or they might get some other actors to come in and take a few lessons each until they find a replacement. I don't know, but I'm sure Shelby will let me know as soon as she figures it out. It still has to be announced that Jonathan is leaving, and after that the job will be advertised." Kurt ran one hand through Blaine's curls and the other held his boyfriend's hand, but his gaze was directed at the bed covers as he thought about what Shelby might decide to do.
"Do you think I could do some?" Blaine's voice threw his train of thought completely off-track. Kurt looked up at his boyfriend who seemed a little anxious, but his eyes were ignited with enthusiasm. Kurt was still confused. "Classes, I mean. I could take some of the classes while they find a replacement." And just like that it clicked in Kurt's mind. Of course! Why hadn't he thought of asking Blaine? It was a brilliant idea; Blaine loved his acting, and Kurt had no doubt he'd enjoy teaching it just as much, and it meant they could see each other during the day, even if only for a few days.
"I don't see why not," Kurt grinned and kissed Blaine on the nose, making the actor smile. "It's a fantastic idea, baby. I'll ask Shelby about it at work tomorrow and we'll see where it goes from there. I don't think it will be until next week, though."
"That's fine," Blaine shrugged. "I want to spend this week with Thad as much as I can before he goes off to Les Mis, if that's okay?"
"Perfectly," Kurt smiled, pulling Blaine in for the kiss he'd been trying to resist since the actor had walked in the door. He still got those intoxicating shivers whenever Blaine's lips met his and each time he wondered if he would ever be able to get enough of it.
And each time he decided that no, he wouldn't.
I think this chapter is more of a filler chapter to be honest :/ Nothing really seems to happen, but hopefully more will be happening soon in the next few chapters. I didn't put in the conversation with Thad, but all shall be properly explained soon, I promise! I hope to see you all soon, and by that I don't mean three months from now, I actually mean soon. Remember when I uploaded twice a week and had a schedule? That was fun...
A special thanks to my amazing friend DrUnderscore who beta'd this chapter for me. He's on fictionpress and he's writing a story called Fractured Skies, so please go and have a read of it? It really is pretty damn good and I don't think it's getting the attention it deserves, so go have a look? Pretty please? You guys rock! ;) And the same applies for the works of RainySunnyEnding, GirlInTheBlueHoodie (or GirlInTheBearShapedHat on fictionpress) and I-might-BE-slightly-INSANE. They're all my friends and I love 'em to bits, so it would be just fab if you guys could check out their stuff. I swear it's more than worth the time!
As always, love to RainySunnyEnding. She's one of the main reasons i still write this, because she believed in me so much. Really, you have her to thank for the fact thst you are reading this write now! She would have been beta for this chapter but her internet is playing up and I couldn't get this to her :( And annoyingly I might have to find me a new beta because she's told me she doesn't want any spoilers! Lu, if you still want me to send you my chapters before I upload them, I will. Love you, soulmate xxx
But just in case, are there any volunteers? I can't guarentee when chapters will get finished and sent to you, but it will mean you get to read a little ahead of everyone else. On the same note if anyone wants a beta I'm happy to help! No matter when you are reading this A/N, just message me and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
To paddyofurniture, love and hugs and an apology. We haven't spoken in what feels like forever. My exams are over now, and I really want to get back in touch with you. I'll send you a message in the next few days, okay? Let me know how you are xx
To my Girl, BlueHoodie or BearShapedHat, I love you so much, okay? Let me know how you're doing, and I hope I'll be seeing you Monday night :D Xx
You guys know I love you all, but I'm going to say it again anyway! I LOVE YOU GUYS! :D
Amy xxxxxxxx
P.S - I watched Rent twice this week, and I'm seriously in love with it. I keep playing La Vie Boheme or Seasons of Love on my phone, as well as I'll Cover You. Angel and Collins are without a doubt my favourite. Just... feels. So many feels. If you haven't seen Rent, get a copy ASAP and watch it. Even if you don't fall in love with it as much as I did, you will have seen it.
