Angie smiles as her hot and sweaty son flops down next to her on the sand, grateful for the shade of the umbrella and the bottle of water she offers.
"You're insane," she says, and Blaine uncaps the water, takes a mouthful, and grins.
"Keeps me fit."
"Kurt keeps you fit."
"Gross!"
"I'll tell him you said that," Angie laughs.
"He's not gross, you saying that is. Anyway, I like running, and running on the beach is even more fun."
"But in this heat?"
"I know, but the ocean...I like it here," Blaine says decisively. "It's like...really pretty."
"You like the beach, or San Diego?"
"Both. Cali, actually. I've loved everywhere we've visited so far, anyway. Bessie likes it here too, I can tell. She likes to be driven with her top down."
"And Kurt?"
"He likes it. I mean, I know he heads inside to nap at noon, but that's because he's lazy. It's been a good vacation, huh?"
"Best one ever," Angie says sincerely. "When I think of how lucky I am. I thought I'd lost everything, Blaine. And now I've ended up with my wonderful son, a future son-in-law whom I love just as much, and an amazing best friend."
"Dad?"
"Yeah. He's...well, it's an unlikely friendship, I'll admit," Angie concedes. "But it works for us. I think we both need to accept that people will always assume there must be more, even though there isn't. We need to move past worrying what other people think, because honestly? We're more concerned with being friends, and a family."
"I'm glad," Blaine says honestly. "He'll miss you when you move out."
"No he won't. I'm going to be ten minutes down the road, if that. We'll still see each other all the time. Like I said, we're a family now, aren't we?"
"Yeah."
Blaine sits up, looking out at the rolling waves, and thinking how great it would be if they lived here all the time. The hotel behind them had been their home for the last three days, after a leisurely drive in Bessie from Ohio to California, stopping along the way. Now they only had one more night left before they started their return trip, stopping to explore different towns, and then Kurt and Blaine would head back to New York.
Blaine had never felt so drawn to a place before, it was usually people who made a city or town feel like home to him. He loved New York, and was so glad that was where they were going to marry, but he also knew, if he had his choice, that he would like to raise a family with Kurt somewhere quieter, and preferably on the coast.
"What're you thinking about?"
"Babies," Blaine says, with a dreamy smile. "Kurt pushing a stroller. I might just die of happiness when that happens."
"You're such a softie," his mom laughs, and she sits up to put an arm around his shoulders. "You'll be a wonderful daddy one day. When's your test?"
"August fifth." Blaine sighs, and rests his head on her shoulder, happy when she plays with his hair. He had told her all about it somewhere between Albuquerque and Los Angeles, when Kurt and Burt were asleep in the back of the car, though Kurt had later told him he had woken up and listened to the whole thing with his eyes closed.
Angie had been incredibly supportive and understanding, even going so far as to say she totally got why he hadn't spoken about it to her before. He had opened up more, too, about how he felt as though Simon had violated him, taken something away from him that wasn't his to take. Angie had understood that as well, it wasn't anyone's place to injure him like that, and she suggested that part of the upset, could come from the fact that it had only ever been Kurt who touched him there.
Of course, he had nearly totalled Bessie at that point, and his face had been on fire for hours, but she was right, and he did admit as much to her. He also let on that it was his favourite part of being with Kurt, that he's been his only one, and the sex that night when they got to the motel had only proven to Blaine that the eavesdropping Kurt felt the same.
"You know Blaine, whatever happens..." his mom starts.
"I'll still be a dad one day, I know," he says with a sigh.
"It's not the same for you though, is it?"
"No, it's not, but thank you," he says, reaching up to pat her hand.
"Are the dreams any better?"
"No."
"Oh Blaine."
"I mean, in many ways it's easier, because I'm not afraid to wake Kurt and tell him, and he holds me and I get back to sleep quickly, but...I don't know. I don't know what will make them go away."
"Closure, I guess," Angie says. "You need to be able to feel like it's all over, but I just don't know how you're ever going to make that happen."
"I want to go to Baltimore."
"What the...?"
Kurt stops splashing cold water on his face and fishes for a towel. "You've just walked in the room."
"I know. I want to go to Baltimore."
"Now?"
"Not now. After vacation. And...and I don't care if you think it's dumb, stupid, or that I'm an idiot."
"I think that anyway," Kurt teases, stepping out of the bathroom and kissing his cheek. "Mmm. Sweaty Blaine. I like it."
"I mean it!" Blaine huffs, and Kurt just laughs and shakes his head, pulling on a clean t-shirt. "I do! I want to go there, and see him face to face. I want to tell him what I think."
"Good."
"And I'll go with or without your support."
"No you won't, you fool. I'll come with you, Blaine. You wanna confront the guy? Fine. But I'm gonna be right by your side for every second of it."
"I know it could be dangerous," Blaine carries on. "And dad will disown me if he finds out, but it's something I need to do so I can move on."
"Blaine! I don't know what you're getting so high and mighty about. Listen to what I'm saying. I'm all for this. I'll rent us a car and we can drive down, you can give psycho a piece of your mind, and then we'll walk away. No punching, no fighting, just you getting a chance to lay those demons to rest. We can go the weekend after we get back to New York. Before your test."
"Oh. You mean that?"
"Of course." Kurt wraps his arms around his neck, and kisses his cheek again.
"No fighting?"
"No."
"But what if they..."
"They won't. You're gonna own this, Blaine. You're gonna say your piece, and then we'll be gone before they can even digest what's been said. Then we'll get your test done, get the results, and together, with the help of that therapist, we'll start to put it all behind us, and we'll be ready to get married next spring, okay?"
Blaine smiles, pressing himself tighter against Kurt, and rubbing their noses together. "You're amazing."
"I know." He holds Blaine close, and kisses into his neck. "Ohh you're so sexy when you're all sweaty. Mmm."
"You're gross."
"Wanna play tennis?"
Blaine steps back in surprise. "Excuse me?"
"Tennis. Do you want to go play?"
"With who?"
"Me."
"Uh, Kurt, you do know that's exercise, right?"
"Hey! I exercise!"
"You sit on a bench with a mocha while I run around the park."
"We have a shit ton of sex, Blaine," Kurt points out smugly. "I don't need to do anything else. Anyway. Tennis. Yes?"
"Oh yes," Blaine laughs, heading to the door already. "Because I am going to whip your ass."
"Well then we should stay right here."
"Kinky bastard."
Kurt stops, right next to where Blaine holds the door open for him. "I wanna say don't curse," he breathes, his eyes darkening. "But that sounded so hot, coming from you."
"You wanna stay here?"
"No. I want to play tennis, and watch you get even more hot, and even more sweaty, and then I want to come back here, and fuck your brains out."
"I heard tennis!" Burt booms, as he pulls open the next door. "And we won't say what else I heard. Blaine, grab your mom, we'll play doubles."
Kurt is true to his word, and the weekend after they return to New York, he rents a car, and together he and Blaine set off for Baltimore. Truth be told, he doesn't know if this is a good idea or not, but he is Blaine's lover, not his parent. They are equals, who are here to love and support each other no matter what, and the one thing he can be sure of, is that Blaine feels like this is something he needs to do, and so Kurt will support him every step of the way.
It is a very quiet trip, just the occasional passing observation from either one of them, but as they head closer and closer to Spencer's house, Blaine draws in on himself. Kurt doesn't try and make him talk, he just reaches across and takes his hand, and the gentle squeeze that Blaine gives tells them both all they need to know.
"They're home," Blaine realizes, when Kurt pulls up opposite the house and kills the engine.
"Looks that way."
"I didn't know that. I thought we would be sitting here waiting or something, you know?"
"Well, we can still sit here and wait," Kurt says softly. "We can take as long as you need. And you don't have to do this. If you decide you want to go right home again, we can, and I promise I'll only yell at you a tiny little bit for making me drive all this way."
Blaine gives a little laugh, and leans over to kiss him. "Thank you for being so gracious. No, I'm gonna do this. I am."
"Okay then. Well, whenever you're ready."
"Right."
Ignoring the hammering in his heart, the sweaty palms, the blurred vision, and the sheer terror that grips him, Blaine forces himself from the car, across the road, and up to the front door. He knocks and he waits with Kurt by his side, and it is Simon who answers.
"Ohhh," he laughs, a beer swinging from his hand, even though it's barely noon. "Fucking hell. Dad! Dad, get out here, you gotta see this!"
Blaine stays silent, while Simon stands there, raking his eyes over him. He had taken a long time to decide on what to wear this morning, which sounded silly, but Blaine didn't want to appear too gay. It had been Kurt who had gently peeled his old T-shirt from his back, and handed him a neatly ironed plaid red button down instead. It was Kurt who rummaged through and found a neat navy and red bow tie too, and fixed Blaine's hair, before stepping back and admiring his handiwork. "Now you look like you," he had said with a smile. "My beautiful fiancé." And that is what came to Blaine now, as he stood there, trying not to turn tail and flee.
"This better be good," Spencer mutters, and then he comes into view, trailed by Max and James, who both draw up short. "Well fuck me," Spencer exclaims, then lounges arrogantly against the door frame. Kurt notices with some satisfaction, that his nose is much flatter and broader than it used to be.
Well, good.
"What do you want, huh?" He turns to Kurt with a sneer. "You take one step towards me, you faggot, and I'll kill you."
Kurt doesn't move, but he smirks, knowing how riled Spencer is by their arrival. "I'd really like to see you try."
"Don't fucking tempt me," he snarls, but Blaine steps forward.
"We didn't come here for that," he says quickly. "We came because I have something to say."
"Oh yeah? Angie sent you? She wants to come back? I knew she'd realize her mistake."
"Oh she's realized," Blaine says calmly. "She won't be coming back. She's doing great, thanks for asking."
"Oh fuck off, you piece of shit."
"Not yet. Not until I've said my piece. Kurt and I are getting married, you see, and I really want to lay all my demons to rest before that happens. And yes," he adds brightly. "I do class you as a demon."
"What the...?"
"I forgive you," Blaine rushes on, standing as tall as he can. "I forgive you for all you put me through. All the abuse. Because that's what it was. You abused me, and you abused mom. But I forgive you."
"You don't even know what you're talking about."
"Oh I think I do. The mind games, the torment, the name-calling, the rejection, the way you tried to turn my own mom against me. Simon, Max, James? I forgive you too," he says, turning his attentions to the three sons, who are staring at him. "For outing me in High School, for getting me bullied. For standing by and laughing while I was taunted every day. For pouring water in my bed and making it look like I'd wet it, for all the dumb stuff, like putting salt in my coffee, stealing all my toiletries, for hiding my gym bag, for trying to ruin my friendships for me. I even forgive you for ripping my dad out of all my photos, and trying to break me.
Because you didn't, you see," he says, drawing a shaking breath. "You didn't break me and you never will. Between the four of you, you made me a stronger, better man. I should thank you, probably. And Spencer? My dad and Burt have both taught me how to be a father and husband. You have given me the best lesson in how not to do it, and thanks to you, I know I'll be the best husband and dad there could be, because I will never, my whole life through, treat someone the way you treated me and mom. I'm sorry you didn't realize what a great wife you had. I'm sorry you felt the need to humiliate, taunt, and degrade her to feel good about yourself. I'm sorry men like you exist in the world, and give us all a bad name.
You didn't win, Spencer, and you never will. I'm going to walk away from here, just like mom did, with my head held high, because I know that Kurt and I are ten times the men you all will ever be."
"If I may," Kurt suddenly says from next to him. "While we're getting all this stuff out? I'll never be sorry for flattening you both," he says, with an evil grin at Spencer and Simon. "It must really suck to know you've been beaten up by a faggot. Simon? I was the one who made your girlfriend break up with you that time. I was also the one who lost you your job by claiming you'd harassed a girl. Oh, you know that other job you had? In the bar? Yeah. They didn't lay you off because they were overstaffed, it was because I told them you'd propositioned me in the bathroom. And I'd watch your back at In-and-Out too, because while you still have a job, just, they know all about your history with alcohol."
"You little..."
"Max?" Kurt carries on, ignoring Simon's red face and bulging eyes. "I am the reason you didn't make the college football team, and I am also the reason your little gang of friends suddenly deserted you. James? Yeah, sorry you flunked your senior year. I might have had a hand in that too. Oh, and I also slashed all the tires on your cars that time." He pauses, grins widely, and then adds: "I'm like herpes. I get everywhere. Just remember that."
"So we're gonna go now," Blaine chimes in. "And Spencer? I'd like to think that one day, when you're alone, and dying, maybe, that you'll look back on your life and realize how badly you treated me and mom. I'd like for that to happen, but I don't think it ever will, sadly. I think you'll just go through life being a bitter, evil, hate-filled man, and I pity you really, because you'll never know how great it is to really love someone other than yourself. Simon? I hope you'll find the courage within yourself to acknowledge your true sexuality, because life is much brighter on the outside of the closet. And that's all I came to say, really. Goodbye."
He walks swiftly away, with Kurt following, and he falls into the car, where he starts to shake uncontrollably.
"Blaine, I..."
"Just drive, Kurt," Blaine whispers. "Please just drive me away."
"Sure," he says with a nod, and quickly takes off down the road. "Just tell me when you want me to stop."
It takes an hour, and Kurt really wants to pull over and demand that Blaine talk, but he doesn't. He waits patiently. So patiently in fact, that when Blaine does ask for him to pull over at the next gas station, it comes as quite a shock.
"Here?"
"Yeah."
"Shit. Okay. Hold up," he says, then swerves hard across the road.
"Jesus, Kurt! Don't kill us!"
"I'm not! I wasn't, I just... Okay." He pulls in and cuts the engine, turning to face Blaine. "So? How do you think it went?"
"Uh..." Blaine is suddenly timid, afraid, overwhelmed with so many thoughts and feelings, that he doesn't know where to begin. "I don't know. How do you think it went?"
"Uh-uh," Kurt says with a smile. "I'm asking you."
"Um, I think..." he starts, and then his tears come. "Ugh, I don't even know why I'm crying," he admits, wiping at his eyes. "Because I think it went well, didn't it? I said what I wanted to, and...I think it was okay."
Kurt leans across to hug Blaine close, and he gently kisses above his temple before pulling back. "You're crying with relief. I don't blame you. Listen to me Blaine. I have seriously never been prouder of you than I am right now."
"Oh stop."
"No, I mean it," Kurt protests. "I thought you were going there to tell him what a piece of shit he was, but you didn't. You were incredible. Just...amazing. It didn't just go well, Blaine, it went brilliantly, and honestly, I'm so proud."
"I felt sick the entire time," he admits. "Like I was gonna hurl."
"And how do you feel now?"
"Yeah, relieved," he agrees, bowing his head. "Like I can move on, I think."
"Then that's excellent. Blaine, I've never loved you more than I do right now. You should be an example to everyone on how to be a decent human. To stand there and say you forgave them...that took real courage and grace, and not that there was ever any doubt, but I am so, so lucky to be marrying you."
"Oh, I don't know..."
"Shut up," Kurt orders, then leans across again to seek out his lips. "You're perfect."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Did you really do all that stuff?"
Kurt makes the most innocent face he can, and Blaine just has to laugh. "I don't believe you! You're terrible!"
"To be fair, dad had quite a hand in it too," he admits, and then it's his turn to laugh when Blaine's head thumps back against the seat. "And Santana."
"Can it stop now, please?"
"Oh, but I love stalking them on Facebook!"
"Well don't!" Blaine cries. "Put your energies into planning this wedding instead."
"Oh, now, that I can do," Kurt agrees, and then kisses him again. "I love you, and in case you didn't know, I am stupidly proud."
"Thank you. Can we go out and get really drunk tonight?"
"Absolutely."
"Just us?"
"Definitely."
"Thank you."
"My pleasure."
They head to their favorite cocktail bar, still giddy with relief following the events of the day. Tucked away at a high table for two in the corner, they chat, laugh, and flirt outrageously with one another. By the time Kurt sets their third cocktails down on the table, both are pleasantly buzzing with the effects of the alcohol, and he leans on the table, giving Blaine a knowing look.
"What?"
"You know what, mister Anderson. You've got bedroom eyes."
"Hmm." Blaine leans closer. "I have?"
"Yeah," Kurt breathes softly. "You look like you wanna take me home and do really wicked things to me."
"Maybe I do," Blaine flirts back, and then just stares directly into Kurt's eyes, the fire of passion burning bright for both.
"Let's go," Kurt says decisively, and they tear from the bar and outside to find a cab.
"Good evening boys," Brian calls, when he arrives home, not at all surprised to see them making out in the doorway.
"Hello Brian." Kurt's voice is muffled, his mouth buried in the collar of Blaine's shirt, but they do pull apart and follow him inside, their cheeks glowing with happiness.
"Hey, Brian, wanna know what we've been doing today?"
"That all depends, Blaine," Brian laughs. "I'm an old man, remember. Weak heart."
"No, no. We've been to Baltimore," he says happily. "We went to see Spencer."
Brian stops in the lobby, his hand paused on the elevator button. "You what?"
"We went to see him," Blaine repeats. "And I told him, face to face, that he's taught me how to be a better man, and I told him I've moved on and forgiven him."
"Wow." Brian's eyes flick to Kurt, who gives a small nod and a wide smile. "Wow, Blaine. I've gotta say, I'm proud of you."
"Thank you. I mean, I haven't forgiven him as in I'd be willing to be friends, but I've left it in the past, you know?"
"I know what you mean, and that's great. I just wouldn't want to be you when Burt finds out you've been back there."
"Oh, he'll be okay," Blaine laughs, as they step in the elevator, and Brian fixes him with a look.
"I might have only met him a handful of times, but the phrase 'papa bear' comes to mind. He seems quite protective."
"Well it's done now."
"It is," Brian agrees, and claps a hand on his shoulder. "And I'm proud of you, young man, I really am."
"Will he really be mad?" Blaine asks Kurt fearfully, as they walk down the hallway.
"Probably, but he'll be mad at me, not you."
"Well that's not fair, it was my idea."
"I know." Kurt shrugs, and unlocks the door, holding it open for Blaine to pass through. "But let's face it, we have him wrapped around our little fingers. He'll come around soon enough."
"So you're not bothered?"
"Nope." He kicks off his shoes, and then helps Blaine out of his jacket, hanging it neatly in the hall closet. "Now," he grins, coming close to wrap his arms around his neck. "You. Bedroom, now."
"Uh-uh." Blaine smiles against Kurt's lips, backing him into the kitchen, until the table hits the back of his thighs. "You. Here. Now."
It is hard, fast, and exactly what Kurt and Blaine both need. When they're satisfied, and Blaine has cleaned the kitchen table seven times, they fall into bed to cuddle close, with Kurt still sniggering.
"What?"
"You just...fucked me. On the kitchen table."
"Yeah." Blaine grins up at the ceiling. "Hmm. I totally did."
"Awesome."
"I'm getting better at being wild."
"You never needed to improve."
"I love you for saying that."
"You know what else?" Kurt asks, the edge of sleep just starting to creep into his voice.
"What?"
"I'm still proud of you. For today. It might not seem like much, but I feel as though, once this fertility test is out of the way, like we can get married with a clean slate, you know?"
Blaine stiffens at the mention of the test that he's trying really hard to ignore, and Kurt gives a soft kiss to his chest. "It'll be okay. We haven't got them to worry about now, so we can give this all our energies, and face whatever those results throw at us."
"I guess."
"Blaine?"
"Hmm?"
"I don't feel like they'll come back now," Kurt says, suddenly realizing. "I really do feel like you won."
"Oh." Blaine hides his smile. It might seem like a small comment, but Blaine can't help but finally feel the pride that he should be feeling. He made it all okay.
"Yeah you did," Kurt agrees, laughing when Blaine realizes he's spoken aloud. "I know you said that day when they broke in, that I was your...what was it? Knight in a shiny suit thingy," he teases, lifting his head to kiss his cheek. "But you were my hero today."