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Chapter 5
Blaine and Kurt sat there in silence for a couple moments. Blaine was shifting awkwardly in the chair, pondering the pros and cons of picking the cuffs. On the one hand, he would be much less embarrassed; but on the other hand, Peter would be even angrier than before.
"So are you going to tell me about the anklet?" Kurt asked directly, breaking the silence after a couple minutes. "Or am I just going to have to ask Peter? You should know he is a very close family friend, so I'm sure he will be more than willing to tell me the truth. It would also save you from having to dodge me in school."
"I wasn't…" Blaine tried to deny, but was quickly cut off by Kurt.
"Oh please, you avoided me like the plague in school," Kurt replied, rolling his eyes. "Now I'm not sure how long we are going to be sitting here, but I know for sure that neither of us are going anywhere anytime soon, so..."
"I got arrested for stealing a painting from the Met," Blaine muttered, cutting Kurt off in what he was sure was going to be a very lengthy sentence. "I got caught by the FBI where my uncle is the head of the White Collar Department—which, you apparently already know. He got me out on a deal. I have many rules that I have to follow, including this anklet. It's set to a two-mile radius from my aunt and uncle's house. It beeped when I was walking you home because we actually went past my radius."
"You could have told me instead of running off," Kurt said after a moment of processing this information. He had already figured out that the anklet was a GPS tracking anklet. He just didn't know what Blaine had been arrested for. He was admittedly a little surprised that it was something like stealing a painting from the Met. What kind of sixteen-year-old stole paintings from museums? He was used to stupid crimes, like the ones that Puckerman committed.
"And you still would've wanted to talk to me after I told you?" Blaine asked raising an eyebrow in disbelief, convinced that he knew the answer.
"You should have given me the chance," Kurt reasoned.
"I'm sorry, I was worried that I would scare you off and that you would tell the entire school," Blaine answered honestly with a shrug—well as much of a shrug as he could do with one hand cuffed to the back of the chair.
"For future reference," Kurt added. "I would never do that to you."
Blaine nodded in reply, but still wouldn't make eye-contact with Kurt. He was so embarrassed that this boy, that he really liked and seemed like such an amazing person, knew about what he had done. He had never been more disappointment by his own illicit activities than in that moment.
"So what does your dad do?" Blaine asked, changing the subject.
"He's the chief of police," Kurt replied, catching on to what Blaine was doing, but going along with it anyway. "He and Peter grew up together. They have been friends for a really long time. They went all through school together."
"So that's how you know Diana as well?" Blaine asked.
"Yeah, Peter always invites us to holiday parties at his house where Diana and Jones are also always invited," Kurt explained. "Peter, Elizabeth, Diana and Jones are basically like family now—hence why Diana felt it her place to drag me here, unfortunately."
"So how mad was your dad?" Blaine asked with a laugh.
"He was pretty furious," Kurt replied with a sigh. "He says I'm grounded for the next two weeks. I lied and told him that I was going to Rachel's house tonight to watch musicals and eat popcorn. He was more upset that I lied about where I was then that I was at a party."
"Why did you want to come?" Blaine asked. "As you said, I freaked out and ran off and then avoided you all week. Didn't I put you off?"
"I was curious," Kurt replied with a shrug. "Not many people are nice to the 'gay kid' at school, especially the guys. You were one of the only guys at McKinley who talked to me like I was a real human being. You're also the first person to ever ask to walk me home. I just knew I had to find out more about the dapper young gentleman who asked to escort me home."
"Well I'm sad to disappoint you then," Blaine replied with a sad smile. "I mean first of all I would hardly call myself dapper. My wardrobe mostly consists of ripped jeans and concert t-shirts. I also appear to be more criminal then gentleman."
"You didn't disappoint, you're still fascinating," Kurt replied. "I don't care if you have a tracking device on your ankle. I just care about the way you treat other people. So far, so good. The clothes could use some Kurt Hummel influence, though."
Blaine laughed and rolled his eyes at that. He knew that he had some clothes that Kurt would have some fun with. He often had to dress like a dapper gentleman to pull some of his cons. He just chose not to wear those clothes on an everyday basis. At the start of high school, he actually wore bowties every day, but after a certain amount of teasing he cut the habit. He was still insecure about it, really. That made him realize something, though…
"You know I'm gay too…right?" Blaine asked, realizing that Kurt was saying that he was intrigued by Blaine because he was nice to the gay kid.
"You full on made out with another guy in front of me," Kurt replied with a laugh. "I kind of figured that you had to at least be bi."
"I kind of did that to get out of talking to you, but I am actually gay," Blaine said, shaking his head in shame. "It killed me to do so; I just gave that Sebastian the biggest ego boost of his life. I told him not to read too much into it, but I don't think he registered that part."
"So how upset was Peter at you?" Kurt asked, changing the subject because he really didn't want to talk about Sebastian any more than was necessary. He was super jealous that Sebastian got to kiss Blaine, even if it was only as a way to get out of talking on Blaine's part.
Blaine sighed and then pulled at his handcuffed wrist. "This should be proof enough of just how pissed he was."
"Yeah, that can't be comfortable," Kurt sympathized, and then grew really worried. "He won't make you quit Glee, will he? I will seriously get down on my knees and beg him not to. We seriously need you. I mean I also really want you in there with me, but we seriously need you as well."
"No, that's actually a part of my rules for my release. I have to join an approved extracurricular," Blaine explained.
"So that's why Rachel didn't scare you off," Kurt replied, having an 'ah-ha' moment.
"Not exactly," Blaine replied blushing. God, this conversation was seriously ending up being super embarrassing for him. All of his secrets seemed to suddenly be in danger of coming out. First, Kurt learned about his past and now he was about to have to admit that the only reason that he joined Glee Club was because he thought that Kurt was an angel the moment he saw him.
At that moment, Burt and Peter walked over and sat down at two of the chairs at the table. Blaine really didn't want to have to deal with his Uncle, but it meant that Kurt didn't get to ask the question that he was now dying to know the answer to. He figured that dealing with his Uncle was more preferable at the moment then embarrassing himself by showing how obsessed with Kurt he really was.
"So how are the two trouble makers doing over here?" Burt asked with a raised eyebrow.
Kurt and Blaine just looked at each other, neither one knowing how to properly answer that question.
"Can you please take these handcuffs off?" Blaine asked, giving Peter his best pouting face. "This is seriously embarrassing."
Peter nodded, and got up and released Blaine from the handcuffs. Blaine said a soft thanks, and pulled his hands into his lap.
"So were you both involved in the planning of this party?" Peter asked, sitting down in his chair once more. "I wasn't even aware that you knew Kurt. I'm sure by now you know that we are all very close family friends."
"Yes, Kurt told me that," Blaine answered. "And no, the party planning was all my doing. Kurt did nothing other than come."
"Where did you get the alcohol?" Peter asked, in full interrogation mode. "Who supplied it?"
"I got the alcohol," Blaine said with a sigh. "I picked the lock on the liquor cabinet. Some other people brought booze too, but Kurt didn't. I promise you the only thing he did was come to the party. He shouldn't be in trouble."
"He lied to me about going to Rachel's, he's still in trouble," Burt replied and Kurt sighed. He knew that no matter what Blaine said, he was still going to be grounded. "I'm Burt Hummel. It's nice to finally meet you. Peter has been talking about you a lot the past week. I wish the circumstances were better, but it's nice to finally put a face to the name."
Blaine nodded, having no idea how to respond to that. What a horrible first impression to make. Well, then again, he guessed his first impression was technically getting arrested and placed under Peter's supervision. Technically, this impression wasn't nearly as bad as the first one. Lots of teenagers threw parties and didn't tell their parents about them. He was just doing his duty as a rebellious teenager if you looked at it that way.
"Well," Burt clapped his hands together, "We are all going back to the Burkes and you two are going to clean that house from top to bottom until it's spotless."
"I will provide some hot chocolate for your efforts," Elizabeth said, coming up behind them.
Peter rolled his eyes. "He threw a party, El. His punishment is much deserved; don't act like I'm abusing him."
Twenty minutes later found Kurt and Blaine with massive black trash bags going around the house. Blaine hadn't realized how many broken beer bottles and red solo cups there actually were when they left. He groaned in annoyance when he found himself on his hands and knees scrubbing beer out of the carpet. Elizabeth, Peter and Burt all sat on the couch and chatted while slightly watching the boy's efforts. They weren't paying very much attention, but every once in a while Blaine could feel Peter's eyes glaring a hole in the back of his head. He got that he was pissed, he seriously didn't need to keep this up.
"I'm sorry that you got dragged into this," Blaine said to Kurt.
"It's okay, I'm glad you didn't have to do this all on your own. It would have taken you forever to complete," Kurt replied with a shrug, not really minding the work since he got to do it with Blaine. "So how are you liking Glee Club so far?"
"It's good. I think Mr. Schue needs a reminder that it's no longer the 80s, but other than that it's fine," Blaine replied.
"So you don't mind Rachel and her diva moments?" Kurt asked, stopping for a moment to stare incredulously at Blaine.
"Oh I think she needs to tone down her ego, but at least she does have the talent to back it up. It would be way worse if she was that sure of herself and she sounded like a dying bovine or something," Blaine reasoned with a laugh.
"True," Kurt allowed. "You are pretty talented yourself, you know that?"
"Thank you," Blaine said, and couldn't help the little bit of blush that reached his cheeks at Kurt's compliment. "That means a lot. I can't wait until I get to hear you sing."
"I'm a countertenor, I'm not everyone's cup of tea. I think I do have a pretty good voice, though," Kurt said with a smile.
"I'm sure you are more amazing than you give yourself credit for," Blaine replied. "I happen to think that countertenors are incredible. You have a rare voice and you should be very proud of that fact."
"So any chance that you are going to tell me why you joined Glee Club if it wasn't just at Rachel's insistence?" Kurt asked.
"Life is more fun with a little mystery," Blaine replied with a smirk.
"So I will take that as a resounding no," Kurt replied with a roll of his eyes.
"Maybe someday," Blaine said. "I'm just really hoping that I can continue to keep my tracking anklet a secret. It's going to be hell at school if that ever comes out."
"That I can attest to," Kurt said with a sigh. "I mean I'm not a criminal, but I know how hard they are on me."
"That's so wrong, I'm sorry that they are so hard on you," Blaine said honestly, touching Kurt lightly on the shoulder.
Kurt blushed at the touch.
The two finished the house within two hours' time. They were exhausted after doing so, and both silently agreed that the party was not actually worth all of this. The only thing that Blaine was grateful for was that it had gotten him closer to Kurt. Granted he still hadn't told Peter that he was gay, nor was he anywhere near ready for the whole school to know. He just knew that Kurt was incredible and that he wanted to get to know him better.
"Well you guys did a fairly good job," Burt said when the two boys came back into the living room. "It's time for us to go now, Kurt. You are going to get up bright and early with me tomorrow to go work in the shop."
Kurt groaned but nodded. He apologized to Peter and Elizabeth, said goodbye, and then followed his father out the front door. Then it was just Blaine, Elizabeth and Peter in the room with a very awkward silence. Blaine wished he was anywhere else in the world.
"You might as well sit down, sweetie," El said, gesturing to the love seat. "I'm sure you know how much Peter loves to lecture."
Blaine took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself, and then did as he was asked.
"I'm sorry, I just thought that it would help everyone at school get to know me," Blaine muttered, hoping that getting the first word in would help.
"This was for popularity?" Peter asked, his tone indicating his annoyance and frustration.
"No, this was more to be a buffer," Blaine reluctantly explained. "Just for when the inevitable moment happens when the entire school finds out that I have an anklet."
"Blaine, you understand that these are the consequences that come with stealing artwork, do you not?" Peter asked.
"Yes, Uncle Peter! I understand that I'm a horrible person and you think that I deserve to be humiliated and ridiculed in public for my actions!" Blaine yelled, standing up in his frustration. "But don't you remember what it's like to be in high school?"
"Now you wait just one moment…" Peter yelled out, standing up as well. "I remember exactly what is was like to be in high school, but I didn't go out and steal million dollar paintings. The choices that you choose to act upon have consequences."
"So I should have no friends all because I made one mistake?" Blaine yelled, stamping his foot like a little kid.
"Boys!" Elizabeth yelled out, causing both Blaine and Peter to look at her and sit immediately down when they caught her glare. "Now Peter, you need to have a little bit more sympathy when it comes to Blaine. Yes, you are an FBI agent and it is your job to make sure that he gets the repercussions of his actions. However, you are now also a father figure in his life and you need to learn how to strike a balance on both. Now Blaine, just because you are upset about having to wear an anklet doesn't mean that it justifies throwing a party without our permission and stealing from our liquor cabinet. Is this all understood?"
Blaine and Peter both looked like they were slapped. They were both quick to respond, "Yes, ma'am."
"Now Blaine, you let us know if you have any problem with other students when it comes out that you are wearing an anklet," Elizabeth said. "I promise that we will be sympathetic and we will see what we can do. Peter, let Blaine know his punishment. We all seriously need to go to bed."
Peter nodded his agreement.
"Blaine you are grounded for the next two weeks." Peter explained. "You will have some extra chores around the house and you will be picked up and dropped off from school every day. The only places you will be going for the next two weeks are this house, school and my office."
Blaine groaned. Great. This was so much worse than his two-mile radius. He was now virtually on house arrest.
"Tomorrow morning you are going to be in charge of raking all of the leaves in the backyard," Peter said.
After explaining all of this Peter got up and sat down next to Blaine on the love seat.
"Elizabeth is right, though. If you actually do have problem at school, make sure that you let us know," Peter said softly, making sure that Blaine understood how serious he was. "I know that I can be unsympathetic, sometimes it's just that I don't realize I'm not turning off my FBI side. If you have any problems you can come to either one of us, though."
Blaine nodded, not really wanting to talk about this right now. He was not sure how to deal with Peter being like this. He always knew that Peter cared, but it was weird to hear such a direct statement form the man who was usually a stoic FBI agent most of the time.
"Now let's all get to bed," Elizabeth said, gesturing toward the stairs.