Brick by Brick 7/8+Epilogue
Title: Brick By Brick ( LJ I FF.net I S&C)
Author: bowtiedarling (Tumblr | LJ)
Artist: voices-echo (Tumblr)
Word Count: ~25,279
Rating: R
Characters/Pairings: Kurt/Blaine, Mike Chang, Rachel Berry, OC
Warnings: Language
Summary: After a decade together, Kurt and Blaine are more distant than they’ve ever been. Between late nights at the office and weekends working, Kurt is never home and Blaine is at his wit’s end. As everything comes to a head, Blaine will take one last shot at saving their relationship.
Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters. Or the show. God, I wish I did, but I don’t.
Author’s Notes: I want to thank my amazing betas, twobirdsonesong and voices-echo. Voices-echo was also my artist for this BBB and did half the artwork for it as well as a playlist. This story would not have gotten written if it wasn’t for those two pushing me to keep going and forcing me to rewrite half of it to make it better. You two are phenomenal! This story was inspired by the song ‘Brick by Brick’, sung by Train and I suggest you go check it out here. Also, I don’t write long stories that don’t end happily. Keep that in mind please. The artwork includes some photos of locations to relevant places in the story so make sure to check that out too. Enjoy!
Artwork
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Epilogue
*~*~*
Blaine checked his hair in the reflection of the store window one more time as he waited at the curb for the signal to change. He hadn't felt this nervous about meeting someone in a long time and had forgotten his mental checklist to calm himself down. Fumbling with the last two buttons on his jacket, he inhaled the cool air and reminded himself it was just Kurt and. He saw the signal change and he joined the throngs of New Yorkers that rushed through the area, on their way out on the town for the evening. He remembered how he and Kurt, with a few of their friends, used to be part of that group. They would have grabbed a table at their favorite bar that hosted karaoke and would sing until late into the night before they dragged themselves home to bed, only to wake the next morning with forgotten homework and killer hangovers. Sometimes he wished life were still like those nights at the bar - carefree and fun.
Blaine spotted the familiar storefront and paused on the edge of the sidewalk as all the memories flooded back to him. He remembered their first foray here ten years ago and all the feelings he had felt at finally being here in New York City, with Kurt, to live the life he had always dreamed of. He remembered all the study dates, quick breaks in their hectic schedules, and long relaxed evenings curled up together on the large leather sofa that he was sure was no longer there. He glanced up ahead at the sign one more time before he walked the last few feet to the entrance.
He pulled the heavy door open and heard the small bell chime above him. That tiny, crisp ding was always one of his favorite sounds and he was glad to see that at least that hadn’t changed. He glanced around the cozy shop and let the warmth and aroma of freshly ground beans envelope him. Blaine spotted Kurt off to the side of the shop and his breath caught in his throat.
Kurt was sitting on the well-worn couch against the wall that they had spent many nights curled up together on. Kurt looked up from the two cups he was holding and grinned as his face lit up. Blaine took a deep breath and smiled back and made his way through the tables to join him.
Kurt stood up as Blaine approached him and cleared his throat nervously. “Hey.”
Blaine couldn’t help but smile. He reached for Kurt’s arm and rubbed it lightly. “Hey. I’m glad you came.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it, Blaine.” Kurt glanced down at the two cups in his hands and held the left one out for Blaine. “I got you a latte. I hope that’s okay.”
Blaine took the hot cup from him and allowed the scent to pierce through the air. “It’s perfect. Thank you.” They both moved back toward the large leather couch and settled comfortably back into the worn piece of furniture. “I can’t believe they still have this thing.”
“Neither could I! I walked in thirty minutes ago and saw it over here. I thought they would have gotten rid of it years ago. I ran over and threw my jacket across it so no one would sit here while I got our coffee.”
“You risked your McQueen jacket for the old, worn-out couch?” Blaine asked fondly.
Kurt shrugged and his cheeks flushed a faint rose color. “Well, it’s our couch. It seemed only right that we sit here today.”
Blaine bit his lip and stared at the man across from him who had suddenly started to surprise him. “Kurt.”
Kurt blushed an even darker shade and quickly took a gulp of his coffee, wincing as the heat seared his mouth. “What?” Blaine didn’t respond and Kurt stared down at the warm mug nestled between his hands. “Don’t look at me like that. It makes me nervous.”
“Hey,” Blaine spoke quietly and he reached out and tipped Kurt’s head up gently to look at him. “Don’t be nervous. It’s just us.”
Kurt bit his lip and stared back at Blaine before he took in a deep breath. “But that’s just it, Blaine. What is us? What are we? I don’t-”
“Please, Kurt, not today.” Blaine glanced down at the floor and bit his lip as he tried to keep his emotions from surfacing. “I don’t have the answer for you and I won’t have it today. Just, please, I don’t want to do this today.”
Kurt nodded and whispered a faint acknowledgement before tracing his finger around the top of his coffee.
Blaine knew he had probably taken his words in a different meaning and he reached out to gently place his hand on top of Kurt’s. “We will talk about everything, Kurt, I promise. But today, I just- it’s just two great friends sharing their lives, okay?” The words felt odd as they tumbled out of Blaine’s mouth; they were never just great friends. They had always been more.
Kurt glanced up through his eyelashes at him and let out the breath he seemed to have been holding before a smile crept across his face. “Okay. I can do that.”
“Good.” Blaine smiled back and took a quick sip of his latte and savored the taste. “So how are Burt and Carole?”
Kurt quickly swallowed and ran his hand over his thigh. “They’re good. I mean, Dad has had me worried for a few weeks now, regardless of what he or Carole say about his health, but I think they’re okay.”
Blaine furrowed his brows in concern. “What do you mean worried?”
Kurt sighed and tilted his head to stare up at the ceiling for a minute before he focused his attention back to Blaine. “He said a few weeks ago that he had a few chest pains off and on for a couple of days. I wanted him to go to the hospital but he refused, he said they weren’t that bad. Carole said he’s been a little sluggish lately and sometimes a little out of breath. She said not to worry.”
“Carole’s a nurse, Kurt. I’m sure she knows what she’s talking about.”
“Yes, I know,” Kurt shot back with narrowed eyes before he realized how loud he had been. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap, but he’s my dad, you know? It was just the two of us for so long. I can’t help but worry about him.”
Blaine nodded, not knowing that feeling for his own family, but he certainly worried about Burt himself. He had grown close to the man and felt as though he was a father to him. “Have you talked to him about it? I think he’d probably understand why you worried if you told him.”
Kurt shook his head and took another sip of his drink. “No, every time I try he just gets grumpy and changes the subject. I’ll force him to listen to me soon, somehow.”
Blaine smirked into his mug before he took a sip. Kurt was just like his father, in the best way possible, but still stubborn as a mule. He wondered if Kurt would ever realize it himself.
Kurt took a deep breath and sat back into the worn leather sofa and he seemed to finally relax. “Enough of that. How’s the theater doing? What have you been working on?”
Blaine chuckled and crossed his legs as he tucked himself into the corner of the couch. “Oh, it’s doing fine. We’re busier than any of us thought it would be. Some of the kids are keeping us busier and on our toes more than others.”
“Ooh, I sense a story there.”
Blaine laughed and took another sip of his latte. “Oh, you sense about a dozen stories there.”
Kurt sat up as his eyes sparkled and grinned excitedly. “Oh tell me, I’m always up for good stories.”
He laughed and got comfortable as he began to regale Kurt with the latest news from the theater.
*~*~*
“That tone was perfect, Derek, just great. next time we’re going over the new music so please make sure you bring that with you alright?” Blaine chuckled at the loud groans from his students before he waved them off for the day. “Go on, get out of here. See you on Thursday.”
Blaine reached for the sheet music on top of the piano and carefully placed it in his master folder. He walked away from the piano and towards his desk to grab his bag. Today was the first day in a week that he had been able to catch up on all of his work and could leave at a normal time. He threw his old, worn leather messenger bag on top of the desk and began to place his music and student assignments in it.
“Oh my God, are you actually leaving?”
Blaine grinned at Izzie, who was casually propped up against the doorframe with her arms crossed and a stack of papers in her hands. “Why yes, I am. Isn’t it fantastic?”
“It’s not fair, that’s what it is. Teach me your ways, Anderson. I’m here for another two hours at least.”
“Yes well some of us actually get our work done on time.”
“Says the man who’s been late on that for two weeks now.”
Blaine rolled his eyes and buckled the flap of his bag shut “As much as I adore you, is there a reason for this lovely visit today?” he asked as he reached for the coat draped over the back of his chair.
Izzie smiled, unfolded her arms and held out a letter that was gently tucked on top of the stack in her hand. “A certain gentleman dropped this off about two hours ago. I promised him you’d get it.”
Blaine’s breath hitched and he bit his lip and reached for the envelope while he tried to suppress his grin. “Thanks, Iz.”
She raised an eyebrow at him. “Do I get to know what’s inside that?”
“Nope.”
“Oooh, it’s one of those letters.”
“No, it is not!” Blaine tried not to blush at her comment as he set it on the desk and slipped an arm into his coat. “It’s just personal, that’s all.”
“Mmhmm. That’s why you’re blushing furiously right now.”
“I’m going home.”
"Sure you are."
Blaine sighed and turned to face her. "Are you ever going to act your age?"
"Hell no," Izzie balked and rolled her eyes as she turned to walk out of the room. "Then I would have to grow up. Who wants to do that?"
Blaine shook his head and watched her leave as he hitched his bag onto his shoulder and headed out of the classroom. He locked the door behind him and glanced down at the envelope in his hands and wondered what Kurt had written. As he thought back to the letters he had already received, the corner of his mouth twitched. He had never thought until recently that he would have enjoyed these letters that they’d been sending back and forth the past week. They were clear, physical reminders of their relationship and why they were worth the fight for each other.
Blaine stepped into the cool weather and pulled his jacket around him more closely. The crisp, cold air enveloped him and he couldn't help but smile; it meant the holidays were coming. He walked with the hordes of New Yorkers who were also on their way home for the evening as he thought about what takeout he wanted and what his evening in would look like. He followed the crowd down into the subway and swiped his card before he walked through to wait for the train.
He waited until he was safely tucked away in his hotel room with Chinese takeout cradled in his lap as reruns of Project Runway, a habit Kurt had forced on him that he now enjoyed, played softly in the background to open the latest letter. This one looked like it might be longer than the previous letters and he was instantly curious to read its contents.
Blaine,
What a day it's been so far. Some of the samples got misplaced in tracking and Di and I ended up scrambling all over the city this morning picking them up. I am completely exhausted from it and it's only four o'clock. Things are more hectic than usual, lately, what with the runway show in a few weeks and working in fittings and last minute changes and new patterns. I'll be so glad when the show is over.
I was going through one of our albums last night and ran across the picture we took in high school at Sam's birthday. The one with the slide? God, that was such a great night. I still remember the look you had when we drove up to Sugar's house and saw that huge bouncy water slide. Your face could have lit up an entire football stadium. All of us came out with so many bruises that night from everyone crashing into each other and from when Rachel fell down the steps trying to get to the top.
When we had all had enough of that there was the bonfire after dinner that night, remember? They had that massive fire pit in the backyard and we all grabbed a ton of blankets and pillows and gathered around it. Puck and Sam had brought their guitars and played songs and we all sang. You and I had found a lounge chair earlier and had curled up on it with the blanket you gave me for my birthday. Later that night, almost everyone had fallen asleep and we stayed up curled under the blanket, with your head on my chest, and talked about the future and all the possibilities. You probably don’t know this, I’ve never told you, but I have the picture of us from that night that Sugar took, on that lounge chair, taped to the inside drawer of my desk at work. It’s one of my favorite pictures of us and reminds me to have fun and try to slow down. I know I haven’t slowed down at all lately, but I promise I still look at that picture every day when I’m at work and smile.
I miss having you next to me at night and sharing stories about our days like we used to. I miss coming home and having movie nights that would inevitably turn into throwing popcorn at each other. I miss you snuggling up to me at night because you’re cold and I’m always warm. I miss waking up to coffee filtering through the air and you dancing in the kitchen to the radio by yourself until you force me join you. I miss planning crazy trips with you that we won’t take but still plan anyway. I turned on reruns of America’s Next Top Model the other night and turned to say something, but you weren’t there. It’s not the same anymore.
I miss you terribly, every day, but I know that you need time to decide what you want. I’ve already made my mind up, Blaine. I want you. All of you. Every single day and night. It’s no question for me. I can’t promise to always be the perfect partner but I CAN promise you that I will do everything I can to communicate and make sure you know how much you are wanted and needed every day. I can promise to listen and attempt to control my temper and talk things out rationally. I hope that’s enough for you, and if it’s not, well, I’ll have to learn a new kind of life. I don’t want to though - I want you.
I love you with all my heart,
Kurt
Blaine lifted a hand to his face and felt the dampness on his cheeks as he finished reading the letter. He smiled through his tears as he reread the last paragraph of the letter over and over again until he’d memorized it. Kurt had never been the one in their relationship to lay all his emotions and feelings out at once and he had certainly never said anything like he just had in this letter. Blaine knew that it meant Kurt was trying for him.
He wiped the remaining tears from his eyes and moved across the room to place the letter in his bag for safekeeping. He sat down at the desk with a pen in his hand and began to think of a response.
*~*~*
Blaine dropped his head back to stare at the ceiling and groaned at the commotion going on around him. After two hours of constant bickering and arguing, they were no closer to deciding what student submission would be shown in spring than they were at the beginning of the meeting. He glanced at Izzie, who rolled her eyes at him, and he was glad to know that he wasn’t the only one annoyed with the current situation. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and jumped at the sudden feeling. He pulled out his phone and hit decline without seeing the screen and shoved it back in.
“What’s wrong?”
“Hmmm?” Blaine glanced at Izzie before he shook his head and turned back to the menagerie gathered around the large table. “Nothing, why?”
“Why? Probably because you’ve been jumpy for two days straight now and get more agitated by the second. Why don’t you just answer your phone? That’s the second time it’s rung.”
“Because I am in a meeting that’s important, though clearly no one else got the message. And I am not agitated.” Blaine shut his eyes and took a deep breath before he looked back at her. “I’m sorry, Iz. I didn’t mean to snap.”
Izzie took a sip of her now-cold coffee and grimaced before she swallowed. “What’s wrong? Anything I can help with?”
Blaine shook his head no and sat back in his chair. “No. I just, I haven’t heard anything from Kurt in two days. It’s probably nothing, but he’s been writing these letters every day, and I just thought it was odd. Maybe he finally gave up.”
“No way. Nuh uh. That man is madly in love with you. I’ve seen those letters, Blaine, trust me, he’s not giving up anytime soon.”
Blaine choked on the coffee he had just sipped and glanced around to see if anyone had heard them; they hadn’t. “What do you mean you’ve seen them? How?”
“Oh please. I rifled through your bag. You should know after four years of friendship that I’m a Nosy Nellie. Also, you should probably keep them a little more hidden.”
“Izzie stop going...” Blaine trailed off as he felt his phone vibrate again and pulled it out to glance at the caller. “It’s Kurt. I’m going to take this okay? I think he’s been calling.”
She waved him off and he quickly ducked out of the chaos and stepped into the quiet solace of the hall. “Hey.”
“Hey Blaine. Are you home?”
Blaine furrowed his brows at the stuffy sound of Kurt’s voice through the phone. “No, I’m in a meeting at the theater. Why?”
“Can you get out of it and meet me at your hotel room?”
Blaine quickly became concerned when he heard the slight quivering and unsteadiness in his voice. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“Please, Blaine, I just really need you right now. Can you please just get out of it and come?”
Blaine bit his lip and glanced back into the room where everyone was still arguing. “Yeah give me a few minutes. Are you hurt or anything?”
“No, I’m not hurt. Just, please meet me at your room okay?”
“Okay I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Thank you.”
“Be there in a bit.” Blaine hung the phone up and stared at the object for a few seconds as he wondered what could possibly be wrong. He shoved the phone back into his pocket and pushed the door open as loud voices greeted him. He hurriedly walked back to his spot and bent over to grab his bag. “Izzie, I have to go.”
She looked back at him in concern. “Is everything okay?”
“I don’t know,” Blaine shrugged his shoulders and threw his belongings in the leather bag. “He sounded really upset. I’m sorry.”
“No it’s fine, you go. I’ll cover you and let you know what happens. I know what you want done anyway.”
“Thanks Iz you’re amazing.” He kissed her quickly on her forehead as he threw his jacket on and swung his bag over his head on the way out. No one else seemed to notice he left as he glanced over his shoulder before he walked quickly down the hall toward the elevators. Kurt had sounded horribly upset and he hoped that nothing serious had happened. Kurt had called him, though; when he needed him the most and he would do what he needed to be there for him.