What If They Didn't Kiss? (4/7)
Title: What If They Didn't Kiss?
Pairings: Kurt/Blaine
Rating: PG
Word Count: 13,745 (altogether)
Spoilers: "Original Song", Season 2, Glee
Summary: Blaine finally realizes that he is in love with Kurt, but is it too late?
"Hello?"
"Mercedes, I need your help," spoke Blaine into the phone. "Please?"
"I don't know, Blaine," she replied apprehensively. "I like you and all, but I don't want to take sides with you and Kurt... And, Hun, if I did have to, you know I'd be on Kurt's."
"There's no need to take sides," sighed Blaine. "We aren't fighting... well... not really... I don't think I even know what we're doing..."
"Okay, well, what do you need?" asked Mercedes.
Somehow, Blaine could hear the raised eyebrow in her voice.
"I need... I need... to apologize to him," Blaine tried to explain. "I need to find a way to make him see how sincere my feelings are... how much I mean everything I've been trying to say to him. He won't listen, Mercedes. He's been avoiding me and then when I do get to talk to him, he just sits there with his face set in stone and I don't know what to do. I know how much I hurt him, now, but I don't know how to make it right."
"What do you need from me?" asked Mercedes, her voice softening at his words.
"Well, I have a plan, but... first, I need your input. Then, if I have your blessing, I'll need your help pulling it off," sputtered Blaine, a little excited at the possibility of having Mercedes on board.
"I'm listening," responded Mercedes, plunking herself down on her bed to hear Blaine's plan.
"Thanks Mercedes," exhaled Kurt, as they walked side by side through the mall. "I'm glad you suggested this shopping trip. I definitely needed this; it has been such a terrible week."
"My pleasure, Kurt," said Mercedes with a grin, bumping her shopping bag against him playfully. "There's a little cafe near the entrance, remember seeing it?"
Kurt nodded.
"Let's drop our bags off at the car and then have lunch there," suggested Mercedes. "Then we can start round two!"
Shaking his head, Kurt laughed at her enthusiasm, "Alright."
After depositing their bags in Kurt's Navigator, they went back into the mall and headed toward the cafe, just as Mercedes said.
Kurt raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the piano sitting near the entrance of the cafe. This was an informal cafe in a mall in a small city in Ohio; it was not a fancy restaurant with live performances. The beautiful mahogany piano seemed completely out of place in the humble cafe's entrance. Kurt didn't have long to ponder it, though, because Mercedes grabbed his arm.
"I'm starving, let's hurry and get a seat," spoke Mercedes, hurrying him further into the cafe.
When they sat down in a booth, a waitress was quick to approach them with menus. She took their drink orders and left.
"Ugh, my feet are killing me," complained Mercedes light-heartedly.
"Oh Mercedes," spoke Kurt, shaking his head disapprovingly as she leaned down under the table to loosen her laces. "If those silly sneakers aren't for comfort, what are they for?"
"Hey now," responded Mercedes, straightening. "They happen to be very stylish, and, besides, they haven't been completely broke in yet."
"They will be after today, that's for sure," she added with an exaggerated grimace.
"We can go home, now, if you want, 'Cedes," offered Kurt.
"No, this is your retail therapy day," laughed Mercedes. "Besides, I think you'll like your dining experience here."
Kurt looked around with pursed lips. Perhaps his time away from McKinley was affecting their friendship more than he had thought; this place was one greasy burger away from a dive.
"Don't worry, they have a really good lunch menu," assured Mercedes, knowing the look on Kurt's face before looking up to see it. She knew him well.
Looking over the menu, Kurt nodded to himself when he was pleasantly surprised by the choices. Soon, the waitress returned with their drinks. She took their orders and left them again. Mercedes and Kurt took the time to catch up on all their small talk while they waited for their food to arrive. It wasn't long and Mercedes' burger and Kurt's soup and sandwich arrived. Sinking his teeth into his sandwich, Kurt was impressed.
"This is really actually quite good," exclaimed Kurt after swallowing.
Mercedes just smirked knowingly.
After they finished eating, they sat back in their seats and chatted a little longer while they waited for the waitress to come pick up their plates and leave the bill.
The music overhead had been an oldies pop radio station, but suddenly it cut out and a soft melody began to drift across the room. It sounded live. Kurt wondered if someone was playing the beautiful mahogany piano in the entry.
"You've been on my mind!" cried out a familiar voice in a singing voice causing Kurt's head to shoot up in alarm.
"I grow fonder every day,
Lose myself in time
Just thinking of your face"
Kurt frantically glanced around the restaurant, his stomach flying to sit uncomfortably in his throat. Mercedes ducked her head from where she sat across him in the booth; a small, conspiratorial smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.
"God only knows
Why it's taken me so long
To let my doubts go
You're the only one that I want"
From the corner of his eye, Kurt saw the perpetrator slowly making his way toward their table from across the restaurant, his eyes locked on Kurt.
"Blaine," Kurt inhaled sharply, sucking in a deep breath of air.
He began to stand so that he could leave, bu Mercedes glared him back into his seat. With a shuddering sigh, Kurt sat back down and waited miserably for Blaine to reach him.
"I don't know why I'm scared, I've been here before
Every feeling, every word, I've imagined it all,
You never know if you never try
To forgive our past and simply be miiiine"
The soft piano playing soothingly in the background did nothing to calm the panic rising in Kurt as Blaine drew nearer to him. He was simply dashing, dressed in a stylish tuxedo that was perfectly tailored to fit him just right and his hair styled classically with just the right amount of jell. He looked completely out of place in the comfortable little corner cafe.
"I dare you to let me be your, your one and only," cried out Blaine, his face contorted with emotion. The weight of his voice and the meaning of the lyrics almost causing him to drop to his knees as he stopped in front of where Kurt and Mercedes were seated. "Promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms. So come on and give me the chance, to prove that I'm the one who can walk that mile until the end starts."
Kurt tried his best not to make eye contact with Blaine, knowing the power he had over him. Instead, he glared across the table at Mercedes who just smiled sweetly at him. It was obvious to him, that she been in on this.
"I've been on your mind," sang Blaine, reaching to touch Kurt's chin so that he would look at him.
"You hang on every word I say, lose yourself in time
At the mention of my name,
Will I ever know how it feels to hold you close?
And have you tell me whichever road I choose you'll go"
I don't know why I'm scared 'cause I've been here before
Every feeling every word, I've imagined it all,
You never know if you never tried
To forgive our past and simply be miiiine."
Blaine had tears in his eyes and they began to roll down his face as he sang. He poured his heart and soul into the song, his voice straining from the passion and volume he was singing into the song. He did fall to his knees, this time. In turn, Kurt was mesmerized by the emotion on Blaine's face. He hung on to every lyric the dark-haired young man sang.
I dare you to let me be your, your one and only
I promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms
So come on and give me the chance
To prove that I'm the one who can
Walk that mile until the end starts"
Suddenly, the rest of the Warblers appeared, all dressed in black suits. Blaine stood and took a few steps backward to stand with them. They began to hum and sing in the background, some just harmonizing, and some singing actual lyrics.
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
"Nobody's perfect, trust me I've learnt it," sang Blaine, looking into Kurt's eyes with his own warm ones. His were nutmeg in colour, earnest in emotion. Kurt could feel tears welling up in his own.
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
With a deep breath, Blaine stepped forward, again to sing the last part of the song. He sang it a little softer than before, but it was still dripping with emotion.
"So I dare you to let me be your, your one and only
I promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms
So come on and give me the chance
To prove I'm the one who can
Walk that mile until the end starts
Come on and give me a chance
To prove that I'm the one who can
Walk that mile until the end starts."
The piano quickly faded and Blaine handed his microphone off to Jeff before the Warblers left. When Kurt glanced over at Mercedes, he found that she had left, too. He and Blaine were alone, though surrounded by the activity of the little cafe. It was like a spell had been cast on the little restaurant while Blaine was singing, and it had been broken the moment the song had finished. Waitresses were moving between tables, conversations picked up where they left off, and people came and went as per usual.
"Kurt," breathed Blaine, standing before him. The question in his voice was mirrored by the searching look in his eyes.
"Blaine," sighed Kurt.
They looked at each other for a few moments, neither saying anything. Eyes focused on each other, they stared as if trying to communicate telepathically.
"Walk with me?" asked Blaine, hopefully, breaking the long silence.
Kurt simply nodded, his heart threatening to pound itself free from his chest. Blaine reached for his hand and Kurt didn't pull away.
"What about the bill?" asked Kurt, standing up.
"I'll get it," said Mercedes, walking up.
"Thanks Mercedes," said Blaine, smiling at her. He was obviously thanking her for more than just taking care of the bill so that Kurt could leave with him. She smiled back and gave him a quick wink.
Blaine pressed his fingers between Kurt's, causing their hand-holding to suddenly feel more intimate. Even though he was still guarded, Kurt allowed himself to lean towards Blaine as they left the cafe.
"What did you think of the song?" asked Blaine, as they walked out the front doors of the mall.
"It was good," croaked Kurt, still trying to find his regular voice. "It was perfect for your voice and... I liked the lyrics."
"I meant every word of them," replied Blaine, chancing a glance at Kurt.
Kurt allowed a small smile to move his lips.
Listen to "One and Only" on YouTube
Pairings: Kurt/Blaine
Rating: PG
Word Count: 13,745 (altogether)
Spoilers: "Original Song", Season 2, Glee
Summary: Blaine finally realizes that he is in love with Kurt, but is it too late?
"Hello?"
"Mercedes, I need your help," spoke Blaine into the phone. "Please?"
"I don't know, Blaine," she replied apprehensively. "I like you and all, but I don't want to take sides with you and Kurt... And, Hun, if I did have to, you know I'd be on Kurt's."
"There's no need to take sides," sighed Blaine. "We aren't fighting... well... not really... I don't think I even know what we're doing..."
"Okay, well, what do you need?" asked Mercedes.
Somehow, Blaine could hear the raised eyebrow in her voice.
"I need... I need... to apologize to him," Blaine tried to explain. "I need to find a way to make him see how sincere my feelings are... how much I mean everything I've been trying to say to him. He won't listen, Mercedes. He's been avoiding me and then when I do get to talk to him, he just sits there with his face set in stone and I don't know what to do. I know how much I hurt him, now, but I don't know how to make it right."
"What do you need from me?" asked Mercedes, her voice softening at his words.
"Well, I have a plan, but... first, I need your input. Then, if I have your blessing, I'll need your help pulling it off," sputtered Blaine, a little excited at the possibility of having Mercedes on board.
"I'm listening," responded Mercedes, plunking herself down on her bed to hear Blaine's plan.
"Thanks Mercedes," exhaled Kurt, as they walked side by side through the mall. "I'm glad you suggested this shopping trip. I definitely needed this; it has been such a terrible week."
"My pleasure, Kurt," said Mercedes with a grin, bumping her shopping bag against him playfully. "There's a little cafe near the entrance, remember seeing it?"
Kurt nodded.
"Let's drop our bags off at the car and then have lunch there," suggested Mercedes. "Then we can start round two!"
Shaking his head, Kurt laughed at her enthusiasm, "Alright."
After depositing their bags in Kurt's Navigator, they went back into the mall and headed toward the cafe, just as Mercedes said.
Kurt raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the piano sitting near the entrance of the cafe. This was an informal cafe in a mall in a small city in Ohio; it was not a fancy restaurant with live performances. The beautiful mahogany piano seemed completely out of place in the humble cafe's entrance. Kurt didn't have long to ponder it, though, because Mercedes grabbed his arm.
"I'm starving, let's hurry and get a seat," spoke Mercedes, hurrying him further into the cafe.
When they sat down in a booth, a waitress was quick to approach them with menus. She took their drink orders and left.
"Ugh, my feet are killing me," complained Mercedes light-heartedly.
"Oh Mercedes," spoke Kurt, shaking his head disapprovingly as she leaned down under the table to loosen her laces. "If those silly sneakers aren't for comfort, what are they for?"
"Hey now," responded Mercedes, straightening. "They happen to be very stylish, and, besides, they haven't been completely broke in yet."
"They will be after today, that's for sure," she added with an exaggerated grimace.
"We can go home, now, if you want, 'Cedes," offered Kurt.
"No, this is your retail therapy day," laughed Mercedes. "Besides, I think you'll like your dining experience here."
Kurt looked around with pursed lips. Perhaps his time away from McKinley was affecting their friendship more than he had thought; this place was one greasy burger away from a dive.
"Don't worry, they have a really good lunch menu," assured Mercedes, knowing the look on Kurt's face before looking up to see it. She knew him well.
Looking over the menu, Kurt nodded to himself when he was pleasantly surprised by the choices. Soon, the waitress returned with their drinks. She took their orders and left them again. Mercedes and Kurt took the time to catch up on all their small talk while they waited for their food to arrive. It wasn't long and Mercedes' burger and Kurt's soup and sandwich arrived. Sinking his teeth into his sandwich, Kurt was impressed.
"This is really actually quite good," exclaimed Kurt after swallowing.
Mercedes just smirked knowingly.
After they finished eating, they sat back in their seats and chatted a little longer while they waited for the waitress to come pick up their plates and leave the bill.
The music overhead had been an oldies pop radio station, but suddenly it cut out and a soft melody began to drift across the room. It sounded live. Kurt wondered if someone was playing the beautiful mahogany piano in the entry.
"You've been on my mind!" cried out a familiar voice in a singing voice causing Kurt's head to shoot up in alarm.
"I grow fonder every day,
Lose myself in time
Just thinking of your face"
Kurt frantically glanced around the restaurant, his stomach flying to sit uncomfortably in his throat. Mercedes ducked her head from where she sat across him in the booth; a small, conspiratorial smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.
"God only knows
Why it's taken me so long
To let my doubts go
You're the only one that I want"
From the corner of his eye, Kurt saw the perpetrator slowly making his way toward their table from across the restaurant, his eyes locked on Kurt.
"Blaine," Kurt inhaled sharply, sucking in a deep breath of air.
He began to stand so that he could leave, bu Mercedes glared him back into his seat. With a shuddering sigh, Kurt sat back down and waited miserably for Blaine to reach him.
"I don't know why I'm scared, I've been here before
Every feeling, every word, I've imagined it all,
You never know if you never try
To forgive our past and simply be miiiine"
The soft piano playing soothingly in the background did nothing to calm the panic rising in Kurt as Blaine drew nearer to him. He was simply dashing, dressed in a stylish tuxedo that was perfectly tailored to fit him just right and his hair styled classically with just the right amount of jell. He looked completely out of place in the comfortable little corner cafe.
"I dare you to let me be your, your one and only," cried out Blaine, his face contorted with emotion. The weight of his voice and the meaning of the lyrics almost causing him to drop to his knees as he stopped in front of where Kurt and Mercedes were seated. "Promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms. So come on and give me the chance, to prove that I'm the one who can walk that mile until the end starts."
Kurt tried his best not to make eye contact with Blaine, knowing the power he had over him. Instead, he glared across the table at Mercedes who just smiled sweetly at him. It was obvious to him, that she been in on this.
"I've been on your mind," sang Blaine, reaching to touch Kurt's chin so that he would look at him.
"You hang on every word I say, lose yourself in time
At the mention of my name,
Will I ever know how it feels to hold you close?
And have you tell me whichever road I choose you'll go"
I don't know why I'm scared 'cause I've been here before
Every feeling every word, I've imagined it all,
You never know if you never tried
To forgive our past and simply be miiiine."
Blaine had tears in his eyes and they began to roll down his face as he sang. He poured his heart and soul into the song, his voice straining from the passion and volume he was singing into the song. He did fall to his knees, this time. In turn, Kurt was mesmerized by the emotion on Blaine's face. He hung on to every lyric the dark-haired young man sang.
I dare you to let me be your, your one and only
I promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms
So come on and give me the chance
To prove that I'm the one who can
Walk that mile until the end starts"
Suddenly, the rest of the Warblers appeared, all dressed in black suits. Blaine stood and took a few steps backward to stand with them. They began to hum and sing in the background, some just harmonizing, and some singing actual lyrics.
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
"Nobody's perfect, trust me I've learnt it," sang Blaine, looking into Kurt's eyes with his own warm ones. His were nutmeg in colour, earnest in emotion. Kurt could feel tears welling up in his own.
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
I know it ain't easy
Giving up your heart
With a deep breath, Blaine stepped forward, again to sing the last part of the song. He sang it a little softer than before, but it was still dripping with emotion.
"So I dare you to let me be your, your one and only
I promise I'm worthy to hold in your arms
So come on and give me the chance
To prove I'm the one who can
Walk that mile until the end starts
Come on and give me a chance
To prove that I'm the one who can
Walk that mile until the end starts."
The piano quickly faded and Blaine handed his microphone off to Jeff before the Warblers left. When Kurt glanced over at Mercedes, he found that she had left, too. He and Blaine were alone, though surrounded by the activity of the little cafe. It was like a spell had been cast on the little restaurant while Blaine was singing, and it had been broken the moment the song had finished. Waitresses were moving between tables, conversations picked up where they left off, and people came and went as per usual.
"Kurt," breathed Blaine, standing before him. The question in his voice was mirrored by the searching look in his eyes.
"Blaine," sighed Kurt.
They looked at each other for a few moments, neither saying anything. Eyes focused on each other, they stared as if trying to communicate telepathically.
"Walk with me?" asked Blaine, hopefully, breaking the long silence.
Kurt simply nodded, his heart threatening to pound itself free from his chest. Blaine reached for his hand and Kurt didn't pull away.
"What about the bill?" asked Kurt, standing up.
"I'll get it," said Mercedes, walking up.
"Thanks Mercedes," said Blaine, smiling at her. He was obviously thanking her for more than just taking care of the bill so that Kurt could leave with him. She smiled back and gave him a quick wink.
Blaine pressed his fingers between Kurt's, causing their hand-holding to suddenly feel more intimate. Even though he was still guarded, Kurt allowed himself to lean towards Blaine as they left the cafe.
"What did you think of the song?" asked Blaine, as they walked out the front doors of the mall.
"It was good," croaked Kurt, still trying to find his regular voice. "It was perfect for your voice and... I liked the lyrics."
"I meant every word of them," replied Blaine, chancing a glance at Kurt.
Kurt allowed a small smile to move his lips.
Listen to "One and Only" on YouTube