Fic: The Love Gods [11/?]
Title: The Love Gods [11/?]
Pairing: Puck/Kurt, very slight Kurt/Blaine
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A newly reconciled Burt and Finn set about finding the one thing that will make their new family complete: a boyfriend for Kurt.
Author's Notes: This is my version of Blaine. I'm aware that he isn't quite canon!Blaine but I hope you'll forgive me.
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee. The events within are entirely fictional.
Word Count: 3920
Previous Parts: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten
Despite what most people might think, Kurt has never thought of himself as a romantic. It’s true that he dreams of holding hands and breakfasts in bed a good deal more than he dreams explicitly of sexual pleasure; and that he yearns for a relationship when most guys his age are happy to work their way through as many partners as they can get. But he has no desire to be wooed with flowers or endless streams of compliments or expensive presents, or any of the other ridiculous trappings that people like Rachel expect of a romance. He just wants to be loved, wholly and unreservedly, by someone he can give all of himself to without restraint.
He does not expect to find that someone in high school. Hell, he’s not even sure he could find them in Ohio.
Watching the many dramatics of the couples around him, he wonders how naïve you have to be to believe that your high school sweetheart is the only person you’ll ever truly love. His father is the perfect example to the contrary. He was blissfully happy with Kurt’s mother, but the happiness he has found with Carole is no less special, and Kurt can acknowledge now that his own life is much happier since the Hudson-Hummels became a real family. He listens to the various incarnations of glee couples singing saccharine love songs to each other, but he does not envy them.
And then he meets Blaine for coffee, as has become their custom on a Friday afternoon, and everything changes.
“For you,” Blaine says, holding out a yellow rose to a surprised Kurt. “Yellow roses symbolise friendship,” he explains, when Kurt merely stares at it.
As Kurt takes the offered flower, everything he has ever thought about giving someone something that will inevitably wither and die as a sign of your affection flies out of his head.
“I’m sorry,” Blaine says apprehensively, mistaking Kurt’s silence for rejection. “It’s lame.”
“It’s not lame,” Kurt replies, with rather more ferocity than he had intended. “It’s lovely. No one has ever bought me flowers before,” he adds softly.
“Well then,” Blaine says, nudging Kurt’s shoulder lightly. “Maybe you should get used to it.”
“I could do that,” Kurt replies, his tone matching Blaine’s teasing one.
“Why don’t you grab us a table whilst I get the drinks?” Blaine suggests, pointing Kurt in the direction of the only free table in the crowded café.
“Sure,” Kurt agrees, and as he makes for the table he seriously considers buying the most badass gift basket he can find to thank Puck for noticing Blaine that day in the record store.
“So,” Blaine announces when he rejoins Kurt. “I spoke to my principal, and whilst he was initially reluctant given that we will be performing against each other at sectionals, he eventually consented to your visiting Dalton. We have a couple of free dorms at the moment so you could stay in one of them, and if you visit on a weekend I won’t be busy with classes so I can show you around.”
“I wasn’t sure you still wanted to do that,” Kurt admits, his stomach lurching pleasantly. Another excuse to spend time with Blaine? Yes please.
“Of course I do,” Blaine says earnestly. “Dalton is beautiful. You’re going to love it there.”
“Then I shall look forward to seeing it as soon as I get a chance,” Kurt replies, beaming at Blaine over the top of his hot chocolate.
“Well, what are you doing next weekend?”
Kurt pauses, pretending to contemplate the question. “I had planned on reorganising my scarf drawer,” he replies, his eyes twinkling merrily. “But I think I might have just had a better offer.”
“Yeah. I’d say you have,” Blaine remarks, grinning even wider than ever now. “And I didn’t even tell you the best bit.”
Kurt raises an eyebrow expectantly.
“The Warblers are performing their monthly recital on Saturday night.”
“I get to hear you sing?” Kurt asks, his own excitement doubling instantly. Just knowing that Blaine is a singer is enough to turn Kurt’s insides to mush. Actually getting to hear him is something else entirely.
“You will,” Blaine replies.
“Wait,” Kurt says, frowning slightly. “Aren’t you worried about letting me see you guys perform? Like you said, I’m part of your competition for sectionals.”
Blaine shrugs. “Not really. From what you’ve told me it sounds like we both belong to very different glee clubs. Even if you were to steal our ideas, I’m not sure you could replicate the outcome.”
Kurt’s frown deepens at that, and Blaine rushes to make amends.
“That came out wrong,” he says sheepishly. “I should have said that I’m not worried because I trust you. You’re too unique, too special, to go around copying other people.”
“Right,” Kurt replies. “I understand. But what about the other Warblers?”
“They can’t wait to meet you. I think they’ll all be glad to finally put a face to the name I’ve been mentioning so often recently.”
Kurt blushes, but does not look away from Blaine’s smiling face.
Perhaps flowers and compliments aren’t so ridiculous after all?
*
It takes an awful lot of pleading, and a phone call to Dalton to speak to the headmaster personally before Kurt is finally given permission to visit Dalton with Blaine.
And then subjected to a truly horrific father-son sex talk that ends with him promising to be safe and his father promising never to talk about gay sex with him again.
He doesn’t tell anyone but Puck. Even Finn just thinks Kurt is to visit a distant relative. After what went down with Jesse, he knows that the news that he is friends with a member of a rival glee club will not be taken well by the rest of the club. Kurt doesn’t question why he is certain that Puck will be okay with it, but his assumption is proven correct when Puck merely smirks at him before launching into his own version of the sex talk, one that was much less about being safe and much more about being careful with his teeth.
By the time Friday afternoon rolls around Kurt is a tightly coiled spring of excitement. Not only is he facing the prospect of a weekend away from Lima in the company of a very attractive boy who happens to genuinely enjoy his company, but said boy is actually gay this time. It’s not quite everything Kurt has ever dreamed of, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
There is only one person Kurt trusts to adequately prepare him for his rendezvous. As he sashays across the room, Born This Way blaring from his stereo, he feels utterly invincible. His smallish suitcase is packed with the very best of his wardrobe, including the jeans Puck had made him wear the first time he had coffee with Blaine, and a button-down blue shirt Kurt knows makes his eyes look even brighter than usual. He is moments away from checking his bag for the fourth time in ten minutes when there is a knock at the door. A quick check of his bedroom clock tells him that Blaine is fifteen minutes early, which even Kurt’s inexperience knows has to be a good sign. He grabs his suitcase and hauls it up the stairs in record time.
“Someone’s eager,” he murmurs as he throws open the door, too excited to think about checking his hair first.
It’s Puck.
“Puck,” Kurt says dumbly, unable to stop himself from feeling a little disappointed.
“Hey,” Puck says, rubbing his neck in what Kurt has come to know as a nervous tic.
An unnatural silence falls between them.
“Is everything okay?” Kurt asks eventually, glancing at his watch. “It’s just that Blaine should be here any minute.”
“I know,” Puck says harshly. “I came to ask you not to go.”
“What?” Kurt exclaims.
“Don’t go,” Puck repeats, a touch of desperation creeping into his voice.
“Why not?” Kurt asks, glaring at Puck. “Do you know how often I get a chance to do so something like this? Something that could make me really happy.”
“I do,” Puck says seriously.
“Then why?” Kurt questions. “Is it Blaine? I thought you liked him.”
“I barely know the guy,” Puck replies. “He seems okay. Kind of a dork, but okay.”
Kurt’s brow furrows in confusion. “Then why on earth shouldn’t I go with him?” he demands.
“Because he’s not me.”
Kurt just stares at him, his jaw dropping. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he hisses.
Puck lets out a groan of frustration. “I don’t know,” he says angrily.
“Well, that’s a very compelling argument you’ve presented me with. I can see now that going with Blaine is a terrible idea,” Kurt spits sarcastically, turning around to step back into the house.
“If you go, Blaine will ask you to be his boyfriend, and any chance I might have had with you will be gone,” Puck mutters, and Kurt whirls around.
“Who says you had a chance with me to begin with?” he sneers, though what he really meant to ask was why Puck would want a chance to begin with.
Kurt expects to hear something about what an irresistible stud Puck is.
What he gets is a piercing look and a shake of the head.
“You don’t fool me, Kurt. I’ve never seen you laugh the way you do when you’re with me. You’re like a different person. And I confided in you, spoke to you about things I’ve never told anyone. You really think I would have done that if there wasn’t some part of me that wants more than friendship from you?”
Puck speaks quickly, and Kurt gets the impression that he has been rehearsing the words for some time.
“How long?” he asks softly.
Puck shrugs. “Don’t really know. I went home the other day, after you’d told me about going to visit Blaine, and I knew I should be happy for you but I just felt angry, and a little bit sick. The more I thought about it, the more obvious it became. I want you.”
Heat floods Kurt’s cheeks. No one has ever said they wanted him before.
“You’re not gay,” he stammers.
“I don’t know what I am,” Puck replies calmly. “I came here tonight to ask you to give me some time to figure it out.”
“You want me to wait for you?”
“These feelings are so confusing,” Puck says desperately. “I’m dying to kiss you right now but I have no idea if that’s just my dick talking or if this is really who I am.”
Kurt sighs, his anger fading somewhat in the face of the lost look in Puck’s eyes. “I know it’s hard. And I really appreciate you being this honest with me. But I can’t wait for you.”
Puck couldn’t have looked more hurt if Kurt had kneed him in the balls with his steel cap boots.
“I’m sorry, Puck, I really am. But Blaine is sweet, and charming, and he understands me in a way that you never will. I can’t wait for you to decide if I’m what you want when there’s a chance that Blaine already knows.”
Puck takes a step forward and Kurt flinches instinctively. Puck freezes, and with considerable effort he steps back again.
“I get it,” he says quietly. “I’m sorry for coming. I hope it doesn’t ruin your night.”
His eyes linger on Kurt’s lips for a moment and then he turns and walks away. Kurt watches as Puck’s truck turns the corner and disappears from view before letting out a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding. In his heart he knows he made the right decision, but that doesn’t make the making of it any easier. He can admit, to himself if not to Puck, that he was starting to develop feelings for the jock, and that if he had never met Blaine it would be Puck that Kurt fell asleep dreaming of. But that doesn’t mean he owes Puck anything. He needs someone as comfortable with their sexuality as he is. He won’t be anyone’s experiment.
From inside the house Kurt hears his father calling him and he quickly wipes away the stray tears that were beginning to gather at the corner of his eyes. By the time the door opens, Kurt is reasonably confident that no one would suspect that anything was wrong.
“Hey,” Burt says as he leans against the front door. “I just came to say goodbye. I’m going to grab a shower before I go pick Carole up from work and I figure you’ll be gone by the time I’m done, so…”
Impulsively, Kurt throws his arms around his father.
“What was that for?” Burt asks, when Kurt reluctantly lets him go. “You still want to go right? Because you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“I’m hugging you to say thank you for letting me go,” Kurt replies, rolling his eyes.
“Right. Well that’s good,” Burt replies. “You remember what I told you the other night?”
“I remember,” Kurt says firmly. “You don’t need to repeat it. Ever.”
Burt looks relieved at this, and reaches out to squeeze Kurt’s shoulder briefly. “Have a good time Kurt.”
“I will,” Kurt replies. As he does so, a car pulls into the drive, and when he turns around it’s to see Blaine and his ever-present smile standing on his driveway.
“Hey Kurt, all set for your big adventure?”
Kurt nods, his concern for Puck fading at the enthusiasm on Blaine’s face.
“You must be Kurt’s father,” Blaine says, hurrying over to shake Burt’s hand. Kurt can tell from the slight quirk of his father’s mouth that he’s impressed that Blaine spoke first. “My name is Blaine. I really appreciate you allowing Kurt to come away this weekend.”
“No problem,” Burt says gruffly. “You kids have a good time. And make sure you call me when you get there.”
*
As beautiful as Dalton is, it pales in comparison to the sheer joy on Blaine’s face as he shows Kurt around. He talks Kurt through the history of the school and takes him to see the library and the rooms where all his favourite classes are held. People approach them with friendly smiles and Blaine seems to take genuine pleasure in introducing Kurt to them. It takes a good hour of this before Kurt realises, quite suddenly, that Blaine is insanely popular.
And he wasn’t kidding when he said his friends were looking forward to meeting Kurt. Everyone Kurt meets tells him how pleased they are to meet him, and that they hope he enjoys his short time at Dalton. Wes and David, Blaine’s closest friends, both pull him into a hug, clapping him on the back and congratulating Blaine on the marked improvement from the last guy he’d brought to Dalton. Kurt’s stomach twists a little at the thought that he’s not the first guy Blaine has brought there, but he knows it’s unfair of him to think that he would be. Nearly everyone else Kurt knows has dated someone; there’s no reason why Blaine should be as painfully virginal as Kurt.
“So Kurt, you must be looking forward to hearing Blaine sing tonight,” Wes remarks.
“You have a solo?” Kurt asks, eyes darting to Blaine.
Wes and David both chuckle. “Blaine’s kind of our star,” David says by way of explanation.
“He failed to mention that,” Kurt says, smirking at the blushing Blaine. Popular and the star of the glee club? He just keeps on getting better.
“Well, Blaine’s very modest like that,” Wes says. “And did we mention that he’s also incredibly generous and a great cook?”
“Overkill,” Blaine mutters, leaning over and whacking Wes on the arm.
Kurt laughs, more relaxed than he could have ever imagined being in a room full of strangers.
They eat in the dining room, Kurt sandwiched between Wes and David, the three of them mocking Blaine mercilessly for his love of Shirley Temple movies. After dinner the entire school makes its way to the auditorium for the recital. Blaine, Wes and David bid Kurt farewell, leaving him in the care of a non-Warbler friend of theirs named Cliff whilst they head backstage to prepare for their performance. Cliff leads Kurt to two spare seats in the front row and immediately begins regaling him with tales of past Warbler recitals. Kurt tries to listen, but he can’t help being distracted by the excited chatter around him. It’s so far removed from the average New Directions performance at McKinley that part of Kurt thinks he’s dreaming a particularly vivid dream.
As the lights dim Kurt’s feels a bubble of excitement burst in his stomach, and he claps loudly, along with the rest of the audience.
When the warblers start to sing, it takes Kurt two seconds to recognise exactly what song he’s about to hear Blaine belt out to a packed auditorium.
Teenage Dream.
If they’d been at McKinley the jocks would probably have stormed the stage in protest.
Instead, Blaine is up there swinging his hips enticingly and being cheered on for it. By the time they get to the chorus most of the room are on their feet dancing and singing along, Kurt included. Blaine’s usual, slightly dorky enthusiasm has been replaced by an air of confidence that causes Kurt’s jeans to become uncomfortably tight. His eyes scan the stage but continue to return to Blaine and his damn hips. When Blaine catches him looking he winks, and Kurt flushes bright red, much to Cliff’s amusement.
Kurt is still flushed when he catches up with Blaine after the performance, but he brushes his embarrassment aside long enough to pull the other boy into a brief hug.
“What did you think?” Blaine asks as they part, biting his lip nervously.
“You were amazing!” Kurt gushes. “I can’t believe how good you made that sound.”
Relief flashes across Blaine’s face as he reaches for Kurt’s hand. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it,” he says.
Blaine’s skin is smooth and warm, and when Kurt summons up all of his courage and squeezes it lightly Blaine returns the pressure immediately.
“I did,” Kurt says softly. “I really did.”
The moment is broken by Wes slinging an arm over Kurt’s shoulder. “So, Kurt, when do we get the pleasure of hearing you sing?”
“Tomorrow,” Blaine answers for him, smiling at Kurt. “We’ve got Warbler rehearsal at eleven. I thought perhaps Kurt could join us?”
“Sounds great,” Wes replies, clapping Kurt on the shoulder.
*
“They weren’t serious, were they?” Kurt asks as he’s led into the music room the following day. “About wanting to hear me sing?”
“Deadly serious,” Blaine replies, sitting down at the piano and flexing his fingers along the keys. “We could sing something together if you like,” he suggests, nodding at the sheet music sitting atop the piano. “You know this song, right?”
Kurt glances down at the music. “Of course I do,” Kurt replies, looking down at where the music has been highlighted in two different colours before fixing Blaine with a penetrating look. “You planned this,” he says accusingly.
Blaine flashes him a guilty smile. “Maybe a bit,” he admits. “Will you do it?”
The room has filled up now, and everywhere Kurt looks he sees encouraging, expectant faces. The ghost of a grin flickers across Kurt’s face, and he nods.
Blaine’s fingers dance across the keys and he sings the first couple of lines in the smooth, calm voice Kurt is quickly learning to love. He lets his eyes fall closed, trusting the music to guide him, and begins to sing.
He doesn’t open them again until the last note rings out across the room.
“Damn Kurt,” Wes exclaims, breaking the silence that had settled on the small crowd of Warblers. “You can really sing.”
“He’s right,” Blaine says, and when Kurt turns to look at him there is such…admiration…on Blaine’s face that Kurt has to turn away to stop himself from bursting into tears. It’s too good to be true, and yet he can feel the heat of Blaine’s hand where it rests on his elbow so it must be real.
They spend the rest of the day with Wes and David, strolling around the grounds and swapping tales of high school life. Kurt listens with envy as David fills him in on Dalton’s No Bullying policy, and they listen with horror as he recounts a little of torment he has received at the hands of the McKinley jocks. Blaine’s eyes are on him almost constantly, and Kurt would be lying if he said he wasn’t starting to enjoy the attention. But despite all the long looks and not-so-accidental touches, Blaine never actually says anything to indicate that he might be interested in Kurt as anything more than a friend.
Not even on the drive home, when it’s just the two of them again. They sing along to the radio and chat about the coming week, but other than that…nothing. Kurt replays every one of the weekend’s interactions in his head, looking for a sign that he has misread the situation, but finding none. Everything points towards Blaine being interested, but Kurt isn’t foolish enough to believe it until he hears the actual words.
Something that looks increasingly unlikely given that they are pulling into the Hudson-Hummel driveway now, and the closest Blaine has come to asking Kurt out is when he suggested that he come and visit Dalton again for Wes’ birthday party next month.
“Thanks for coming this weekend,” Blaine says as he heaves Kurt’s suitcase from the back of his car. “I had a really great time.”
“So did I,” Kurt replies honestly. “Your school is gorgeous, and your friends were so welcoming. Please thank them again for me.”
“Of course,” Blaine replies, studying Kurt for a long moment before leaning over and brushing a soft kiss across his cheek.
“Do you want to come in for coffee?” Kurt asks abruptly, his skin on fire where Blaine’s lips had touched it.
“I’d love to,” Blaine responds. “But I have to drive back and I’d really rather not do it in the dark.”
“Right,” Kurt says, telling himself that it’s common sense and not rejection. “I understand. I guess I’ll talk to you some time during the week?”
“Absolutely,” Blaine affirms. “Good night.”
“Night,” Kurt says, turning around to pick up his suitcase.
“Hey Kurt,” Blaine says, and Kurt turns around slowly. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to do this, because I think that what you really need right now is a friend…” he trails off, gazing at his feet for a minute before looking back up into Kurt’s eyes. “You’re amazing, Kurt. I can’t believe no one else has noticed it yet, but it’s only a matter of time. I’m terrified that if I don’t take the chance now then someone will sweep in and steal you and I’ll be left to regret it for the rest of my life.”
Kurt bites his lip and thinks of Puck and how uncannily true Blaine’s words are.
“What I’m trying to say is that I would really, really like to take you out for dinner some time,” Blaine concludes, all hopeful eyes and cautious smiles.
“When you say dinner…”
Blaine laughs. “I’m asking you out on a date, Kurt.”
Pairing: Puck/Kurt, very slight Kurt/Blaine
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A newly reconciled Burt and Finn set about finding the one thing that will make their new family complete: a boyfriend for Kurt.
Author's Notes: This is my version of Blaine. I'm aware that he isn't quite canon!Blaine but I hope you'll forgive me.
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee. The events within are entirely fictional.
Word Count: 3920
Previous Parts: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten
Despite what most people might think, Kurt has never thought of himself as a romantic. It’s true that he dreams of holding hands and breakfasts in bed a good deal more than he dreams explicitly of sexual pleasure; and that he yearns for a relationship when most guys his age are happy to work their way through as many partners as they can get. But he has no desire to be wooed with flowers or endless streams of compliments or expensive presents, or any of the other ridiculous trappings that people like Rachel expect of a romance. He just wants to be loved, wholly and unreservedly, by someone he can give all of himself to without restraint.
He does not expect to find that someone in high school. Hell, he’s not even sure he could find them in Ohio.
Watching the many dramatics of the couples around him, he wonders how naïve you have to be to believe that your high school sweetheart is the only person you’ll ever truly love. His father is the perfect example to the contrary. He was blissfully happy with Kurt’s mother, but the happiness he has found with Carole is no less special, and Kurt can acknowledge now that his own life is much happier since the Hudson-Hummels became a real family. He listens to the various incarnations of glee couples singing saccharine love songs to each other, but he does not envy them.
And then he meets Blaine for coffee, as has become their custom on a Friday afternoon, and everything changes.
“For you,” Blaine says, holding out a yellow rose to a surprised Kurt. “Yellow roses symbolise friendship,” he explains, when Kurt merely stares at it.
As Kurt takes the offered flower, everything he has ever thought about giving someone something that will inevitably wither and die as a sign of your affection flies out of his head.
“I’m sorry,” Blaine says apprehensively, mistaking Kurt’s silence for rejection. “It’s lame.”
“It’s not lame,” Kurt replies, with rather more ferocity than he had intended. “It’s lovely. No one has ever bought me flowers before,” he adds softly.
“Well then,” Blaine says, nudging Kurt’s shoulder lightly. “Maybe you should get used to it.”
“I could do that,” Kurt replies, his tone matching Blaine’s teasing one.
“Why don’t you grab us a table whilst I get the drinks?” Blaine suggests, pointing Kurt in the direction of the only free table in the crowded café.
“Sure,” Kurt agrees, and as he makes for the table he seriously considers buying the most badass gift basket he can find to thank Puck for noticing Blaine that day in the record store.
“So,” Blaine announces when he rejoins Kurt. “I spoke to my principal, and whilst he was initially reluctant given that we will be performing against each other at sectionals, he eventually consented to your visiting Dalton. We have a couple of free dorms at the moment so you could stay in one of them, and if you visit on a weekend I won’t be busy with classes so I can show you around.”
“I wasn’t sure you still wanted to do that,” Kurt admits, his stomach lurching pleasantly. Another excuse to spend time with Blaine? Yes please.
“Of course I do,” Blaine says earnestly. “Dalton is beautiful. You’re going to love it there.”
“Then I shall look forward to seeing it as soon as I get a chance,” Kurt replies, beaming at Blaine over the top of his hot chocolate.
“Well, what are you doing next weekend?”
Kurt pauses, pretending to contemplate the question. “I had planned on reorganising my scarf drawer,” he replies, his eyes twinkling merrily. “But I think I might have just had a better offer.”
“Yeah. I’d say you have,” Blaine remarks, grinning even wider than ever now. “And I didn’t even tell you the best bit.”
Kurt raises an eyebrow expectantly.
“The Warblers are performing their monthly recital on Saturday night.”
“I get to hear you sing?” Kurt asks, his own excitement doubling instantly. Just knowing that Blaine is a singer is enough to turn Kurt’s insides to mush. Actually getting to hear him is something else entirely.
“You will,” Blaine replies.
“Wait,” Kurt says, frowning slightly. “Aren’t you worried about letting me see you guys perform? Like you said, I’m part of your competition for sectionals.”
Blaine shrugs. “Not really. From what you’ve told me it sounds like we both belong to very different glee clubs. Even if you were to steal our ideas, I’m not sure you could replicate the outcome.”
Kurt’s frown deepens at that, and Blaine rushes to make amends.
“That came out wrong,” he says sheepishly. “I should have said that I’m not worried because I trust you. You’re too unique, too special, to go around copying other people.”
“Right,” Kurt replies. “I understand. But what about the other Warblers?”
“They can’t wait to meet you. I think they’ll all be glad to finally put a face to the name I’ve been mentioning so often recently.”
Kurt blushes, but does not look away from Blaine’s smiling face.
Perhaps flowers and compliments aren’t so ridiculous after all?
*
It takes an awful lot of pleading, and a phone call to Dalton to speak to the headmaster personally before Kurt is finally given permission to visit Dalton with Blaine.
And then subjected to a truly horrific father-son sex talk that ends with him promising to be safe and his father promising never to talk about gay sex with him again.
He doesn’t tell anyone but Puck. Even Finn just thinks Kurt is to visit a distant relative. After what went down with Jesse, he knows that the news that he is friends with a member of a rival glee club will not be taken well by the rest of the club. Kurt doesn’t question why he is certain that Puck will be okay with it, but his assumption is proven correct when Puck merely smirks at him before launching into his own version of the sex talk, one that was much less about being safe and much more about being careful with his teeth.
By the time Friday afternoon rolls around Kurt is a tightly coiled spring of excitement. Not only is he facing the prospect of a weekend away from Lima in the company of a very attractive boy who happens to genuinely enjoy his company, but said boy is actually gay this time. It’s not quite everything Kurt has ever dreamed of, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.
There is only one person Kurt trusts to adequately prepare him for his rendezvous. As he sashays across the room, Born This Way blaring from his stereo, he feels utterly invincible. His smallish suitcase is packed with the very best of his wardrobe, including the jeans Puck had made him wear the first time he had coffee with Blaine, and a button-down blue shirt Kurt knows makes his eyes look even brighter than usual. He is moments away from checking his bag for the fourth time in ten minutes when there is a knock at the door. A quick check of his bedroom clock tells him that Blaine is fifteen minutes early, which even Kurt’s inexperience knows has to be a good sign. He grabs his suitcase and hauls it up the stairs in record time.
“Someone’s eager,” he murmurs as he throws open the door, too excited to think about checking his hair first.
It’s Puck.
“Puck,” Kurt says dumbly, unable to stop himself from feeling a little disappointed.
“Hey,” Puck says, rubbing his neck in what Kurt has come to know as a nervous tic.
An unnatural silence falls between them.
“Is everything okay?” Kurt asks eventually, glancing at his watch. “It’s just that Blaine should be here any minute.”
“I know,” Puck says harshly. “I came to ask you not to go.”
“What?” Kurt exclaims.
“Don’t go,” Puck repeats, a touch of desperation creeping into his voice.
“Why not?” Kurt asks, glaring at Puck. “Do you know how often I get a chance to do so something like this? Something that could make me really happy.”
“I do,” Puck says seriously.
“Then why?” Kurt questions. “Is it Blaine? I thought you liked him.”
“I barely know the guy,” Puck replies. “He seems okay. Kind of a dork, but okay.”
Kurt’s brow furrows in confusion. “Then why on earth shouldn’t I go with him?” he demands.
“Because he’s not me.”
Kurt just stares at him, his jaw dropping. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he hisses.
Puck lets out a groan of frustration. “I don’t know,” he says angrily.
“Well, that’s a very compelling argument you’ve presented me with. I can see now that going with Blaine is a terrible idea,” Kurt spits sarcastically, turning around to step back into the house.
“If you go, Blaine will ask you to be his boyfriend, and any chance I might have had with you will be gone,” Puck mutters, and Kurt whirls around.
“Who says you had a chance with me to begin with?” he sneers, though what he really meant to ask was why Puck would want a chance to begin with.
Kurt expects to hear something about what an irresistible stud Puck is.
What he gets is a piercing look and a shake of the head.
“You don’t fool me, Kurt. I’ve never seen you laugh the way you do when you’re with me. You’re like a different person. And I confided in you, spoke to you about things I’ve never told anyone. You really think I would have done that if there wasn’t some part of me that wants more than friendship from you?”
Puck speaks quickly, and Kurt gets the impression that he has been rehearsing the words for some time.
“How long?” he asks softly.
Puck shrugs. “Don’t really know. I went home the other day, after you’d told me about going to visit Blaine, and I knew I should be happy for you but I just felt angry, and a little bit sick. The more I thought about it, the more obvious it became. I want you.”
Heat floods Kurt’s cheeks. No one has ever said they wanted him before.
“You’re not gay,” he stammers.
“I don’t know what I am,” Puck replies calmly. “I came here tonight to ask you to give me some time to figure it out.”
“You want me to wait for you?”
“These feelings are so confusing,” Puck says desperately. “I’m dying to kiss you right now but I have no idea if that’s just my dick talking or if this is really who I am.”
Kurt sighs, his anger fading somewhat in the face of the lost look in Puck’s eyes. “I know it’s hard. And I really appreciate you being this honest with me. But I can’t wait for you.”
Puck couldn’t have looked more hurt if Kurt had kneed him in the balls with his steel cap boots.
“I’m sorry, Puck, I really am. But Blaine is sweet, and charming, and he understands me in a way that you never will. I can’t wait for you to decide if I’m what you want when there’s a chance that Blaine already knows.”
Puck takes a step forward and Kurt flinches instinctively. Puck freezes, and with considerable effort he steps back again.
“I get it,” he says quietly. “I’m sorry for coming. I hope it doesn’t ruin your night.”
His eyes linger on Kurt’s lips for a moment and then he turns and walks away. Kurt watches as Puck’s truck turns the corner and disappears from view before letting out a breath he hadn’t realised he was holding. In his heart he knows he made the right decision, but that doesn’t make the making of it any easier. He can admit, to himself if not to Puck, that he was starting to develop feelings for the jock, and that if he had never met Blaine it would be Puck that Kurt fell asleep dreaming of. But that doesn’t mean he owes Puck anything. He needs someone as comfortable with their sexuality as he is. He won’t be anyone’s experiment.
From inside the house Kurt hears his father calling him and he quickly wipes away the stray tears that were beginning to gather at the corner of his eyes. By the time the door opens, Kurt is reasonably confident that no one would suspect that anything was wrong.
“Hey,” Burt says as he leans against the front door. “I just came to say goodbye. I’m going to grab a shower before I go pick Carole up from work and I figure you’ll be gone by the time I’m done, so…”
Impulsively, Kurt throws his arms around his father.
“What was that for?” Burt asks, when Kurt reluctantly lets him go. “You still want to go right? Because you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“I’m hugging you to say thank you for letting me go,” Kurt replies, rolling his eyes.
“Right. Well that’s good,” Burt replies. “You remember what I told you the other night?”
“I remember,” Kurt says firmly. “You don’t need to repeat it. Ever.”
Burt looks relieved at this, and reaches out to squeeze Kurt’s shoulder briefly. “Have a good time Kurt.”
“I will,” Kurt replies. As he does so, a car pulls into the drive, and when he turns around it’s to see Blaine and his ever-present smile standing on his driveway.
“Hey Kurt, all set for your big adventure?”
Kurt nods, his concern for Puck fading at the enthusiasm on Blaine’s face.
“You must be Kurt’s father,” Blaine says, hurrying over to shake Burt’s hand. Kurt can tell from the slight quirk of his father’s mouth that he’s impressed that Blaine spoke first. “My name is Blaine. I really appreciate you allowing Kurt to come away this weekend.”
“No problem,” Burt says gruffly. “You kids have a good time. And make sure you call me when you get there.”
*
As beautiful as Dalton is, it pales in comparison to the sheer joy on Blaine’s face as he shows Kurt around. He talks Kurt through the history of the school and takes him to see the library and the rooms where all his favourite classes are held. People approach them with friendly smiles and Blaine seems to take genuine pleasure in introducing Kurt to them. It takes a good hour of this before Kurt realises, quite suddenly, that Blaine is insanely popular.
And he wasn’t kidding when he said his friends were looking forward to meeting Kurt. Everyone Kurt meets tells him how pleased they are to meet him, and that they hope he enjoys his short time at Dalton. Wes and David, Blaine’s closest friends, both pull him into a hug, clapping him on the back and congratulating Blaine on the marked improvement from the last guy he’d brought to Dalton. Kurt’s stomach twists a little at the thought that he’s not the first guy Blaine has brought there, but he knows it’s unfair of him to think that he would be. Nearly everyone else Kurt knows has dated someone; there’s no reason why Blaine should be as painfully virginal as Kurt.
“So Kurt, you must be looking forward to hearing Blaine sing tonight,” Wes remarks.
“You have a solo?” Kurt asks, eyes darting to Blaine.
Wes and David both chuckle. “Blaine’s kind of our star,” David says by way of explanation.
“He failed to mention that,” Kurt says, smirking at the blushing Blaine. Popular and the star of the glee club? He just keeps on getting better.
“Well, Blaine’s very modest like that,” Wes says. “And did we mention that he’s also incredibly generous and a great cook?”
“Overkill,” Blaine mutters, leaning over and whacking Wes on the arm.
Kurt laughs, more relaxed than he could have ever imagined being in a room full of strangers.
They eat in the dining room, Kurt sandwiched between Wes and David, the three of them mocking Blaine mercilessly for his love of Shirley Temple movies. After dinner the entire school makes its way to the auditorium for the recital. Blaine, Wes and David bid Kurt farewell, leaving him in the care of a non-Warbler friend of theirs named Cliff whilst they head backstage to prepare for their performance. Cliff leads Kurt to two spare seats in the front row and immediately begins regaling him with tales of past Warbler recitals. Kurt tries to listen, but he can’t help being distracted by the excited chatter around him. It’s so far removed from the average New Directions performance at McKinley that part of Kurt thinks he’s dreaming a particularly vivid dream.
As the lights dim Kurt’s feels a bubble of excitement burst in his stomach, and he claps loudly, along with the rest of the audience.
When the warblers start to sing, it takes Kurt two seconds to recognise exactly what song he’s about to hear Blaine belt out to a packed auditorium.
Teenage Dream.
If they’d been at McKinley the jocks would probably have stormed the stage in protest.
Instead, Blaine is up there swinging his hips enticingly and being cheered on for it. By the time they get to the chorus most of the room are on their feet dancing and singing along, Kurt included. Blaine’s usual, slightly dorky enthusiasm has been replaced by an air of confidence that causes Kurt’s jeans to become uncomfortably tight. His eyes scan the stage but continue to return to Blaine and his damn hips. When Blaine catches him looking he winks, and Kurt flushes bright red, much to Cliff’s amusement.
Kurt is still flushed when he catches up with Blaine after the performance, but he brushes his embarrassment aside long enough to pull the other boy into a brief hug.
“What did you think?” Blaine asks as they part, biting his lip nervously.
“You were amazing!” Kurt gushes. “I can’t believe how good you made that sound.”
Relief flashes across Blaine’s face as he reaches for Kurt’s hand. “I’m so glad you enjoyed it,” he says.
Blaine’s skin is smooth and warm, and when Kurt summons up all of his courage and squeezes it lightly Blaine returns the pressure immediately.
“I did,” Kurt says softly. “I really did.”
The moment is broken by Wes slinging an arm over Kurt’s shoulder. “So, Kurt, when do we get the pleasure of hearing you sing?”
“Tomorrow,” Blaine answers for him, smiling at Kurt. “We’ve got Warbler rehearsal at eleven. I thought perhaps Kurt could join us?”
“Sounds great,” Wes replies, clapping Kurt on the shoulder.
*
“They weren’t serious, were they?” Kurt asks as he’s led into the music room the following day. “About wanting to hear me sing?”
“Deadly serious,” Blaine replies, sitting down at the piano and flexing his fingers along the keys. “We could sing something together if you like,” he suggests, nodding at the sheet music sitting atop the piano. “You know this song, right?”
Kurt glances down at the music. “Of course I do,” Kurt replies, looking down at where the music has been highlighted in two different colours before fixing Blaine with a penetrating look. “You planned this,” he says accusingly.
Blaine flashes him a guilty smile. “Maybe a bit,” he admits. “Will you do it?”
The room has filled up now, and everywhere Kurt looks he sees encouraging, expectant faces. The ghost of a grin flickers across Kurt’s face, and he nods.
Blaine’s fingers dance across the keys and he sings the first couple of lines in the smooth, calm voice Kurt is quickly learning to love. He lets his eyes fall closed, trusting the music to guide him, and begins to sing.
He doesn’t open them again until the last note rings out across the room.
“Damn Kurt,” Wes exclaims, breaking the silence that had settled on the small crowd of Warblers. “You can really sing.”
“He’s right,” Blaine says, and when Kurt turns to look at him there is such…admiration…on Blaine’s face that Kurt has to turn away to stop himself from bursting into tears. It’s too good to be true, and yet he can feel the heat of Blaine’s hand where it rests on his elbow so it must be real.
They spend the rest of the day with Wes and David, strolling around the grounds and swapping tales of high school life. Kurt listens with envy as David fills him in on Dalton’s No Bullying policy, and they listen with horror as he recounts a little of torment he has received at the hands of the McKinley jocks. Blaine’s eyes are on him almost constantly, and Kurt would be lying if he said he wasn’t starting to enjoy the attention. But despite all the long looks and not-so-accidental touches, Blaine never actually says anything to indicate that he might be interested in Kurt as anything more than a friend.
Not even on the drive home, when it’s just the two of them again. They sing along to the radio and chat about the coming week, but other than that…nothing. Kurt replays every one of the weekend’s interactions in his head, looking for a sign that he has misread the situation, but finding none. Everything points towards Blaine being interested, but Kurt isn’t foolish enough to believe it until he hears the actual words.
Something that looks increasingly unlikely given that they are pulling into the Hudson-Hummel driveway now, and the closest Blaine has come to asking Kurt out is when he suggested that he come and visit Dalton again for Wes’ birthday party next month.
“Thanks for coming this weekend,” Blaine says as he heaves Kurt’s suitcase from the back of his car. “I had a really great time.”
“So did I,” Kurt replies honestly. “Your school is gorgeous, and your friends were so welcoming. Please thank them again for me.”
“Of course,” Blaine replies, studying Kurt for a long moment before leaning over and brushing a soft kiss across his cheek.
“Do you want to come in for coffee?” Kurt asks abruptly, his skin on fire where Blaine’s lips had touched it.
“I’d love to,” Blaine responds. “But I have to drive back and I’d really rather not do it in the dark.”
“Right,” Kurt says, telling himself that it’s common sense and not rejection. “I understand. I guess I’ll talk to you some time during the week?”
“Absolutely,” Blaine affirms. “Good night.”
“Night,” Kurt says, turning around to pick up his suitcase.
“Hey Kurt,” Blaine says, and Kurt turns around slowly. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to do this, because I think that what you really need right now is a friend…” he trails off, gazing at his feet for a minute before looking back up into Kurt’s eyes. “You’re amazing, Kurt. I can’t believe no one else has noticed it yet, but it’s only a matter of time. I’m terrified that if I don’t take the chance now then someone will sweep in and steal you and I’ll be left to regret it for the rest of my life.”
Kurt bites his lip and thinks of Puck and how uncannily true Blaine’s words are.
“What I’m trying to say is that I would really, really like to take you out for dinner some time,” Blaine concludes, all hopeful eyes and cautious smiles.
“When you say dinner…”
Blaine laughs. “I’m asking you out on a date, Kurt.”