Glee Fic : Three Wishes | Kurt/Blaine | 9/10 PG-13
Title : Three Wishes
Author : Jen
Rating : PG-13
Pairing : au!Blaine & au!moviestar!Kurt
Word count : ~4,300 / ~54,000
Spoilers : AU re-write of seasons one through three
Warnings : mentions of the events of that Sadie Hawkins dance
Summary : If Blaine Anderson found a magic lamp he'd only ask for two things. He'd wish for a place at NYADA when he graduates high school, and he'd wish that Kurt Hummel was his boyfriend. There were three problems with this. Firstly, competition for NYADA was insane. Secondly, Kurt Hummel didn't even know he existed. Movie stars tended to be like that about their fans. Thirdly, Blaine didn't have a magic lamp.
Based on a Tumblr gif set found here & here
As always I can be found on Tumblr when I should be doing other things.
(cover by the awesome Becky who puts up with me more than she probably should...)
<< Part 8
~~~
The distance between Kurt and Blaine did not go unnoticed but when Rachel tried to broach the subject with Blaine she got a curt response for her troubles. Mike tried to be a bit more tactful about it, offering to buy Blaine coffee after one rehearsal. He agreed on condition that Kurt was a banned topic which made for an uncomfortable start to their afternoon until they started on college choices.
Kurt didn't have the same depth of friendships in the group but he wasn't alone in this; Santana had adopted him (Kurt was still trying to work out if this was a good thing or not) and therefore when she sat next to him after rehearsal he wasn't surprised.
"So we're all apparently trying to ignore the fact that you and Bowtie aren't cuddling up in the choir room anymore."
"Santana-"
"Is it for keeps?"
"What?"
"Have you two split up-"
"No," Kurt said firmly. "We are... We have not split up."
"So what's with the fighting?"
"It's private."
"Which means it's interesting."
"And none of your business."
"Since when has that stopped me?" she grinned. "And unlike some I don't care that you're some big name with millions of fans and millions in the bank-"
"Slight overstatement on both," Kurt sighed.
"Whatever. You realise that ignoring each other isn't going to make it all magically better?"
"I had realised that, yes."
"Me and Britts, we've had our ups and downs. But we talk it through, every time. That is, when I'm not letting my pride get in the way." When Kurt turned to look at her she smiled. "This role a bit of a comedown for you?"
"What? No! No, it's not that."
"Really?" Santana asked, quirking an eyebrow. "Hollywood darling to Blaine's back up? Welcome to McKinley where we live through the Rachel and Blaine show every week."
"Which, if I'm not mistaken, got you to Nationals last year."
"Which, if you remember, we lost. Because your boy was distracted."
"You think I don't know that?" Kurt snapped. "Why does everyone think that this is all just one big game to me? That I'm here just for the hell of it? I want to be here, I want to be with Blaine, and I want to be a normal kid for two minutes while I finish my education. And that includes going for roles in a high school production and not getting them because someone is better.
"And for the record, Santana, I'm pretty used to that. You think that I got all the roles I went for? You think everything was just handed to me on a silver platter because I ticked all the boxes for Hollywood?"
"So what gives? Thought you two were good."
"We were. We are."
"Tell that to the Grand Canyon between you two during class and rehearsals."
"It's private."
"I don't care what it is. These be the facts, Hollywood. Blaine is our star, him and Rachel are our best chance of getting back to Nationals and I am not finishing my senior year without getting that trophy. So you fix whatever it is you broke and we can get our star back before Sectionals."
"Why do you think it's my fault?"
"Because that boy has been in love with you for years now. He was a walking encyclopaedia on you and it was stupid and sickening. Then you two actually went and hooked up and I thought it was going to be a whole world of worse except you two are actually really good together. I knows a good thing when I see it and I sees it with you two."
"He's avoiding me-"
"And you him and you're going around in circles and nothing will be fixed and I am using tomorrow's opening night as a test. If Blaine is not on form then I will lock you two in a room until you sort it out. Sectionals is in a few weeks-"
"I would have thought that you'd have loved to steal the limelight," Kurt quipped.
"Oh, I'm not sayin' I'm not ready," Santana grinned, "and I will take on Rachel for it if I need to. But Britts wants to see Blaine happy. Something about the world needing magic."
"What?"
"If Blaine isn't happy the world is less magical. She says he 'smiles in rainbows' and I swear that if you make some comment about this I will hurt you."
"No," Kurt smiled, "she's... actually right. In a way, I mean."
"So you going to fix this?"
"He-Yes," Kurt sighed. "I will talk to him."
"Before the opening night?"
"No promises."
"Before Sectionals?"
"Yes, before Sectionals."
"Good. 'cause I don't like seeing my girl unhappy. Or my boys."
Kurt's reply was stilled at the compliment and he just smiled and nodded. He grabbed his phone and pulled up his messages.
I'm sorry. Can we talk? Soon. Kxx
His finger hovered over the send button for a second before he deleted it. Some things shouldn't be said via text.
*
Life, Kurt decided, was severely unfair. He'd planned to go over to Blaine's that night to talk to him but when he got home after school Carole had been called in for a cover shift at the hospital and so he was left babysitting his dad to prevent him digging into the cakes that had been baked that weekend.
Plan B was to get to school early to see him but Blaine didn't arrive until late morning due to some appointment. (Rachel had been the one to reassure the group that they were not losing their lead the day of opening.) When he did turn up he and Rachel were sequested away in the auditorium for last minute rehearsals and then it was time for the curtain and somehow Kurt still hadn't managed to get five minutes with him.
*
Blaine texted Rachel, keeping the details about his "appointment" vague, and lay back on his bed. He couldn't face English, not with Kurt in the same class. If he went in late enough then he could go straight into rehearsals and he wouldn't have to spend time looking at the one thing that he was scared of losing. That he was about to lose. He'd been stupid and jealous of what? Nothing in the end. Just him and his insecurities and assumptions which had pushed Kurt away. So many times he'd nearly texted Kurt, asked if they could talk, but he knew what was coming when they did talk.
At least now he could still say he had a boyfriend, he was still with Kurt Hummel.
(Oh god, what were the fans going to do to him if - when - they split up? Would he go down in history as the guy who broke Kurt's heart? Would they hate him?)
Right now all Blaine wanted to think about was the play. He had to be perfect so he and Rachel could use the recording for their NYADA applications. Getting up he looked at himself in the full length mirror.
"Danny never had these problems, did he?" Blaine said to his reflection. "Well, except when his stupid pride got in the way." Giving a small laugh he shook his head. "Guess I'm more method than I thought."
Once in school it was easy to avoid Kurt and the first time they locked eyes was from opposite sides of the stage, just as the curtain pulled up.
*
"Rach, I can't see it, are you sure you left it in the wings?" Blaine asked, trying to hold his cell phone to his ear with his shoulder as he dug through the pile of clothing. "I don't see why it's so important, you could just get it tomorrow."
"No, you have to be there now," Rachel said.
"What are you talking about?" Blaine started but then he stopped as he heard another voice.
"No, Santana, I don't see it," Kurt said as he walked out of the wings on the other side of the stage. "You find it yourself, I-- What?"
"I hate you," Blaine muttered into his phone. "You and Santana."
"Shut up and talk to him," Rachel replied as she hung up.
When Kurt looked at the screen on his phone Blaine knew that he'd just received the same treatment from Santana. "We've been set up," he called out, making Kurt jump a little in shock. "Sorry."
"For what? Scaring me or the set up?"
"...Both?"
"Don't really think either of them are your fault."
"Still."
"You were amazing tonight," Kurt said, his voice full of warmth and honesty. "Much better Danny than I could have been. You know, you even convinced me that you were in love with Rachel so there's something."
"We've been friends for years," Blaine said, shrugging off the compliment. "Besides, I want to show that it doesn't matter that I'm gay. I can play any role given to me."
"You know, that's not as big a problem as some people make it out to be," Kurt said. When Blaine gave a small half-shrug Kurt sighed. "You're talented. Insanely so. If Broadway doesn't work out you should try Hollywood."
"Maybe," Blaine said. "Look, about... what happened."
"Don't," Kurt said firmly.
"No, look. I need to say this and then you and I can go our separate ways but I'm sorry. I don't know why I-no, that's not true. I know exactly why I did what I did. Ever since you and I got together, Kurt, I've been waiting for the walls to come crashing down. For you to realise that I'm not... I know what Santana calls you and she's right. You're Hollywood. I'm Ohio and I've got my sights set on Broadway. I have no idea if I'll get there but you? You're already there. Your name is in lights and half the time my History teacher calls me Blair.
"And when we... when you were... I just thought that this was some other way that I don't measure up. I can't compete. And I know it's not a competition but it feels like... Like you're way up here," he said, raising one hand for emphasis, "and I don't even register on the same scale. People will look at you and I'm some footnote.
"You have it all, Kurt. You have the life and the fans and everything. You know what you want, you know what you're doing and you go for it and I can't even figure out what I want to do in the bedroom with the guy I love and so how does that-"
"You love me?" Kurt interrupted.
Blaine stopped, his gaze fixed on Kurt while his heart tried to thud its way out of his chest. "Yes," he whispered. "So much that I go from feeling invincible to paralysed in the time it takes you to walk into a room. But it's OK."
"What?"
"You don't have to, I mean, I'll get over it. You, I mean. I don't want you to think that just because I'm in love with you that-"
"I love you too," Kurt interrupted again, "and I think you'd better stop talking and let me speak now, OK?" When Blaine nodded he smiled. "All the things you said about me, yeah, OK, they could be true. People know who I am, they're still paying attention even now and I know that come the premiere next month it will be the same red carpet and the same fans and the same situation. But you, you of all people, know the difference.
"Do you know one of the first things about you that I fell for?" Kurt asked, moving closer to Blaine. "You saw me. You saw Kurt Hummel, son of a mechanic, instead of that kid who had his name in lights before he was eighteen. You told me that you liked that guy more and I got to be him with you and that, that Blaine is where I am."
He reached out and took Blaine's hand, raising it back up. "This isn't where Kurt is, not this one. He," Kurt continued, moving Blaine's hand, "is right here." Kurt pressed Blaine's hand over his own heart, lacing their fingers together. "I don't care what the world sees you as, I don't care if they don't know your name. I care and you are a hell of a lot more than a footnote to me."
Kurt pulled his hand back, missing the contact between them but smiling a little to himself as Blaine kept his hand pressed to his chest for a moment. "I might have an idea about my career and what I want to do but this is the first time I've been in love and I have no idea what I'm doing either. But I do know that I want to do it all with you. Whatever it is we end up doing. And I don't care how long it takes you, me, us to figure it out. There is no rush."
"It's our senior year and then I'll be at college," Blaine said quietly, his hand reaching out for Kurt's. "We don't have much time left this year and-"
"And what?" Kurt asked, feeling Blaine's fingers curl around his. "We move at our pace, Blaine. We do what we want to do when we want to do it. There's no rulebook for this."
"I'd really like one because I have no idea what I'm doing," Blaine laughed.
"Then let's figure it out together," Kurt smiled, moving that little half-step so he was now in Blaine's personal space. "Please?"
"Why is that even a question?" Blaine laughed softly.
"Because your little speech sounded like you were breaking up with me and I'd really like it if that didn't happen and-"
He was cut off when Blaine pressed his mouth to his in a firm kiss.
"So that's a yes?" Kurt asked when they parted.
Blaine nodded. "I meant it, you know. It wasn't how I planned on saying it but... I do love you."
"I love you too," Kurt replied, kissing him again. "I'd be crazy not to. You're the most wonderful, talented and honest guy in the whole of the mid-west. I don't have to pretend with you or be someone I'm not. And I would be honoured if you'd come to the premiere with me."
"What? You mean, the movie?"
"Yes, Blaine, the movie," Kurt laughed. "After all it was because of that film that you and I met. Come with me. Be my date."
"Do I have to do the whole red carpet thing?"
"Not if you don't want to, there's a back way in for others, but I'd like you to. If that's OK."
Blaine's eyes narrowed a little. "This would be me coming out, wouldn't it?"
"I'm going to assume you mean 'as my boyfriend' because otherwise we need to have another conversation," Kurt laughed. "Yes, it would. I want to show the world you are not some footnote."
"This is... huge. Can I think about it?"
Kurt nodded and kissed Blaine again - oh how he'd missed this! - before pulling back. "You coming to the after party? I hear Artie throws a good one."
"I was thinking about just heading home actually," Blaine said.
"Oh. OK."
"You're... welcome to come."
Kurt paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. "You don't have to-"
"I know," Blaine said. "I was just thinking we could... see what happens?"
"If you're not ready for anything-"
"I will. If you will too."
"I promise."
Hand in hand they walked out of the auditorium together.
*
One of the things that had helped Kurt on his rise to the top was his ability to learn whatever was put in front of him at a rapid rate. He'd been given a scene which had been pretty much re-written the night before a shoot and was the only actor who was new-word perfect on the day. When he put his mind to it he could - and would - learn anything he wanted to.
Blaine was something new to learn. In the weeks between the play and Christmas Kurt studied. He learned to read his boyfriend's moods, to know when a hand needed to be offered or when he could steal a kiss. He learned when Blaine was worried over an assignment (or more recently his NYADA application; did it get there, was it good enough, what if he doesn't get a call-back?) and when Kurt could get away with offering help and when he needed space and time. Then there was what he was learning in a more intimate matter; in the last few weeks he had learned much about how Blaine's body reacted to touches and kisses and movements.
Kurt listened to random conversations in the Anderson household which betrayed so many childhood memories and experiences, preferences that were channelled into what was shaping up to be the most perfect Christmas present, even if Kurt did say so himself.
When he was at Blaine's Kurt talked with Blaine's parents not because he wanted to seem polite, but because he was genuinely interested. Because he wanted to know all there was to know about his boyfriend and so he watched and he learned and he asked and he listened.
The problem was that he had been hearing other things, things that would pass by unremarked or seem insignificant if you didn't have the mind for it, if you weren't the kind of person who could take in the little details and hang on to them.
At first he thought that Blaine wasn't aware of what he was saying, that he wasn't thinking about it. But as it came up, again and again, Kurt realised that Blaine knew what he was saying. And more than that, he believed it.
*
"You OK?" Blaine asked as he got out his books. "You've been distracted today."
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, fine," Kurt replied, looking down at the empty page of his notebook where information about Spanish verbs should have been. "Just thinking."
"About?"
"Things."
"Cryptic," Blaine laughed.
"You busy tonight?" When Blaine shook his head Kurt continued. "Can I come over? There's something I want to give you."
"I thought we were doing presents Christmas Eve," Blaine said. "Yours isn't quite ready yet and-"
"It's fine, I wasn't expecting... So can I come over? About six?"
"Sure. Want to stay for dinner? Mom's been going on about not seeing you recently."
"Sounds good."
Blaine let out a steady breath. "Good."
"Good?"
"I just thought maybe you were- Never mind, it's nothing," he dismissed, opening his text book. "What kind of a teacher sets a paper due first week back after the holidays?" he asked.
"One who wants you to get a good GPA," Kurt teased. "Your talent alone won't get you into NYADA."
"You sound like my mom."
"Yes, well, she's right. As am I."
"You are going to be on my case all year, aren't you," Blaine sighed playfully. "Next year I might get some peace."
Kurt's heart clenched a little and he wished, one more time, that Blaine would stop saying that. And maybe after tonight he would.
*
A little before six Kurt pulled up outside of Blaine's house, smiling at how it was already lit up with festive cheer. Blaine's bedroom window, facing out over the street, was the only one which broke with the strictly "Christmas" theme as, in one corner down the bottom, there was a small heart drawn instead of the traditional trees or snowflakes. Kurt had drawn it himself and Blaine had laughed, said that he wanted to keep it for next year.
"As a reminder," he'd said.
That hadn't been the first time.
Kurt had written off that comment to mean a reminder their first Christmas together but as the weeks had passed, since the comments had continued, Kurt knew there was more to it. Since that first night after the play there had been just too many of them; once he'd picked up on them he remembered more and more throwaway moments.
Hence this.
He grabbed the parcel from the passenger seat and climbed out of the car. By the time he'd reached the front door Blaine had opened it, waiting for him. Kurt couldn't help but laugh; Blaine's hands were shoved in his pocket but he was bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet like he was a little child on Christmas Day morning. Which, Kurt reasoned, given the oversized and brightly wrapped parcel in his hands which Blaine's eyes were currently trained on, wasn't too far off the mark.
"Someone's keen," Kurt laughed as he stepped inside, kissing Blaine's cheek in welcome. "Hi."
"Hi," Blaine smiled.
"Something smells good."
"Mom's gone a bit mad. Sorry."
"Don't be. I love your mom's cooking."
"Good. There's loads of it," Blaine laughed, his eyes flicking down to the parcel.
"Come on," Kurt laughed, holding out his free hand to Blaine. "This is not something you'll want to open here."
"What?" Blaine asked, his eyes widening in a combination of shock and intrigue.
"Come on," Kurt repeated, leading him up the stairs.
Once they were in Blaine's room Kurt shut the door behind them and gestured that Blaine should sit on the bed.
"This isn't really your Christmas present," Kurt said, holding the parcel in front of him. "This is... something else."
He held it out and Blaine took it, unable to stop himself from shaking it gently in surprise when he realised how light it was for its size. He put his hand on the top and pulled at the paper, tearing it off to reveal the box inside.
Then his face creased in confusion.
"You bought me a jigsaw?" he asked, looking up at Kurt.
"...Sort of," Kurt smiled. "Open it."
Blaine removed the last of the paper and lifted the lid from the box.
"You bought me a," Blaine started, checking the lid, "one thousand piece jigsaw with seven pieces inside?"
"Sort of," Kurt said again, sitting beside Blaine on the bed. He lifted out the pieces and sorted them in his hand before passing one to Blaine. "Turn it over."
"The day we met," Blaine read in Kurt's tiny script on the back of the piece before getting the next one. "The lake. First kiss. New York. ILU. First time. The puzzle. I don't understand."
"There are nine hundred and ninety three pieces left. Christmas, birthdays, anniversary, Valentine's? That's at least five pieces a year. But there will be other moments and so other pieces to come."
"Kurt-"
"You've been talking a lot about 'this year' and 'the time we have' and about next year you doing this and you being in New York and I realised something. I realised that you think that this is it. That I'm here, with you, for just this year."
"But it is," Blaine said in confusion. "I'll be in New York and you'll be in LA."
"Who said that's where I'll be?"
"You did. At the premiere. You were talking to that reporter and you talked about the opportunities in Los Angeles compared to New York. Mercedes herself said that if you're going to get back into it it'd be better if you were on the West coast and-"
"Blaine!" Kurt said sharply, cutting him off. "I love you."
"I love you too but-"
"No, no buts. I love you and I didn't come here for this one year. I'm not with you for this one year. And this," he said, putting his hand on the box, "is my way of trying to tell you that. One piece for every moment we have had so far and one piece to come for all the moments in our future."
"At five a year that'll take you at least... That's nearly two hundred years."
"Well I think we'll manage more than five a year, don't you?" Kurt asked as he leaned in bump shoulders with Blaine. "But yeah. It'll take me a while."
"So what happens when I get the last piece?"
"Then I buy another jigsaw," Kurt said without hesitation. "And we'll build that one together too."
"Why do I get the feeling that this is a metaphor?" Blaine whispered.
When Blaine turned his head to look at him Kurt he could see the beginnings of tears forming in his eyes. "Because it is," Kurt whispered. "I plan on building a life with you, Blaine Anderson, bit by bit, moment by moment."
"And there was me thinking it was something about missing pieces," Blaine laughed, unable to stop himself from kissing Kurt. "I love you."
"I love you too. So please, no more talk of this being our only year or being on different coasts? I'm planning on going back to New York, with you if you'll have me. There's plenty of work there for me, I'm not going to be some kind of outcast."
"But Mercedes-"
"Works for me, not the other way around. You and me in New York. If you want it."
"Yes," Blaine whispered, kissing him again.
"Good," Kurt muttered into the kiss.
"But your career," Blaine said, pulling back sharply. "I don't want you messing it up for me, Kurt, if you need to be in LA then-"
"Then I can travel. I'll only do stuff close to where we are. Maybe try the theatre option, I hear it's big in New York. I don't know, I'll figure it out. But home? That's going to be New York. It's going to be where you are, understand?"
"You, me, some little apartment somewhere?" Blaine asked.
"If you want."
Blaine paused for a second before nodding. "Yeah."
"You're sure? Living together? Big step."
"Yeah. I want that puzzle piece," Blaine laughed as he leant in for another kiss.
"Every last one, I promise."
"Boys!" called Blaine's mom, shattering the moment. "Dinner's nearly ready."
Kurt whined in protest, his mouth chasing the kiss he'd just lost.
"Come on," Blaine whispered, "we have plenty of time for that later."
"Yeah," Kurt sighed but he couldn't help but smile, "we do."
Part 10 >>
Author : Jen
Rating : PG-13
Pairing : au!Blaine & au!moviestar!Kurt
Word count : ~4,300 / ~54,000
Spoilers : AU re-write of seasons one through three
Warnings : mentions of the events of that Sadie Hawkins dance
Summary : If Blaine Anderson found a magic lamp he'd only ask for two things. He'd wish for a place at NYADA when he graduates high school, and he'd wish that Kurt Hummel was his boyfriend. There were three problems with this. Firstly, competition for NYADA was insane. Secondly, Kurt Hummel didn't even know he existed. Movie stars tended to be like that about their fans. Thirdly, Blaine didn't have a magic lamp.
Based on a Tumblr gif set found here & here
As always I can be found on Tumblr when I should be doing other things.
(cover by the awesome Becky who puts up with me more than she probably should...)
<< Part 8
~~~
The distance between Kurt and Blaine did not go unnoticed but when Rachel tried to broach the subject with Blaine she got a curt response for her troubles. Mike tried to be a bit more tactful about it, offering to buy Blaine coffee after one rehearsal. He agreed on condition that Kurt was a banned topic which made for an uncomfortable start to their afternoon until they started on college choices.
Kurt didn't have the same depth of friendships in the group but he wasn't alone in this; Santana had adopted him (Kurt was still trying to work out if this was a good thing or not) and therefore when she sat next to him after rehearsal he wasn't surprised.
"So we're all apparently trying to ignore the fact that you and Bowtie aren't cuddling up in the choir room anymore."
"Santana-"
"Is it for keeps?"
"What?"
"Have you two split up-"
"No," Kurt said firmly. "We are... We have not split up."
"So what's with the fighting?"
"It's private."
"Which means it's interesting."
"And none of your business."
"Since when has that stopped me?" she grinned. "And unlike some I don't care that you're some big name with millions of fans and millions in the bank-"
"Slight overstatement on both," Kurt sighed.
"Whatever. You realise that ignoring each other isn't going to make it all magically better?"
"I had realised that, yes."
"Me and Britts, we've had our ups and downs. But we talk it through, every time. That is, when I'm not letting my pride get in the way." When Kurt turned to look at her she smiled. "This role a bit of a comedown for you?"
"What? No! No, it's not that."
"Really?" Santana asked, quirking an eyebrow. "Hollywood darling to Blaine's back up? Welcome to McKinley where we live through the Rachel and Blaine show every week."
"Which, if I'm not mistaken, got you to Nationals last year."
"Which, if you remember, we lost. Because your boy was distracted."
"You think I don't know that?" Kurt snapped. "Why does everyone think that this is all just one big game to me? That I'm here just for the hell of it? I want to be here, I want to be with Blaine, and I want to be a normal kid for two minutes while I finish my education. And that includes going for roles in a high school production and not getting them because someone is better.
"And for the record, Santana, I'm pretty used to that. You think that I got all the roles I went for? You think everything was just handed to me on a silver platter because I ticked all the boxes for Hollywood?"
"So what gives? Thought you two were good."
"We were. We are."
"Tell that to the Grand Canyon between you two during class and rehearsals."
"It's private."
"I don't care what it is. These be the facts, Hollywood. Blaine is our star, him and Rachel are our best chance of getting back to Nationals and I am not finishing my senior year without getting that trophy. So you fix whatever it is you broke and we can get our star back before Sectionals."
"Why do you think it's my fault?"
"Because that boy has been in love with you for years now. He was a walking encyclopaedia on you and it was stupid and sickening. Then you two actually went and hooked up and I thought it was going to be a whole world of worse except you two are actually really good together. I knows a good thing when I see it and I sees it with you two."
"He's avoiding me-"
"And you him and you're going around in circles and nothing will be fixed and I am using tomorrow's opening night as a test. If Blaine is not on form then I will lock you two in a room until you sort it out. Sectionals is in a few weeks-"
"I would have thought that you'd have loved to steal the limelight," Kurt quipped.
"Oh, I'm not sayin' I'm not ready," Santana grinned, "and I will take on Rachel for it if I need to. But Britts wants to see Blaine happy. Something about the world needing magic."
"What?"
"If Blaine isn't happy the world is less magical. She says he 'smiles in rainbows' and I swear that if you make some comment about this I will hurt you."
"No," Kurt smiled, "she's... actually right. In a way, I mean."
"So you going to fix this?"
"He-Yes," Kurt sighed. "I will talk to him."
"Before the opening night?"
"No promises."
"Before Sectionals?"
"Yes, before Sectionals."
"Good. 'cause I don't like seeing my girl unhappy. Or my boys."
Kurt's reply was stilled at the compliment and he just smiled and nodded. He grabbed his phone and pulled up his messages.
I'm sorry. Can we talk? Soon. Kxx
His finger hovered over the send button for a second before he deleted it. Some things shouldn't be said via text.
*
Life, Kurt decided, was severely unfair. He'd planned to go over to Blaine's that night to talk to him but when he got home after school Carole had been called in for a cover shift at the hospital and so he was left babysitting his dad to prevent him digging into the cakes that had been baked that weekend.
Plan B was to get to school early to see him but Blaine didn't arrive until late morning due to some appointment. (Rachel had been the one to reassure the group that they were not losing their lead the day of opening.) When he did turn up he and Rachel were sequested away in the auditorium for last minute rehearsals and then it was time for the curtain and somehow Kurt still hadn't managed to get five minutes with him.
*
Blaine texted Rachel, keeping the details about his "appointment" vague, and lay back on his bed. He couldn't face English, not with Kurt in the same class. If he went in late enough then he could go straight into rehearsals and he wouldn't have to spend time looking at the one thing that he was scared of losing. That he was about to lose. He'd been stupid and jealous of what? Nothing in the end. Just him and his insecurities and assumptions which had pushed Kurt away. So many times he'd nearly texted Kurt, asked if they could talk, but he knew what was coming when they did talk.
At least now he could still say he had a boyfriend, he was still with Kurt Hummel.
(Oh god, what were the fans going to do to him if - when - they split up? Would he go down in history as the guy who broke Kurt's heart? Would they hate him?)
Right now all Blaine wanted to think about was the play. He had to be perfect so he and Rachel could use the recording for their NYADA applications. Getting up he looked at himself in the full length mirror.
"Danny never had these problems, did he?" Blaine said to his reflection. "Well, except when his stupid pride got in the way." Giving a small laugh he shook his head. "Guess I'm more method than I thought."
Once in school it was easy to avoid Kurt and the first time they locked eyes was from opposite sides of the stage, just as the curtain pulled up.
*
"Rach, I can't see it, are you sure you left it in the wings?" Blaine asked, trying to hold his cell phone to his ear with his shoulder as he dug through the pile of clothing. "I don't see why it's so important, you could just get it tomorrow."
"No, you have to be there now," Rachel said.
"What are you talking about?" Blaine started but then he stopped as he heard another voice.
"No, Santana, I don't see it," Kurt said as he walked out of the wings on the other side of the stage. "You find it yourself, I-- What?"
"I hate you," Blaine muttered into his phone. "You and Santana."
"Shut up and talk to him," Rachel replied as she hung up.
When Kurt looked at the screen on his phone Blaine knew that he'd just received the same treatment from Santana. "We've been set up," he called out, making Kurt jump a little in shock. "Sorry."
"For what? Scaring me or the set up?"
"...Both?"
"Don't really think either of them are your fault."
"Still."
"You were amazing tonight," Kurt said, his voice full of warmth and honesty. "Much better Danny than I could have been. You know, you even convinced me that you were in love with Rachel so there's something."
"We've been friends for years," Blaine said, shrugging off the compliment. "Besides, I want to show that it doesn't matter that I'm gay. I can play any role given to me."
"You know, that's not as big a problem as some people make it out to be," Kurt said. When Blaine gave a small half-shrug Kurt sighed. "You're talented. Insanely so. If Broadway doesn't work out you should try Hollywood."
"Maybe," Blaine said. "Look, about... what happened."
"Don't," Kurt said firmly.
"No, look. I need to say this and then you and I can go our separate ways but I'm sorry. I don't know why I-no, that's not true. I know exactly why I did what I did. Ever since you and I got together, Kurt, I've been waiting for the walls to come crashing down. For you to realise that I'm not... I know what Santana calls you and she's right. You're Hollywood. I'm Ohio and I've got my sights set on Broadway. I have no idea if I'll get there but you? You're already there. Your name is in lights and half the time my History teacher calls me Blair.
"And when we... when you were... I just thought that this was some other way that I don't measure up. I can't compete. And I know it's not a competition but it feels like... Like you're way up here," he said, raising one hand for emphasis, "and I don't even register on the same scale. People will look at you and I'm some footnote.
"You have it all, Kurt. You have the life and the fans and everything. You know what you want, you know what you're doing and you go for it and I can't even figure out what I want to do in the bedroom with the guy I love and so how does that-"
"You love me?" Kurt interrupted.
Blaine stopped, his gaze fixed on Kurt while his heart tried to thud its way out of his chest. "Yes," he whispered. "So much that I go from feeling invincible to paralysed in the time it takes you to walk into a room. But it's OK."
"What?"
"You don't have to, I mean, I'll get over it. You, I mean. I don't want you to think that just because I'm in love with you that-"
"I love you too," Kurt interrupted again, "and I think you'd better stop talking and let me speak now, OK?" When Blaine nodded he smiled. "All the things you said about me, yeah, OK, they could be true. People know who I am, they're still paying attention even now and I know that come the premiere next month it will be the same red carpet and the same fans and the same situation. But you, you of all people, know the difference.
"Do you know one of the first things about you that I fell for?" Kurt asked, moving closer to Blaine. "You saw me. You saw Kurt Hummel, son of a mechanic, instead of that kid who had his name in lights before he was eighteen. You told me that you liked that guy more and I got to be him with you and that, that Blaine is where I am."
He reached out and took Blaine's hand, raising it back up. "This isn't where Kurt is, not this one. He," Kurt continued, moving Blaine's hand, "is right here." Kurt pressed Blaine's hand over his own heart, lacing their fingers together. "I don't care what the world sees you as, I don't care if they don't know your name. I care and you are a hell of a lot more than a footnote to me."
Kurt pulled his hand back, missing the contact between them but smiling a little to himself as Blaine kept his hand pressed to his chest for a moment. "I might have an idea about my career and what I want to do but this is the first time I've been in love and I have no idea what I'm doing either. But I do know that I want to do it all with you. Whatever it is we end up doing. And I don't care how long it takes you, me, us to figure it out. There is no rush."
"It's our senior year and then I'll be at college," Blaine said quietly, his hand reaching out for Kurt's. "We don't have much time left this year and-"
"And what?" Kurt asked, feeling Blaine's fingers curl around his. "We move at our pace, Blaine. We do what we want to do when we want to do it. There's no rulebook for this."
"I'd really like one because I have no idea what I'm doing," Blaine laughed.
"Then let's figure it out together," Kurt smiled, moving that little half-step so he was now in Blaine's personal space. "Please?"
"Why is that even a question?" Blaine laughed softly.
"Because your little speech sounded like you were breaking up with me and I'd really like it if that didn't happen and-"
He was cut off when Blaine pressed his mouth to his in a firm kiss.
"So that's a yes?" Kurt asked when they parted.
Blaine nodded. "I meant it, you know. It wasn't how I planned on saying it but... I do love you."
"I love you too," Kurt replied, kissing him again. "I'd be crazy not to. You're the most wonderful, talented and honest guy in the whole of the mid-west. I don't have to pretend with you or be someone I'm not. And I would be honoured if you'd come to the premiere with me."
"What? You mean, the movie?"
"Yes, Blaine, the movie," Kurt laughed. "After all it was because of that film that you and I met. Come with me. Be my date."
"Do I have to do the whole red carpet thing?"
"Not if you don't want to, there's a back way in for others, but I'd like you to. If that's OK."
Blaine's eyes narrowed a little. "This would be me coming out, wouldn't it?"
"I'm going to assume you mean 'as my boyfriend' because otherwise we need to have another conversation," Kurt laughed. "Yes, it would. I want to show the world you are not some footnote."
"This is... huge. Can I think about it?"
Kurt nodded and kissed Blaine again - oh how he'd missed this! - before pulling back. "You coming to the after party? I hear Artie throws a good one."
"I was thinking about just heading home actually," Blaine said.
"Oh. OK."
"You're... welcome to come."
Kurt paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. "You don't have to-"
"I know," Blaine said. "I was just thinking we could... see what happens?"
"If you're not ready for anything-"
"I will. If you will too."
"I promise."
Hand in hand they walked out of the auditorium together.
*
One of the things that had helped Kurt on his rise to the top was his ability to learn whatever was put in front of him at a rapid rate. He'd been given a scene which had been pretty much re-written the night before a shoot and was the only actor who was new-word perfect on the day. When he put his mind to it he could - and would - learn anything he wanted to.
Blaine was something new to learn. In the weeks between the play and Christmas Kurt studied. He learned to read his boyfriend's moods, to know when a hand needed to be offered or when he could steal a kiss. He learned when Blaine was worried over an assignment (or more recently his NYADA application; did it get there, was it good enough, what if he doesn't get a call-back?) and when Kurt could get away with offering help and when he needed space and time. Then there was what he was learning in a more intimate matter; in the last few weeks he had learned much about how Blaine's body reacted to touches and kisses and movements.
Kurt listened to random conversations in the Anderson household which betrayed so many childhood memories and experiences, preferences that were channelled into what was shaping up to be the most perfect Christmas present, even if Kurt did say so himself.
When he was at Blaine's Kurt talked with Blaine's parents not because he wanted to seem polite, but because he was genuinely interested. Because he wanted to know all there was to know about his boyfriend and so he watched and he learned and he asked and he listened.
The problem was that he had been hearing other things, things that would pass by unremarked or seem insignificant if you didn't have the mind for it, if you weren't the kind of person who could take in the little details and hang on to them.
At first he thought that Blaine wasn't aware of what he was saying, that he wasn't thinking about it. But as it came up, again and again, Kurt realised that Blaine knew what he was saying. And more than that, he believed it.
*
"You OK?" Blaine asked as he got out his books. "You've been distracted today."
"Hmm? Oh, yeah, fine," Kurt replied, looking down at the empty page of his notebook where information about Spanish verbs should have been. "Just thinking."
"About?"
"Things."
"Cryptic," Blaine laughed.
"You busy tonight?" When Blaine shook his head Kurt continued. "Can I come over? There's something I want to give you."
"I thought we were doing presents Christmas Eve," Blaine said. "Yours isn't quite ready yet and-"
"It's fine, I wasn't expecting... So can I come over? About six?"
"Sure. Want to stay for dinner? Mom's been going on about not seeing you recently."
"Sounds good."
Blaine let out a steady breath. "Good."
"Good?"
"I just thought maybe you were- Never mind, it's nothing," he dismissed, opening his text book. "What kind of a teacher sets a paper due first week back after the holidays?" he asked.
"One who wants you to get a good GPA," Kurt teased. "Your talent alone won't get you into NYADA."
"You sound like my mom."
"Yes, well, she's right. As am I."
"You are going to be on my case all year, aren't you," Blaine sighed playfully. "Next year I might get some peace."
Kurt's heart clenched a little and he wished, one more time, that Blaine would stop saying that. And maybe after tonight he would.
*
A little before six Kurt pulled up outside of Blaine's house, smiling at how it was already lit up with festive cheer. Blaine's bedroom window, facing out over the street, was the only one which broke with the strictly "Christmas" theme as, in one corner down the bottom, there was a small heart drawn instead of the traditional trees or snowflakes. Kurt had drawn it himself and Blaine had laughed, said that he wanted to keep it for next year.
"As a reminder," he'd said.
That hadn't been the first time.
Kurt had written off that comment to mean a reminder their first Christmas together but as the weeks had passed, since the comments had continued, Kurt knew there was more to it. Since that first night after the play there had been just too many of them; once he'd picked up on them he remembered more and more throwaway moments.
Hence this.
He grabbed the parcel from the passenger seat and climbed out of the car. By the time he'd reached the front door Blaine had opened it, waiting for him. Kurt couldn't help but laugh; Blaine's hands were shoved in his pocket but he was bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet like he was a little child on Christmas Day morning. Which, Kurt reasoned, given the oversized and brightly wrapped parcel in his hands which Blaine's eyes were currently trained on, wasn't too far off the mark.
"Someone's keen," Kurt laughed as he stepped inside, kissing Blaine's cheek in welcome. "Hi."
"Hi," Blaine smiled.
"Something smells good."
"Mom's gone a bit mad. Sorry."
"Don't be. I love your mom's cooking."
"Good. There's loads of it," Blaine laughed, his eyes flicking down to the parcel.
"Come on," Kurt laughed, holding out his free hand to Blaine. "This is not something you'll want to open here."
"What?" Blaine asked, his eyes widening in a combination of shock and intrigue.
"Come on," Kurt repeated, leading him up the stairs.
Once they were in Blaine's room Kurt shut the door behind them and gestured that Blaine should sit on the bed.
"This isn't really your Christmas present," Kurt said, holding the parcel in front of him. "This is... something else."
He held it out and Blaine took it, unable to stop himself from shaking it gently in surprise when he realised how light it was for its size. He put his hand on the top and pulled at the paper, tearing it off to reveal the box inside.
Then his face creased in confusion.
"You bought me a jigsaw?" he asked, looking up at Kurt.
"...Sort of," Kurt smiled. "Open it."
Blaine removed the last of the paper and lifted the lid from the box.
"You bought me a," Blaine started, checking the lid, "one thousand piece jigsaw with seven pieces inside?"
"Sort of," Kurt said again, sitting beside Blaine on the bed. He lifted out the pieces and sorted them in his hand before passing one to Blaine. "Turn it over."
"The day we met," Blaine read in Kurt's tiny script on the back of the piece before getting the next one. "The lake. First kiss. New York. ILU. First time. The puzzle. I don't understand."
"There are nine hundred and ninety three pieces left. Christmas, birthdays, anniversary, Valentine's? That's at least five pieces a year. But there will be other moments and so other pieces to come."
"Kurt-"
"You've been talking a lot about 'this year' and 'the time we have' and about next year you doing this and you being in New York and I realised something. I realised that you think that this is it. That I'm here, with you, for just this year."
"But it is," Blaine said in confusion. "I'll be in New York and you'll be in LA."
"Who said that's where I'll be?"
"You did. At the premiere. You were talking to that reporter and you talked about the opportunities in Los Angeles compared to New York. Mercedes herself said that if you're going to get back into it it'd be better if you were on the West coast and-"
"Blaine!" Kurt said sharply, cutting him off. "I love you."
"I love you too but-"
"No, no buts. I love you and I didn't come here for this one year. I'm not with you for this one year. And this," he said, putting his hand on the box, "is my way of trying to tell you that. One piece for every moment we have had so far and one piece to come for all the moments in our future."
"At five a year that'll take you at least... That's nearly two hundred years."
"Well I think we'll manage more than five a year, don't you?" Kurt asked as he leaned in bump shoulders with Blaine. "But yeah. It'll take me a while."
"So what happens when I get the last piece?"
"Then I buy another jigsaw," Kurt said without hesitation. "And we'll build that one together too."
"Why do I get the feeling that this is a metaphor?" Blaine whispered.
When Blaine turned his head to look at him Kurt he could see the beginnings of tears forming in his eyes. "Because it is," Kurt whispered. "I plan on building a life with you, Blaine Anderson, bit by bit, moment by moment."
"And there was me thinking it was something about missing pieces," Blaine laughed, unable to stop himself from kissing Kurt. "I love you."
"I love you too. So please, no more talk of this being our only year or being on different coasts? I'm planning on going back to New York, with you if you'll have me. There's plenty of work there for me, I'm not going to be some kind of outcast."
"But Mercedes-"
"Works for me, not the other way around. You and me in New York. If you want it."
"Yes," Blaine whispered, kissing him again.
"Good," Kurt muttered into the kiss.
"But your career," Blaine said, pulling back sharply. "I don't want you messing it up for me, Kurt, if you need to be in LA then-"
"Then I can travel. I'll only do stuff close to where we are. Maybe try the theatre option, I hear it's big in New York. I don't know, I'll figure it out. But home? That's going to be New York. It's going to be where you are, understand?"
"You, me, some little apartment somewhere?" Blaine asked.
"If you want."
Blaine paused for a second before nodding. "Yeah."
"You're sure? Living together? Big step."
"Yeah. I want that puzzle piece," Blaine laughed as he leant in for another kiss.
"Every last one, I promise."
"Boys!" called Blaine's mom, shattering the moment. "Dinner's nearly ready."
Kurt whined in protest, his mouth chasing the kiss he'd just lost.
"Come on," Blaine whispered, "we have plenty of time for that later."
"Yeah," Kurt sighed but he couldn't help but smile, "we do."
Part 10 >>