Carnation
Media: Fic
Title: Carnation
Rating: PG (for language?)
Word Count: ~900
Summary: Future!Fic.Fast-forward to next year, Blaine's graduating from McKinley and they've started a new tradition.
A/N: I graduated today, guys. High school, yeah, but...guys. I started bawling when I gave my flower to my aunt- the bravest and strongest and the most inspirational person I know- and then...this hit me earlier. I don't own anything. This is un-betad, all mistakes are mine.
When Blaine ended his senior year, WMHS gave carnations to the graduates. They were to go to the most influential person in their lives. After receiving the paper diploma- it didn’t even have his name on it, what is this- he grasped the stem and went to back to his seat.
He teary-eyed clan of Hudmels smiled at him, as did his mother and uncle Pat, when Blaine turned around to wave. He blew a kiss to Kurt, who sat next to his dad and Carole, Rachel too busy and Finn still god knows where, but his family was mostly there, grinning and shedding tears because he finally made it.
After the performances with the New Directions, everyone shooed off to the choir room, Blaine included. He clutched the flower in his hand tightly, making sure Tina’s over-excited bouncing wouldn’t jostle it.
Kurt, Carole, Burt and the Andersons stood outside the door until Blaine was ready to leave, cap and gown still on, if slightly off-kilter.
“Hi, guys.” A peck on the cheek to Carole and his mother, one delightfully awkward handshake from his uncle Pat and a side hug from Burt was all Blaine really needed to break down a little.
He pulled in the tears, carefully, and launched himself into Kurt’s waiting arms, clutching his back and burying his face into the pale neck. Kurt had been home for a few weeks, off for the summer from NYU, but Blaine couldn’t help but need the contact the moment he was about ready to break.
Pulling away, smiling and a little teared up, Blaine balanced his diploma holder and his carnation in one hand whilst taking off his cap with the other. Kurt took the cap and nestled it on top of his own head- “Hair be damned, the love of my life just graduated.”
The flower extended six inches past his hand, three leaves sprouting off both sides of the stem. The petals were an off-white, almost-yellow that Kurt probably knew the color of like he knew his name. It wasn’t a very beautiful flower, but it’s symbolism made it glow in Blaine’s eyes.
Give it to who you know has been the most influential person in your life. Figgins had not said that exactly, more of gave the general impression. Blaine wasn’t going to just give the precious flower away. This was more than that, bigger, a greater stone with intricate facets and a brilliant shine that, even when the carnation died and crumbled away, would remain twinkling if given to the right person. The one who knew what all of it meant.
Kurt held his hand, the one not holding his diploma and carnation, and squeezed his fingers softly, smiling.
“Mr. Hummel-”
“Son, you call me ‘Burt’ or it’s no deal.” Burt grinned with half of his lips and Carole chuckled quietly.
Blaine was a self-imposed bad speaker. He could talk to crowds, people he didn’t know, Kurt, but not someone like this in this situation. They had Friday-night Skype-talks with Kurt almost every week and dinner every week. He had talked to Burt, on personal matters. Hell, Burt was, basically, the only loving father figure he had and...dammit how hard is it to give him a flower?
He thrust the yellow-white carnation at Burt, blushing all the while, and Kurt gasped quietly beside him, his grip tightening on Blaine’s hand.
“What’s this, Blaine?” Burt took it delicately between two fingers and held it out, an amused grin touching his lips.
“We’re...” just breathe, talk. It’s just Burt. Talk. He cleared his throat and spoke up, again, in a more steady voice than he felt like he had. “We got those today to give to the person who has inspired us the most in our time at school.” He didn’t dare look at Burt for his reaction. The silence kind of took over the still-noisy hall, keeping the group in a small bubble.
Tears prickled at the corners of his eyes until he felt himself gathered in a tight, Papa-bear hug. Then he let loose the gates and the tears flowed onto Burt’s suit jacket.
“I’m so proud of what you’ve done here, Blaine. Thank you.” The sobs started right after that. He didn’t even really know why he was crying, just a wall of emotions falling down around him, each brick hitting him square in the chest.
Righting himself, Blaine pulled away slowly, Kurt grabbing his cheeks and kissing him, in full view of everyone, softly on the lips.
Burt never cried. Not...ever. Except, that small line, wet and clear, trailed down his face when he finally saw what Blaine saw when he looked at the carnation. The glassy reflection of a man holding in tears gave Burt a bright shine to his face. There was a spark in his eye. Burt knew and understood what Blaine couldn’t get out in words.
And Blaine knew the twinkle would never leave.