I Know The Pieces Fit (2b/?)
Title: I Know The Pieces Fit (2b/?)
Rating (overall): PG-13 thus far
Spoilers: Everything, to be safe.
Warnings: Serendipity
Word Count: 6360 (split, too big for LJ)
Notes: Future!Fic, Hurt/Comfort, Flangst - heavy angst to start this chapter, but there are some smiles towards the end. (In part B) Title taken from the song Schism by Tool. Also, being familiar with Fiona Apple's 'Slow Like Honey' enhances part B of this chapter exponentially.
Summary: Drifting apart is easy; communication is hard. Breaks are tough; mending is sweet.
Previous (CH2A) | Next (CH3)
“So, Wes, tell me. How is it that you got all social fun guy when you got older, and I became all hermit hobbit?”
Wes spat rum and coke across the table and grabbed his stomach laughing.
“I'm -” Wes gasped through his overenthusiastic laughter. “I'm not, Blaine. I've loosened up a little but, ya know. Alcohol doesn't hurt either.”
“Last time I sang I was drunk too - office Christmas party.” Blaine smiled. “R'memeber that night I didn't come home and told you I had a work function? They spiked the punch, and I'm a dumbass.” Wes cocked an eyebrow. “One minute I was all like, damn this is good fucking punch, and the next I completely destroyed Katy's E.T. - Bad. I said something about anal probing, bad.”
Wes choked.
“And here I thought you never went out.”
Blaine laughed. “I don't, Wes, it was literally right after my shift in the hotel next door, and Diane - told you about her, she's the crazy nurse - she just dragged me to it. Ended up having to get a room - I was so trashed.”
“So you can still be social.”
Blaine laughed, hard.
“No, man, no. That wasn't social. That was just awkward pent up Warbler aggression. Like, I got so sick I almost checked myself in at the ER. I got all pissed at myself later, because I started thinking of my dad and getting all depressed, and then I was like, well one night out doesn't make me like him, all alcoholic and an asshole and a life-ruiner and shit and damn I'm rambling!” Blaine singsonged, and Wes patted him on the shoulder.
“You are definitely not your father, Blaine.” Wes said and Blaine sighed.
“Man, Wes, my Dad. . . he was such a jerk. Like if he ever accepted anything I ever did with my life, I would have had a heart attack. Seriously. But man, let's stop talking about him, it's such a downer. I need to sing something, like something crazy. That guy up there right now is just terrible. Oh my God. Wes, I'm going to do Elvis. I would rock Elvis. I'm gonna fucking do Elvis.”
“Blaine -” Wes smiled, and Blaine grinned ear to ear.
“Elvis, man.” Blaine said, nodding enthusiastically. “Elvis.”
“You are so drunk.”
“Shut up.”
Blaine turned to talk to the disk jockey - he and Wes were at the table adjacent - then he thought 'better' of it and just grabbed the mic.
“Fuck it, man, I can do this shit A Capella in my sleep!” he exclaimed, and -
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog - cryin' all the time . . .
In pure Elvis fashion, Blaine spent the song making a complete beautiful mess out of his performance - leaning in and out with the microphone stand, gyrating, and just plain completely charming everyone in the room.
Then it was over, wolf-whistles and cat calls resounding throughout, a few standing and cheering, a few drunkenly toasting their beer mugs in Blaine's direction,
And one shocked, red-faced man with a broken wrist - poking his head out of the backroom of the bar, trying ever so hard to breathe.
“Kurt, sweetie, are you alright?”
Kurt jumped slightly at the question from his boss, a pretty brunette with startling violet eyes - contacts, Kurt was sure - before trying to appear nonchalant. Nodding and clearing his throat, he approached her, handing her a copy of the form given to him at the hospital.
“Fine, Amanda. Just a little surprised by that last performance.”
Amanda smiled. “He's a looker, isn't he? I haven't seen him in here before, but he knows how to bring down a house.” She laughed. “I've already had six or so of our regulars bitch and complain that you weren't working tonight - they do love hearing you sing on karaoke nights. Hopefully that guy appeased them a bit.”
Kurt raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow and huffed indignantly.
“Please, Amanda. My wrist may be broken but my voice is just as flawless as ever.” Kurt smiled. “I'm not one to be upstaged without a fight. Especially not in my bar.”
“It's my bar, sweetie.”
“Where the drinks and the rent and the managerial responsibilities are concerned, absolutely.” Kurt said with a coy grin. “But the customers, they come here for me.”
“Diva.”
“You know it.” Kurt smirked. “Go drop the DJ a line and get him ready. I may not be getting paid tonight, but I have no qualms about giving you one on the house. I assume we have enough of the regular crew for me to get away with the sexy number?”
Amanda grinned. “I'll get your headset, sweetheart.”
“So how many phone numbers do you have now?” Wes asked Blaine with a drawl, and Blaine smirked.
“Six. All women, unfortunately. Want 'em?”
“No way.” Wes paused. “Actually, which one was the blonde? She was pretty hot.”
“Pretty trashy, more like it.” laughing, Wes grabbed one of the slips of paper Blaine had been folding into tiny paper airplanes.
“Hey, I like what I like. When I'm drunk anyway. Tomorrow I'll probably throw it out, but tonight - yeah, that one's going in my pocket.”
Blaine smiled, and Wes punched him amicably in the arm.
Then Wes paused, his arm still in mid-retraction. The room had gone quiet, and Wes swore under his breath.
“Blaine, I thought Kurt wasn't supposed to be working for a few days?”
Blinking through his current haze and utterly confused, Blaine looked to Wes and spoke nothing more than an unintelligent, “Huh?”
Piano music swelled, a high, throaty voice broke through the sudden silence, and Blaine dropped his airplanes.
“You moved like honey. . .In my dream last night”
“Wha-” Blaine began. “What the fuck?” he squeaked.
This was the bar Kurt worked at?
He was going to kill Wes!
“Yeah, some old fires were burning.”
Blaine stared, slack-jawed, at the back of the bar where Kurt had stepped out - wearing a goddamned gorgeous well tailored suit and rhinestone bedazzled sling.
“You came near to me,” Kurt sang to a random patron, “and you endeared to me” Blaine hoped he was random anyway. Kurt pushed the man away gently, smiling coyly. “But you couldn't quite discern me”
“Does that scare you?” Kurt asked the bartender, gliding a finger slowly across the bar. “I'll let you run away.” The bartender blew Kurt a kiss, smiling affectionately. “But your heart will not oblige you” Kurt winked, grinning.
“You'll remember me,” Kurt held his hand out flat, palm up, gesturing to everyone listening. “like a melody.” he crooned, then switched his tone to determined. “Yeah, I'll haunt the world inside you!”
“And my big secret, gonna win you over - slow like honey, heavy with mood.”
Sliding up beside a rather attractive man, Kurt loosened his tie slightly. “I'll let you see me,” Across the room, Blaine slammed down a double shot. “I'll covet your regard” Kurt spun into the man's line of vision. “I'll invade your demeanor”
When Blaine saw the lecherous smile on Mr. Stupid Adonis, he nearly jumped out of his seat.
Kurt just continued, “And you'll yield to me” he sang, then turned around, wafting his hand loosely in the air. “like a scent in the breeze” Grinning over his shoulder and then walking away with sinfully swaying hips, he teased - “And you'll wonder what it is. . . about me.”
“It's my big secret - Keeping you coming” Kurt winked. “Slow like honey, heavy with mood”
The tone of Kurt's performance changed then, and as he let out a haunting run of notes, Blaine felt his heart constrict.
“Though dreams can be deceiving” Kurt stood stock still, eyes emoting. “Like faces are to hearts.” “They serve for sweet relieving” Blaine's eyes closed,
“When fantasy” clutched his hand to his chest.
“And reality” opened his eyes
“lie” breathed.
“too far apart.” choked on his breath.
That was the moment that Kurt's gaze met Blaine's.
“So I stretch myself across like a bridge” Kurt closed the distance between them, and grabbed Blaine carefully by the back of the neck. “And I pull you” Blaine didn't resist the slight tug, leaning towards Kurt, eyes saucer wide.“to the edge”
“And stay there waiting” Kurt settled into Blaine's lap, shifting his hand to cup Blaine's cheek. “Trying to attain” Shifting forward, Kurt sang in Blaine's ear.“The end to satisfy the story” Blaine shuddered involuntarily.
Kurt pulled back. “Shall I release you?” Instinctively, Blaine wrapped his arm around Kurt's waist.
Blaine provided the next line. “Must I release you?” Kurt's eyes widened in shock, and as he got up off of Blaine's lap, Blaine got up with him, snatching the mic off the DJ's table beside him.
“As I rise to meet my glory!” Kurt sang. Blaine flicked his microphone on.
“But my big secret - Gonna hover over your life” Blaine continued, grabbing Kurt's hand and swinging him out. “Gonna keep you reaching” Blaine pulled Kurt back in, holding him from behind, their hands still entwined.
“When I'm gone like yesterday. . .” Kurt belted ruefully, smirking back at Blaine.
Blaine stumbled a bit drunkenly on his feet and continued. “When I'm high like heaven. . .”
“When I'm strong like music” Kurt grinned widely, and Blaine turned Kurt to face him, eyes glassy with emotion.
“Cause I'm slow like honey,” They harmonized. “and heavy with mood.”
The bar absolutely erupted with cheers, and Blaine positively beamed at Kurt - then placed a hand on the small of his back. “Buy you a drink?” Blaine asked.
Kurt's eyes glittered, his face flushed, and he nodded, letting Blaine guide him to his table where Wes was sitting, arms crossed, a highly amused look on his face. When Blaine pulled out Kurt's chair for him, Kurt rolled his eyes affectionately.
“Ever the gentleman, Blaine.” he said. Blaine nodded with a smirk, then went to grab Kurt his apple-tini. “Wes.” addressed Kurt. “It's been a while.”
Wes smiled. “Truly amazing performance, Kurt. I feel privileged to have again seen your talent before Broadway scoops you up and hides you away.” Kurt chuckled.
“It's going to be a few weeks at least - I'm not about to make my major-role Broadway debut with my wrist the way it is, so you may just get another opportunity.”
Blaine placed Kurt's drink on the table and hopped back into his seat. Kurt raised an eyebrow.
“That was quick.”
“Apparently they know you pretty well in here - it was already made when I walked up.”
“More like stumbled.” Wes quipped dryly. “I'm surprised there's anything left in that glass.”
“Shut up, man. I've cut myself off, m'not touching another drop tonight. Can't remember the last time I was this hammered.”
Kurt smirked and hummed a few bars of Don't You Want Me, his feigned innocent look spoiled by mischievous eyes.
Blaine blanched and looked to Kurt incredulously.
“Mr. Hummel, I thought we were going to forget that ever happened.” Blaine leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.
“I never agreed to such a thing, Mr. Anderson.”
“Doctor Anderson, Mr. Hummel.”
“Oh, so you want to play doctor, do you?” Blaine's eyebrows nearly hit his hairline. Wes decided it was time for him to sneak away from the conversation. Kurt waved a small farewell, then turned his attention back to Blaine. “That's a rather interesting shade of red, Doctor. You sure you don't have a fever?”
“Kurt - I” Blaine stuttered, and Kurt decided to take pity on him.
“Blaine, it was a joke.” he smiled. “Though I'm quite flattered you would turn that shade from the prospect of 'playing doctor' with me, I would never just hop into bed with you on a whim.”
Blaine's face formed a comical look of confusion. “I don't know whether to be pleased or offended.”
Kurt laughed and rolled his eyes. “Blaine. You're drunk, you're gorgeous, and regardless of the asinine amount of time it's been since we've seen or talked to each other, I will always care about you.” Kurt sighed. “All funny business and innuendo aside, Blaine - We're getting a second chance at whatever we are to each other right now - I'm not about to push anything too fast.”
“I've missed you.” Blaine blurted, and Kurt shrugged.
“Of course you did. I'm amazing.” Kurt smirked and polished off his martini. “I missed you, too.” he admitted, then laughed.
“So what ever happened to that Rick guy?”
Blaine choked, and blushed in embarrassment.
“He was,” Blaine smiled sheepishly. “He was another Jeremiah,” Kurt's eyebrow raised judgmentally. “Well, Jeremiah plus a drunken night and a roommate situation, but yeah.”
“Please tell me you weren't going to marry him for a discount at Wal-Mart, Blaine.”
“No.” Blaine laughed, shook his head, and then said more firmly, “No.”
Kurt snickered. Blaine leaned forward, arms folded on the table, and grinned. “So how about you, Kurt? Anyone special?”
“My little black book is surprisingly empty as of late.” Kurt said quietly.
A drink was placed in front of Kurt. Walking away was the handsome man from earlier - he winked, made a 'call me' motion, and Kurt blew him a kiss.
Blaine smirked through a wave of jealousy. “Who was that?”
“A friend.” Kurt smiled. “He's usually the guy I spend my Friday nights with.”
Blaine regarded him curiously. “Oh really?”
“Not like that, Blaine. He's a co-worker. The drink came from boss-lady Amanda, actually.” Kurt smiled, taking a sip. “It's one of her running jokes - if you'll notice, there's one of those tacky fly-in-an-ice-cube blocks in it. She has a stash of them just for her amusement and my annoyance.” Kurt shrugged.
“Interesting.” he paused. “But why the flirting, then?”
Kurt rolled his eyes. “Danny's been trying to get into my pants for over a year. He knows I'm not interested - I had to bitch-slap him just last month - but I like to tease him sometimes.”
“So what's wrong with him?” Blaine asked.
“Everything.” Kurt shrugged. “I mean, yeah he looks good on the outside, but he's an overconfident, dimwitted man-whore - totally not my type.” Kurt sipped at his drink and continued. “Not that anyone is my type lately - I've kind of given up, to be honest. The men in this city have this whole 'use them and lose them' mentality, and I just can't rock that. I'm much too good for that.”
“No argument there, Kurt.” Blaine said, and began tearing up a napkin, thinking. “You know, not everyone here is like that though. Wes isn't.” Kurt snorted. Blaine continued.
“I'm not.”
Kurt smiled sadly, stirring his drink, forcing himself to not comment on the small pile of shredded napkin accumulating on the table.
“I know.” Kurt said quietly. “I guess I've just fooled myself into thinking that romance and love is dead so I can feel a little better about being such an old bachelor.”
Blaine smiled ruefully. “Better than becoming a lonely old hermit like me.”
“At least you have a career, Blaine. I still haven't really 'made it' - I'm struggling to get by, hell, I don't even have health insurance. . .”
Blaine's eyes widened. “Wait, what?” he exclaimed, and Kurt jumped slightly.
“I work in a hole-in-the-wall coffee shop and a bar, Blaine. Not exactly jobs with the best of benefits.” Kurt shrugged. “I don't get sick very often, you know how much of a health nut I am, so it's not a problem most of the time.”
“Yeah, Kurt, but what about right now? God, just that ER bill.” Blaine ran his hand through is hair, wincing at the tug. “You had an x-ray too, and . . .” Blaine looked to Kurt abruptly. “Please tell me you filled your prescription.”
Kurt bit his lip. Kurt never bit his lips.
Blaine stared at him for a minute. “Do you have the script on you?” Kurt nodded and pulled the sheet of paper from his pocket, confused as to why Blaine wanted it, but glad it'd become caught in the paperwork he'd handed to Amanda earlier. Blaine took it, then pulled out his cell phone.
“Blaine, what are you doing?”
Blaine held up his pointer finger, gesturing Kurt to hold his questions, then talked quickly to the person he'd called.
When he'd finished, Blaine ripped the script to shreds and dropped them into the napkin pile. He sighed.
“I just called that in to the 24 hour pharmacy across the street. It'll be ready in twenty minutes.” Blaine shifted and pulled out his wallet, offering Kurt a few bills. “Get your medicine, Kurt.”
“Blaine, I can't just take your money. Be serious.”
“Oh, I'm serious. If you think I'm going to sit back and do nothing when I can help you, you're out of your mind.” Blaine took a breath, calmed the irritation in his voice, and pleaded. “Please take it, Kurt.”
“The regular Tylenol is good enough, Blaine”
“Good enough for you is pain free, Kurt. I know my medications, and I'm betting the regular stuff isn't cutting it.”
Kurt huffed, then saw the concern in Blaine's eyes and melted slightly. “Fine.” Kurt said and took the offered bills, “but I'm paying you back someday.” he paused. “Thank you.”
Blaine nodded.
“Not to start an argument, Kurt, but your money is no good in my office.”
Kurt gaped. “That is so not necessary, Blaine.”
“I think it is. Look,” Blaine said. “I told you I'd take care of you and that you didn't need to worry. If you end up struggling over paying your bills because of this, then I'm not keeping my promise. I don't know how much I can do about the ER bill, but at least I can help you with this.”
Kurt blinked back tears. “You were always too good to me, Blaine.”
Blaine smiled sadly and rose from his seat, putting a hand on Kurt's shoulder. “It went both ways.” his smile brightened. “I'd like to think it still does.”
Kurt gave a watery chuckle. “You look like you're about to head out for the night, getting up and talking like that.”
“Well, you have an appointment with the pharmacist, and I have to find Wes before he forgets he's a gentleman.” Blaine joked.
Shifting on their feet, neither quite knew how to end the night.
“Blaine Warbler, you'd better at least give me a hug before you go - my pride needs some comfort.” Shaking his head in amusement, Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt's middle and held tight. Kurt returned the gesture with one arm, cursing his sling and his inability to hug Blaine properly.
They both held on a little too long, basking in the familiarity of the gesture - the warmth, the feel, the scent of each other - until finally they pulled away. Blaine raised his hand to cup Kurt's cheek and Kurt leaned into it, closed eyed and smiling.
When Kurt opened his eyes, Blaine grinned. “I'll see you in a few days.” Blaine said, then smiled impossibly wider. “Wow, it's just great to be able to say that again.”
“Yeah.” Kurt breathed. “It most certainly is.”