[FIC] Love Me for Who I Am - Chapter 1
Love Me for Who I Am
Chapter 1
Rating: R
Warnings: Angst, domestic abuse (physical/verbal/emotional),neglect, homophobia, language, and (some) smut.
Pairings: Klaine
Spoilers: S2 Summary: Blaine's relationship with his father has always been strained. But when a line is crossed and Blaine's world starts to fall apart, can Kurt help him pick up the pieces?
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Prologue
Chapter 1
"Finn, pass me the cantaloupe," Kurt murmured, adding the final touch to his signature fruit salad dressing. Even though he knew the correct ingredients by heart, he still double checked the recipe in front of him. Smiling to himself, Kurt gently placed the single paper, protected by plastic, back into the cookbook. He had found an old recipe of his Mother's several years ago (forgotten, tucked away in a drawer) and Kurt liked to use it as often as possible. He didn't often have the occasion to use it so he was glad such an opportunity presented itself this weekend.
Finn was helping him fix an early dinner and had proved to be surprisingly helpful in the kitchen. He had yet to break anything and the cantaloupe looked decidedly un-mangled. Kurt was impressed.
The clock chimed four and Kurt nodded to himself, mixing the salad and dressing together. Everything was on schedule. Blaine would be arriving any minute now.
It had been five excruciatingly long days since they had last seen each other. And while several days apart had become the norm when Kurt transferred back to McKinley, the summer had quickly redefined their definition of apart. Despite Blaine's hectic schedule at Six Flags and Kurt working at the garage and on his musical, they somehow managed to spend at least some time together every day. It wasn't easy but they always made time for one another; even if it was only possible via Skype.
The last five days, however, had Blaine and Kurt barely seeing one another at all. Between the gruelling heat, Blaine's double-shifts and Kurt having to help deal with the sudden influx of priority repairs at the garage, both boys had been too exhausted to even Skype the past few nights. They had to settle for apologetic text messages which were a poor substitute to seeing one another in person.
With only three weeks of summer left, Kurt and Blaine were determined to spend as much time together as their work schedules would allow. Tonight's dinner would be the start to a fantastic weekend as - for the first time all summer - they both had an entire weekend free from work.
Furthermore, Burt and Carole wouldn't be back for hours as they were spending the afternoon with friends and then going out for dinner and a movie. Though Burt tended to be rather concerned over leaving Kurt alone in the house with his boyfriend for any length of time, the fact that Finn would be at the house lessened Burt's anxiety. Kurt couldn't suppress a small smile, knowing that he and Finn had come to an agreement to give one another some space with their significant others. After dinner, Finn would be disappearing to Rachel's for a few hours (a favour Kurt would return for Finn next week). Kurt had really missed Blaine.
The sound of Finn dropping dishes noisily into the sink jarred Kurt from his thoughts. He tried not to wince, hoping that none of the plates had been chipped. Kurt shook his head distractedly and, along with Finn, started retrieving the previously made sandwiches and cold salads from the fridge. They worked in silence for time, setting the table; Kurt adjusting and turning bowls and platters occasionally as Finn looked on in amusement.
"This looks great Kurt," Finn spoke approvingly of the food spread out on the table.
"Yes, it does…" Kurt trailed off, noting the time on the clock. It was almost twenty past four and Blaine hadn't arrived yet. Kurt pulled out his cell, checking to see if he missed a message. It wasn't like Blaine to be late. And the rare times he was, he always texted to let Kurt know he would be there as soon as possible.
Kurt frowned at his phone, tapping out a quick text to Blaine and inquiring if he was on his way. He should surely be in Lima by now.
Finn stretched and grunted, walking to the front of the house. "It's weird he's not here yet," Finn called out, echoing Kurt's thoughts. Finn figured he knew Blaine well enough by now to know that he was on time for everything and he never kept Kurt waiting. It just wasn't Blaine's style. "He hasn't texted you or anything?"
Kurt shook his head before realizing Finn couldn't see him. "No."
Finn frowned, peaking out the front window. "Dude, isn't that his car?"
Kurt hurried to the front of the house, ducking under Finn's arm to look outside.
Blaine's car was parked on the opposite side of the street. Kurt could see Blaine's silhouette, hunched over the steering wheel.
Something was wrong.