Fic: Love is Like a Red, Red Rose
Title: Love is Like a Red, Red Rose
Author: slayerkitty
Characters/Pairings: Klaine, Misc characters
Genre: Slightly AU, Romance, Fluff (IT'S SO FLUFFY!)
Warnings: Vague references to homophobia
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 4,000+
Spoilers: 3.03 Asian F
Disclaimer: Glee and it's characters do not belong to me, I'm just playing with them.
Summary: Everything was always more romantic when said with flowers.
Author’s Note: Okay, so the idea for this fic was born from the leaked spoiler pic of the Klaine flower scene. When I started this, the episode had not aired yet, and I didn't know who was giving who the flowers - but the flowers themselves made me think, because they were red and yellow roses. After some adorable (or so I'm told, lol) flailing on my part over the flowers themselves, I came with this idea that what if giving each other flowers was a thing that Kurt and Blaine did all the time? And so this fic was born. So many, many extreme thanks to star55 for talking me into writing this fic, helping me out with plot ideas, and then doing a fantastic beta for me. :D Also, I have no idea about the availability of these flowers in Ohio - so let's pretend that's not an issue, okay?
It’s when he’s staring at Blaine, who’s holding the roses in his hand that Kurt realizes it’s Blaine who started the flower thing between them.
Not every outing had been celebrated with one, just the ones deemed important.
Now here they were, on the down glide of what was possibly the first strain on their relationship since becoming official and flowers were still the solution they turned to.
A small smile plays at Kurt’s lips. He never once thought that he’d have a boyfriend, let alone someone to give him flowers. He wasn’t about to screw this up.
~**~
November 2010 - Courage
Kurt had known Blaine for three days the first time it happened. It was Saturday morning, the day after his and Blaine’s failed attempt to talk to Karofsky, and he’d just come upstairs for breakfast. His dad was guzzling decaf coffee, Carole was buzzing around the kitchen making breakfast, and Finn’s snores were drifting loudly from the living room. Since his father’s heart attack, Carole and Finn had been staying over more and more, and this was a fairly common occurrence for a Saturday morning now.
The doorbell rang, and every one jumped. They did not normally have early morning visitors on the weekends.
“I’ll get it,” Kurt said, stopping his dad from getting up and Carole from abandoning the egg omelet in the skillet. He was not been expecting to see a flower delivery driver in the driveway, or a delivery guy on the porch.
“Delivery for Kurt Hummel?” The guy spoke gruffly.
“That’s me,” Kurt replied, signing the form. The guy pretty much shoved the plant he was holding into Kurt’s hands and walked away - it was probably a good thing as Kurt wasn’t prepared to tip him anyway. He shut the door, taking the plant into the kitchen where he could open it.
“What is that, Sweetie?” Carole asked, approaching him.
“Something for me,” Kurt answered, his face going a little red - especially when his father’s eyebrows rose over his coffee cup. Kurt made short work of the wrapping, only to find a small cactus plant in a pot, with one of most beautiful white flowers Kurt had seen on a cactus growing on top of it.
“Who’s that from?” Burt stared hard at him, making Kurt fumble for the card. He grasped it finally, pulling it from its plastic holder and opening it.
“Dear Kurt,” he read. “I know things are tough right now. I thought this might help brighten your day. Cactus flowers mean strength and endurance.” Kurt had trailed off then, blushing a little at the rest of it, which he read to himself.
Personally, I think it’s a beautiful flower, surrounded by a bunch of thorns - like you. Courage.
-Blaine
“It’s from a friend,” Kurt explained. “I’ll go put this in my room.”
He took the plant to his room, setting it on his windowsill. The flower withered and died a few days later, as was typical for cactus flowers, but the beauty of them was they would bloom again.
~**~
November 2010 - Friendship
Kurt slipped into the booth at Breadstix, taking the seat next to Blaine, his face flushed from the cold air outside. He was excited - it was the first time Blaine would be meeting one of his friends, and Kurt had high hopes for it. Mercedes would be arriving any second, but Kurt was glad that he and Blaine had a moment alone before she got there.
“Hi,” he gasped out, struggling to get his coat off. Blaine helped him, grasped the fabric so Kurt could pull his arm loose. Kurt tried to ignore the tingling sensation on his skin as Blaine’s fingers brushed against him. “I’m not late, am I?”
“Not at all,” Blaine replied. “I was early.” He smiled, and dipped his head toward the table. Kurt followed his gaze, seeing yellow rose lying on the table in front of him.
“For me?” Kurt tried to keep his voice from shaking as he picked up the flower, and brought it to his nose.
“Of course it’s for you, silly,” Blaine confirmed. “Yellow roses mean-"
“Friendship,” Kurt finished for him, feeling breathless.
“Yeah.” Blaine almost looked like he was blushing, and Kurt had a feeling he was too. “I thought it might brighten your day.”
“It has.” Kurt smiled, smelling the flower again, and enjoying its sweet perfume. “You’re a great friend, Blaine,” he murmured.
“Right back at you,” Blaine said, meeting his gaze, and they smiled.
~**~
November 2010 - Admiration
“Hey, Blaine, wait a second,” Kurt came dashing up beside him, and Blaine paused. He and Kurt were following the rest of the Warblers out to the bus, getting ready to head to sectionals.
“We gotta get loaded up, Kurt,” Blaine reminded him.
“I know,” Kurt’s face flushed, and that grabbed Blaine’s attention. “I just wanted to say good luck while we had a private minute. I’m sure you’ll kill your solo.”
“Well, thank you,” Blaine replied. “We should-"
“Wait,” Kurt grabbed his arm, but abruptly let it go. Blaine tried not to frown - he hated that Kurt was still timid around him sometimes. They’d been friends for several weeks now - surely Kurt knew that Blaine was okay with Kurt grabbing his arm. “This is for you.” Kurt sounded breathless, and he was now holding a pink rose in his hand.
“Thank you,” Blaine murmured, taking the flower. His fingers brushed Kurt’s, and he dismissed the feelings that welled up inside him. He and Kurt were friends, that was all. Just friends.
“I did some research on flowers and their meanings, and I just wanted let you know that I - I look up to you,” Kurt said quietly. “You’ve really helped me fit in at here.”
“Hey, slowpokes!” Jeff shouted from the doorway. “Move your asses before Wes comes in here with his gavel!”
“We’d better go,” Blaine told him. Kurt nodded and started outside, Blaine following behind him.
~**~
December 2010 - Christmas
Blaine was nervous. It was three days until Christmas, and he was going to Kurt’s house for the first time since they’d met - he and Kurt were just going to do a quick gift exchange. It did, however, mean that Blaine would be meeting Kurt’s father, step-mother, and step-brother. Kurt had talked about his family non-stop, and Blaine felt like he knew them already.
Blaine just hoped they liked him.
Kurt had become a very important part of his life in such a short time. Blaine didn’t know what he would do if they suddenly decided that Kurt wasn’t allowed to spend time with him anymore.
Blaine forced himself out of the car, and up the front walk to knock on Kurt’s front door.
*
“That went well,” Blaine said, Kurt leading the way to his bedroom. Kurt’s family had only been living in their house for a few weeks, and it was obvious in some places - there were still boxes tucked away in corners that needed unpacking, home improvement projects in various stages, and new linoleum being laid in the kitchen.
“Did you think it wouldn’t?” Kurt asked, looking at Blaine out of the corner of his eye. Blaine shrugged. “You’re like a parent's dream, Blaine. I wouldn’t be too worried about that.”
“Wow,” Blaine said, changing the subject as they went into Kurt’s room. “Your room is amazing.”
“Thanks,” Kurt replied, gesturing for Blaine to sit. Kurt looked nervous now, wringing his hands, before picking up the box on the desk and handing it to Blaine.
“This is for you,” Blaine told him, handing Kurt the package he’d been carrying since he’d arrived. Kurt thanked him, pulled the poinsettia that Blaine had attached to the package off. Kurt held it delicately between his fingers and smiled.
“Merry Christmas, Blaine Warbler,” he said.
“Merry Christmas, Kurt.”
~**~
February 2011 - Contentment
“I had fun tonight,” Blaine said, as Kurt walked him out to his car.
“I’m glad,” Kurt replied, doing a little shimmy to ward off the chilly February air. They’d just come home from the championship football game, and now that the McKinley High Titans were number one, Blaine had to head home. He didn’t want to though - Kurt’s family was amazing, and he loved spending time with them. “It’s because of you that they even got to play, you know.”
“Not really,” Blaine denied. “They would have figured something out. I’m just glad no one got hurt.”
“Same here. I think Tina’s going to be feeling that for a few days though.” Kurt stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a slightly crumpled looking flower. “I’ve kind of been trying to find a good moment to give you this all night.” He blushed.
“It’s pretty,” Blaine said, taking the flower. “What kind it is?”
“It’s a zinnia.” Kurt answered. “The red ones mean constancy.” He bit his lip. “I’ve never had a friend like you, you know.”
“No, I didn’t.” Blaine murmured. “Me either.” Kurt’s eyes lit up at his words, and Blaine couldn’t help but smile.
“See you Monday?” Kurt asked. Blaine nodded, getting into his car. He gave Kurt a wave as he drove off all the while wishing that he were staying there.
~**~
February 2011 - Anticipation
Kurt watched as Blaine left Breadstix and headed for his car. He stood in the doorway of the restaurant, watching as Blaine saw the surprise he’d left on under the wiper of Blaine’s car. Blaine picked up the flower Kurt had left for him, smelled it, and then glanced at the note Kurt had wrapped around it.
Kurt couldn’t help but smile as he watched Blaine read it, a happier expression already on Blaine’s face. Blaine glanced up, spotting him and waving. Kurt waved back, and then Blaine got into his car, holding the forsythia in his hand. Kurt had searched for the perfect flower for this moment, one that meant what he was trying to express. He wondered if Blaine would go home and look up the meaning behind it.
He wanted Blaine to know it was okay. He would wait.
~**~
March 2011 - Apology
“I’m sorry.” They said it together, and then fell into awkward laugher as they sat down across from each other at their usual Lima Bean table.
“I really am sorry, Blaine,” Kurt insisted. “I should have tried to understand what you were going through. I said some horrible things and you didn’t deserve that.” He held out a flower to Blaine, an Iris. A smile graced Blaine’s lips, and then he pulled a flower out of his bag as well, handing it to Kurt.
“I need to apologize too,” Blaine replied. “I know that we talked after Valentine’s Day about…” he trailed off, clearing his throat uncomfortably. “I should have taken your feelings into account, and I should have stayed away from Rachel - she’s your friend.” Blaine sighed. “I shouldn’t have compared you to Karofsky. That was… mean.”
“I was kind of acting just like him,” Kurt allowed. Blaine shook his head.
“Never,” he denied. “You could never be like him, Kurt. I’m sorry I said that.”
“It’s okay, Blaine,” Kurt smiled. “We’re all forgiven now.” He sniffed his flower. A flurry of activity behind the counter between the barista’s got his attention and if he wasn’t mistaken, they were staring at him and Blaine - and money was changing hands. Before he could wonder what that was about, Blaine was touching his hand, and Kurt had to steel himself against the fluttery feeling it set off in his stomach.
“What kind of flower is this, anyway?” Kurt asked, smelling it again.
“A Star of Bethlehem,” Blaine answered. “I know you’re an atheist, but… it’s pretty, and it means…” Kurt squeezed his hand.
“It’s perfect.”
*~~*
March 2011 - Innocence
“I feel like all I’m doing is apologizing lately,” Kurt sank down onto his bed, looking at Blaine, who was standing apprehensively in Kurt’s bedroom doorway. “You can come in.”
“I just…”
“It’s not you, Blaine,” Kurt stared down at the bedspread. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Kurt-"
“No, just… let me get this out.” He picked at a stray thread on the blanket. “The idea of someone wanting to do those… things… with me is kind of hard to fathom.”
“But, Kurt-"
“Blaine, please, just let me get this out.” Blaine nodded, finally moving into his room, and taking the seat on Kurt’s vanity. “I’ve never had anyone to talk about it with before, and you’re so…cavalier about it.”
“I’m sorry if I-" Kurt held up a hand. Blaine looked a little frustrated that Kurt wouldn’t let him finish a sentence.
“I shouldn’t have thrown you out,” Kurt asked. “You were just trying to help me."
“I just worry about you,” Blaine said softly, and the pitch of his voice startled Kurt. It was almost like… Kurt dismissed the idea before he even thought it. It wouldn’t do any good to dwell on those thoughts.
“You don’t have to worry, Blaine,” Kurt spoke quietly too. “My dad -" He cleared his throat. “My dad sat me down and gave me ‘the talk’, complete with instructional pamphlets.”
“He did?” Blaine seemed pleased by that. Kurt nodded.
“Here,” he said, getting up, and getting the flower he’d bought for Blaine on the way home from school. “This is for you - for your heart being in the right place.” Blaine took the white rose from Kurt’s hand. Kurt hoped Blaine wouldn’t read too much into the metaphor and what the rose represented.
“Purity, innocence,” Blaine murmured, touching the petals reverently. Kurt felt his face flame, making a sound of agreement. “Thank you, Kurt.”
Desperate for a subject change, he picked up the nearest magazine. “So have you seen the latest issue of Vogue?”
~**~
March 2011 - Desire
“What’s this?” Burt asked. Kurt looked up from his school book to see his father holding an orange flower.
“Oh, that’s from Blaine,” Kurt answered, feeling himself turning red.
“You two sure give each other flowers a lot for two kids who aren’t dating,” Burt observed. Kurt knew his face had possibly gone redder, and his father noticed. “Unless there’s something you need to be telling me.”
“Orange roses mean desire, did you know that?” Kurt asked, looking at the table.
“I can’t say that I did,” Burt replied. “That mean what I think it means?” Kurt nodded slowly, biting his lip.
“He told me today,” Kurt spoke softly, his eyes lit up with happiness. “He said that ‘I moved him’ …and then he kissed me.” Kurt still hadn’t processed it all himself. It felt like a strange dream, and he’d actually spent the rest of the afternoon pinching himself to make sure - he had the bruise to prove it.
“You just make sure he treats you good, Kurt,” Burt finally said, before squeezing Kurt’s shoulder. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Kurt murmured, taking the flower from his father. “That means a lot to me.”
~**~
April 2011 - Longing
“You want to go back to McKinley, don’t you?” Blaine took in Kurt’s stiff posture out of the corner of his eye. They were sitting in Kurt’s driveway, having just come back from the “Night of Neglect”.
“Is it that obvious?” Kurt replied, looking at his hands.
“A little,” Blaine said.
“We both know I can’t. Tonight proved that.” Kurt sighed. “So why are we even talking about this?”
“What if you could?” Blaine wanted to know. “Would you?”
“It’s a moot point, Blaine.” Kurt said, sounding a little testy. “Can we please drop it?”
*
Blaine couldn’t let it go. He saw how much Kurt was missing his friends when they hung out together, and how disinterested he’d become in school and Warblers practice. The knowledge that New Directions was going to Nationals didn’t help the situation. He thought about what could be done to help, but honestly, unless someone could stop Karofsky, there was nothing to do. Blaine couldn’t stop himself from bringing it up again though. He left Kurt a note in his room, along with a pink Camellia flower.
I know you miss your friends. All I ask is that if you go back to McKinley, you find a way to do it safely.
-Blaine.
~**~
April 2011 - Sorrow
“You could have stayed.” Blaine looked up to see Kurt leaning against the doorway of the Dalton common room. He’d lost the top hat, but was still wearing the white straight jacket and gloves Blaine loved. Blaine smiled. He’d planned on driving out to Kurt’s after Warbler practice, but now he didn’t have to.
“You were with your friends,” Blaine replied. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“You are never an interruption,” Kurt told him, moving across the room and taking a seat next to him. He picked up Blaine’s hand and held it tightly between his own, kissing the back of it lightly. Blaine’s breath caught in this throat. Leaving Kurt at McKinley earlier had been the hardest thing he’d had to do.
“I was going to come by later and see you,” Blaine said. “Surprise you with this.” He leaned over and picked up the purple hyacinth flower he’d bought at the flower shop down the street from Dalton.
“Sorrow, Blaine?” Kurt asked, arching an eyebrow. Of Blaine’s surprised look, he continued. “I memorized some flowers and their meanings.” Blaine nodded.
“I’m going to miss you.”
~**~
May 2011 - Fidelity
“Oh, my God, Finn, will you let it go?” Kurt’s shrill voice rang out from the kitchen, and Blaine jerked his head to in that direction. Finn and Kurt sometimes had words with each other, but seemed to really get along - they considered themselves brothers in the truest sense of the word. So for Kurt to go off like that, well… it had to be about something big.
“Just tell him, okay?” Finn asked. “If you won’t tell me or the rest of what’s going on, at least tell Blaine,” Finn’s voice carried. Okay, now Finn had his attention.
“There’s nothing to tell,” Kurt shouted back. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that!”
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Kurt. Sam is not worth losing Blaine over.” Finn said, stomping through the living room and up the stairs.
“Blaine, hi!” Kurt squeaked out when he came into the living room. “When did you get here?”
“About five minutes before World War III broke out in the kitchen.” He paused. “Why does Finn think you’re going to lose me over Sam?” Kurt sighed.
“Everyone in glee thinks I’m cheating on you with Sam,” Kurt finally said. Blaine’s eyebrows rose in reply. That was not the answer he’d imagined. “I’m not, though, Blaine, I swear.”
“I believe you,” Blaine murmured after a moment.
“I’ll tell you what’s going on as soon as I can, okay?” Blaine nodded. He believed Kurt.
Still, it was hard to get passed the embarrassment the next day when the local flower shop delivered a single violet to Blaine during Warbler’s practice.
~**~
May 2011 - Prom
“Kurt, Blaine’s here!” Carole called up the stairs.
“Coming!” He called back, checking his hair one last time before leaving his bedroom. He descended slowly down the stairs, holding in a gasp when Blaine appeared at the bottom. He looked amazing, just as Kurt knew he would. Blaine took his hand when he was close enough, and they just stared at each other for a second. Kurt knew that Blaine wasn’t thrilled about going to the prom, that he was only doing it to make him happy, and Kurt loved him so much for that.
“Wow,” Kurt breathed out. “You look…”
“You too,” Blaine replied, his cheeks flushed. Kurt took pride in that; it wasn’t very often that he made Blaine blush. Burt cleared his throat, arms crossed over his chest, and now Kurt was the one blushing. He’d forgotten his parents were there for a second.
“Picture time!” Carole crowed.
“Oh, wait!” Kurt said. “I’ll be right back.” He darted into the kitchen, and pulled the boutonnière box out of the refrigerator, taking it back into the living room. “Here.”
He held the box out to Blaine, who took it and opened it up. “Pink carnations?” Blaine asked.
“They can mean affection and the pink ones mean gratitude specifically.” Kurt kept his voice low, conscious of his parents standing nearby. “It means a lot to me that you’re coming tonight.”
Blaine smiled as he picked one of the flowers out of the box and took the pin out. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” he said.
*~~*
May 2011 - Love
Blaine hadn’t meant to say it. It had just slipped out. He and Kurt had just been sitting at the Lima Bean, enjoying a coffee while Kurt filled him in on the New Directions trip to New York. Every minute that Kurt talked, Blaine felt himself falling farther in, and he couldn’t keep it to himself.
So Blaine had told Kurt he loved him. Kurt’s shock had been clear (he’d nearly choked on his sip of coffee), but that was okay.
The best part though, was that Kurt said it back.
Blaine hadn’t even needed to hear him say it, honestly. He would have understood if Kurt hadn’t been ready for that - but he had, and Blaine, well, he’d never loved Kurt more.
One of the advantages of Dalton’s school year letting out before McKinley’s is that Blaine could be waiting for Kurt outside of the school, red rose in hand.
He saw several students giving him the eye, clearly wondering who he was and what he was there for - Blaine figured his lack of uniform was the cause of that - though a few knowing eyes did land on him.
Kurt exited the school amongst the rest of New Directions, the group of them talking and laughing as they headed for their cars and summer vacation. Kurt actually came to a stop when saw Blaine waiting for him. Everyone noticed, and a couple of them said things he couldn’t hear that made Kurt blush.
Blaine smiled, and Kurt smiled back, heading his way.
“Hi,” he said when Kurt was close enough.
“Hi,” Kurt replied, breathless. Blaine handed the flower to Kurt.
“Red, huh?” Kurt asked, smelling it.
“I figured it was appropriate,” Blaine murmured. “Because I love you.”
“I don’t know if I’ll get used to hearing that,” Kurt spoke softly.
“Well, you’d better,” Blaine told him. “I’ll be saying it for a long time.” Kurt bit his lip, and looked at Blaine from under his eyelashes.
“I really want to kiss you right now,” he whispered. Blaine held in the noise he wanted to make at those words.
“If you get in the car, we can be at your house in ten minutes,” Blaine promised. “Then you can kiss me all you want.”
“Ten minutes?” Kurt asked, hurrying to get in. Blaine got in and turned on the car, glancing at him.
“Make it five.”
*~~*
September 2011 - Happiness
When Blaine opened his locker on his first official day at McKinley, he was not expecting a yellow flower to fall out. He picked it up, and then glanced around, spotting Kurt down the hall at his locker, watching him.
Kurt smiled, gave him a little wave, and then headed to class. Blaine couldn’t help but grin himself, reading the little note attached to the yellow lily he held in his hands.
Blaine -
You’ve made me the happiest man on Earth.
Love,
Kurt
*~~*
September 2011 - Luck
Kurt found the sprig of pink heather taped to his locker the morning of his audition for the school musical. With a smile, not even having to wonder who it was from, Kurt removed the tape gently, and tucked the flower into the pocket of his shirt. He made a mental note to thank Blaine later.
He needed all the luck he could get.
*~~*
He’s glad that Blaine likes the flowers. It sucks that it comes with a reminder that they can’t even kiss at McKinley, but it doesn’t taint their special moment - it is what it is.
The flowers are simple - yellow and red roses, but Blaine knows the meaning behind them, and Kurt knows that Blaine gets what he’s trying to say.
He’s glad that he did this, giddy at his first real ‘big, romantic gesture’ going over so well. Blaine is blushing at all the stares they’re getting - after all, one of the only two gay boys in school was carrying flowers around - but it’s a good kind of attention. He’s glad that Blaine started this tradition between them.
Everything was always more romantic when said with flowers.
Author: slayerkitty
Characters/Pairings: Klaine, Misc characters
Genre: Slightly AU, Romance, Fluff (IT'S SO FLUFFY!)
Warnings: Vague references to homophobia
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 4,000+
Spoilers: 3.03 Asian F
Disclaimer: Glee and it's characters do not belong to me, I'm just playing with them.
Summary: Everything was always more romantic when said with flowers.
Author’s Note: Okay, so the idea for this fic was born from the leaked spoiler pic of the Klaine flower scene. When I started this, the episode had not aired yet, and I didn't know who was giving who the flowers - but the flowers themselves made me think, because they were red and yellow roses. After some adorable (or so I'm told, lol) flailing on my part over the flowers themselves, I came with this idea that what if giving each other flowers was a thing that Kurt and Blaine did all the time? And so this fic was born. So many, many extreme thanks to star55 for talking me into writing this fic, helping me out with plot ideas, and then doing a fantastic beta for me. :D Also, I have no idea about the availability of these flowers in Ohio - so let's pretend that's not an issue, okay?
It’s when he’s staring at Blaine, who’s holding the roses in his hand that Kurt realizes it’s Blaine who started the flower thing between them.
Not every outing had been celebrated with one, just the ones deemed important.
Now here they were, on the down glide of what was possibly the first strain on their relationship since becoming official and flowers were still the solution they turned to.
A small smile plays at Kurt’s lips. He never once thought that he’d have a boyfriend, let alone someone to give him flowers. He wasn’t about to screw this up.
~**~
November 2010 - Courage
Kurt had known Blaine for three days the first time it happened. It was Saturday morning, the day after his and Blaine’s failed attempt to talk to Karofsky, and he’d just come upstairs for breakfast. His dad was guzzling decaf coffee, Carole was buzzing around the kitchen making breakfast, and Finn’s snores were drifting loudly from the living room. Since his father’s heart attack, Carole and Finn had been staying over more and more, and this was a fairly common occurrence for a Saturday morning now.
The doorbell rang, and every one jumped. They did not normally have early morning visitors on the weekends.
“I’ll get it,” Kurt said, stopping his dad from getting up and Carole from abandoning the egg omelet in the skillet. He was not been expecting to see a flower delivery driver in the driveway, or a delivery guy on the porch.
“Delivery for Kurt Hummel?” The guy spoke gruffly.
“That’s me,” Kurt replied, signing the form. The guy pretty much shoved the plant he was holding into Kurt’s hands and walked away - it was probably a good thing as Kurt wasn’t prepared to tip him anyway. He shut the door, taking the plant into the kitchen where he could open it.
“What is that, Sweetie?” Carole asked, approaching him.
“Something for me,” Kurt answered, his face going a little red - especially when his father’s eyebrows rose over his coffee cup. Kurt made short work of the wrapping, only to find a small cactus plant in a pot, with one of most beautiful white flowers Kurt had seen on a cactus growing on top of it.
“Who’s that from?” Burt stared hard at him, making Kurt fumble for the card. He grasped it finally, pulling it from its plastic holder and opening it.
“Dear Kurt,” he read. “I know things are tough right now. I thought this might help brighten your day. Cactus flowers mean strength and endurance.” Kurt had trailed off then, blushing a little at the rest of it, which he read to himself.
Personally, I think it’s a beautiful flower, surrounded by a bunch of thorns - like you. Courage.
-Blaine
“It’s from a friend,” Kurt explained. “I’ll go put this in my room.”
He took the plant to his room, setting it on his windowsill. The flower withered and died a few days later, as was typical for cactus flowers, but the beauty of them was they would bloom again.
~**~
November 2010 - Friendship
Kurt slipped into the booth at Breadstix, taking the seat next to Blaine, his face flushed from the cold air outside. He was excited - it was the first time Blaine would be meeting one of his friends, and Kurt had high hopes for it. Mercedes would be arriving any second, but Kurt was glad that he and Blaine had a moment alone before she got there.
“Hi,” he gasped out, struggling to get his coat off. Blaine helped him, grasped the fabric so Kurt could pull his arm loose. Kurt tried to ignore the tingling sensation on his skin as Blaine’s fingers brushed against him. “I’m not late, am I?”
“Not at all,” Blaine replied. “I was early.” He smiled, and dipped his head toward the table. Kurt followed his gaze, seeing yellow rose lying on the table in front of him.
“For me?” Kurt tried to keep his voice from shaking as he picked up the flower, and brought it to his nose.
“Of course it’s for you, silly,” Blaine confirmed. “Yellow roses mean-"
“Friendship,” Kurt finished for him, feeling breathless.
“Yeah.” Blaine almost looked like he was blushing, and Kurt had a feeling he was too. “I thought it might brighten your day.”
“It has.” Kurt smiled, smelling the flower again, and enjoying its sweet perfume. “You’re a great friend, Blaine,” he murmured.
“Right back at you,” Blaine said, meeting his gaze, and they smiled.
~**~
November 2010 - Admiration
“Hey, Blaine, wait a second,” Kurt came dashing up beside him, and Blaine paused. He and Kurt were following the rest of the Warblers out to the bus, getting ready to head to sectionals.
“We gotta get loaded up, Kurt,” Blaine reminded him.
“I know,” Kurt’s face flushed, and that grabbed Blaine’s attention. “I just wanted to say good luck while we had a private minute. I’m sure you’ll kill your solo.”
“Well, thank you,” Blaine replied. “We should-"
“Wait,” Kurt grabbed his arm, but abruptly let it go. Blaine tried not to frown - he hated that Kurt was still timid around him sometimes. They’d been friends for several weeks now - surely Kurt knew that Blaine was okay with Kurt grabbing his arm. “This is for you.” Kurt sounded breathless, and he was now holding a pink rose in his hand.
“Thank you,” Blaine murmured, taking the flower. His fingers brushed Kurt’s, and he dismissed the feelings that welled up inside him. He and Kurt were friends, that was all. Just friends.
“I did some research on flowers and their meanings, and I just wanted let you know that I - I look up to you,” Kurt said quietly. “You’ve really helped me fit in at here.”
“Hey, slowpokes!” Jeff shouted from the doorway. “Move your asses before Wes comes in here with his gavel!”
“We’d better go,” Blaine told him. Kurt nodded and started outside, Blaine following behind him.
~**~
December 2010 - Christmas
Blaine was nervous. It was three days until Christmas, and he was going to Kurt’s house for the first time since they’d met - he and Kurt were just going to do a quick gift exchange. It did, however, mean that Blaine would be meeting Kurt’s father, step-mother, and step-brother. Kurt had talked about his family non-stop, and Blaine felt like he knew them already.
Blaine just hoped they liked him.
Kurt had become a very important part of his life in such a short time. Blaine didn’t know what he would do if they suddenly decided that Kurt wasn’t allowed to spend time with him anymore.
Blaine forced himself out of the car, and up the front walk to knock on Kurt’s front door.
*
“That went well,” Blaine said, Kurt leading the way to his bedroom. Kurt’s family had only been living in their house for a few weeks, and it was obvious in some places - there were still boxes tucked away in corners that needed unpacking, home improvement projects in various stages, and new linoleum being laid in the kitchen.
“Did you think it wouldn’t?” Kurt asked, looking at Blaine out of the corner of his eye. Blaine shrugged. “You’re like a parent's dream, Blaine. I wouldn’t be too worried about that.”
“Wow,” Blaine said, changing the subject as they went into Kurt’s room. “Your room is amazing.”
“Thanks,” Kurt replied, gesturing for Blaine to sit. Kurt looked nervous now, wringing his hands, before picking up the box on the desk and handing it to Blaine.
“This is for you,” Blaine told him, handing Kurt the package he’d been carrying since he’d arrived. Kurt thanked him, pulled the poinsettia that Blaine had attached to the package off. Kurt held it delicately between his fingers and smiled.
“Merry Christmas, Blaine Warbler,” he said.
“Merry Christmas, Kurt.”
~**~
February 2011 - Contentment
“I had fun tonight,” Blaine said, as Kurt walked him out to his car.
“I’m glad,” Kurt replied, doing a little shimmy to ward off the chilly February air. They’d just come home from the championship football game, and now that the McKinley High Titans were number one, Blaine had to head home. He didn’t want to though - Kurt’s family was amazing, and he loved spending time with them. “It’s because of you that they even got to play, you know.”
“Not really,” Blaine denied. “They would have figured something out. I’m just glad no one got hurt.”
“Same here. I think Tina’s going to be feeling that for a few days though.” Kurt stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a slightly crumpled looking flower. “I’ve kind of been trying to find a good moment to give you this all night.” He blushed.
“It’s pretty,” Blaine said, taking the flower. “What kind it is?”
“It’s a zinnia.” Kurt answered. “The red ones mean constancy.” He bit his lip. “I’ve never had a friend like you, you know.”
“No, I didn’t.” Blaine murmured. “Me either.” Kurt’s eyes lit up at his words, and Blaine couldn’t help but smile.
“See you Monday?” Kurt asked. Blaine nodded, getting into his car. He gave Kurt a wave as he drove off all the while wishing that he were staying there.
~**~
February 2011 - Anticipation
Kurt watched as Blaine left Breadstix and headed for his car. He stood in the doorway of the restaurant, watching as Blaine saw the surprise he’d left on under the wiper of Blaine’s car. Blaine picked up the flower Kurt had left for him, smelled it, and then glanced at the note Kurt had wrapped around it.
Kurt couldn’t help but smile as he watched Blaine read it, a happier expression already on Blaine’s face. Blaine glanced up, spotting him and waving. Kurt waved back, and then Blaine got into his car, holding the forsythia in his hand. Kurt had searched for the perfect flower for this moment, one that meant what he was trying to express. He wondered if Blaine would go home and look up the meaning behind it.
He wanted Blaine to know it was okay. He would wait.
~**~
March 2011 - Apology
“I’m sorry.” They said it together, and then fell into awkward laugher as they sat down across from each other at their usual Lima Bean table.
“I really am sorry, Blaine,” Kurt insisted. “I should have tried to understand what you were going through. I said some horrible things and you didn’t deserve that.” He held out a flower to Blaine, an Iris. A smile graced Blaine’s lips, and then he pulled a flower out of his bag as well, handing it to Kurt.
“I need to apologize too,” Blaine replied. “I know that we talked after Valentine’s Day about…” he trailed off, clearing his throat uncomfortably. “I should have taken your feelings into account, and I should have stayed away from Rachel - she’s your friend.” Blaine sighed. “I shouldn’t have compared you to Karofsky. That was… mean.”
“I was kind of acting just like him,” Kurt allowed. Blaine shook his head.
“Never,” he denied. “You could never be like him, Kurt. I’m sorry I said that.”
“It’s okay, Blaine,” Kurt smiled. “We’re all forgiven now.” He sniffed his flower. A flurry of activity behind the counter between the barista’s got his attention and if he wasn’t mistaken, they were staring at him and Blaine - and money was changing hands. Before he could wonder what that was about, Blaine was touching his hand, and Kurt had to steel himself against the fluttery feeling it set off in his stomach.
“What kind of flower is this, anyway?” Kurt asked, smelling it again.
“A Star of Bethlehem,” Blaine answered. “I know you’re an atheist, but… it’s pretty, and it means…” Kurt squeezed his hand.
“It’s perfect.”
*~~*
March 2011 - Innocence
“I feel like all I’m doing is apologizing lately,” Kurt sank down onto his bed, looking at Blaine, who was standing apprehensively in Kurt’s bedroom doorway. “You can come in.”
“I just…”
“It’s not you, Blaine,” Kurt stared down at the bedspread. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Kurt-"
“No, just… let me get this out.” He picked at a stray thread on the blanket. “The idea of someone wanting to do those… things… with me is kind of hard to fathom.”
“But, Kurt-"
“Blaine, please, just let me get this out.” Blaine nodded, finally moving into his room, and taking the seat on Kurt’s vanity. “I’ve never had anyone to talk about it with before, and you’re so…cavalier about it.”
“I’m sorry if I-" Kurt held up a hand. Blaine looked a little frustrated that Kurt wouldn’t let him finish a sentence.
“I shouldn’t have thrown you out,” Kurt asked. “You were just trying to help me."
“I just worry about you,” Blaine said softly, and the pitch of his voice startled Kurt. It was almost like… Kurt dismissed the idea before he even thought it. It wouldn’t do any good to dwell on those thoughts.
“You don’t have to worry, Blaine,” Kurt spoke quietly too. “My dad -" He cleared his throat. “My dad sat me down and gave me ‘the talk’, complete with instructional pamphlets.”
“He did?” Blaine seemed pleased by that. Kurt nodded.
“Here,” he said, getting up, and getting the flower he’d bought for Blaine on the way home from school. “This is for you - for your heart being in the right place.” Blaine took the white rose from Kurt’s hand. Kurt hoped Blaine wouldn’t read too much into the metaphor and what the rose represented.
“Purity, innocence,” Blaine murmured, touching the petals reverently. Kurt felt his face flame, making a sound of agreement. “Thank you, Kurt.”
Desperate for a subject change, he picked up the nearest magazine. “So have you seen the latest issue of Vogue?”
~**~
March 2011 - Desire
“What’s this?” Burt asked. Kurt looked up from his school book to see his father holding an orange flower.
“Oh, that’s from Blaine,” Kurt answered, feeling himself turning red.
“You two sure give each other flowers a lot for two kids who aren’t dating,” Burt observed. Kurt knew his face had possibly gone redder, and his father noticed. “Unless there’s something you need to be telling me.”
“Orange roses mean desire, did you know that?” Kurt asked, looking at the table.
“I can’t say that I did,” Burt replied. “That mean what I think it means?” Kurt nodded slowly, biting his lip.
“He told me today,” Kurt spoke softly, his eyes lit up with happiness. “He said that ‘I moved him’ …and then he kissed me.” Kurt still hadn’t processed it all himself. It felt like a strange dream, and he’d actually spent the rest of the afternoon pinching himself to make sure - he had the bruise to prove it.
“You just make sure he treats you good, Kurt,” Burt finally said, before squeezing Kurt’s shoulder. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Kurt murmured, taking the flower from his father. “That means a lot to me.”
~**~
April 2011 - Longing
“You want to go back to McKinley, don’t you?” Blaine took in Kurt’s stiff posture out of the corner of his eye. They were sitting in Kurt’s driveway, having just come back from the “Night of Neglect”.
“Is it that obvious?” Kurt replied, looking at his hands.
“A little,” Blaine said.
“We both know I can’t. Tonight proved that.” Kurt sighed. “So why are we even talking about this?”
“What if you could?” Blaine wanted to know. “Would you?”
“It’s a moot point, Blaine.” Kurt said, sounding a little testy. “Can we please drop it?”
*
Blaine couldn’t let it go. He saw how much Kurt was missing his friends when they hung out together, and how disinterested he’d become in school and Warblers practice. The knowledge that New Directions was going to Nationals didn’t help the situation. He thought about what could be done to help, but honestly, unless someone could stop Karofsky, there was nothing to do. Blaine couldn’t stop himself from bringing it up again though. He left Kurt a note in his room, along with a pink Camellia flower.
I know you miss your friends. All I ask is that if you go back to McKinley, you find a way to do it safely.
-Blaine.
~**~
April 2011 - Sorrow
“You could have stayed.” Blaine looked up to see Kurt leaning against the doorway of the Dalton common room. He’d lost the top hat, but was still wearing the white straight jacket and gloves Blaine loved. Blaine smiled. He’d planned on driving out to Kurt’s after Warbler practice, but now he didn’t have to.
“You were with your friends,” Blaine replied. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“You are never an interruption,” Kurt told him, moving across the room and taking a seat next to him. He picked up Blaine’s hand and held it tightly between his own, kissing the back of it lightly. Blaine’s breath caught in this throat. Leaving Kurt at McKinley earlier had been the hardest thing he’d had to do.
“I was going to come by later and see you,” Blaine said. “Surprise you with this.” He leaned over and picked up the purple hyacinth flower he’d bought at the flower shop down the street from Dalton.
“Sorrow, Blaine?” Kurt asked, arching an eyebrow. Of Blaine’s surprised look, he continued. “I memorized some flowers and their meanings.” Blaine nodded.
“I’m going to miss you.”
~**~
May 2011 - Fidelity
“Oh, my God, Finn, will you let it go?” Kurt’s shrill voice rang out from the kitchen, and Blaine jerked his head to in that direction. Finn and Kurt sometimes had words with each other, but seemed to really get along - they considered themselves brothers in the truest sense of the word. So for Kurt to go off like that, well… it had to be about something big.
“Just tell him, okay?” Finn asked. “If you won’t tell me or the rest of what’s going on, at least tell Blaine,” Finn’s voice carried. Okay, now Finn had his attention.
“There’s nothing to tell,” Kurt shouted back. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that!”
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Kurt. Sam is not worth losing Blaine over.” Finn said, stomping through the living room and up the stairs.
“Blaine, hi!” Kurt squeaked out when he came into the living room. “When did you get here?”
“About five minutes before World War III broke out in the kitchen.” He paused. “Why does Finn think you’re going to lose me over Sam?” Kurt sighed.
“Everyone in glee thinks I’m cheating on you with Sam,” Kurt finally said. Blaine’s eyebrows rose in reply. That was not the answer he’d imagined. “I’m not, though, Blaine, I swear.”
“I believe you,” Blaine murmured after a moment.
“I’ll tell you what’s going on as soon as I can, okay?” Blaine nodded. He believed Kurt.
Still, it was hard to get passed the embarrassment the next day when the local flower shop delivered a single violet to Blaine during Warbler’s practice.
~**~
May 2011 - Prom
“Kurt, Blaine’s here!” Carole called up the stairs.
“Coming!” He called back, checking his hair one last time before leaving his bedroom. He descended slowly down the stairs, holding in a gasp when Blaine appeared at the bottom. He looked amazing, just as Kurt knew he would. Blaine took his hand when he was close enough, and they just stared at each other for a second. Kurt knew that Blaine wasn’t thrilled about going to the prom, that he was only doing it to make him happy, and Kurt loved him so much for that.
“Wow,” Kurt breathed out. “You look…”
“You too,” Blaine replied, his cheeks flushed. Kurt took pride in that; it wasn’t very often that he made Blaine blush. Burt cleared his throat, arms crossed over his chest, and now Kurt was the one blushing. He’d forgotten his parents were there for a second.
“Picture time!” Carole crowed.
“Oh, wait!” Kurt said. “I’ll be right back.” He darted into the kitchen, and pulled the boutonnière box out of the refrigerator, taking it back into the living room. “Here.”
He held the box out to Blaine, who took it and opened it up. “Pink carnations?” Blaine asked.
“They can mean affection and the pink ones mean gratitude specifically.” Kurt kept his voice low, conscious of his parents standing nearby. “It means a lot to me that you’re coming tonight.”
Blaine smiled as he picked one of the flowers out of the box and took the pin out. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” he said.
*~~*
May 2011 - Love
Blaine hadn’t meant to say it. It had just slipped out. He and Kurt had just been sitting at the Lima Bean, enjoying a coffee while Kurt filled him in on the New Directions trip to New York. Every minute that Kurt talked, Blaine felt himself falling farther in, and he couldn’t keep it to himself.
So Blaine had told Kurt he loved him. Kurt’s shock had been clear (he’d nearly choked on his sip of coffee), but that was okay.
The best part though, was that Kurt said it back.
Blaine hadn’t even needed to hear him say it, honestly. He would have understood if Kurt hadn’t been ready for that - but he had, and Blaine, well, he’d never loved Kurt more.
One of the advantages of Dalton’s school year letting out before McKinley’s is that Blaine could be waiting for Kurt outside of the school, red rose in hand.
He saw several students giving him the eye, clearly wondering who he was and what he was there for - Blaine figured his lack of uniform was the cause of that - though a few knowing eyes did land on him.
Kurt exited the school amongst the rest of New Directions, the group of them talking and laughing as they headed for their cars and summer vacation. Kurt actually came to a stop when saw Blaine waiting for him. Everyone noticed, and a couple of them said things he couldn’t hear that made Kurt blush.
Blaine smiled, and Kurt smiled back, heading his way.
“Hi,” he said when Kurt was close enough.
“Hi,” Kurt replied, breathless. Blaine handed the flower to Kurt.
“Red, huh?” Kurt asked, smelling it.
“I figured it was appropriate,” Blaine murmured. “Because I love you.”
“I don’t know if I’ll get used to hearing that,” Kurt spoke softly.
“Well, you’d better,” Blaine told him. “I’ll be saying it for a long time.” Kurt bit his lip, and looked at Blaine from under his eyelashes.
“I really want to kiss you right now,” he whispered. Blaine held in the noise he wanted to make at those words.
“If you get in the car, we can be at your house in ten minutes,” Blaine promised. “Then you can kiss me all you want.”
“Ten minutes?” Kurt asked, hurrying to get in. Blaine got in and turned on the car, glancing at him.
“Make it five.”
*~~*
September 2011 - Happiness
When Blaine opened his locker on his first official day at McKinley, he was not expecting a yellow flower to fall out. He picked it up, and then glanced around, spotting Kurt down the hall at his locker, watching him.
Kurt smiled, gave him a little wave, and then headed to class. Blaine couldn’t help but grin himself, reading the little note attached to the yellow lily he held in his hands.
Blaine -
You’ve made me the happiest man on Earth.
Love,
Kurt
*~~*
September 2011 - Luck
Kurt found the sprig of pink heather taped to his locker the morning of his audition for the school musical. With a smile, not even having to wonder who it was from, Kurt removed the tape gently, and tucked the flower into the pocket of his shirt. He made a mental note to thank Blaine later.
He needed all the luck he could get.
*~~*
He’s glad that Blaine likes the flowers. It sucks that it comes with a reminder that they can’t even kiss at McKinley, but it doesn’t taint their special moment - it is what it is.
The flowers are simple - yellow and red roses, but Blaine knows the meaning behind them, and Kurt knows that Blaine gets what he’s trying to say.
He’s glad that he did this, giddy at his first real ‘big, romantic gesture’ going over so well. Blaine is blushing at all the stares they’re getting - after all, one of the only two gay boys in school was carrying flowers around - but it’s a good kind of attention. He’s glad that Blaine started this tradition between them.
Everything was always more romantic when said with flowers.