Rachel quietly moved through her room, looking for something to wear, feeling a little more energised than she had been when she’d left school earlier that day. “Really? You Warblers always seem to have perfectly cool composures whenever I’ve seen you all,” she told him with a grin, picking out her favourite carousel horse sweater and laying flat on her bed, rolling her eyes at her next comment. “Very funny, Blaine Warbler,” she added with a roll of her eyes, happy to take it all in jest, after all, it was a lot better than the humiliation that she’d faced at school that day. Walking around the hallways covered in another person’s vomit tended to give a girl the wrong sort of attention.
Placing her phone on the bed, she flicked it onto loudspeaker as she quickly got herself changed into something a little more suitable for a coffee date at the Lima Bean. “Oh god yes, I mean, I didn’t even want to throw a party in the first place, talk about peer pressure,” she laughed as she tugged her shirt over her head, swapping it for her sweater, “What about you though? You were hitting things pretty hard that night too,”
Coffee in hand, Blaine stepped over to the bar to doctor up his medium drip keeping himself out of people’s way so he could continue to talk and not be a bother. Embarrassedly laughing in spite of himself, his nose crinkled at the memory of Rachel’s Party The Day After. “I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it. I woke up in Kurt’s bed not knowing where the heck I was.” Oh God that was a painfully weird way to start the day. Only having met Burt a few other times before–in passing, he was pretty sure that was the most awkward way he ever greeted any of his friends parents. Completely unaware that he was even talking to someone at first before he threw himself back under a pillow and tried to sink away from the throbbing in his head. The morning just went downhill from there.
“I don’t think the headache stopped until the next day. And I made Kurt’s Dad super awkward when I, finally, came downstairs. I’m sure it looked awful since he barely knows me. He didn’t even know I was there. I don’t think I ever apologized so hard in my life once I realized he was the one who woke me up.” God, he hoped Burt Hummel didn’t think horribly of him after that. Kurt reassured him he didn’t. Blaine hoped that was the case.. Now that he had his coffee perfectly made, the Warbler stole a table by the window so they would have one once Rachel got there. “That mess aside? It was a great night, though. I really had a good time. Hope you did, too?”
Rachel smiled softly into the phone, she wasn’t sure if that the case, although she had made a mental note to herself that she was never going to drink again. The humiliation had certainly done the trick, and it wasn’t something that she wanted a repeat of. “Well, never say that the New Directions don’t know how to leave a lasting impression,” she chuckled, resting her head against the phone, somewhat glad for Blaine’s unexpected phone call. If anything she’d thought Kurt may have called and expressed his concern, but Blaine? Certainly not, but the gesture was sweet, and definitely not one that she took for granted.
“I’d like that,” she nodded, heading over to the closet and trying to decide on what she should wear, anything that didn’t remind her of her nightmare of her party, or their sham of a performance. She quickly flicked through a couple of choices, scrunching up her face in concentration as she listened to Blaine, “And I thought that was just how life at McKinley worked,” she joked, shaking her head with a little laugh as she reached forward and pulled out her selection from her closet, “Don’t tell me you have similar dramas at Dalton, too?”
Edging up a spot as he laughed into the phone, he shrugged and hummed happily into his phone. “I think that’s how life in a lot of high schools work. Even Dalton has it’s bouts of drama and moments of shameful mistakes. Trust me. I don’t think anyone is immune when you add an entire group of performers prone to dramatic outburst,” and here came the taunt he couldn’t hold in anymore, “Or binge drinking nights that carry over into the following Monday’s performance.” His grin could be heard inside the lighthearted jab. Not even the polished boys from Dalton could resist a chance to give a playful tease.
Especially when the teasee set themselves up so easily for it. And, wow, the New Directions certainly did that. But, it was in jest and the most malicious intent he could muster was only aimed at making her laugh at the situation rather than continue cringing about it nonstop. Another step in line and put a palm over the mouthpiece of the phone while quickly ordering his usual and paying as fast as possible not to hold anyone up since he didn’t want to be that guy too busy on his phone to pay attention to the rest of the world. “So, is everyone on the wagon now? By the cringy sound in your voice..I’m guessing Club Rachel shut it’s doors for good?”
Blaine was quickly learning that the New Directions were almost on par with the Warblers dare games by the second time he agreed to go to one of their impromptu Friday night parents-are-out-of-town parties. Almost being that they weren’t doing things that..you know..were Warblers only sort of party games he was bound to being silent on the details of. (Read plenty of wealthy kids with too much time on their hands and tradition handed down from generations of the same and let your imagination run wild.)
Tonight, they were gathered in the living room of Noah Puckerman’s house. The entire lot of them were an hour into the night (most of them were avoiding alcohol thanks to the aftermath from Rachel Berry’s party and the assembly-from-an-after-school-special style lesson) when Puck decided a round of 7 Minutes In Heaven. None of them expected Blaine and Santana to be pulled from the empty beer box. Especially Kurt who looked murderous (though in Blaine’s eyes..he figured he was annoyed at the choice of entertainment..not for any other reason) before tossing him a nonchalant, as possible, grimace of a grin when he and Santana disappeared behind the door of the coat closet.
When the room outside went silent, Blaine finally acknowledged the awkward silence that filled the room after Santana’s reaction of their voluntary predicament. Drawing in a breath, he grinned at the lightbulb moment that brightened his features though it was too dark to see. “I think..we should give them something to wonder about.. I mean..why not,” she couldn’t see his smile but she could definitely hear it in his whisper, “How good are your acting skills? Because..I have an idea.”
Today had been something that Rachel had wanted to forget entirely, never had she been so unprofessional, and yet at the time it had sounded so logical that she believed it was the only way. Never again, there was probably a reason why minors weren’t supposed to drink, and after the disaster at the school assembly she knew it would be a while before she trusted herself with alcohol again. Her body slumped a little when she heard Blaine’s cheerful voice through the phone, reminding her of what had happened, and she cringed at just the thought of it. “You heard about that…?” She let out a tired sigh, if Dalton had heard about it, then no doubt the entire world of show-choir would know soon enough. The New Directions were officially a laughing stock.
“I’m okay, thank you. I think the worst is over, thankfully,” She didn’t think she’d ever look at Brittany in quite the same way again, but she was okay in herself, aside from feeling more embarrassed than she’d ever been in her life. The corners of her mouth twitched up into a little smile at the sweet gesture and she found herself nodding into the phone, “That’s very sweet of you to ask, thank you, Blaine. I was planning on heading home for the night, and laying low until all of this died down, but seeing a friendly face might help lift my mood a little more.”
“Uh. Yes. I did. Don’t worry, it hasn’t hit the show choir blogs.. Yet. I think McKinley’s resident creep was too busy in shock with the rest of the school to get any video of it. And you taught everyone a valuable lesson. Who knows? You might’ve scared everyone onto the straight and narrow. So? There’s that?” Blaine’s attempt to comfort her might’ve gone to the desperate end of searching for the smallest pot of gold you could find at the end of the rainbow but he was trying. Okay? Sticking to the offering of tea was probably a better idea.
The Warbler gave a curious glance around the shop to see if any of the New Directions kids showed up during their talk? Still no one. Looks like they would have the place to their relative selves. Meaning no familiar faces to be seen anywhere. Which meant she might be able to relax and recover without the pressure of her friends being there “You’re welcome, Rachel. Want to meet me here? Whenever you have the time. Maybe after we could go see a movie or something else to keep your mind assembly free.” Shouldering himself off the column, he decided to mosey over and get in line. A pre-emptive coffee would hold him over until she got here. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, by the way. Don’t worry. A new drama will make everyone forget about this in a week or so. Isn’t that how high school works?”
( mssg » killer 🍑 | sent ) Not specifically. Are you hungry?? I just wanted to offer my kindness as a guest. Bring something for when we hang out. ( mssg » killer 🍑 | sent ) Like a condom. ( mssg » killer 🍑 | sent ) Some food*** ( mssg » killer 🍑 | sent ) Damn. Auto-correct blows.
( mssg » sebastian | sent ) How about you show me what all the hype is about courvoisier and coffee by bringing some? My father’s more of the scotch and brandy sort of guy. We never have that in the house. I’ve been curious to try it since you keep lamenting on how wonderful it is. ( mssg » sebastian | sent ) I..uh.. ( mssg » sebastian | sent ) Did you just? ( mssg » sebastian | sent ) You know food and condom aren’t close enough for autocorrect in the slightest…right?
❛ And so the world shall be conquered. ❜ Lips curled up into a smile, his heart skipped a beat as Blaine caught hold of his wrist unannounced; his gaze immediately left to linger on their joint hands on the table before eyeing the other male quizitively. Progress. How he longed for one night of feeling normal. Without a near constant target on his back for being gay, or his always present irrational fear of being jumped or shoved whenever he so much as turned the corner. It almost seemed practically impossible. Like some strange out-of-this-world fantasy, only to exist deeply buried inside the back of his own mind.
Even now, sitting at their table, he could feel the endless barrage of anxiety rapidly bubbling up back to the surface inside of him; the warm and most welcoming touch of Blaine’s palm still wrapped firmly around his wrist the only means of subduing his nerves from detonating entirely. He was growing pretty tired of keeping up the facade. As much he willed himself to stay strong not only for himself, but for the sake of his dad; Kurt realized even Braveheartmust have had his moments.
❛ A tempting offer. ❜ Eyes finally flickered to gaze up at the teenage boy sitting across from him instead — positively losing himself in the distinct mixture of hazel and green before quickly snapping out of his inner thoughts as he allowed a soft chuckle to fall from his lips. ❛ I suppose you already know I don’t have any other plans. ❜
Letting his touch stay right where it was, Blaine tried his best to ground Kurt from the thoughts that kept Kurt’s thoughts drifting off to the place that made his gaze distant and the air between them shift into something somber and quiet. In spite of how they were talking. It was the sort of quiet you can feel seeping into your bones. The kind that people who have only been to the place where it feels so cold and lonely that it seeps into your bones and makes a mark so deep you’d swear it was permanent. Only the people who’ve been there know how hard it is to make their way back home. Blaine would know.. Sometimes, when he was alone and not filling every waking minute with the Warblers or Dalton or music? He could glance behind his shoulder and see the pathway creeping up from behind threatening that if he thought too much about the things he could’ve done and didn’t, something would drag him right back there.
But there was always the dawn of a new day. The promise that the past was in the past. The future was wide open and there waiting for him to make something of it in hopes that no matter how dark could’ve been thoughts might get? Could be thoughts would be enough to balance it out. There were other things he could focus on fight for. Those were what he clung to and maybe if he could show Kurt the way to find a few solid things to hang onto that were ahead instead of behind or in the now that was so full of turmoil and doubt? Maybe they could stay on the road to better for good together. Whatever sort of friend he could be? That was all he wanted to give.
Once he had his attention–Blaine smiled and gently rubbed the edge of his thumb back and forth against the side of Kurt’s wrist and gave him a warm smile. “Great! Then I can take up all your time guilt free. Are you up for a drive? I think I know a place,” he paused then picked up his soda. “I mean..since you have the time?”
The Lima Bean was packed since school was out for two days. The rest of the Warblers who straggled behind after dropping Trent off for the weekend already claimed two tables near the windows. Laughs and shouts of joy echoed from their table. Blaine was the only one stuck at the counter. He drummed his fingers on the bleach water faded wood quietly for a good five minutes making sure to keep enough space for the person who had yet to claim their coffee. Then it dawned on him when he saw the name written on the side of the cup. Finn.
Kurt’s brother? How’d he miss the ceiling tall boy not two people away? Only meeting him twice before this, it still boggled Blaine’s sober mind at how Kurt and he were family. Sure, it was through marriage, but the contrast of personalities was beyond crazy to compare. “Hey. I think this is yours,” his smile was warm and open as he held the cup out. “It’s nice to see you again, Finn. Where’s everyone else?”
Nick seemed to be absolutely nowhere in sight. Blaine spent the better part of half an hour going between the dorms to the dining room and even hunted down Jeff to ask where the Warbler might be. The blond had no idea. Nicky simply vanished after practice and was nowhere to be found. Well. Nowhere unless you decided to wander down the path outside the stone and brick walls of Dalton Academy. Blaine had an idea where he might’ve gone to.
A place that his friend showed him the first week he transferred. ‘If things get too hectic while you’re trying to adjust? You can find some quiet here.’ Fresh, warm Spring air smelled amazing when mixed with the hint of newly grown leaves and flowers. The bottoms of his shoes clacked against the wooden dock planks where he caught sight of Nick at the very end. Blaine smiled as he came to stand beside Nick then slowly sat so he could bump his shoulder against Nick’s gently, smiling when he caught the other boy’s attention. “Penny for your thoughts,” he asked softly and perked his smile a bit wider, “If they’re really good ones? I might even offer you a dime.”
Santana just half shrugged at his thank you, a small smile returning his much warmer one. He was always so open with her, so welcoming. That didn’t mean she had to be the same, but it did add a softer essence to her usual bitchy exterior. That was something very few people got without paying a price. Guess she has a soft spot for the pride parade. Wonder why. She stayed beside him as he spoke, but her eyes could tell you she was miles away. As he blabbered on && on, she found herself wishing the conversation could be over before it started. So with a roll of her eyes, she’d let him have it.
“Calm down, baby duckling. You don’t have to chase me down when you want a FAVOR. You just have to offer something sweet for mein return. You can start with paying for coffee — && a scone.” she added the last bit on with some emphasized menace. Just to keep up some kind of tough attitude. So what if she came all the way to Dalton for him? That didn’t mean squat. He would be getting her coffee after all && a scone. It was a fair trade. “Now — want to tell me what your stress zit is coming on for?”
Blaine watched Santana as they walked, a curious look made his eyes glint with interest. Why did she look so distant? Why was her smile so small? It made him wonder what was on her mind. Or if his request and her coming here so quickly wasn’t something she wanted to do but felt she had to. Though Santana Lopez didn’t seem the type of person to get herself backed into a corner and do anything because it was forced on her. What thoughts were being mulled around in her head, then? Thinking it wasn’t a good idea to ask, for now, Blaine let it slide and focused on the initial reason they were together to begin with. To talk.
At first, his eyes widen. All he wanted to do was talk about a mutual friend and he wasn’t sure what she’d want from him back. A scone though? Okay, that made him chuckle. He was thinking a lot worse than a baked treat and coffee. Bowing his head in a nod, the Warbler laces his fingers together behind his back, thumbs lightly toying with one another as he veered them towards a hall that was becoming increasingly filled with a warm, earthy coffee smell. Wait?! He had a zit? No way! After a blink, lips parted and shut then he smirked happily. All while fighting the urge to check because, for some reason, he was pretty sure she was hoping he would just to mess with him. “I need some advice about Kurt and I was hoping that you could give it to me. Or if you would. Or am I completely out of bounds here? You can tell me if I am and we can just have coffee and a scone. But I thought maybe you could help me out.”
( mssg » kurt | sent ) Might’ve drifted off a little bit. I promise I’m still awake. ( mssg » kurt | sent ) I have a brand new coffee to make sure I am. ( mssg » kurt | sent ) Remind me what we were talking about again?
pianokeysandbowties back up 