“Okay, my existence isn’t a violation. The things I do are, and you of all people know me better than to deny that.” There was a ghost of a smile on Duran’s face as he turned back to his decoration. “You’re right, it looks too vague. I’d fix it up, but I got lazy toward the end. I’m too lazy to do anything about it now.”
“Wait–what,” Blaine asked with a curious stare shot at Duran before glancing back at the tree. “No. I mean–no. I don’t think you should fix it. Leave it up to the imagination. You know? Make them wonder if you intended it one way or the other?” It was a weak attempt at keeping Duran out of trouble but he had to give it a shot. Besides! Who really needed a Christmas light penis on the wall? Oh. Right. Apparently the boy beside him.
“Everything violates a code in one way or another. I’m sure I violate ten codes by just existing, I don’t see how a Christmas decoration in the shape of a dick is even worse. It’s pure artistic creativity, Blaine. You have your singing, I have my…art.”
“Duran. Your mere existence isn’t a code violation by any means. All I am saying is that unlike singing? Penis shaped Christmas lights might get you the wrong kind of attention in a school like DALTON. But? Maybe no one will notice? If you squint? It sort of looks like a Christmas tree?”
“I hung up the lights in the best way I saw fit. Just because they’re not outside or on a tree doesn’t make them not valid. And the shape is your dirty mind talking. Pervert.”
“No! No! I mean–they look–um–great! I’m just pointing out that I’m not sure people will understand your artistic choice for a display without possibly pointing out it might violate a certain code or ten. Other than that? You did a wonderful job!”
Kurt looks at him somewhat curiously, fond all the same. There’s little things Blaine does, things like holding his hand and tracing over his knuckles, that make Kurt wonder what he’s supposed to think. Butterflies flutter in his stomach already and twist around when he thinks on how he’s never seen Blaine do this with his other friends. “Yeah,” He nods. “Sounds good.” He rises to his feet, trying not to pay too much attention to the hand still in his. It’s a sweet thing to have a friend like this, and to have a crush, but when they’re both the same person it’s a little complicated, isn’t it?
Kurt’s hand in his had a way of making Blaine’s day brighter. Whatever this feeling meant? From day one until now? It only seemed to mean more. How much more–Blaine wasn’t sure. One thing was certain. Kurt wass special. Not only in the hand holding department but–special. The rest could be figured out later. First? Hot chocolate and movies. “Have you had the chance to wander into the theater? Wanna sneak in,” he asked grinning after with that sly–twinkly eyed eyebrow lift. “Best way to see it is when no one else is there. I promise. It’ll be fun?” Would Kurt agree? He hoped so. Blaine wanted to show him all of the hidden spots inside Dalton. Hopefully–he’d soon love it here as much as Blaine did soon. Kurt feeling at home was so important. He deserved that more than anyone.
Kurt smiled whole-heartedly in return. As Blaine takes his hand, as he continues, Kurt almost doesn’t know what to do with this. On the inside he definitely doesn’t, but on the outside he knows to smile and try not to blush and shake his head a little humbly at the praise. “I don’t think anyone has ever been as nice to me as you were when we were strangers.” He explains with a light, gentle tone.
Blaine liked the feeling of Kurt’s hand in his. It was warm, soft and he memorized the texture that could only be described as flawless thanks to a skin care regimen the other boy made sure to never miss. Yet? He had no idea how any of his other friends hands felt. Let alone committed it to memory. Thinking on why–he caught himself with a gentle smile before he looked back down at the knuckles he tenderly traced with his thumb. “Why wouldn’t I be nice to you? You’re an amazing person, Kurt.” Licking his lips–he stands up but doesn’t let go. Instead–he gives it a gentle tug. “You know? The vending machine hot chocolate gets a bad rep but it’s not bad,” he hummed, “I think we need to get two each and go for a walk. You wanna?”
Jeff had listened to the boy and his eye lit up when Blaine asked about competition and saying he wouldn’t be in the way. “Psh, you wouldn’t be in the way and I bet you’ll get moved by the music and want to join in” he teased gently nudging the boy next to him as Nick rolled his eyes and smiled “we don’t have competition for at least a month and a half and right now we are practicing on perfecting what we’ve got so we can choose within the next few weeks what we plan on using” he told Blaine
The others merely watched and ate as the two younger boys encouraged the newest member of Dalton with their group. Wes spoke up “Don’t feel obligated to listen to these two, Jeff can badger people into something he’s good at that and Nick is just the same just milder in the approach.” he pointed the two, before adding on “You are always welcome at the meetings just to watch or to join we are always looking for fresh new faces. Especially if they drowned out a super hyper blonde” he teased towards Jeff who pouted “I’m not THAT horrible all the time.” he stuck his tongue out at the senior before turning back to Blaine “So how bout Tomorrow you’ll join me after classes for the clubs meeting?”
The idea of singing with the group made Blaine’s eyes widen and his smile couldn’t possibly get any bigger as he looked from Jeff to Nick and then gave a quick sweep of his gaze past all the other faces gathered at the table. He was expecting to see some only going along with the excitement of the others and not very interested in what was going on. Maybe even one or two wondering what made him so important that he was invited to join and even sing with them when they barely knew who he was? Judging off appearances alone? Someone might jump to a conclusion that he was a rich kid gone wrong. Sent here by parents to make him listen as a last ditch effort. If you went by the few still not completely faded marks he wished his father would have let him stay at home until they were gone.
Face after face was looked at and–he didn’t see any of that. Quite the opposite. He was greeted with smiles, nods, and overdone rolls of eyes as they laughed and ticked their heads towards Jeff like they wholeheartedly agreed with Wes. Even if the blonde denied what their leader said. Seeing that instead of the worst? Blaine felt..hope. That maybe Jeff did more than become his friend in a matter of minutes. That the boy unknowingly gave him something he used to have so much of and cherished deeply. Only to have it brutally taken away. Since that day? He fought every morning for some of that back. Now, it came rushing at him in waves and he was speechless. Until he stuttered, “Y-Yeah! I’d love to. And..guys. I agree. Jeff can’t be that bad,” he grinned trying not to show just how deeply he was affected just then out of fear of being cheesy. “Like he said.. Not all the time.”
He can’t help it. Blaine comes back looking like he ran to the vending machine and Kurt has to smile, even briefly, while trying not to chuckle. It was sweet. Maybe a little too sweet for Kurt’s current state. His eyes water a little and he rubs at his nose, letting the upturn of his lips fade again. It’s obvious how reluctant he is to ask, eyes shut and question following a sigh. “Can you stay? I just- you don’t have to, I’m not exactly good company but I don’t think I want to be alone.” He explains with a cautious glance back to Blaine’s face as he fiddles with the cracker package.
Seeing Kurt smile–briefly as it was–made Blaine smile right back. If he made him feel a little better by coming back in the room breathless and trying to look like he casually strolled in? He’d take the small amount of embarrassment that being busted brought. But then the smile is gone and Blaine’s head moves to the other side–a frown on his mouth, too.
Not wanting to push him for an answer–Blaine turned to go like he offered to but then stopped immediately soon as Kurt shut his eyes. He bit his lip to keep from asking Kurt if he was okay when the obvious answer was no. “Kurt, you’re sick. It’s fine. You don’t have to worry about what kind of company you are.” His expression melted into a gentle reassuring smile as he sidestepped to the foot of the bed and sat down. “All you had to do was ask. Want me to find something to watch? We could use my laptop? Might get your mind off things.”
“Positive.” Kurt was rarely rude without cause, but he still might not be the best person to ask. Of course, Blaine and his oh so kind heart might not even be aware of that, so he doesn’t say so. “Decent people have done way worse than you could do, believe me.” Maybe he’s biased, but Blaine was too hard on himself.
“Thanks, Kurt.” Letting go of the last of his guilt was going to take time. What would be worse was shirking Kurt’s attempt at making him feel better by continuing to mope around. Reaching over–he scooped up Kurt’s hand and covered it with his palm. “I don’t know what I did for you to see me the way you do. Whatever it is? I’m glad I did..” Thinking hard as he watched his fingers drum silently against Kurt’s hand–Blaine whispered quietly. “I’m so lucky to know you. You know that–right? Anyone’s lucky to know you.”
Kurt nodded a little, swallowing thickly and pursing his lips. He’s almost positive that being left alone would be easier. Almost. “Okay.” Ginger ale didn’t sound bad at least. Kurt doesn’t drag his feet moving to the bed, sighing a little when he settled on it with his back propped up with a pillow between him and the wall. He’s still for a moment before drawing his knees up towards his chest. He tries to get comfortable, but it’s not as easy as it seems in concept.
“Be right back.” It took him a few minutes to grab some change, jog through the dorm to the vending machines and grab a package of crackers and ginger ale. When he returned–his cheeks were a shade of pink and he was breathing a bit fast–a huge hint that his jog was more of a run once he was out of sight–but he walked close to the bed and sat them on Kurt’s nightstand. “Hey,” he spoke softly taking a step or two backwards so he didn’t crowd him in. “There you go. Try those out. It should help a little. I–um–can go bug Jeff and Nick if you want to get some sleep.”
Walter felt the hot liquid slide down his throat as he sipped on the coffee in his hand. He had thought the cheap looking cafe would have just as cheap-tasting drinks, but the place had outdone itself. Thin fingers held onto the styrofoam cup as he searched for an empty table in the small dining area. The Mabry boy had been in hiding ever since he had escaped jail for fraud and money theft, so what better to place to hide from the world than in the small town of Lima, Ohio!
The short man felt an urge to yell bubble up inside him as he failed to find a seat of his own, striped scarf covering his bearded mouth. The time of month called for warm clothing and protection, something he was used to since he grew up in the skirts of London. It wasn’t the weather that was hard for him, but more of the fact that he wasn’t the rich little white boy he was accustomed to.
“Bloody hell !” Walter shouted as the drink he held managed to pour over the front of his peacoat, the temperature of it scalding his pale skin.
Blue eyes glanced up to the person who had bumped into him, causing the spill.
Blaine wasn’t ready to make the trip back to Westerville. Kurt and the others said their goodbyes and he lingered at the Lima Bean after they left to have one more for the road. The trip always took longer this time of year thanks to dark coming earlier and if he was going to be anywhere near close to awake enough to make it to his pitstop caffeine refill? Another medium drip and side double shot of espresso were absolutely necessary.
A smile touched his lips when a reminder message popped up on his phone. Don’t forget on your new gloves! I didn’t buy them for just for looks! Call me if you get bored or tired on the drive. Love you! Xoxo, Kurt. Could Kurt get any sweeter? The answer was: Probably. Never underestimate Kurt Hummel’s power of adorable. Gathering his satchel up from the back of his chair–Blaine sent him a message back as he quickly stood and spun on his heels to go place his order.
He didn’t make it far. –Gloves! Don’t forget the gloves!– Too busy rooting through his things–head down and attention elsewhere–the short boy in a grey and red scarf and black woolen coat smacked directly into someone he didn’t notice was right there.
“Oh my–! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry,” he cringed then went into a panicked concern seeing hot coffee covering the front of the man’s coat. That had to hurt! “I wasn’t–! Are you okay??”
pianokeysandbowties back up 