Chapter 21

Blaine and Kurt decided to do a joint trip to the grocery store that Saturday, despite the guaranteed weekend crowds. They put on jackets against the cooling weather and made their way out of the apartment and down towards the store.

They took hands as they walked and after a few seconds, Blaine started to swing their arms wildly back and forth. Kurt laughed loudly, and was trying to restrain the movement amidst his giggles, when they heard a voice call out.

"Blaine?"

Blaine lifted his head to look straight ahead, and he felt his stomach drop, his whole body freezing at once.

Connor, his ex-boyfriend, was standing stock still just ahead of them, his wide eyes looking back and forth between Blaines belly and where his hand was still firmly held in Kurts.

Kurt looked at Connor, then back to Blaines face as he obviously tried to read the situation, but his expression shifted abruptly as Blaine said, his voice shaking, "Connor."

Connor took a few steps towards them, but then stopped again, as if wary of getting too close. "Blaine, youre pregnant."

And suddenly the apprehension and fear left Blaines face, and was replaced by narrowed eyes and a steely expression. "Yes. Has your memory been impaired since the last time we spoke, because if I remember correctly, that was why you left."

"Blaine, you know it wasnt like that. I was just honest with you when I said that I didnt want children." Connors gaze was placating now, almost pitying.

"I know, Connor, I remember. We each get what we want, right?" Blaines voice was hard, but he knew that Kurt must be able to feel his hand shaking.

"Well, yes, I did say that, I guess." Connor looked a bit wary now, but continued, "But, I honestly didnt think that you would go through with the pregnancy after I left; I just assumed that..." 

Blaine felt rage fly through him at the words left unsaid. "What? You just assumed that I would do what you wanted anyway? Give it up? I made myself clear that night when I told you I wanted to keep my baby. You were the one who didnt want to."

Connors voice was more hesitant when he said, "Come now, Blaine. I thought that you would see reason. Raising a kid on your own? I thought that you would see that you couldnt do it, and start fresh. I mean, obviously we couldnt be together anymore once we realized that we wanted different things, but you could find someone else who would do the family thing with you." His words became pacifying once more, but it did nothing to calm Blaine, who felt his anger rise with each word.

He opened his mouth to retort, but to Blaines surprise, it was Kurt who spoke next.

"Well, you obviously dont know how strong Blaine really is." Kurt was looking at Connor with barely concealed disgust, but he squeezed Blaines hand as he spoke, a silent comfort.

But his words seemed to have reminded Connor of Kurts presence, and he spoke again, his own voice taking on a note of anger. "And whos this guy?" he said, pointing at Kurt. "You think you can just play happy family; pick up a random guy to take my place, letting him raise my kid?"

The air seemed to freeze around them. Blaines voice was like ice when he spoke. "Hes not your kid, Connor. Hes my kid. When you walked out that day you stopped being his father. And Kurt?" Blaine ripped his hand from Kurts to point towards him, taking a step toward Connor as he did so. "Kurt has been more of a father to my son than you will ever be. Kurt has gone with me to doctors appointments, helped me decorate a nursery, rubbed my fucking back when it ached! All you did was fuck me, and thats not a good enough reason to be a dad."

Blaine felt as though the anger coursing through his veins would overpower him, so he held out a hand for Kurt to take again and when he felt contact, he said, "Just remember, Connor, you wanted this. We each get what we want."

And with that, he pulled Kurt along with him as he left Connor still standing in the middle of the pavement, surrounded by a group of curious onlookers who had been watching the fight with interest.

It wasnt until they turned the corner and were finally out of view that Kurt pulled him up short with the hand still grasped in his. Before Blaine knew what was happening he was encased in Kurts arms, and he became aware that he was breathing erratically, his hands still shaking rather badly from adrenaline and rage.

"Shh," Kurt was whispering into his ear, "Youre alright, you were so brave, everythings fine." He was stroking down Blaines back as he spoke. "I need you to try and calm down for me now, okay? We do not need to trigger early labor over that asshole. Youre okay."

Blaine took some deep breaths, and tried to gain control of himself, but still could not speak just yet. When Kurt deemed Blaine ready, he released him from his arms, and began to lead him back towards the apartment in silence.

Kurt took the keys from Blaine, opened the door, and dragged Blaine over to the couch. When they were seated, Kurt wrapped Blaine in a close embrace, and Blaine allowed his head to rest on Kurts chest. They were silent for some time, Blaine simply taking comfort in Kurts solidity.

Eventually Blaine spoke, and his voice was steady, if quiet. "Id never spoken to him like that before. Even the day he left." He paused, and then added, "I dont think Ive ever spoken to anyone like that before."

"This is finally the hormonal rage, then?" Kurt said teasingly. "I for one am glad it came out when it did."   

Blaine gave a sharp laugh, and then all at once he was breaking down into shaky sobs, burying his face into Kurts chest again.

Kurt patted his back as he cried, and tears were still coursing down Blaines face when he lifted his head and said, "I just cant believe what he said. All that stuff about me giving Oliver up when I realized Connor wasnt coming back."

"I meant what I said, though," Kurt said, his gaze piercing Blaines. "You are so much stronger than people give you credit for. Its what made me like you so much when we first met. That despite what everyone does or says to you, youre still standing, not letting anyone change you or get you down."

Blaine gave a weak smile, wiping his eyes with his hand, and said, "I dunno, I feel pretty down right now."  

"Thats okay. Give it some time," Kurt said, helping Blaine wipe the tears from his cheeks. "I for one am so proud of everything you said to him." Blaine smiled wetly at him, but didnt speak.

 "We need to talk about something," Kurt said seriously. "We need to figure out what his rights are to Oliver. If he gets angry and wants to challenge you to custody-" but Blaine interrupted.

"He wouldnt. That probably hurts more than it should, but he was being honest when he said he doesnt want kids. What happened today was because his ego was hurt that I moved on so easily. He doesnt actually want to be a father." 

"We should still find out some information just in case. Itll protect you, Blaine." He said, and Blaine nodded his head hesitantly. After a silent minute, Kurt took Blaines hands hesitantly with his own. When he spoke, his words were careful. "Did you really mean what you said? About me being more of a father to Oliver than him?"

Blaine suddenly felt a surge of apprehension, and wondered what he should say. At last, he decided on the honest truth.

"Yes." Kurt looked a bit startled at that, and Blaine hastened to add, "Kurt, Im not putting any pressure on you, and youre not obligated to-" but he was cut off by Kurts lips on his.

When he pulled back slowly, Kurt said, "I know. Im not going to act like were in this together right now because I know were not. We havent been together long enough for that. But Im hoping one day I can prove to you how much I care about both of you. One day we wont have to act like a family, because well be one. One day, Oliver wont see me like a father, Ill be his father. One day, if you let me."

"I love you, you know." Blaine didnt mean to say the words, not now like this, but they were out there.

Kurt beamed back at him and said, "I love you, too."

The hurt and anger wasnt gone just yet, but the beauty of the moment surrounded them for the time being, erasing all thoughts but the love that they shared for one another.