April 28, 2013, 12:14 p.m.
Next to me
Next to me: Chemistry, Cherries and Cheshire Cats
T - Words: 4,819 - Last Updated: Apr 28, 2013 Story: Complete - Chapters: 9/9 - Created: Dec 10, 2012 - Updated: Apr 28, 2013 91 0 0 0 0
In the next few days they only catch a glimpse of each other between their classes in the hallway. Kurt has stress in school. He isn't a bad student at all but his attention has been more focused on the move and Blaine, so there has been no time for boring school work. But now he really needs to catch up with the subject material and he struggles to work off everything.
On Wednesday Kurt sits once again at his study desk and eyes the huge pile of books he has to work through. He opens the first one. A hole chapter about Charlemagne, no thanks. He opens and closes every book till he reaches the last one. Chemistry. His bitter enemy. Cautiously he lifts the board. But as he sees all the formulae he shuts it close again and sighs deeply. He looks out of the window towards Blaine's house. He'd give everything if he could just walk over and enjoy the afternoon with his boyfriend and leave all the exhausting work behind. He sighs again.
But maybe he could combine the two things. Kurt told Blaine about his troubles in some subjects while they've talked during lunch and Blaine offered to help him.
Kurt smiles happily and thinks of a way to ask Blaine. He would just text him but they still haven't exchanged numbers and he could slap himself for it but no one ever thinks of it when they're together and it actually shouldn't be a problem because they're living directly next to each other. But he hasn't met Blaine's parents yet and he's afraid he stumbles into them if he just rings at the door.
His gaze settles on a magazine that Rachel forgot at their last meeting on his shelf and he remembers an article that she read aloud about witty ways to asks someone to go on a date. Some were kind of crazy and he would never wear a hot dog costume and ask Blaine if he wants a wiener but one was kinda cute and also perfect to avoid meeting Blaine's parents if he'd modify it a bit. He takes an envelope from his desk drawer and manages to find a pack of balloons. He puts a green, a red, an orange and a white one into the envelope. Then he takes a piece of paper and writes on it: "Will you be your poor boyfriend's knight in shining armour and rescue him before he'll be eaten by the bad math and chemistry dragon? Send the blue balloon if the answer is no and send the red balloon if the answer is yes. Yes, I know, there is no blue balloon ;)"
He folds the note and puts it into the envelope ,too. At the end he writes "Blaine" on the front and goes outside. He leaves the frontdoor open and walks over to Blaine's house. He lays the envelope on the doorstep and presses the doorbell. He quickly runs back home and peeks out from behind his slightly opened door to see who will answer Blaine's door. Luckily it's Blaine. He looks confused around like he thinks its a ding-dong-ditch before he sees the envelope on the doorstep. He picks it up and opens it. As he reads the note a smile big spreads across his face and he goes inside.
Kurt closes the door and waits in the hallway. As the doorbell rings he waits a second before he opens. He expected Blaine with a red balloon to greet him but instead a beige and white flecked puppy with black lop ears and a green balloon tied around his collar is sitting in front if him and looks up at him with his dark puppy eyes.
"Oh my god, who are you sweet little cutie?" Kurt bends down and softly pats the puppy's head. The puppy wiggles happily with his tail and licks his fingers.
"Hey, I never get greeted like that", Blaine pouts as he comes out of his hiding behind a bush and walks up to Kurt.
"Aww, poor boy, come here." Kurt opens his arms and hugs Blaine tightly. "You're my favorite puppy of all, don't get jealous." Kurt kisses his pout away and Blaine smiles. He nuzzles his nose at Kurt's neck before he lifts his head again and kisses the corner of his mouth.
"So I didn't know you have a puppy", Kurt says.
"Well, it's not mine I just take care of him today. Jake celebrates his birthday and his mother asked me to watch Sparkler for the day. That's why I haven't sent the red balloon. Green means: of course I'll rescue you but I'll bring this buddy with me." Blaine turns around and calls Sparkler who sniffles around in the garden. He doesn't react and Blaine must walk up to him to unknot the balloon from his collar and carries him back to Kurt.
"Well then come inside you two." Kurt leads them inside and sticks his head in the living room where his dad is sitting on the couch.
"Blaine helps me studying dad, we'll be upstairs. And he brought the neighbor's dog with him, okay?"
Burt turns around and greets Blaine with a nod. "Sure but leave your room door open."
Kurt rolls his eyes and they go upstairs.
"Like an opened door would keep me from kissing you ,right?", Kurt whispers as they reach his room and kisses Blaine playfully. "But I'm afraid we really need to study", he sighs and throws his books on his bed before he flops down backwards on it himself with a deep sigh.
Blaine sets Sparkler on the ground who immediately scans the room and positions himself on his stomach next to Kurt on the bed.
"You're lucky your boyfriend isn't just hot but also a brainiac. You'll see we'll be finished in no time. So, how can I help?"
Kurt turns on his stomach and together they work through the whole pile of books. It turns out Blaine is a really good teacher and Kurt catches up with the new themes very quickly.
Kurt lies on his stomach his legs kicking in the air absentmindedly they're currently working on chemistry. Kurt is highly concentrated, he chews on a pencil his brow furrowed with wrinkles and he has the feeling to understand something in this subject for the first time in his life.
"Can you pass me your pencil case?", Blaine asks. Kurt reaches blindly behind and grabs the first thing that feels nearly like a pencil case and throws it blindly towards Blaine. With a thud it hits Blaine's face.
"Hey!"
Kurt looks up just in time to be hit by a pillow.
"Ouch! What was that for?"
"Actually you started attacking me from out of nowhere when I just asked for your pencil case. I'm just defending myself", Blaine answers and shrugs his shoulders.
Kurt laughs,"I'm sorry I was very concentrated. But could you pass me my notebook now?"
"Sure", Blaine says and turns around to angle the notebook.
Kurt grabs the pillow with a prankful grin playing on his lips and knocks Blaine down from behind. Blaine slumps down on the bed face downward. Kurt laughs loudly. Blaine turns around and looks at him in played horror.
"You're such a nasty backstabber, just you wait..." And Blaine suddenly pounces on him. Kurt tries to squirm away but the beadhead blocks his way and there's no escape. Blaine grabs his waist and tickles his sides. Kurt twists and turns and tries to escape Blaine's hands but Blaine is fast and he reaches every ticklish spot of Kurt's body. Blaine chases him over the hole bed and they kick down all the books thereby. Both laugh till tears run down their cheeks. As he hangs half over the edge of the bed Kurt raises his hands in surrender.
"P-please, I'll do everything but please stop, I give up."
Blaine straddles his lap and takes Kurt's hands to pull him fully on the bed again. Then he clutches his wrists and pins him down on the mattress. He lowers his upper body so that their faces are inches apart, both still heavily breathing from all the laughter.
"So, you'll do everything?" He whispers and his eyes sparkle challengingly.
"E-everything, you have me in your grip literally", Kurt answers and licks his lips.
Blaine's gaze follows his tongue and he bends down and closes the gap between their mouthes. Unlike their stormy messing around before the kiss is gentle and slow. Blaine's lips feels as soft as cotton candy and a pleasant warmth settles in Kurt's stomach. Blaine lets go of his wrists and cups his cheeks with both of his hand. He takes Kurt's lower lip between his teeth and cautiously nibbles at it. Kurt smiles into the kiss and skims his hands over Blaine's stomach up to his back and his strong shoulders. Blaine breaks away with a content sigh and lies down next to Kurt his chin propped up on his fist.
"I really missed spending time with you. "
Kurt smiles, "yeah, me too."
Blaine smiles brightly back and slides closer to Kurt to snuggle up against his side. Kurt loops his arm around him and breathes in Blaine's scent.
"Anyway, if you've taught me anything about chemistry today Mr. Anderson then that the chemistry between US is definitely right."
Blaine laughs," you're right that's the main point now you're ready for the AP chemistry classes."
Kurt nudges him playfully in the side. Suddenly there's a loud bang and a frightened whimper. Kurt and Blaine look confused over the edge of the bed. The little puppy must have played with the balloon the whole time and now it bursted because he patted on it with his paws to heavily. Sparkler looks up at them with innocent and scared eyes.
"Oh, did the bang scare you?" Blaine reaches out to pick him up but Sparkler shies away from his hands and shifts nervously whimpering around on his feet.
"Little boy what's wrong? I think he maybe needs to go outside for a walk?" He looks questioningly at Kurt.
"Sure, let's go for a walk I think we crammed enough today anyway."
"But I don't wanna move it's so cozy in your arms", Blaine answers and cuddles closer.
"Yes, I know my cuddle addicted boyfriend but I don't want to risk that Sparkler might stain my precious carpet."
"So your carpet is more important than me?"
Kurt nudges him in the side and pulls him up. "Come on, lets go. He really doesn't look like he could hold it in any longer."
They hook Sparkler's leash in his collar and go outside. The puppy pees immediately at the very first bush. After he has relieved himself he yanks excitedly at the leash and they need to run a little to catch up with his pace. He pokes in every corner and looks hectically back to see if his companions are still following, his ears swinging back and forth. They run down the whole street till Kurt stops and leans against a lamppost.
"I need a break", he says out of breath.
Blaine pulls at Sparklers leash to slow him down and balances on the edge of the sidewalk towards Kurt. He speeds up at the last few meters and swings around Kurt with one hand clutched to the lamppost. He stops directly in front of him and places his hands above Kurt's head on the lamppost.
"Hello, gorgeous."
Kurt smiles flattered and fists Blaine's shirt to pull him close for a cheeky and spontaneous kiss. Blaine hums and puts his hands on Kurt's hips who cant fight back some little noises that escape his mouth as Blaine presses him fiercely against the lamppost and leans heavily against him while their lips slide wetly together.
But the feeling that something is straddling his legs is bothering him and he tumbles as he tries to move his feet. He presses his hands against Blaine's chest to stop him from kissing.
"Mmh, why're we stoppin'?", he mumbles distracted and sucks at Kurt's collarbone.
"Because Sparkler has tied us to the lamppost." Kurt answers and tries laughingly to disentangle the puppies leash from their legs.
Blaine gives Sparkler a peeved look who sits innocently besides them. They free their legs and continue their walk hand in hand but much slower this time.
As they reach a meadow Blaine unhooks Sparkler's leash and let's him run around on the open space. Sparkler barks and whirls around some leaves.
"Looks like someone is having fun." Kurt says and watches how Sparkler chases a butterfly.
"Definitely", Blaine says and laughs. "You know I've always wanted a dog. As a child it was the only thing I wrote on my wish list but my parents always said we wouldn't have enough time to take care of one properly." Sparkler bounces around their feet and Blaine reaches down to pick up a little stick. "I now they're right but don't you want to spent every day with such a fluffy and bouncing ball of joy, too?", he says and throws the stick which Sparkler chases happily.
"Of course but I think I already found mine", Kurt answers and pecks Blaine on the cheek, "and he's already housebroken."
Blaine laughs, "you're so silly sometimes."
"Yes, but you love it." Kurt answers and picks up the stick Sparkler brought back and runs away from the dog which jumps up and tries to catch the stick in his hand. Blaine sits on a near bench and enjoys watching the two frolic around. Kurt swirls Sparkler playfully around who has digged his teeth deeply into the tree branch and Kurt's high pitched laughter echoes around the open space. A heavy warmth spreads out in Blaine's stomach as he watches the scene and he knows he will never get tired of looking at Kurt being that carefree and rollicking.
"Whew, that was exhausting!" Kurt slumps down next to him heavily breathing and with flushed pink cheeks. He strokes a strand of hair away that has fallen on his forehead. Blaine tangles their hands together and he looks at Kurt whose eyes are sparkling happily.
"Kurt, you're so beautiful in every single way. I'm so happy it was you who moved in next to me and mixed up the doors so we were able to get to know each other."
Kurt stares at him open mouthed his already flushed cheeks turning a bit redder. "Thank you", he breathes overwhelmed.
"I'm also happy it was me." He looks at Blaine adoringly. "You're gorgeous, too and I enjoy every second we're together."
He leans into Blaine side and drops his head on his shoulder. Blaine strokes his thumb over Kurt's hand and kisses his forehead.
"You know if me running around and sweating makes you say things like that than we should maybe go to the fitness studio together."
Blaine snorts with laughter. "Im not only attracted to you when your sweaty, silly. I just felt like telling you. Don't make fun of me."
"I'm not making fun of you I just try to figure out a way to get such sweet compliments as often as possible. So are you more a weightlifting or a yoga type I bet you're super flexible and your ass would look fantastic in yoga pants." Kurt breathes the last part seductively in Blaine's ear and squeezes his thigh.
"Oh god, Kurt", Blaine half groans and chuckles. "After all were is even the puppy?" he changes the subject, his ears shining red. "Sparkler?", he calls and a very tired looking puppy crawls out from under the bench.
"There you are cutie! You look very weary. Did Kurt frazzle you out sweetie?"
The puppy nudges Blaine's hand with his mouth and lies on his back to get his belly ruffled.
"Hey, why is your mouth red?" Blaine looks at the liquid on his hand. "Is that blood?!" Blaine grabs worriedly the puppies mouth and has a close look at it. "No it doesn't look like that, what have you eaten?"
"Cherries!" Kurt answers Blaine's thoughts. "Look Blaine we're sitting underneath a cherrie tree! He must have eaten the windfalls."
Blaine turns his head up: "oh, you're right!"
Kurt walks around the bench towards the tree that's weighed down with red chubby cherries. "I love cherries..." Kurt looks longingly up the middle sized tree "but I'm a very bad climber."
Blaine appears next to him. "Then you're lucky 'cause I am a pretty good one." And he has barely finished his sentence when he already hangs body downwards and with arms and legs clung around a thick branch. Like Tarzan himself he swings his body till he sits on the branch. He steadies himself with his hands on the trunk, gets up and climbs up the tree. He clutches his hands firmly around the thick branches and reaches with secure steps one with especially red looking cherries.
"Oh my god Blaine, be careful! I don't need them that urgent, surely there're some lying around on the ground. Please, climb back down."
"Don't worry, I climb trees since kindergarten. And I promise you the cherries up here taste so much better."
Kurt still isn't convinced and eyes suspiciously the branch that sways up and down from Blaine's bodyweight. Blaine bents forward and tries to grab a handful of cherries. His fingertips touch them and he lets go of the trunk, takes a cautiously a step forward and finally gets hold of the fruits.
"Kurt I got 'em!" Blaine holds the cherries in the air like a trophy.
"Great! And now please come back down." Kurt says and eats the cherries Blaine has thrown down.
"Though since you're there grab first some more cherries. God, they're delicious!" he moans and spits out the pits.
Blaine laughs and grabs every cherrie he can reach. With bulging pockets and a read smeared mouth from all the tasting he climbs up the tree. As he sets his feet on the second last branch it creaks loudly and Blaine grabs at the last second a branch further up before it breaks away from underneath his feet.
Kurt screams scared and jumps back as the branch crashes down in front of him.
"Blaine! Are you okay?"
Blaine looks down from where he's clutching the branch legs swinging loosely in the air. "Yes, I'm okay. That was close!" He places his feet on a near, solid looking branch and jumps on the ground. Kurt flings his arms around him. "My brave cherry picking monkey." He kisses his cheek and steals some cherries from Blaine's back pocket. They eat all the cherries Blaine has picked and looks who can spit his cherrie pit further afar. (Kurt always wins)As they have all eaten up they pick all the ones from the branch that has broken down and eat those, too.
"I think I can never walk again. I feel like we have eaten every single cherry that hangs on this tree. " Blaine slumps to the ground and leans against the tree trunk. Kurt lies next to him and holds his belly.
"Me too. I think Sparkler has to drag us both home." Kurt says and strokes the puppies head. "But it was so worth it, right?!"
"Absolutely", Blaine chuckles. He turns around and pulls a pocketknife out. "And that's why we should eternalize our names in the trunk." Blaine starts to cut in the bark. "Kurt and Blaine who ate all the cherries and hopefully didn't die of stomach ache."
Kurt laughs. "Do you always carry a pocketknife around? Or is there a petty criminal side of you I don't know?"
"A Boy Scout is always prepared! And in your letter earlier you said you're in danger."
"You were a Boy Scout?"
"Yeah, I had all the medals." Blaine has finished cutting and lays the knife aside.
"Did you also learn there to cut so beautifully?" Kurt strokes over the ornate heart that entwines their initials.
"I guess I have a knack for that therefor I have always sucked at backing as you know", he grins. They get up and Kurt tries to convince Blaine to carry or even roll him home but Blaine just laughs and fastens the leash on Sparklers collar and together they sett off. Fortunately it wasn't a long way and soon they turn into their street.
"I think we can hand Sparkler over to Jake's mother, the party must be over by now."
Jake's house is directly across from Blaine's and as they press the doorbell a friendly looking women that has to be Jake's mother opens the door.
"Hello Blaine, I see you bring us our little puppy back. Thanks for taking care of him over the day."
"No problem Mrs. Hendrick we had fun."
"Wait a minute I'll get you two some cake to take home as a thank you. We have still so many leftovers." She returns with two plates piled up with colorful cakes.
They thanked her politely and shared a look that means they definitely won't eat anything food today. They cross the street and decide to go back to Kurt's house.
When they open the door joyful laughter sounds from the backyard. They cross the living room and go through the opened slide door. On the terrace stands a long table and eight chairs are arranged around it. Carole and another women with long black curly hair lay the table. Burt stands at the brazier with his cliché grill apron tied around his waist and is deep in a conversation with an unfamiliar man. But as Kurt spots Finn throwing a football to Cooper somewhere in the background he knows exactly what's going on.
"Kurt, what's happening?! Why are my parents in your backyard and chat with yours like old friends?!", Blaine asks in disbelief.
"I don't know, I think they have a secret barbecue."
And before they could bother their head about it any more Carole and the women that has to be Blaine's mother spot the two and walk towards them.
"We were already wondering we're you are." Carole says. "I told you Judy they always stick together."
"Mom, what's going on?" Blaine whispers to his mother.
"Carole and Burt invited us to a neighborhood barbecue so we can get to know each other better since our sons seem to get along very well, right?" She winks at Carole and Blaine looks like he wants to dig a very deep hole and disappear.
"And since you haven't introduced us we thought we take matters in our own hands and invite our lovely neighbors", Carole finishes the explanation.
"Well, then you must be the famous Kurt Hummel?", Judy turns to Kurt.
"Yes", Kurt clears his throat sheepishly,"yes, that would be me, ma'am."
"Oh please darling, stop being so formal, I'm Judy." Her warm smile reaches her eyes and Kurt immediately recognizes it from Blaine. She gives him a short hug and together they walk over to the brazier to greet Burt and Blaine's father. Kurt's heart pounds wildly in his chest but Blaine's warm hand low on his back calms him down a little.
"Hi Blaine, hello kiddo, I have just talked with Henry about you. Henry, this is my son Kurt."
Blaine's father turns to Kurt and puts out his hand. He is surprisingly a very tall man, has bright green eyes and has in Kurt's opinion an excellent taste in fashion.
"Nice to meet you Kurt, I'm Henry." They shake hands as suddenly something big crashes directly onto the grid of the brazier and everybody jumps apart.
"Finn, damn it! I told you to be more careful or play in the street! You're lucky I haven't put the meat on it yet!" Burt fishes the football out of the embers and kicks it back to Finn and Cooper who look very regretful.
"Does he ever start to behave like a grown up?" Burt sighs.
"Oh believe me some sons never stop to clown around." Henry sighs and looks towards Cooper. "But you learn to master it with a lot of patience and humor."
Blaine giggles to himself and they leave their dads alone to help their moms with the cutlery. Carole thrusts Blaine a plate with meet into his hands and he brings it to the men at the brazier. Kurt goes inside to get some napkins. He arranges them on the table and looks over to Blaine. He is still standing at the brazier and talks to Burt.
Kurt is dying to know what they're talking about and it definitely isn't about the question if Blaine wants his steak medium done or rare therefor they are talking too long and seriously. Kurt folds nervously origami with the napkins and stares in their direction. Burt seems to think very hard about something Blaine has asked him, because he lifts his baseball cap and scratches his head. Blaine looks nervous, he shifts from one foot to the other and looks on the ground. Blaine's father nods to a question from Burt and Blaine's face lights up like a firework. He embraces first Burt and then his dad tightly. Burt laughs but tells him then something very seriously with a wagging finger whereat Henry drops a piece of meat and looks a little scandalized. Blaine returns red-faced but with a swinging step back to Kurt on the terrace. He sits on one of the chairs with happily glowing eyes and grins from ear to ear.
"So," Kurt approaches to Blaine and asks curiously, "what were you two scheming/discussing?"
"Oh, nothing special, just how I'd want my steak done." But he still grins so broadly that every fool can tell he's lying.
"Hey, I'm serious!" Kurt sits on his lap and Blaine envelopes his waist. "Come on, tell me. Why do you grin like a Cheshire cat?" He plays with the collar of Blaine's polo. "What were you talking about? It looked like you asked my dad something important."
"Like I said we were just talking about meat and I would never lie about important things like food." But even Blaine knows his lie is easy to see through that's why he pecks Kurt on the cheek and gets up fast to happily take the opportunity and help their moms carrying some salads outside.
"You can't escape me, Blaine Anderson." Kurt cat-calls at him.
Everyone gathers around the table and enjoys the meal. The adults trip over of compliments for the food and seem to get along very nicely in general. Finn and Cooper disappear quickly into the living room after their fourth hamburger with fries, without any "green stuff" of course, to play video games. The dusk is falling and after Kurt and Blaine helped clearing the table they leave their parents chatting in candlelight and withdraw to make themselves comfortable in the garden swing off the beaten track.
"Finally alone." Kurt sighs and relaxes against the backrest. He has one leg folded up and moves the garden swing slowly with the other.
Blaine shifts around till he lies full length with his head is pillowed in Kurt's lap. His legs are slightly too long so that his feet hang out.
"Uh-huh", he hums contentedly and closes his eyes. "I'm very happy out parents get along well with each other."
"Me, too. And seems like Cooper has found his soulmate." Both laugh and remember the eating contest about, who can stick more fries in his mouth at once, the two fought out earlier. "And now that there's no escape for you, tell me, what have you talked about with my dad earlier?"
Blaine turns in Kurt's lap and looks up to him.
"But I already tol..." he starts in an innocent voice.
"Blaine!" Kurt interrupts him warningly.
"Fine, I admit I lied but I'm not telling you anyway. You'll find out sufficiently early." He says with a big toothy grin spread across his face.
Kurt raises his eyebrow questioningly.
"Pretty, pretty please with sugar on top?", Kurt begs.
"Nope, and not even your adorable pouty face will talk me around today. It's a (shall be) surprise."
"What if I'm not going to kiss you anymore until you tell me? And I'm not kidding."
"Seriously?" Blaine takes Kurt's arm and trails a line of kisses up to his shoulder. "Honestly" Kiss. "I don't think." Kiss. He reaches his face and cups his cheeks. "You would stand" he kisses his nose "a single day." And he smirks challengingly and purses his lips.
Kurt sulkily turns his head sideways. But he can't take Blaine's lip smacking and side glances to his lips.
"Fine! I give up!" Kurt gives in and crashes their lips together. "But the surprise better be awesome", he mutters before he looses himself in Blaine's heavenly lips.
They kiss till their minds are dizzy and the garden swing squeaks and swings so heavily that Blaine's parents decide it's time to pick up their boys and go home.
Kurt takes a shower and doodles hearts with their initials on the shower glass imitating the ones Blaine's cut in the tree bark. And as he sinks entirely happy in his bed he burrows his face deep into his cushion that still smells like Blaine.