Chapter 8

Kurt pressed the button for floor number 7 when he stepped into the elevator. His Wednesday had ended up being absolutely shitty. The worst part about it was that Kurt should've been happy—he had Blaine infiltrate the security of New York University just so he could sing a song to him and make him smile. He also got to break up with his asshole of a boyfriend Charlie, who Kurt was overjoyed to be able to call his ex-boyfriend now, and to top it all off, he was getting to go back to his apartment and tell Blaine that he was finally single. The thing was, Kurt allowed all that Charles said to him to sink in, and he ended up feeling like utter shit. He should've known there was another guy, and though Kurt's coworker who'd he'd sought advice from told him that Charles probably just said so because he was bitter about their break up, Kurt knew better. It made him feel like such a freaking idiot, and he was glad he always made them use protection. Regardless, he'd make sure to get tested for everything just in case.

Kurt stepped off of the elevator thinking about how he let someone who didn't care about him pretty much ruin his day. His performance at work was lackluster when he was usually the customer service King. He loved talking to people and helping out, especially when it came to fashion. Today though, after everything that happened, Kurt didn't even want to be around people. It sucked. The last thing he wanted was to give Charles the power to kill his mood the way the man had, but he couldn't help it. Kurt pulled out his keys as he approached. Maybe a long shower and some comfort food would help.

And of course Blaine. Blaine could definitely help. God, Kurt couldn't wait to fill him in on everything, but specifically the news that he had ‘left his lover', just like the song, and was free.

The key turned in the lock and Kurt walked in after it was open. He tiredly stepped out of his shoes after locking the door back and pulled off his coat and scarf. It wasn't usually this cold before Thanksgiving but maybe this was confirmation that this winter would be a tough one.

As the teen hung up his coat, he hummed softly to himself, the tune of a song the glee club definitely covered while he was in high school. He couldn't remember what song it was though, and it started to annoy him. He didn't notice a man on the sofa, combing through the Wall Street Journal while he watched him, at least not until the man gave a chipper “Hello! You must be Kurt.”

Kurt jumped and yelped from the fright at first, but when he turned and laid eyes on possibly the most handsome man in all of North America, he quickly composed himself and walked over to the living room. “Why yes, hello. I-I am Kurt. Kurt Hummel.”

The man smiled, standing up to shake his hand. “It's lovely to meet you. I'm Cooper Anderberry. Rachel and Blaine's older brother. It's great to finally match a name to the face.” Cooper tried not to laugh at how the young man was smiling up at him, heart eyes turned on. “Rachel's said a lot about you.”

“All good things I hope,” Kurt said teasingly. “Um… are they here? Rachel and Blaine, I mean. Wouldn't want you out here by your lonesome.”

Cooper fixed his tie before sitting back down. “Don't worry. I'm fine. Rachel's in the back. The two of us just got in a few minutes ago. Apparently Blaine went to the gym even though he knew I was coming so we're just waiting for the knuckle head to show. I won't be long, just handling some family business.”

Kurt wondered what that meant, but didn't think too far into it. His first thought was ‘OH MY GOD THE ANDERBERRYS ARE IN A MOB' so he didn't want to dwell too long in that mind frame. “Well, just let me know if you need anything. I'm going to head to my room as well.”

Cooper smiled at him. Kurt almost fainted. He wanted to meet their parents and thank them for producing such gorgeous male offspring. Wow. “I'll let you know. Thank you.”

Kurt smiled and saluted before walking off. As soon as he was in his room, he literally slapped himself in the face for saluting like an idiot. Who does that? He tossed his backpack onto the bed before tossing himself and letting out a huge sigh. After everything that happened today, his mind would always travel back to Blaine. He wanted to see the boy so badly, maybe just to be held by him, or listen to his voice. Anything would help. Kurt rolled over and grabbed Punch, holding the stuffed gorilla against his chest and letting go of a deep breath. Maybe after a shower, he'd calm down a little, and Blaine would be home.

…

“My sister keeps texting me so I really need to go. I think our brother actually showed up.”

Jeff nodded. “Must be important. I'll see you around, Blaine. And hey…”

Blaine turned around and looked back at his best friend. Jeff grabbed both side of his cheeks and looked him in the eye.

“Listen, I know things with Kurt looked bad but—”

“I don't even want to talk about it—”

“Hear me out,” Jeff continued. “I for one think you need to think about this. Sure, we saw something that didn't look great, but then again, we literally looked for a second before you bailed. I know that Kurt likes you—”

Blaine moved his friend's hands and looked at Jeff. “I know where you're going, and I'm not going to say that Kurt doesn't like me, because I believe he does as well. But he's also in love with that dickwad, and maybe I don't compare. Honestly, I don't give a fuck anymore—”

“Yes you do.”

“I don't.” Blaine shrugged, taking a few paces backwards. “There's plenty of fish in the sea. I fucked up by falling for one that was attached to someone else and I won't make that mistake anymore.”

Jeff sighed, watching Blaine retreat in the dark city. “Alright. Fair. But promise me that you'll think with your heart, because contrary to popular belief, you actually have one.”

Blaine smiled. “Goodnight, Jeff.”

“Kurt's a great guy. I like him. He makes you happy!”

Blaine was walking off, but he could hear his best friend continuing to shout things at him as he went. He respected Jeff and Jeff's decision not to see the worst in this. That was one way to look at it. However, Blaine decided to take the pessimistic approach. It was more realistic, he felt.

His phone rang when he got in front of the building but he ignored it. The boxing gloves swung around his neck as he got into the elevator, nodding to the boy and his mom who joined him. She smiled, and the little boy did as well.

Once on the 7th floor, Blaine stepped off, adjusting his book bag straps. He prepared himself to deal with Cooper and whatever it was he wanted, as well as Kurt. What sucked was that he really liked him, but Blaine was pissed and he felt he had every single right to be. He was trying to change his ways for a guy who was obviously playing him. It was karma, he guessed.

Rachel opened the door before he'd even stuck his key inside the hole. She glared at him. “So you don't know how to answer your phone?”

Blaine rolled his eyes and stepped in, almost tripping over Kurt's boot as he did so. “I do know how to answer my phone. I usually do answer my phone when someone I want to talk to calls.” He looked at her.

Rachel closed the door behind him and then walked over to the table, joining her older brother. Blaine turned back and saw Cooper watching as he took off his peacoat. “Coop. Lovely seeing you again.”

“Squirt.” Cooper got up and walked over. Blaine stared at the man in his designer suit. It looked like he was doing good for himself helping their parents with the businesses. He looked like one of them now. “Give me a hug, champ!”

Blaine hung his coat and then held the boxing gloves in one hand as he went for a half hug with his older brother. “Hey.”

Cooper pulled back, knowing that he might've been overstepping his boundaries. It'd been a while since he'd seen the both of them, and Blaine wasn't the type to pretend things were okay like Rachel would do. “So what exactly are you doing here?” Blaine questioned, his face showing little emotion.

“Well,” Cooper began, leading the way over to the table. “As we know, you're turning 18 soon. In a month. Mom and dad asked that I bring the paperwork over to you so that you can get your trust fund when the day comes. I just need you to sign a few things.”

Blaine walked over slowly, looking at Rachel. She smiled a bit. He didn't. “The last time we saw you Coop, you were here under the guise of coming for my birthday, but were really giving Rachel her papers to sign for when she was turning 18. Now, you're back so that I can sign papers. We haven't seen mom and dad in however long. So basically, what I'm getting from this is that we're merely business assets to you all.”

“Blaine.”

“No, Rachel. I'm tired of this. Let's be real… they sent us away to New York so that they could focus on work, right? They've given us this trust fund, hoping that we'd remember it and when we graduate, run back to Pennsylvania to continue their legacy. Just like Coop is doing. Am I right or am I wrong?”

Rachel was quiet. Cooper stared down at his briefcase and smiled a bit. It was sad and telling, but it was a smile no less. “He's actually right. And don't think I don't want to be here with you two. Don't think it doesn't kill me when you never answer my phone calls. But mom keeps me so busy with everything that I don't have much time for anything that I'd like to do.”

Blaine shook his head. “You're their little bitch.”

Cooper smirked. “Come sign the paper, Squirt.”

Rachel shook her head and gestured for Blaine to join them. “Come on, Blaine. Let's not argue. You know how it's been for years. Let's just get this over with—”

“Bullshit.”

“Blaine,” Rachel warned. “Let's get this over with. If you don't want the money, sign the papers now and give it back when you get it.”

Blaine looked at his older sister and listened, walking over to the table. Cooper observed their dynamic. She was probably the only person that could get him to listen nowadays. Blaine picked up the pen, reading over the document. “Where do I sign?”

Cooper told him that he marked Xs where Blaine should sign or initial. He turned around when he heard a noise and so did Rachel, looking up and seeing Santana and Kurt enter the kitchen. Kurt looked over at them curiously, and his eyes did brighten a bit when he saw Blaine. Santana was less subtle, walking over to the table they sat at in the dining area and reading over Blaine's shoulder. “What are you doing, puta?”

Blaine flipped a page and signed. He saw the amount noted and smirked. There was no way in hell he'd be giving any of the money back to his parents, or just letting it sit in the bank like Rachel was doing with hers. “Legal stuff. Go away.”

“Trust fund babies, eh?” Santana said with a smile. “I might have to date the both of you. I could have a sugar mama and a sugar daddy. I'd be a genius.”

Cooper stared at her and started to smile. “I don't believe we've met.”

“She's a lesbian,” Blaine said.

“I can work with that,” Cooper said, wiggling his eyebrows. Rachel rolled her eyes, laughing. Santana smiled at him.

Fuck. This Anderberry was way too attractive to insult. She'd never come in to contact with the likes of someone she couldn't berate. It wasn't a good feeling.

“I've tried to change her mind,” Kurt added from the kitchen. “If I can't change her mind, no one can.”

Santana winked at him as the group laughed—all except Blaine. Blaine had tensed a little, and Rachel noticed, giving her brother a partly curious, partly suspicious look. Blaine glanced over at Kurt and rolled his eyes away before sliding all the paperwork back over to his brother. “Done.”

Kurt noticed the way Blaine looked at him as he poured himself a glass of Coke. Something was definitely wrong.

“I'm leaving for work. Nice meeting you Copper.”

“Cooper.”

“Later Tana,” Rachel said, standing up and looking between her brothers. “So what now? Are you headed back?”

Cooper dropped his head a bit in defeat. “I've got meetings in the morning. Mom would kill me if I blew this—”

“We actually don't care.” Blaine said. He got up and Kurt watched the tension between the three, all before feeling the tension between himself and Blaine. The same Blaine who had the ability to make his entire world brighter was the Blaine that just walked past him without a word, not even a glance. Kurt stared in confusion, and before long, Blaine's bedroom door was slammed shut.

“It was great meeting you, Kurt. Thanks for letting my siblings rent here with you. I know they needed a place and I'm grateful.”

Kurt smiled at him. He could tell Cooper wasn't as happy or chipper as he was before… whatever that was. Still, Kurt knew that Blaine's attitude wasn't because of that. It had to be something else. “It was great meeting you too.”

Rachel smiled as the two shook hands before hugging her older brother. “I'll check on Blaine after he's calmed down a bit. Can I walk you out?”

“Please,” Cooper said. He grabbed everything and said goodbye to Kurt again before Rachel was throwing on Blaine's coat and walking him downstairs. Kurt rubbed the nape of his neck and sighed.

It was only the middle of the week.

…

From Fallon:

I think it is pretty awesome how you sang for that guy. And he's cute too. So what's up with you two?

Blaine read the message and debated with himself about answering. He knew that Fallon was only asking because he wanted to know if Blaine was in a relationship. He didn't have time for games. Not anymore.

From Fallon:

The videos went viral. There are like 5 different versions. You and he are pretty famous…

Blaine shook his head at that. When Kurt's boyfriend saw the video, he'd be upset, but knowing Kurt, he'd get himself out of it. He was a smooth talker, after all. He'd been juggling the both of them over the past few days.

To Fallon:

There's a new viral video every day. We'll be history pretty soon.

From Fallon:

Maybe. But it's still cute. You'd make a great couple. I wish that could've been us, but I'm ok with how things worked out. I know you hate me but we should be friends, Blaine. Seriously.

From Fallon:

And you're not allowed to hate me when you're the one who fucked up.

Blaine was tired from the gym. He'd worked out hard, and sparred with another guy in the weight class just above him. He kicked his ass, but it was mostly because he was upset about everything that happened with Kurt and Charles. Mr. Motta put him on time out for hitting him too hard.

 To Fallon:

You're right. And I don't hate you. I'm mostly mad at myself.

There was a knock on the door. Blaine knew right away that it was Kurt's. He had a distinct knock that was very light, mirroring the sound of his voice in a way. Blaine sat up on the bed and walked to the locked door, opening it.

“Hey,” Kurt said softly. He was wearing Blaine's Anderson Boxing Gym white hoodie with the black lettering again and Blaine hated that he looked so good in his clothes. Well, he loved and hated it equally. “I um… maybe you don't want to be bothered right now, but I'm getting the feeling that you're mad at me about something and I don't like it very much.”

Blaine looked at him a bit longer. He stroked through his curly hair and the curls sprang back up when he let go. “Come in.”

Kurt nodded at him before stepping in. He looked around the room before taking a seat on the bed. Blaine pulled off his top and Kurt couldn't help but stare, watching as the shirtless teen dug in his dresser drawers for a t-shirt to throw on. When Blaine's phone vibrated, Kurt glanced down out of habit. He saw the message.

From Fallon:

I'm mad at me. I should've given you a chance. It's obvious you changed and I should've believed you when you said you could do better. I regret that now.

Kurt raised an eyebrow before glancing up at Blaine. The teen had been watching him as he pulled his shirt on.

“Reconnecting with your ex?”

“Reading through my messages?”

Kurt pushed the phone away and looked at the wall, too exhausted to do this. “Ok. Be honest. What did I do to you?”

Blaine shook his head and went to pick up the phone.

“The last time I saw you, Blaine, we were on good terms. You sang to me. I loved it, even though I think you're crazy—”

“Well that wasn't the last time I saw you, Kurt.”

Kurt turned to him. “What's your deal? If you don't want to do this anymore, and if you're getting back with Fallon, just tell me. There's no use for us pretending and wasting our time.”

Blaine smiled and sat down on the bed. “You mean like you've been wasting my time?”

“And again, I have no clue what the hell you're talking about.” Kurt said seriously.

Blaine continued to smile at him as he typed away at his phone. “You don't? I saw you outside your job with your asshole of a boyfriend who treats you like shit. I saw you against that car I assume was his, and you had roses, and you looked pretty fucking chummy to me, Kurt. So don't come in here and get mad at me for talking to Fallon when you have no fucking intention of breaking things off with Charles.”

Kurt stared at Blaine for a while. The boy looked pretty pleased with himself, even though he did look a little hurt at the same time. So all this time, not only had Kurt felt like shit, but Blaine saw something, made an assumption, and felt like shit too.

“Speechless?” Blaine lay back and looked at the ceiling. “Just like I suspected.”

Kurt shook his head and sat back on the bed, grabbing a pillow. “I guess you're not going to believe me, but I'm going to tell you anyway. Charles and I broke up today.”

Blaine smirked. “You're right, I don't believe that. I saw something totally different.”

“You saw him throwing his money in my face because he had just gotten a role on a TV show, and thinking that because he has money, it'd make me ride his dick and forget everything he put me through.”

Blaine stopped smirking and looked at him now, seriously. Kurt didn't even want to look him in the eye.

“He picked me up in his brand new car after my classes, and he drove me to work. He told me that he's going to be a star and he's happy I'm by his side. He films close to the city so there won't be a problem. But once I told him that regardless of his success, I still wanted to break up with him, he let me know that he's not only fucking someone else, but they've been in a relationship, and the other guy is so much better than I am.”

Blaine sat up now, staring at Kurt. “What?”

“It was because I told him I'd rather be with someone who made me happy instead of with a guy who had everything and made me feel like shit. He knew I was talking about you and he mentioned that he's been cheating. I believe him one hundred and ten percent.” Kurt smiled as he wiped the tears from his face and shrugged. “I mean, I saw it coming. A year and two months later, on our anniversary at that, he admits that he's been with someone else. I feel like an asshole but I deserve it for being so stupid.”

“You do not deserve any of this, Kurt.” Blaine moved closer to him and Kurt shook his head no. “Don't—”

“No.” Kurt pulled away. “If you can make things right with Fallon, I know how you feel about him—”

“Fuck Fallon.” Blaine pulled Kurt back onto the bed when he tried to get up and trapped the boy with his legs. “Listen, I swear you can read our conversation. He hit me up to talk about seeing the video of me singing at NYU because apparently it's been spreading but none of that is important, ok? He's just realizing that I like someone else and he's probably trying to get back in because he isn't the center of my universe like he'd been the past few months.”

Kurt lay back against the pillows and looked Blaine in the eyes. “You honestly don't have to explain it to me.”

“I do though, because I really do want to be with you whenever you're ready, and I don't want you thinking that he and I have anything going on. I swear you can read the conversation. I have nothing to hide.”

Kurt shook his head no when Blaine forced the phone in his face, laughing as he moved it away. “I trust you, Blaine.”

“I'm sorry I didn't trust you. I was… I was just with my friends and that looked really bad, because I was telling them how great you are and then we all see that.”

“Calm down,” Kurt said, laughing. “Just breathe.”

Blaine rolled off of him and shook his head. “I should've listened to Jeff. He's right about everything.”

Kurt watched him before taking his hand. “I'm sorry that you saw what you saw and it looked the way it did.”

The boxer looked down at their hands. He licked his lips before speaking. “I'm sorry that asshole cheated on you. I wish I would've met you when you got to the city. I mean… I was with someone then and you probably wouldn't be interested because I was still in high school, but I wouldn't let you date that fake motherfucker.”

Kurt smiled as he pulled Blaine back down, the two of them lying with one another. “Your language is out of this world.”

“I don't give a fuck.” Blaine looked up at the ceiling, still trying to relax. “He's not getting away with that.”

“Don't worry about it.”

“I'm not worried at all.” Blaine turned to face Kurt. “I'm sorry. Whatever you want to do tonight, I'm all yours. If you want to talk, if you want to just listen to music, I don't care. We can watch Lifetime… I won't complain.”

Kurt laughed a little. “I don't know.” They caught eyes and before long, Blaine was looking at his lips. Kurt smiled, rubbing the teen's arm. “We can probably get something to eat and then you can talk to me about why you seemed so upset with you brother and sister if you feel like it.”

Blaine rolled his eyes at that. His phone continued to vibrate and he ignored Fallon. He was sure it was Fallon. “I don't want to bore you with that just yet. It's too soon. But our family is the furthest thing from perfect you'll probably ever meet.”

Kurt nodded. Most families had their moments.

Blaine spoke. “What do you want to eat? Let's do takeout—”

Knock. Knock.

He sighed because Kurt stopped playing in his hair and pulled away. He rolled over and got up. “Rach?”

She came in and smiled. “It's me. Oh! Didn't know Kurt was in here.”

He smiled at her and stood up. “I was just checking on him. I'll be across the hall.”

Rachel nodded and smiled at Kurt as he squeezed past her. She noticed he'd been wearing Blaine's hoodie for a while now, and as she closed the door and locked it behind him, she looked at her little brother.

“I'm not stupid.”

Blaine raised an eyebrow. “I don't remember calling you stupid? At least not recently?”

“What's going on with you two? Charles will go crazy—”

“First of all, Charles isn't in the picture anymore so don't worry your precious little head with that.” He walked over and slid on his flip flops. “Secondly, if there was something going on between us, how would it be any of your business, sis?”

Rachel watched her brother. “They broke up? Why?”

Blaine shook his head. “Because the guy is a dick, right? You said it yourself.”

“And,” Rachel continued. “It would be my business because I live here too, and if you both decide you're going to start dating or… having sex!” The girl shouted, though it was evident by her face she hadn't meant to. Blaine held back his laugh. “Then where does that leave me if you guys have a fight and decide to break up? You're not exactly the levelheaded type, Blaine. Would you be able to get along with a guy you had a bad break up with? What about if you two need space? What is he going to do? Ask you to go across the hall? You two live together for crying out loud!?”

Blaine took a deep breath and stared at her. “We're not together so why are you getting worked up?”

“Because you've liked him from day one and I know that, because I know you, and boys tend to fall for you Blaine. I've had friends who I was sure were straight start coming over more often because you were around—”

“Jesse?” Blaine asked with a smile. “Oh, he gave me my first hand job. It was sophomore year. God, he was amazing.”

Rachel stared at him. “He… he did what?”

Blaine smiled. “He taught me a lot; we'll put it that way.”

Rachel gave an incredulous look. “I wasn't even talking about him! What the hell?”

Her younger brother rubbed the nape of his neck. “Well he's the only one of your straight friends who showed any interest. Not sure who else you could be talking about. Maybe they actually liked you, Rach. Crazy huh?”

“Don't ruin this for me, Blaine. I like living here. I asked you kindly not to go after Kurt.”

Blaine rolled his neck and dropped both hands by his side. “I can't help that I like the guy, ok? I'll admit it. And if he likes me too, then what do you want us to do?”

Rachel shook her head and turned to the door. Her brother caught her before she could storm out.

“Listen, RayRay. I love you. You're all I've got, and I don't mind because you're the most awesome sister a guy could ask for. But, Kurt and I have a good thing going. We aren't together, we're just friends, but I have let him know that I'm interested and he likes me too.”

Rachel nodded. “I get it, B.”

“I don't want you to be mad at me. Kurt and I aren't going to have a huge blow out. He dealt with that in his last relationship, aight? I'm not putting him through that bullshit.”

“You shouldn't, because he's a good guy. But he should treat you right as well, because you're amazing too.”

Blaine smiled, pulling her in close and kissing her cheek. She laughed and reciprocated the hug. “I came in here to talk about Cooper and mom and dad but—”

“Can we not?” Blaine asked. “I'm not in the mood to discuss them. I'm feeling kind of good.”

Rachel nodded. “I understand. But they want us to come home for Thanksgiving and get caught up.”

Blaine started laughing as he let her go. “Who wants us to come home?”

“Mom and dad, apparently.” Rachel shrugged. “They invited Kurt and Santana as well, to get to know who we're living with, and they want to know how we're doing in school. Now would be a good time to come clean about you not going into business and instead doing pre-med…”

Blaine scoffed. “What're they going to do? Shun me to death? We've seen them three Christmases, Rach, since they shipped us here. That's it. Their money has been raising the both of us. If they shunned me, I'd be thrilled.”

Rachel leant against the door. “I know you're upset, and trust me I am too. But personally, I would like to go back home.”

Blaine looked at her. “I don't. This is home.”

“Well,” she began. “It's Thanksgiving. A couple days. I'll get to see my old friends. And I miss mom and dad. I know maybe I shouldn't, because of everything that's happened, but phone calls don't do justice...”

Blaine opened the door. “Why would I want to take Kurt and Santana anywhere near them? Dysfunctional isn't enough to describe us and you know it.”

Rachel nodded. “I do. But it's a couple days. Then, we can get back on with life. It'll be easy.” They both stepped into the hall and Blaine looked at her before knocking on Kurt's door. “Well whatever. We're going to get something to eat and watch a movie on the couch. Care to join?”

Rachel smiled. “Yeah, I'd love to. What are we eating? I'll order it.”

Kurt opened the door and smiled at the both of them. “Hey. Everything cool?”

Blaine nodded at him. “Yeah. We're good. Want to go get some Thai with me and stop at 7-Elevn on the way back?”

Kurt smirked. “You're not getting a Slurpee and keeping the whole building awake all night. Santana told me she wanted to chop your nipples off last time I let that happen. Mine too.”

Rachel's eyes went wide. “Oh heavens.”

Blaine smiled, linking arms with the both of them in the hallway. “Fine. Pizza it is.”