Storm – Chapter Seventeen

Kurt's laugh was a drug to Blaine. Everything about his laughed pulled him in indefinitely. It was music to his ears. The calm in the center of a tornado. A black hole of absolute bliss. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect. And Blaine could not get enough of it. He even debated to set a personal goal to, no matter what, make Kurt laugh at least five times a day. He would do anything, everything, to make it happen. He just needed to hear that laugh.

The two stumbled out of the bumper cars. Blaine gave a nod of thanks to Bennie on the way out. He smiled as Kurt laughed, high on life, excitement, and thrill.

"That was so much fun," Kurt exclaimed, prancing around a little bit before stopping right in front of Blaine. His eyes shined, even in the light of night, placing a hand upon Blaine's shoulder holding him in place. "Did you see that kid when we hit him on the side? I thought he was going to start crying or maybe punch us in the face. That was brilliant!" Kurt paused; horror scanned across his face and his hands flew to cover his mouth. "Oh my god. Am I laughing at a child's misfortune? Oh my, I am! But that was so much fun! We kicked major ass!" Kurt threw a kick in the air almost kicking some random preteen in the side. Blaine quickly rushed to Kurt's side wrapping and arm around the boy's waist and pulling him close.

"You did great for a first timer. But you need to calm down now before you actually do kick someone in the face. You might not like the outcome, trust me." Blaine moved Kurt in another direction away from the bumper cars.

"Okay," Kurt breathed still feeling the excitement rushing through his body. "Okay."

The air was cool now, turning back to the normal beginning of March temperature. The sun had left and the sky was clear with stars twinkling above. Happy screams echoed through the land. People with smiling faces holding cotton candy or the hands of their loved ones passed by. Blaine's arm remained around his waist. But Kurt didn't mind so much. It was cold and he forgot a jacket. Well going to a fair wasn't in his plans for that evening. So how would he have known to bring a jacket? But Blaine kept him warm, even though he didn't know what was going on between them. All Kurt wanted was warmth. And everything was almost, dare Kurt say, perfect...?

"Wow, look at that cat," Blaine spoke making Kurt jump out of his thoughts. He looked to see what had caught Blaine's attention and there it was. A stuffed cat with the cutest button nose and it was hanging over one of the games. Its fur was a light dark grey with some spots of black scattered throughout and it wore a pink bow tie. Kurt frowned remembering the last time he saw a bow tie as pink as that one.

"I'm going to win it," Blaine said with determination and Kurt shook his head pushing back the aching memories. Kurt eyed the game. Once paying the five dollar charge, the player was given a plastic fishing pole with a magnet at the end and was allowed three tries to lift a rubber duck that swam around in a tank with a prize color on the bottom. There had to be about two hundred and fifty rubber ducks in the tank. It seemed easy enough to do, but it was all based on luck of the draw.

"Blaine, you have like a zero chance of getting anything worthy," Kurt told him but followed in step after Blaine removed his hand rubbing them together greedily. Kurt shivered at the loss of warmth. "You are going to waste all of your money on this thing."

Blaine gave a light chuckle, "You wound me, Kurt. You have no faith in me. I'm the master of games." And Kurt pursed his lips unsure on how that was supposed to be taken. "Watch me work magic."

Blaine pulled his wallet from his pocket and slapped a five down on the counter. The teenaged man working the station sighed. Obviously he was way too tired of working this pathetic booth that sucked in money and gave no prizes. He handled Blaine a plastic purple rod and stepped back pocketing the five dollars into his pocket. Blaine eyed the ducks moving around in circles and dangled the magnet over one in the middle. But it missed that one and picked up the one next to it. Blaine didn't show any disappointment and lifted the duck up proudly. The worker pulled the duck from the string and announced that Blaine had won nothing. Blaine's smile fell and quickly placed another five dollars on the table.

This time he bit his lip in concentration scanning over each duck before diving for one. The magnet connected but the duck fell back into the water. One try. Blaine aimed for a different one determined to get one this time. He lifted one proudly but it was once again not a prize winning duck. Kurt sighed and a small smile appeared on his lips.

Blaine looked over his shoulder at Kurt, "I can do this, Kurt. Just watch me." And he placed another five on the counter. And another and another. Blaine was up twenty-five dollars now and Kurt just shook his head. The worker seemed slightly annoyed that someone was spending so much time at the table. Probably just wanted to be left alone.

Blaine turned to Kurt with the pole in one of his hands. With his free hand he grabbed one of Kurt's and brought it to his mouth with a kiss on the wrist. Their eyes locked together the whole time. Kurt held his breath feeling his heart stop. Blaine slowly let go of Kurt turning back to the yellow ducks swimming around and placed the pole over them lifting one swiftly out of the cluster. And surprisingly enough, it was a winning duck. Blaine smiled proudly, handing the rod back to the worker and accepting the stuffed cat. He turned to Kurt smirking. And Kurt thought for sure that he was going to brag and say 'I told you so' but to Kurt's surprise he didn't.

"Hey, are you hungry? There's this cool little pizza restaurant a little walk away from here. We could leave the car and just...go for a walk," Blaine asked hope flushed across his face. "It's not too cold for a walk either."

Kurt couldn't help but just stare at him in wonder. What was Blaine doing? Was this real? Who just takes someone away from the evils of the day to a carnival? Who changes from some bad ass to this...this...charming punk? Singing a Broadway song, after he clearly stated that he didn't do that "gay stuff" a few weeks ago. Pulling him from his comfort zone. And who spends twenty-five dollars to win a stuff cat? And going out for pizza?

This was something, a date, which Kurt could only dream of. But this was Blaine. Blaine, Rachel's brother, Blaine. And this wasn't a date. But he couldn't help but say...

"Yes. Yeah. That sounds great." Blaine eyes shined and a grin seemed to be plastered to his face. He nervously looked to his feet before his eyes fluttered back to Kurt.

"Let's go," Blaine held out his arm, the one that the cat wasn't in, and Kurt took it cautiously. With their arms locked they left through the festival exit and mad their way down the street.

The walk was, like Blaine said, not that long. As they entered the restaurant they separated and Kurt rubbed his hands together for warmth, again. It was a small place but very quaint and slightly romantic, for couples. But also, good enough for a teenage hangout. Almost like Breadsticks but way better. A girl walked to the hostess stand her eyes lighting up like a fricken Christmas tree on Christmas morning as she looked at Blaine.

"Blaine," she said excitedly. "It's so good to see you again. How are you? Table for," she looked at Kurt and then back to Blaine. "Two?"

"Yes. Hi, Silvia, it's been going," Blaine said uninterested fixing the stuffed cat in his arms to get a better hold on it. "This is Kurt, by the way." Kurt gave her a half smile.

"Hi there. Nice cat. Win it at the festival?" She asked glancing at Kurt again before grabbing two menus and leading them to a table near the back against a window.

"I did, actually!" Blaine beamed, grabbing a chair and holding it out for Kurt. He looked at Blaine skeptically sitting down listening to them talk. Old friends, maybe? Blaine sat down placing his cat in his lap. "It was easy." Kurt shook his head at the boys comment. Spending an unnecessary twenty-five dollars was not, as Blaine says, easy.

"Sounds fun! I wish I could go but I'm working all weekend," Silvia commented annoyed placing the menus on the wooden table.

"Actually, Silvia, we'll just order a cheese pizza and I'll have an iced tea," he looked over to Kurt. "Drink?"

"Just water," Kurt said softly eyes connecting with Blaine's.

"Okay," he smiled and turned back to the waitress. "A cheese pizza, iced tea, and a water. Thank you. Goodbye."

Silvia eyed him carefully taking back the menus and walking away. Blaine looked back to Kurt giving him an annoyed look.

"She never stops," he huffed. "I used to come here every Friday when I went to school. I should have stopped coming once she began to hit on me. I was never even nice to her! I can't stand her. And you would think that after telling her I'm gay she would back off. But no. Bitch, keeps going. Oh, you can have your wallet back, but I'm paying for this, too."

Kurt gave a slight chuckle, pocketing his wallet from Blaine's grasp, and looked out the window glancing to the stars. Blaine went silent. Couples at the restaurant talked happily to themselves, soft music played, and sounds of silverware against the plates filled their silence.

"Blaine," he said not looking away from the stars in the sky. The question has been bubbling inside his head all day long. "Why didn't you fight back? At school today. You let them bully you. You're not that type of person. Well, you don't seem like that type of person. I don't- why?"

Blaine sighed and began picking at the napkin on the table, "I don't want to fight anymore, Kurt. I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of being-" Blaine moved in his seat sitting straighter as if putting a guard up. "Back at that frozen yogurt place up in Connecticut, after I made that comment and you got uncomfortable and went to the bathroom. Rachel bitched me out and I did as well. It wasn't a nice conversation. Lots of yelling and- Look, she said something to me. That I didn't think it would actually concern me, ever. She said, 'One day something is going to happen and I am not going to be there to help you.' I didn't actually think... She used to help me get, basically, get out of everything. So what happens now? Everything she said to me, I haven't stopped thinking about since that day. I've questioned everything about me. Everything that I have done. I've hurt so many people. Friends throughout the years. Teachers. Strangers. Jeffery and Nathan. Rachel. You." Kurt looked at his folded hands on the table unsure what to say or what to do.

"I don't want to hurt people anymore. I don't think I have the ability to- to..."

"Blaine!" A boy's voice shot through the restaurant. One that made Blaine cringe at first. Kurt looked to find a boy with grown out purple shaggy hair. His roots were brown and the purple faded and looked like crap. He was long overdue for a trip to the salon; Kurt thought but quickly changed his mind. He probably doesn't even go to a salon; bathroom sink probably. The boy had on baggy shorts and some stupid graphic T-shirt that they would sell at any local target.

Blaine's eye lit up, "Jake! What are you doing here man?" He stood up greeting him in a fist pump and a quick hug. "I thought they were sending you to juvie."

Jake just laughed before smirking, "Turns out, nothing ever happened."

"What do you mean nothing happened? I was there and something happened," Blaine questioned unsure of what Jake meant. Kurt inched further to the window, looking out, ignoring this Jake character. Whoever the hell he was.

Jake laughed again, "Turns out the kid wasn't much for wanting pussy. If you catch my drift. He was, for sure, a moaner. So damn loud, but such a turn on."

Blaine looked at him appalled, "You didn't." He laughed. "How does that always happen to you? You get all the luck, man. Every single time. If I had that lucky chance, I wouldn't be in trouble for half the shit I've been in. Let me tell you."

"Blaine, you got enough as it is," Jake praised. Blaine gave him a crooked smile shaking his head. "You were such a whore. If I could have got half the boys you did-"

"Jake, Jake, Jake. You don't know the story," Blaine interrupted. "Those aren't even real stories. I told you this before. They wish they could have-"

Jake patted Blaine's shoulder, "Oh, yeah they do." Jake gave him a wink and his expression froze on the boy with the perfect profile and styled hair sitting at the table behind Blaine. Jake slicked back his hair with his hand pushing Blaine away and sitting in the seat across from the boy.

"Hey, who's this good looker?" Jake gave Kurt his best smile. Kurt looked across the table glaring. "Blaine, you still getting the goods. This kids a nice piece of ass. Just look at...that...body; could play with that all day like a child on a jungle gym." Jake eyes racked over Kurt a few times before sending the boy a wink.

"Jake, back off," Blaine warned.

Kurt finally saw it. Jake was Blaine. What Blaine was when they first met and the continuation period after that. The cocky attitude. The...

"Blaineeee, you should share," Jake whined going to grab Kurt's hand. Kurt stood quickly backing away.

"Blaine, doesn't own me. He doesn't have me. I'm not anyone's share toy, you fucking prick." Kurt stormed to the door fuming, stopping and turning to look at Blaine. The whole restaurant watching intently. Kurt wasn't about to deal with another asshole.

"Blaine, I'm going home. And since you brought me to this festival it's only customary that I bring you home. That's the only reason I'm telling you this, Blaine. Since you don't have the balls to stop yourself or stop your friends from treating me like some whore," he turned away from Blaine looking at the door feeling tears burn in his eyes. "I'm leaving in five." Kurt left the restaurant feeling the cold air surround him once again.

The walk to the car was quick, he was almost sprinting the whole way, and lonely. He couldn't understand why he had been so affected by Jakes words and action. They weren't half as bad as Blaine introduction into his life. He hated Jake and he didn't even know him. Maybe because Blaine felt different to Kurt in the past couple hours. The way he acted, today, was different then the last couple interactions. And maybe Kurt liked it. But then there was Jake. Blaine's friend back from when Blaine messed around. He probably still messes around for all Kurt knows. Kurt didn't know what exactly happened before he came to live in Lima, but he got the gist of it when Jake opened his big mouth. And that wasn't something Kurt could or even want to be around. But Blaine...today...was...

Kurt unlocked the car door hopped in and slammed the door shut. Angry tears rushed to pour from his eyes. But he wasn't going to cry. He was tired of it. Tired of being hurt, tired of being confused, and tired of crying and just everything. He fell against the steering wheel holding on to it for dear life.

"Damn it, Rachel. Why did you leave me here? I wish it was me instead sometimes, Rach. I feel like you could handle this better than me. Maybe I'm just... I don't know..."

A knock on the passenger window made him jump. Quickly wiping his eyes he looked to find Blaine (and that stupid cat) wearing a grim expression. Kurt unlocked the passenger side door and started the car.

"Kurt, look-" Blaine started as he got in.

"Save it, Blaine. I don't want to hear it," Kurt muttered pulling out of the parking lot and starting the hour and a half drive home. "I'm done with your two-face for today." Blaine looked down at the cat in his lap, confused with himself as well.

Pulling in to the Berry's driveway, Kurt was astonished that Blaine had stayed quiet the whole way home. It was like the day of the funeral all over again. Except this time Kurt was thanking god for Blaine's lack of talking. He didn't need to hear him banter about his best friend Jake or beam over his list off guy he had been with. Or whatever other stupid thing Blaine could talk bout.

Kurt placed the car in park eyes remaining on the house in front of him hands gripping the wheel. He didn't dare look at Blaine. He heard Blaine sigh, the click of the seat belt, and the opening of the door.

"Don't forget your cat?" It was more of a question and Kurt cursed himself for it. Blaine froze for a second.

"No, it's yours. I won it for you." Before Kurt could respond, bout how he hated the cat and didn't want it, Blaine had already shut the car door and was halfway to his front door of the house.

Kurt's heart fluttered at Blaine's words. Thinking back over the whole day, he couldn't... There's no way... After everything Blaine had done. After everything he had said. Kurt gave a shuttered breath before pulling out of the Berry's driveway and speeding to the next place he'd feel comfortable with. He needed someone to talk to. Someone to hold him? Maybe make him feel okay?

Jumping out of the car He raced to the front door, ignoring the fact that it was eleven at night, pounding. It opened to a middle aged Latino woman.

"H-hi, Mrs. Lopez. Is Santana home? I re-really need to talk to h-her," Kurt was agitated from crying, once again. Santana's mom looked at the boy with a sad expression understanding that he needed Santana, and fast.

"Of course, ni�o. I'll go get her," Mrs. Lopez scurried off into the house, after letting Kurt in. Kurt took deep breaths trying to stay calm. It wasn't working to well.

"Who is it ma? Estoy ocupada!" Santana voice ran through the house before she appeared in front of Kurt in the main entrance of the home. "Kurt?" She looked at him confused noticing his crying eyes. "What's wrong?"

"I-I slept with Blaine."

Santana's eyes went wide at his words, "what?"

"In Connecticut, when we were stranded. I thought about what you said about- and I thought I was going to die. And I couldn't- I wanted- I asked him to sleep with me. And now-" Kurt was sobbing. "And now I think I'm in love with him or like him or- But I don't want to be. I don't want to be with him. I just can't..." He felt into Santana's arms and she held him tightly, comfortably. This was mostly her fault.