Chapter 21

Kurt glanced around Trixie's apartment. The walls were all a cream, Kurt guessed this must be because she knew she wouldn't be staying there long. However, the walls were all covered with poster and newspaper clippings. All were of Trixie's life. There was her birth notice from the paper the day she was born, there were a few clippings from what must have been a school paper about various achievements and a few from a college newsletter. There was also a huge Wicked poster which showed Trixie in full stage make-up and Kurt though back briefly to the photo shoot they'd done just before they started touring.

"Come sit down here. I'll go make us some coffee," Trixie gave Kurt a textbook show smile.

"Thanks," Kurt said as he sat down in the chair indicated. Truth be told Kurt was starting to feel a little uneasy; Trixie kept shooting him show smiles and seemed all too keen to get him into her flat. Kurt was quite tempted to just make his excuses and leave but he knew that that would be rude. He didn't want to upset her and chances were she was just being friendly.

Trixie came back a little later a tray; two mugs of coffee, a jug of milk and a sugar bowl. Kurt and Trixie both poured milk into their coffee but both left the sugar.

"I like sugar in coffee," Trixie mused, "but I need to start watching my weight." She gave Kurt another unnecessary smile.

"You don't need to worry about your weight, Trixie. You look fine," Kurt reassured her. He did only because he felt it was required of him, though.

"Thanks Kurt! You're so kind! You deserve happiness. I know we've not really been the best of friends before but since I started being nice to you I think we've really connected. Don't you think so?" Trixie asked with a sickly sweet smile.

"Er… yes," Kurt stumbled, "I guess so."

"I'm glad you think so too!" Trixie enthused, seemingly not noticing Kurt's reluctance. "So naturally I care for you, Kurt. You know I'm always here for you if you ever need to talk. You seemed a little upset I think we need to talk more, Kurt," Trixie placed a hand on Kurt's shoulder.

"I'm just not sure about going so soon back to America. I mean, I'm grateful because I am able to be in a Broadway musical. It's always been my dream, I guess I'm just going to miss Blaine is all," Kurt murmured.

"I think I can help you. I've had to move around a lot in my career I've been through quite a few heartbreaks. Though, I must admit, you and Blaine seem very close," Trixie noted, "How did you two meet?"

Kurt thought about is response for a few minutes before giving an answer. He didn't want to jeopardise anything by giving Trixie information she could use to bad effects. He decided to tell her just enough to answer the question, but he had to be careful with what he gave away. "We met in high school," Kurt told her.

"What year? Were you two in the same school then?" Trixie pushed.

"Same year, we're the same age. I met him when I went to spy on his glee club. It was stupid at the time; I was just angry at some of the boys in my school. They saw right through my disguise but Blaine didn't mind. We got talking and realised we had a lot in common. We stayed friends for a while and I joined his school, it was then that we got together. However, I missed my friends a lot and the problems at my old school were solved so I went back. A couple of months later Blaine joined me. We were together then for a year before we broke up. Then we met in Paris, Blaine works here and we found that there was still the same spark so we decided to try again," Kurt decided that this was as much as he was prepared to share with Trixie so he decided he may as well just tell her.

"What caused your break-up?" Trixie asked, placing her free hand over one of Kurt's.

"It was just stupid really. At the time it seemed important but now I look back on it I know it shouldn't have broken us up," Kurt said trying to put as much finality as possible into his voice so Trixie wouldn't continue her questions.

Unfortunately Trixie didn't get the message, "what was it, Kurt? You can trust me."

"I'd really rather not delve into this right now, Trixie. Can we talk about something else?" Kurt asked.

"Kurt, if you don't tell someone you might be holding a grudge without realising it. Now, if you tell me then we can talk it through as civilised adults. I would just hate it if something happened to your relationship, especially if I could have done something about it," Trixie tried to look Kurt in the eyes but couldn't quite manage it.

Kurt sighed, "I'm not holding a sub-conscious grudge, Trixie, far from it, I just feel that bringing it up might also dredge up bad feelings so I'd much rather leave it. Anyway I'd better get going. Thanks for coffee, Trixie. See you tonight."

With that Kurt left the table and marched out of Trixie's flat. Trixie knew she had lost her chance, he would trust her in the same way again because he'd figured it out, though he was too polite to say.

"Hey Blaine!" Jayden called running up to Blaine who was walking through the mall trying to find a nice scarf for Kurt as it was their date tonight and Blaine thought Kurt might appreciate the thought.

"Hey Jayden!" Blaine called back. They weren't exactly friends but Blaine didn't have the heart to point this out to Jayden.

"Have you heard the news?" Jayden asked.

"What is it? Is Kurt ok?" Blaine asked; he knew it was a stupid reaction and he should relate every last thing back to Kurt but he couldn't help it. Kurt was always on his mind.

"Yeah, as far as I know. Trixie told me as soon as she found out: Wicked are moving out to New York in two weeks. Their visit has been cut short. I'm not sure quite what the reason is but I think the preceding show is having difficulties for some reason. I'm surprised you hadn't heard yet. I though Kurt would have told you; Trixie told me as soon as she heard the news," Jayden repeated his previous statement for emphasis.

Blaine just brushed it off, However, "I'm sure he just wanted to tell me in person." Inside, though, Blaine was shocked. He didn't mind that Kurt hadn't told him yet as he knew Kurt would have told him on their date. He was bothered by the fact it was happening in the first place. He thought he had another six weeks to convince Kurt to stay with him. Instead Blaine only had a fortnight. Blaine wouldn't dare think about what would happen if Kurt left without him. Blaine knew in hi heart that he would have to follow Kurt, but if Kurt told him to stay in London he could hardly say no. That would be disrespecting Kurt's wishes. Blaine knew Kurt all too well; he knew Kurt wouldn't let him sacrifice his London life for him. It was all too soon.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Jayden asked carefully.

Blaine couldn't take it anymore. He'd just been hit with news that could change his life forever and now the man who had hurt him, more importantly, had hurt Kurt and tried to split them up was asking oh-so-calmly if he wanted to talk about it. He knew Jayden still didn't like Kurt why should he have to listen to Jayden pretending to care. "Listen Jayden, I know you don't like Kurt. You don't like me and Kurt as a couple. I get that you want to be friends and that and I can deal with it, but don't pretend to care, Jayden, because I know that if me and Kurt broke up you'd be celebrating. I don't need your help or sympathy. You may find it oh so easy to forget what happened but I don't, so just go home and let's pretend this conversation never happened. I'm sure you'd be very good at it as it seems to me pretending has always been your strong point," Blaine vented.

Jayden left Blaine alone without another word. Jayden knew that whoever it would be to find out the much needed information, it certainly wouldn't be him.

Marco entered the coffee house. He could already see Mercedes sitting at their usual table.

"Hey 'Cedes!" he called to her, he gave her a light peck on the lips and mentally cringed at the thought of girl-kissing.

"Hey babe!" Mercedes cooed back, she gave him a friendly yet slightly alluring smile.

Marco knew he could do it. They'd built enough of a relationship. It had only been a few weeks but he'd spent nearly every hour of every day with her. He knew she trusted him completely, he would just have to ask in the right way and she would tell him everything. He got this.

"I was thinking and I would love to meet your friend Kurt some time. I know we have a lot of stuff planned but in a fortnight time I know a great musical that's on nearby. If what you tell me about Kurt is true I'm sure he'd love it. I think you'd love it too, of course, and I love you so everyone's a winner. Would Kurt have anyone special he'd like to bring along?" Marco knew the question was perfect it was innocent sounding and it offers Mercedes something she wanted in return; for him to meet Kurt. Of course, in a fortnight's time both he and Kurt would be in America. It was perfect.

"Oh yes! Malcolm that sounds amazing! I love you too! I think Kurt would probably want to bring Blaine along. But if I asked him I'm sure he could leave Blaine for one evening!" Mercedes laughed.

"Ooh Gossip, do tell!" Marco continued his innocent and unaware act. As far as Mercedes knew he had no idea if Blaine even existed.

"Blaine is Kurt's boy toy! They literally spend all their free time together! Not that I can complain because I spend pretty much every free second with you!" Mercedes gave another easy grin.

"Oh that's only because I'm deeply in love with you and would die without your near constant presence. Now what can I get this gorgeous lady to drink?" Marco layered on the charm.

Mercedes giggled, signalling to Marco that his plan was working, "Oh, you know me, just the usual please, darling."

Marco went to get their order. He made sure to get Mercedes a cookie with a drink; he decided he couldn't be too much the perfect boyfriend at this crucial time. He arrived back to her and layed the tray down with a flourish, "Your order, madam."

Mercedes giggled once more, "Oh Malcolm, you shouldn't have! I love these cookies but they'll make me huge!"

"Mercedes, I don't think a single cookie would ever make you huge. Your perfect as you are and even if you were huge I'd love you anyway because you still be my amazing girlfriend and I think it would hardly mare you beauty in the slightest," ok Marco realised he was probably over-doing it by now but Mercedes seemed to be enjoying herself immensely so he couldn't have done anything wrong.

"Anyway," Marco continued, "I do believe I was promised gossip. Give up the goss!" Marco winked at her as he said it.

"Well basically Blaine is Kurt's boyfriend; the met in high school but broke up. Anyway Kurt met Blaine again in Paris when he was touring so they're sort of back together but I think Kurt just wanted it to be short-term thing. However," Mercedes raised an eyebrow at this point, "now I think they just might stay together. Blaine is very good to Kurt. I'm just about getting to forgive him for what he did before."

"What did he do before?" Marco asked.

He didn't really need to push Mercedes for the answer. She trusted him so it was his' for the taking, "well some jocks tried to split them up. I think it was Karofsky in the end, well, really he liked Kurt. So he told the other jocks that it wasn't right to have a gay couple in the school with nobody doing anything to stop it. So he got them to photo him lip-raping Kurt. Kurt pushed him away of course but they sent the photo to Blaine. Blaine thought Kurt was cheating and had a massive go at him for it. Kurt was so upset! By the time Blaine had realised his mistake Kurt was too pissed at him to take him back. It was pretty horrible if you were caught in the middle. Kurt hasn't really been right since but now he and Blaine have sorted themselves out I think things are better for him. I had a lot of reservations about it to begin with but Blaine has proven me wrong. I was happy to be proven wrong. I hope they'll stay together now," Mercedes smiled slightly her head filled with images of herself walking behind Kurt in a bridesmaid's dress; Kurt in a designer tux.

Marco felt slightly shocked. He was also pretty angry. How dare Blaine treat Kurt like that! Blaine didn't deserve someone as amazing as Kurt! Marco did! He would always look after Kurt and keep him safe; he would never hurt Kurt, if only they could be together! Marco suddenly realised that Mercedes was waiting for him to say something.

"Wow! I never really expected such a story!" Marco was genuinely chocked so he hoped Mercedes would buy it.

She did, "Yeah, I think I'd have pretty much the same reaction if I were in your position! Don't worry about it! Want to split this cookie with me?" Mercedes asked, changing the subject.

Marco went through the rest of the date in a trance he answered when asked a question and he behaved appropriately but he wasn't really there. Most of Marco was in a high school with Kurt and Blaine. He was thinking over what Mercedes had said. He found himself feeling very guilty for what he did to Kurt. It wasn't Kurt's fault. He'd had his confidence shattered by a difficult relationship.

Marco gave Mercedes a quick peck on the lips. Instead of heading home he dashed off the theatre. There was something he needed to get off his chest.

He let himself go as soon as he got there.

Controlling my feelings for too long
Controlling my feelings for too long
Controlling my feelings for too long
Controlling my feelings for too long
Forcing our darkest souls to unfold
And forcing our darkest souls to unfold
Pushing us into self-destruction
Pushing us into self-destruction

Marco allowed his voice to crescendo letting all his emotions go with the music.

And they make me
Make me dream your dreams
And they make me
Make me scream your screams

He still felt it every time Kurt was hurting. It hurt Marco, yet it seemed almost worse because every time it happened it was a grim reminder for him that he loved Kurt and yet would almost certainly never have him.

Trying to please you for too long
Trying to please you for too long
Vision of greed you wallow
Rhythms of greed you wallow
Vision of greed you wallow
Rhythms of greed you wallow

It was time for Marco to have things go his way for once he would split up Kurt and Blaine. Kurt would come to him. Even if it took until he was old and grey. One day Kurt would be his.

And they make me
Make me dream your dreams
And they make me
Make me scream your screams

Controlling my feelings for too long
Controlling my feelings for too long
And forcing our darkest souls to unfold
And forcing our darkest souls to unfold
And pushing us into self-destruction
And pushing us into self-destruction

Marco could see all the bad things he was doing and they were all Kurt's fault. It was all Kurt's fault. Kurt needed to feel his pain yet he knew it was wrong. Marco felt so conflicted. It wasn't his fault, though. I was Kurt's fault. They had to do this.

And they make me
Make me dream your dreams
And they make me
Make me scream your screams

Marco didn't realised he wasn't alone. Someone watched his performance from the back of the theatre. The person didn't applaud at the end but he did make a few realisations. Jayden knew that Marco must have discovered something. Together they could do this.