Slow Fade

Chapter 13

Blaine was having the most amazing dream. He was snuggled up next to the incredibly handsome and exceptionally famous Kurt Hummel in bed. It was a fantasy because this was something Blaine knew really couldn’t be true. And since this was a really amazing vivid dream, he couldn’t resist trying to manipulate it into a direction he would rather take it. Kurt was stunning, his hair tousled, his eyes sleepy but gorgeous, and he seemed so incredibly real that Blaine leaned forward to press his lips to Kurt’s.

Kissing Kurt was nothing short of heaven. His lips were soft and pliant and Blaine simply melted at the touch. Kurt looked at him in complete utter shock for a second and then he reciprocated the kiss. The kiss grew heated, Blaine’s tongue suddenly found his way into Kurt’s mouth. And that is when it struck him at last, he was really making out with Kurt Hummel. The realization hit him so hard that Blaine pulled away gasping, staring at the other man in shock.

Kurt and Blaine shared a tense look that made Blaine feel like he was started to blush. And then just as quickly Kurt was gone. He fled from the bed and ran to the adjoining bathroom, the door slamming behind him. Blaine sat there in shock, trying to control his breathing, what just happened? Blaine couldn’t deny that he was starting to have feelings for Kurt, feelings that were definitely not just platonic.

With every passing day that Blaine spent in Kurt’s company, there was a growing undeniable attraction. At this point Blaine was sure that his feelings were more than his initial star struck awe. He had come to know the real Kurt Hummel, the one the cameras never showed, and Blaine found that man incredible. In all his years on earth Blaine had never met a man who had the same balance of compassion blending with a great sense of humor and a sarcastic bite. Blaine had been trying to deny the feelings he felt for Kurt for weeks now, and now with one foolish mistake he had completely ruined it all.

Except Blaine couldn’t really find it in himself to regret the brief kiss he shared with Kurt. Unfortunately it seemed that Kurt didn’t have the same opinion. It would have been better had the kiss really been just a part of his overactive imagination, but really kissing Kurt was a dream come true. Blaine was concerned how this would have long lasting consequences but the sting of Kurt’s rejection was enough to deal with for now.

Blaine got out of bed, stepped over the carcass of the failed cot and dug some clothes out of his beg. Once he was dressed, he made his way downstairs. When he reached the kitchen, Burt was already there sipping a mug of coffee as he read the paper. He glanced up as Blaine entered the room.

“Morning, Blaine.”

“Good morning,” Blaine said, trying to sound casual.

“Kurt still asleep?” Burt asked curiously.

“No,” Blaine started, feeling nervous suddenly. “He’s in the bathroom.”

Burt chuckled, “No doubt he is doing his skin care regimen or something.”

“Right,” Blaine said, helping himself to coffee before sitting down.

“I’ve been meaning to talk with you Blaine,” Burt started, and suddenly Blaine felt his nerves on edge. Even though he wasn’t really dating Kurt, Burt was going to pull out the ‘overprotective’ father card once more.

“What is really going on with you and Kurt?”

“What do you mean?” Blaine asked, keeping his expression neutral the way he always did as a doctor during the times when he suspected something wrong and didn’t want to upset his patients.

Burt looked at him searchingly, and Blaine could tell at once that he wasn’t fooling the man at all. “Listen, I know my son and he has never been subtle when he likes someone. Kurt can’t stop staring at you, and then you are always looking at him. It is a wonder you haven’t crossed wavelengths yet. So be straight with me, I don’t want to see him hurt.”

“I-,” Blaine paused, not sure how to proceed. Burt waited patiently, giving him time to process his thoughts. After a long moment, he finally decided to start from the beginning. “I’ve always been a fan of Kurt’s work and I have admired him from afar for a long time. When I starting working as Kurt’s doctor I was thrilled, but I had to be professional, be a doctor. Now that this whole pretend boyfriend thing started, I was at a loss how to approach Kurt, but he was very clear that he wanted to be friends and not acquaintances. And with each day I just feel—drawn to Kurt, and yes for me it is starting to feel beyond the realm of friendship.”

Burt nodded, “Thank you for being honest with me. Kurt worries too much and has a habit of keeping things in sometimes, and he would have tried to change the subject if I had said anything to him about it. And now I have to give you the obligatory Dad warning to treat my son with respect and don’t hurt him or else.”

Blaine smiled, “Point taken sir.”

“Another thing,” Burt said. “I also wanted to thank you for looking out for Kurt out there. I know Finn does the best he can, but frankly these strange medical problems Kurt is having, worry me. I know you are just doing your job, but I really am grateful for how you are looking out for my boy.”

“It is a pleasure,” Blaine breathed, smiling.

“I would also appreciate a phone call every now and then. I know Kurt is an adult, but I will worry if I don’t know what is going on with his health,” Burt replied.

“I will be sure to call you, sir,” Blaine said.

“And don’t ever,” Burt warned. “Call me sir again. I’m Burt to you.”

“Of course, Burt.”

It was the start of a beautiful friendship.

//////////

Awkward was how the rest of the day played out. When Kurt finally arrived at the breakfast table he acted as though nothing had happened that morning. He spoke casually to his family and even to Blaine, but the doctor realized quickly that Kurt was avoiding all eye contact with him. There was an underlying tension that seemed to cling to the two of them and Blaine wondered vaguely when it would end. Something was going to happen, but for now it was a waiting game.

Blaine and Kurt didn’t speak to each other during the whole drive back to the airport in Toledo, nor during the first hour of their flight back to California. The entire cabin of the plane was silent and Blaine was looking out the window to the clouds below, when Kurt finally broke the silence.

“What happened today Blaine?”

Blaine turned and looked across the aisle to where Kurt was watching him carefully. He didn’t look as though he was angry or even accusatory; instead Kurt looked fearful and completely miserable.

“I don’t know if there is an adequate excuse I can give to you,” Blaine said at last.

“Then don’t make excuses,” Kurt said simply.

“I’m not trying to,” Blaine replied. “But I also don’t want to do anything that will ruin our friendship.”

Kurt frowned and stared at Blaine hard, “Do you have feelings for me?”

Blaine sucked in a breath hard since it somehow felt like the oxygen in the cabin was suddenly missing. For a long moment he wanted to deny Kurt’s implication, to try to back to the easy friendship they had before. But after that morning was there really any going back? The kiss was like a scarlet letter on his mind that would sear away on Blaine’s soul regardless of his words. Besides that fact, Kurt had kissed him back which gave Blaine hope that he prayed wasn’t false.

Blaine’s eyes met Kurt’s and he finally spoke, “Yes, I think I always have.”

Kurt looked at him shock and what Blaine fear was disgust before he reacted in the most confusing way possible. He smiled in a way that lit up his entire face.

“Me too,” Kurt said. “That kiss was the wakeup call I needed, both figuratively and literally. I can’t stop thinking about you, and being your friend doesn’t feel like enough anymore.”

Hope that Blaine had never dared to believe was possible stirred in him. The famous, fabulous, and incredibly talented Kurt Hummel was confessing his feelings for him. The old Blaine would have been star struck and fallen down at Kurt’s feet in adoration. But now Blaine didn’t see a celebrity in front of his eyes, he was simply Kurt. Kurt who was terrified of needles, loved his family, and was insecure of admitting his feelings. And it was the man not the star that Blaine could feel that he was starting to fall for.

“Say something, Blaine,” Kurt said desperately, unshed tears in his eyes.

Blaine unbuckled his seatbelt with shaking hands, stood and moved to sit down next to Kurt. Blaine felt Kurt’s nervous gaze on him and Blaine encouraged him with a gentle smile.

“No Kurt,” Blaine replied. “Being friends isn’t enough anymore.”

Kurt’s eyes lit up in surprise and amazement and suddenly Blaine couldn’t stand it anymore. He leaned forward and caught Kurt’s lips with his own in the most amazing and gentle kiss. All too soon though, Kurt pulled away and looked at him.

“So what does this make us Blaine?” he asked.

“Well the world already thinks of us as boyfriends, why should we dispute that?” Blaine replied.

“You mean—” Kurt started.

“Kurt Hummel, will you be my boyfriend for real?” Blaine asked.

“Do you even have to ask?” Kurt asked, grinning widely. “Of course I want to be your boyfriend, I’m sick of pretending.”

“Me too,” Blaine replied.

And during the remainder of their flight, Blaine and Kurt continually reaffirmed how they felt for each other. And when the paparazzi took pictures of the ‘star-crossed lovers’ walking through LAX that night, they had no idea how right that expression truly was.