Chapter Five

To say that breakfast was a little awkward was an understatement. Kurt had intentionally taken his time showering and completed his most in depth moisturizing routine in hope that his father would have already left for the tire shop by the time he snuck into the kitchen for his morning cup of coffee.

No such luck.

“So, who’s this Blaine you were mumbling about?”

Wow, that was subtle dad.

“Who?” Kurt asked, feigning ignorance.

“I was sorta hoping you could tell me.” Burt said, taking a slurp of his coffee. “You were moaning his name Kurt.”

Kurt dropped the banana he’d just peeled. “Jesus Dad!” He squeaked. “I was not!”

Burt laughed, “Ahhh… so you do know who he is!”

Kurt looked at the floor, not saying a word. He was thankful that his father had no idea of what had really gone on in Kurt’s subconscious as he’d slept. 

Kurt blushed a bit as he recalled the details from his dream. Where did that come from?

Not that he was complaining.  He’d had dreams about Finn before, but never of that magnitude. Kurt was mildly embarrassed at the extent of the details of the dream.  He had never been with a boy before; never even kissed one, so for his imagination to come up with a plot of that intensity… wow.

Kurt was also thankful that his father had left his room immediately after rousing him from his slumber that morning.  Things would have been unbearably mortifying if he’d stuck around and noticed that Kurt had really enjoyed the dream. As it turned out, there were multiple reasons why he’d taken so long in the shower.

“Kurt?” He barely heard his father speak. He was still wrapped up in the memory of Finn’s soft skin. How had his brain come up with such extraordinary detail? It was almost as though he could still smell the quarterback’s aftershave.

“Kurt?” His father said again. “Are you still with me buddy?”

“Hmmm?” Kurt replied in a daze, looking up at his father with blown pupils and a drunken grin.

“Who’s Blaine?”

Oh

“He’s an asshole.” Kurt scoffed, narrowing his eyes. His mind suddenly concluding that the curly haired boy had unknowingly and indirectly interrupted his ‘Finn time’ for what was now the third time.

Burt never spoke, but he looked at his son directly with words of confusion written on his face.

Kurt sighed. “He’s one of the football players at school.”

“Is he giving you a hard time?”

Quite the opposite actually.

“Uhhh… kinda.” Kurt supplied casually, picking at the banana peel he’d left on the counter.

“Is he a bully?”

Kurt looked up. Blaine really hadn’t done anything hurtful or malicious to him.  He’d never personally tossed him into a dumpster or body slammed him into the lockers. So he probably couldn’t classify him as a bully per say. Although Blaine had never done anything to prevent the dumpster dives or body slams either. Plus - it wasn’t like Kurt could tell his father ‘no, but he keeps interrupting me from getting my sex on with Finn Hudson.’

“He’s just rude.”

Burt scoffed, “Rude enough to be making you have nightmares about him Kurt?”

That was anything but a nightmare.

“I’m fine dad. Really.”

“Is he homophobic Kurt? Is he saying hurtful things to you? So help me god, if he is, I’m gonna go down to that school and I’m gonna…”

Kurt interrupted him before he could continue. “No dad. He’s not that bad.”

Burt narrowed his eyes, “But there is someone who is that bad?”

Damn it.

Kurt had been able to avoid this conversation up to this point. He didn’t want his father knowing about the shit he had to deal with every day at school. Kurt could take care of himself. He had to.

“No dad.” Kurt huffed, picking up the textbooks from the table and stuffing them into his messenger bag. “I’m fine. Everything is good so stop worrying.”

Kurt tossed his banana peel into the trash bin, rinsed his coffee cup in the sink and picked up his bag. He’d started towards the door when his father spoke again. “Tonight is that parent-teacher thing right?”

Kurt nodded. “Yes. You are to meet with Mr. Schuester at seven.”

“Ok, are you going to come with me?”

“Sure.  What do you want for dinner tonight? I’ll have it ready and we can go right after we finish.”

“If I suggest that you can choose the meal, is it going to be some tofu health nut crap?” Burt said with a sickened look on his face. He shuddered as he recalled the horrid taste of the green goop that Kurt had insisted he eat the day before.

Kurt chuckled, “I’ll see what I can come up with dad.”

Kurt didn’t know when the idea came to him, in fact, he was slightly disturbed that he hadn’t thought of it sooner, but it was instantly his best plot yet.  His dad was a widow. Finn’s mom was a widow. Perhaps they could provide each other with some long awaited comfort? Their parents  would never actually ‘get together’ per say (‘cuz that would just be gross) but it would be a phenomenal opportunity to spend time with Finn.

As he and his father walked into the McKinley High School and down the hallway towards the choir room where Mr. Schuester was holding his parent teacher meetings, Kurt couldn’t help but pat himself on the back.

He spied Finn and his mother coming from the other direction and noticed that they too were headed towards the classroom. Kurt’s smug smile turned into a full grin as he watched his love interest chat animatedly with his mother. Kurt sped up their pace slightly and timed his entrance perfectly, knowing that his father would undoubtedly yield to let a lady walk into the classroom first.

“Here, let me get that for you.” Burt predictably said, reaching for the door just as Carole Hudson was about to do the same.

“Oh, well thank you… uh…”

“Burt!” Kurt spoke up, subtly nudging his father towards Carole. “Burt Hummel. I’m Kurt. I’m in Glee club with Finn.”

Carole reached out her hand towards Burt, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Burt.”

Burt grinned and accepted her hand, grasping it gently in his own and offering her a friendly handshake. “Nice to meet you as well.”

Finn, up to this point, had been standing awkwardly beside his mom.  Kurt moved over beside him and looked up at the taller boy with a smile as he watched their parents continue what seemed like a very friendly conversation. “Looks like they’re hitting it off hey Finn?”

“Uhhhh yeah, I guess so.” The quarterback answered with a shrug.

“So Finn,” Kurt asked shyly, “When is your next football game?”

“We have a game tomorrow night.”

“Ohhh, exciting! I hope you win!” Kurt said with mock enthusiasm. He really couldn’t care less about the game. All he was thinking about was Finn Hudson wearing tight football pants.

“Yeah, we are playing against the Raiders and we beat them last time so it should be a good game.”

“I’m kind of clueless when it comes to football. You should fill me in on some of the rules sometime.” Kurt literally batted his eyes at the awkwardly naive teenager.

Kurt was absolutely not clueless. He’d heard his father screaming at the TV many times about touchdowns, illegal blocks, incomplete passes and field goals. He had even managed to sit through a game or two with his dad. Good male bonding experience apparently. Unbeknownst to his father, Kurt had secretly been playing a fashion designer game on his iPhone the entire game.

Kurt was just about to shuffle even closer to the taller teen when suddenly a hand rested on his shoulder and he felt someone come up behind him.

“Hey guys!”

Blaine Anderson had done it once again.

Kurt could feel his face getting hot.  How does this midgety hobbit manage to literally sneak his way into every one of my conversations with Finn. Is he planning this?

Kurt had to refrain himself from throwing a full blown tantrum. He pictured himself lying on the floor screaming and kicking his legs up and down. Probably not the most attractive pick up maneuver.

“Oh hey Blaine!” Finn almost sounded relieved. “What are you doing here?”

“I thought I might find you two here.” The curly haired boy said with a mischievous grin, “Just thought I’d pop over and say hi!”

“Are your parents here too?” Finn asked.

Kurt didn’t miss the miniscule instant that Blaine’s features darkened. His golden eyes turned almost black and his eyes narrowed, if only for a moment.

As fast as the look had appeared, it was gone from the boy’s handsome face. Kurt couldn’t even be certain if he’d actually even seen it.

“Nah,” Blaine said with a sigh, “They’re both working right now so I’m just here to talk with Coach Beiste.”

Finn nodded and looked away. He noticed that his mom was still busy chatting away with Burt Hummel. She now had her hand on his left arm and looked like she was really enjoying the story he appeared to be telling. Finn noticed Quinn walk in with her parents and walked over to say hi.

Kurt’s stare remained on the smaller boy.  What was that look?

Blaine noticed Kurt’s stare and looked over at him, quickly regaining his composure and pasting a smile on his chiseled, olive-toned face.

“Kurt.” He said with a nod. “How are you doing tonight?”

Kurt recalled that he was suppose to be hating this jock and considered just glaring and storming off in a Rachel Berryesque huff, but something inside him told him that Blaine really was trying to be polite.

“I’m fine thank you.” He said shortly. “How are you Blaine?”

Blaine’s facial expressions immediately brightened and Kurt noticed a sparkle appear in his eyes.

“Great! I’m great!”

Kurt was bewildered at the sudden change in the boy’s appearance. He’d gone from looking like he was going to commit murder only seconds ago to appearing ready to run over and give him a hug.

“Look Blaine,” Kurt started slowly. “I know that I probably said some things yesterday that I really shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”

Blaine looked shocked. “Kurt. Don’t apologize. After all the shit that the guys on the team pulled with you, I’m surprised you didn’t punch me out.”

Kurt scoffed. “I’m not really into violence.”

“Right… Sorry.” Blaine looked slightly embarrassed. Kurt noticed a gentle pink glow flood up his neck and into his cheeks.

Kurt looked down at the floor and the two boys shared a moment of awkwardness.  Neither of them knowing where to take the conversation from that point.

“You like Finn right?” Blaine suddenly blurted out.

Kurt’s head snapped up, his eyes wide.  Did he hear that right?

“Wh-what?”

Blaine chuckled and looked around the room, as though checking to see if anyone may be in the vicinity to overhear what he said next. He moved closer to Kurt and looked him right in the eyes. “It’s ok if you do, you know. I’m not going to say anything.”

Kurt’s jaw dropped and it took him several moments before his brain could form words.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He squeaked. Was his voice always this high?

Blaine giggled and put his hand on Kurt’s arm, not unlike the grasp Carole Hudson had on Burt’s arm just moments before.

“It’s okay Kurt.” Blaine said with sincerity. “I’m not like the other guys. I’m not going to judge you or make fun of you or hurt you or anything.”

Kurt collected himself enough to bring his voice back down to a manageable pitch. He shook his head and pulled his arm away from Blaine’s grasp. “Blaine. You’re off your rocker. I don’t like Finn. He’s - well… Finn.  He’s got a girlfriend. And he’s not even gay.”

Another giggle escaped Blaine’s lips. He raised his triangular eyebrows and gave Kurt an indignant look. “Kurt. I’ve seen the way you look at him. I’ve watched how you are around him. No offence, but… it’s kind of obvious.”

“It is not!”Kurt exclaimed. “I have never… Wait. What do you mean, you’ve watched me?”

The red flush returned to Blaine’s cheeks. He stammered, “I j-just mean that I’ve seen how you act around him. You get kinda giggly.”

Kurt narrowed his eyes. “Are you fucking with me right now? Is this some evil plot of Karovsky’s and you’re going to lead me out back and get me alone and beat the hell outta me or something?”

Blaine laughed. “No Kurt. I’m serious. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you the past couple of days. I’m not like them. I’d never hurt you.”  He returned his hand to Kurt’s arm and gave him a gentle squeeze.

Well this was an unexpected development. Blaine Anderson may actually give a shit.

“Am I really being that obvious?”

Blaine smirked. “I guess it wasn’t that bad. At least you didn’t try to kiss him or something.”

Kurt stiffened as he recalled his vivid dream from that morning.

“Come on Kurt. Let’s go for a walk.”

“Wait, what?” Kurt snapped back into reality. “You’d actually be comfortable being seen with me? You realize that is social suicide right?”

Blaine smiled and his eyes sparkled again. “Screw them Kurt. They’re ignorant pricks. Of course I want to spend time with you. How else would I help you devise a plan to turn Finn gay?”