May 10, 2015, 7 p.m.
The Road to Realization: The Conversation
M - Words: 2,472 - Last Updated: May 10, 2015 Story: Complete - Chapters: 6/? - Created: Apr 02, 2015 - Updated: Apr 02, 2015 189 0 0 0 0
So this is the end of the journey. I hope you all enjoyed the ride.
Wes kept ahold of Kurts hand, afraid hed run if he let go, and literally pulled him through the door of Blaines room moments later. Blaine and David both looked up and their talking ceased immediately. Wes led Kurt to an empty chair and pushed him to sit.
The silence was awkward with all four boys looking back and forth at one another, until Wes finally broke the tension. "Come on David. Lets go get coffee and let these boys talk." And with that, they were gone, leaving Kurt and Blaine alone.
Kurt hadnt moved since Wes shoved him into the chair but he began to pick at his nails out of nervousness, afraid to speak. He wanted so much to lift his head and look at Blaine, but he couldnt bring himself to do it. It pained him to know that the boy he loved was lying in the hospital bed because of him.
The only sound in the room was Blaines heart monitor, which had sped up a little when Wes and Kurt returned to the room, but had since calmed down. Blaine didnt want to give the nurse a reason to come back. He knew he and Kurt needed to talk, but right now, he was just happy to lay back and look at Kurt. He was sure after their confrontation yesterday that Kurt wouldnt come to see him. But Wes reassured Blaine that not only did Kurt want to see him, but that hed been there last night and was worried.
As much as Blaine wanted to believe that, he couldnt. Not after what Kurt had said yesterday. He knew now, beyond the shadow of a doubt that Kurt didnt like him like that anymore and it was his own fault. Hed been too afraid and stupid to see what he had and now hed lost it forever. But Blaine really hoped that since Kurt was actually here that they could at least be friends again. He just wanted Kurt in his life. He needed Kurt in his life.
Blaine didnt know what to say, but he knew he needed to apologize. Instead what came out was "Youre here."
The surprise and anguish Kurt heard in Blaines voice at that moment twisted something within him and made him look up at his best friend. The moment their eyes met both boys took a deep breath, as if it was the first real breath either had taken in days.
Kurt sat still, just taking Blaine in. It took everything in him to remain seated, when all he wanted to do was go to him and touch him, make sure he was really ok. He allowed himself to really look at Blaine then, seeing his bruised and swollen eye, a cut on his cheek, and a small one on his lip. Even though hed been sedated through the night, the residual effects from his lack of sleep previously were still evident on his face, and he was pale from the surgery.
Kurt was at a loss. He knew he needed to speak, but how did you apologize to your best friend when you were the reason he almost died? And what could he possible say after yesterday? He was surprised Blaine even wanted him in the same room. But, hed written the note yesterday after their falling out, and Blaine said he loved him, so maybe there was hope.
Kurt realized he still hadnt spoken when he saw Blaines eyes well up, his gaze questioning. "I am." Kurt whispered, afraid to break the silence. "I-I wasnt sure if you wanted to see me though, after..." He stopped, looking away, unable to see Blaines face when he tells him to leave.
"Of course I want you here, but Im surprised you want to be here." Blaine said.
Kurt looked up again and saw tears running down Blaines face and he broke, moving forward toward the bed and reached out, taking Blaines hand in his.
"God Blaine, I am so s-sorry." He said, trying but failing to hold back a sob. "I was such an asshole. All those terrible things I said to you, and I believed everything Jeremy said, and I should have talked to you and you almost died and it was all my fault and..." He was speaking fast and crying so hard, Blaine was having a hard time understanding.
"Kurt stop." Blaine said forcefully, squeezing his hand to get his attention. Kurt stopped talking but continued to sob almost uncontrollably, until Blaine pulled his hand, making him sit on the bed. Blaine brought his other hand up to Kurts face and cupped his cheek in an effort to calm him down. "Hey, its ok." He said quietly.
As soon as Blaines hand touched Kurts face he felt calmer and his breathing evened out. "Sorry." He apologized for his breakdown. "Really, Im sorry about everything." Kurt pulled his hand from Blaines grasp and took his hand off his cheek, laying it on the bed before standing up and putting some distance between himself and Blaine. He had to in order to say what needed to be said.
"Kurt.."
"No, Blaine, please let me talk, ok?" Blaine nodded and Kurt continued. "All of this" He motioned with his hand, "it is my fault. I was so stupid." He turned toward the window, not wanting to look at Blaine when he said what he wanted to say next. "All I wanted was to get over you." Blaine gasped, and Kurt froze, his back still to Blaine. He could tell Blaine wanted to say something, but was waiting.
"I only started dating Jeremy to get over my feelings for you. I thought if I could find somebody who cared about me, that I could stop caring about you. Turns out, I was wrong." He turned slightly, glancing over his shoulder at Blaine. What he saw made his heart break all over again. Blaine had tears running down his face and he was covering his mouth with his hand, as if to stop himself from interrupting.
"I didnt care about Jeremy. I was using him to get over you, but the more time I spent with him, the more I missed you." His shoulders slumped and he sighed, still not allowing himself to look fully at Blaine. "Wes said I was pulling away from you, and I guess I was. I didnt do it consciously, but looking back, I see thats exactly what was happening. I was so stupid. I pulled away from the person I care about the most and all he was doing was trying to protect me." He paused and drew in a shaky breath, not realizing hed started crying as well.
"Kurt," Blaine tried again, and Kurt turned then to glare at him, effectively stopping him from continuing.
"Mr Reins showed me the video." At Blaines confused look, Kurt elaborated. "His office has cameras and he showed me the video of your talk with him yesterday." Realization crossed Blaines face then, and he looked like he wanted to speak, but Kurt shook his head. "Im sorry." He said, the pain in his voice evident. "Im not sure why you even wanted to see me after all the horrible things I said to you yesterday, but I want you to know, I need you to know that I didnt mean anything I said. I was angry and confused and stupid and you almost died because of me."
He lost his control then and started fully crying then, thinking about how close hed come to losing Blaine. "Im sorry." He cried. "All I could think of was that you might die and youd never know how sorry I was a-and how much I loved you."
Everything seemed to stop then. Kurt gasped and covered his mouth, surprised at what hed just admitted. He looked at Blaine then, who looked just as surprised, but he could also see a glint of happiness in his eyes.
"Y-you love me? Still?" Blaine asked, almost afraid to know the answer.
"I never stopped." Kurt said quietly.
Blaine lifted his hand and motioned Kurt over. He moved toward the bed slowly, before sitting down and taking Blaines outstretched hand in his once again.
"Oh Kurt, I cant tell you how happy I am to hear that." Blaine breathed a sigh of relief both at the fact that Kurt still loved him and that Kurt had come back and was holding his hand again. "I have to apologize too, though."
Kurt shook his head. "No, you have nothing to apologize for."
"Yes I do." Blaine countered. "I was stupid too, and I hurt you. I think I have always had feelings for you, but as I told you, I had never been in a relationship and was obviously not in touch with my feelings, even after you told me yours, I was still in the dark. It took me seeing you happy with someone else to realize how much I cared, and by then it was too late."
"But it wasnt." Kurt said. "If youd just said something..."
"I couldnt. I was not about to get in the way of your happiness."
"But I wasnt happy. Not really. I didnt want him, I wanted you." Kurt said adamantly.
"I-I realize that now, but at the time, it seemed like Id waited too long and lost you. Then yesterday..." Fresh tears began to slide down Blaines face when he recalled their conversation again.
"Im so sorry, Blaine." Kurt said again, allowing more tears to come to him too.
"When I thought Id lost you as a friend too...God Kurt, I dont think Ive ever felt pain like that." His grip on Kurts hand increased, afraid Kurt would pull back again.
"I found your letter." Blaine looked at him confused, before understanding crossed his face. "Is it true? Do you really love me?"
Blaine smiled then, for the first time since Kurt came into the room. "Yes, its true."
Kurt smiled a tentative smile back and whispered. "Say it."
"I love you." He paused. "I love you. I love you. I am so in love with you. God, it feels good to finally say it out loud. And to you. I love..." His last declaration was cut off by Kurts lips on his own. He flinched a little because of the cut on his lip, but when Kurt tried to pull back, he grabbed the back of his neck and held him in place, not ready to give up the feel of Kurts lips on his.
When they did finally pull back, both boys were grinning. "I love you too." Kurt said, and leaned back in for another kiss. Pulling back, Kurt lifted Blaines hand and kissed his knuckles and whispered, "Thank you." Blaine lifted his eyebrows in question. "For defending me. If you hadnt...who knows what would have happened, and I...just thank you."
"Kurt, Ill always he there for you. I love you." He said smiling.
"Wow, I dont think Ill ever get tired of hearing that." Kurt said, smiling back.
"Good, because I plan to tell you all the time."
"You better, because I plan to tell you too, everyday."
"Tell him what?" Came a voice from the doorway. Both boys turned to see David and Wes standing there, looking pleased to see the two of them holding hands and smiling.
"That I love him." Kurt answered, unashamed.
"Hey, I was going to say that." Blaine whined.
"Sorry baby, you are always going to be one step behind me." Kurt teased.
"Im sure he doesnt mind that," David said. "It just means he can enjoy the view."
"And what a beautiful view it is." Blaine agreed, loving the blush that crept up Kurts face at his comment.
"Alright, alright." Wes said, changing the subject. "Im assuming you two worked everything out then?" He asked, watching both boys look at each other and smile. "Good, because Blaine is going to need someone to stay with him while hes recovering and I already cleared it with the Dean, so Im hoping youll be that person Kurt."
Kurt looked at Blaine and asked with his eyes and Blaine nodded. "Of course Wes, Ill be happy to take care of Blaine while hes recovering." He said, adding quietly, "I wouldnt want to be anywhere else."
Wes smiled. "Great! David and I can help you move some of your stuff over tonight. You still have to attend classes, but the Dean said you can do your work from your room for the first couple of days, as long as you turn it in by the end of the day. And Blaine, if you are up to it, you can do some of the work with Kurt so you dont get too far behind."
Blaine looked at Wes then and smiled. "Thanks man." He said.
"No problem."
"Seriously. You didnt have to step up like you did. Becoming my legal guardian, helping out with my care once Im out of here, and most importantly, helping bring Kurt and I together. I owe you, big time."
"You dont owe me anything. Im happy to help, and Im so glad you two morons finally got your heads out of your asses." The other three boys in the room went silent, surprised at Wess words. "Oh come on, its not like we all werent thinking it." He said and David laughed and nodded his head. "Come on David, lets leave these two lovebirds alone. Well be back around dinner. Why dont you both try to get some sleep. You look like shit."
Kurt and Blaine were still laughing when David and Wes left and the nurse returned to give Blaine his pain medicine. With Kurt there, Blaine had hardly noticed his pain, but once the nurse injected the medicine into his IV, Blaine felt his body relax and he looked at his...wait, what was he? Were they boyfriends?
"Are we boyfriends?" He asked, the pain medicine loosening more than his body.
Kurt smiled. "I hope so." He said cheekily. "I dont go around kissing just anyone."
"Youd better not." He smiled. "Hey, are you wearing my sweatshirt?" He asked suddenly and Kurt stilled.
"Yeah, is that ok? I went into your room last night to be closer to you and it smelled like you, so..."
Blaine smiled the biggest smile Kurt had ever seen and he replied. "Its more than ok. I like to see my boyfriend in my clothes. Mmmm..." His voice was slurring a little by this time and he slowly scooted over in the bed pulling Kurt forward. "Now you can be close to me for real."
Kurt hesitated for a moment, not wanting to hurt Blaine, but Blaine was insistent and kept pulling him down, so he gave in and lay down on his side, resting his head on Blaines chest, just over his heart, and carefully slid his arm over his chest, well above his stomach where hed had surgery.
Blaine sighed happily and kissed Kurts head, whispering "I love you."
"I love you too." Kurt answered back, allowing Blaines heartbeat to lull him to sleep.