April 3, 2013, 3:58 p.m.
Only A Name: Famous Last Words
E - Words: 1,269 - Last Updated: Apr 03, 2013 Story: Complete - Chapters: 15/15 - Created: Mar 06, 2013 - Updated: Apr 13, 2022 1,316 0 4 0 0
"I can't," she replied somberly. "You know I can't."
She had a carefree look about her, beads and bangles hanging from her hair, framing stunning eyes that looked ever-changing between blue and green. However, they looked sad on this day.
Her outfit was wistful, like a gust of wind could blow her away and make her disappear forever. Nobody knew that more than Burt Hummel.
"You aren't making any rational sense, this has to mean something," he pleaded. He was a man verging on hysteria as he pointed insistently to his left wrist. The woman took it and pressed her lips to it gently.
She didn't say anything else.
"You are the only one for me," Burt continued shakily, unshed tears shining his eyes. "My body tells me this in every way."
The woman traced the curves of her own name against his skin repeatedly, trying not to cry. She really did love this man, with all her heart. But she had her reasons.
"I can't be tied down honey, to anybody," she finally whispered. "I have to do this, I have to go, so you can let me go."
She attempted to pull away, but Burt kept her there, his grip forceful. Tears were beginning to fall from his gentle brown eyes.
"You can't say that!" Burt cried out. "You can't speak for me too!"
She gave into him, turning into his hold. She shook free her own left wrist, pulling up the sleeve. There was a small navy blue handkerchief tied there which she began to pull loose. She bore her naked wrist for her lover to see.
"There is nothing there," she says quietly, her voice more enchanting than anything else ever heard. "That means I'm free."
"From what?" Burt asked, his voice shaking. He wondered, from me?
"From this curse," she responded immediately; sincerely, cupping his face and wiped away his tears. He then took her hand and smoothed his thumb over the tendons of her blank wrist, curling around the thin bones.
"God didn't want the soulmate anchor for me, so that's why I must leave you."
Burt bowed his head and forsake God for not making his wrist blank as well. She was right, he was the one cursed. They all were, except for her. The heartbreak he was experiencing now was far worse than anything else he could have possibly imagined.
He cried harder, and she kissed his forehead.
"It's only a name, Burt," she whispered softly.
"It's your name," he protested, hiding his head, ashamed of his weakness but no will left to secure his pride.
"I know," she acknowledges weakly. "I know."
She had nothing else to say, and he clung to her until he fell asleep, dreading the moment he'd wake knowing that she'd be gone.
***
"Dad?" Kurt asked, his voice sounding far away. "Dad, you alright?"
Burt shook his head, the shadows of his past leaving as quickly as they came. He forced a smile at his bright-eyed son, picking up his fork to resume his cooled meal.
Dinnertime in the Hummel household was often quiet, yet comfortable. The two of them were often too exhausted to do anything else but just sit there and reminisce on the day's activities, and since they were together advocating all the time, they had nothing new to tell.
Kurt loved it. He loved how he didn't have the social obligation to his father to keep talking, to make sure he was paying attention. To make sure he cared. Kurt already knew all of these things, and it was just nice to let the silence soothe over their aching bodies and minds.
Tonight, however, Burt looked more tired than normal. Maybe even a little bit sad. Kurt wanted to break their unspoken agreement and ask what was bothering him, but he decided against it.
Kurt already had troubles of his own.
Ben.
Ben and his stupid face. Ben and his stupid smile. Ben and his stupid eyes and everything. Kurt absolutely loathed the dashing little shit.
No.. it was so much worse than that.
Kurt had never in his life fallen so hard and so fast for someone. Ben was invading Kurt's dreams. He started to creep into every thought. Everything was BenBenBenBenBen and it never, ever stopped.
It was exhilarating. It was frightening. It was pathetic.
It made Kurt watch Ben not only full of infatuation, but warily.
Curiosities and desires and unanswered questions made Kurt want to take a day off from it all and go on a secret trip to the library or somewhere he could go to research what was happening to him.
Because he had - an inkling..
But the second his mind went there, it was like a switch shut everything down. He couldn't go further than that. He knew it was scary. Dangerous, even. This mental blockade was his savior, and Kurt didn't fight it.
So he just let things happen like he always did in his life.
The problem was, they spent just as much time together as Kurt did his own father. Burt adored Ben. It was maddening. Ben was a star pupil and Burt often wanted to mentor him personally. He was a step closer to being allowed access to their home.
Kurt knew it was a terrible idea.
Especially because at night Kurt didn't have the mental blockade built up so well so his subconscious had free reign.
***
Kurt was walking in a place where he felt comfortable. The air was warm, near daybreak. The promise of a new day full of new challenges and opportunities.
There was gust below his feet, but no wind to be felt in the air. He already knew where he was going.
Kurt saw him then, such a dazzling smile. Kurt hurried his pace, swift on his toes and squinting at the bright light.
Ben was there, offering a hand. He was wearing all white, his hair was so dark.
"Kurt," he said, and that was all it was. The sound of his name so intimate. It made Kurt's spine shiver and stomach curl in a way he knew he needed to hear it more.
It was Kurt, and that's all it was. No barriers, no lies, no evaded questions.
They could just be, and Kurt knew this.
He took Ben's hand, and received a small shock, realizing that neither of them were wearing their wrist cuffs. Kurt wasn't wearing much at all.
Ben kissed him then, and it was everything.
"Kurt," he said again, murmuring against his lips like a promise.
They were finally together. They were finally whole.
But..
"What is it?" Ben asked, concern crossing his features. It broke Kurt's heart, but he had to address it.
"Blaine." It sounded like a dark confession, the words sounding foreign on his tongue.
Ben frowned, confused. "Blaine? Who's Blaine?"
Kurt blinked and the scenery was darker, was it really that late already?
"My soulmate," he replied, instantly feeling like a fool.
To Kurt's immense surprise, Ben laughed. His eyes crinkled and sunshine was bright again. Kurt shielded his eyes and for a second let his gaze flicker to his wrist-
Ben Avery.
Inscripted, curvy letters stained into his wrist like that had always been.
Kurt realized Blaine Anderson was no more.
***
Kurt woke with a yelp in sweat-soaked sheets, his heart hammering in his chest as he gasped for breath.
He blinked into the darkness, unable to see anything but the outline of his dark blinds. His mind attempted to grasp on the last vestiges of what he was dreaming, but all was left was one single thought.
Ben meant something much more than just a new recruit, and he had to find out exactly what.
So Kurt told his father the next morning he needed a vacation day.
Comments
I wish I understood why she didn't have Burt's name on her wrist. Is it because her spirit was free from any ties, or because she was born that way ? It's so sad for Burt.And that's an awful dream. It's cute that deep down, Kurt never gave up on finding his soulmate. He's adorable (L)
Just some people are born without names on their wrist, it is unknown, and just happens. There are not many of them, and yes I agree that dream is quite revealing :)
Damn Burt!!!!!
yeah ouch right?