Chapter Eleven: All Apologies

Blaine had woken up Sunday morning looking forward to meeting Kurt for coffee but all his good feelings about the date went out the window the moment he'd gone into the dining hall for breakfast.

He had just taken a seat when Thad and Flint joined the Warblers at their table, giving Blaine twin looks of loathing.

"Tell me Blaine, are the rumors true?" Thad asked without preamble.

"What rumors?" Blaine asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"That you're off the market," Thad said, faking concern. "According to several people who were there during Jeff's party you were not your usual 'friendly' self. Those in the know seem to think your latest companion has somehow managed to tame the wild beast."

"Dominic said you didn't even try to hook up," Flint scoffed. "You barely know this kid and he's got your balls in a vice."

Something wrong and uncomfortable twisted in Blaine's gut. Even though he knew he was being baited he couldn't stop the irritation that rolled through him at the implication that Kurt, and not he, was in control. He'd known his behavior at Jeff's party was far below his normal level of indulgence, but he'd allowed himself to believe it was because he was simply disinterested in any of the potential conquests that were there. Having Thad of all people force Blaine to admit to himself that it had been the thought of Kurt that had held him back was an unwelcome and unwanted dose of reality.

"Really Thad? Repeating idle gossip? How Perez Hilton of you," Blaine sneered, determined not to let the other boys see how affected he was by their revelations.

"It's true though isn't it? The little boy in the bondage shorts has you all tied up, literally and figuratively doesn't he?" Flint asked, something cold and unreadable flashing across his face.

Blaine finished his coffee. He smirked at Flint before getting up from the table. "Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Flint. It doesn't fit you nearly as well as your usual cloak of inadequacy."

"Defensive much, Anderson?"

"No Thad, just finished keeping company with those who are beneath me," Blaine said before smiling at the other boy. "By the way, speaking of Jeff's party, how did Natalie enjoy it?" he asked, referring to Thad's younger sister.

Thad's face clouded over and he scowled up at Blaine. "My sister was at a friend's sleepover, not Sterling's unsavory gathering."

Blaine arched an eyebrow and shook his head. "Noooo," he said drawing out the word, "I guess you haven't heard, I can't say I'm surprised. I hate to be bearer of bad news," Blaine began in a tone that was in complete opposition to his words, "But Natalie was most definitely at Jeff's party. I wasn't sure it was her at first, bent over the pool table and taking it up the ass from Kiefer Sinclair but that video Kiefer posted on his Facebook wall cleared up my confusion. I guess she didn't want you to be the only internet sensation in the family."

Blaine had walked away before either boy could respond. He'd spent the rest of the day holed up in his room, avoiding Kurt's phone calls and thinking.

Everything about his situation with Kurt was new to Blaine. Blaine seduced; he didn't pursue. Seduction was easy; it was all surface level emotions, glossy grand gestures and base instincts. Pursuit was something else altogether. Pursuit was investing time and attention to going after someone who might end up rejecting you. Pursuit, even shallow ones, required a certain level of emotional involvement that Blaine had always shied away from before Kurt.

It shouldn't have come as the shock that it did when Blaine realized he'd already emotionally invested in Kurt far more than he ever intended to. When he'd seen the boy on the staircase his only goal had been to get Kurt into his bed, which Blaine still fully intended to do but more and more the goal was less about getting Kurt into his bed and more about keeping Kurt in his life.

Blaine forced himself to acknowledge that he hadn't hooked up with anyone at Jeff's party despite the numerous offers he'd received was because he knew it would make things more difficult with Kurt. While it was true they weren't official yet, Blaine knew that Kurt wasn't nearly as casual about sex as he was and he didn't want to do anything that would ruin his chances with the gorgeous countertenor.

The cold, hard truth was that despite Blaine's experience and manipulations, Kurt held a certain amount of power in their relationship and that was something that Blaine simply hadn't prepared himself to deal with. Blaine knew he could influence Kurt's behavior and he reveled in that awareness, but being forced to acknowledge that Kurt also held influence over him? Well that was just uncomfortable. It was uncomfortable, unfamiliar and unwanted. Kurt being emotionally vulnerable to Blaine was fine; Blaine being emotionally vulnerable to Kurt was, as far as Blaine was concerned, a disaster of epic proportions and not at all part of the plan.

Which is why when he heard his phone ringing and saw that it was Kurt calling, he let it go to voicemail despite their tentative plans for a coffee date. Blaine needed distance and time to decide if he was willing to get in any deeper with Kurt or if it would be best to cut his losses.

Kurt Hummel was far more dangerous to Blaine than Thad had ever been and Blaine needed to decide just how willing he was to continue to play with fire.

Nine hours, four phone calls, three texts and two Facebook inquiries later, Kurt had stopped trying to contact him. One hour of silence was all it took for Blaine to reach the conclusion that he was just going to have to chance getting burned. Walking away wasn't an option.

Blaine also realized he had a made a tactical error by talking with Jeff on his Facebook wall during the same time he was avoiding Kurt's calls and messages. Kurt wasn't stupid; he'd know that Blaine had intentionally ignored him. Blaine groaned when he realized that Kurt was nothing if not a master of self preservation. Blaine knew that if Kurt decided he needed to protect himself from Blaine, the brunette would retreat so far back behind his emotional walls that Blaine would never be able to reach him.

Compounding Blaine's feelings of regret were the messages he'd read on Kurt's Facebook wall about a sleep over he'd apparently hosted for the members of New Directions. Blaine it appeared had unwittingly chosen the worst possible time to pull away from Kurt. It seemed he had put space between them at a time when Kurt was apparently bridging the gap between himself and his friends. The last thing Blaine wanted was for Kurt to strengthen his bond with New Directions anymore than he already had, especially if the ties that bound him to Blaine were fraying.

Blaine knew he had made a huge mistake where Kurt was concerned and he knew he had to move quickly on damage control. He contemplated sending Kurt flowers or some sort of gift but dismissed the ideas as quickly as they'd come. Kurt, Blaine mused, was a romantic at heart. It would take more than a clich� bouquet of roses or something shiny in a velvet box to make up for Blaine's misstep. Kurt wouldn't want something so impersonal or common and the boy deserved something that showed him special Blaine found him to be and conveyed Blaine's true remorse at his actions.

And if his apology served to bring Kurt closer to him well…then that was just a bonus.

Blaine smiled as a plan began to take shape. Kurt wanted romance and drama and Blaine wanted to make up any lost ground. Blaine would make sure they both got what they wanted.

Bang. Bang. Bang. The sound of Wes's gavel reverberated off the walls of the practice room.

"This emergency meeting is called to order. Junior member Blaine Anderson, the floor is yours," Wes announced.

"Esteemed council, I'll be brief," Blaine started, making eye contact with each member of the group as he spoke, "Simply put, I made a mistake with someone who I'm coming to care a good deal for. Now, while I could simply tell them my feelings, I have another form of expression I'd like to use and I could use a little back up. This is why I'm asking to enlist the Warblers' help in serenading this individual…off campus."

The Warblers erupted. Members struggled to be heard over one another as the shock of such an out of the ordinary request washed over the group.

"I know what I'm asking is slightly…unusual," Blaine acknowledged as he struggled to be heard over the nervous chatter of his fellow Warblers.

Wes furiously banged his gavel. "The Warblers haven't performed in an informal setting since 1927 when the Spirit of St. Louis overshot the tarmac and plowed through seven Warblers during an impromptu rendition of Welcome to Ohio, Lucky Lindy," Wes said, looking stunned.

"Why would we even consider doing what you're asking?" David asked, staring at Blaine, the unspoken please tell me you didn't mess up with Kurt written on his face.

"I firmly believe our reticence to perform in public nearly cost us a trip to regional's. We're becoming privileged porcelain birds," Blaine insisted, sending David a slightly pleading look of his own.

David gave Blaine a "bitch please" look of Kurt Hummel proportions and the Warblers exploded in denials and demands for an explanation.

"You mock us, sir," Thad accused, glaring daggers at Blaine while Wes banged his gavel and pointed it at all assembled as it if were a high powered rifle.

"I will have order!" Wes snapped as he gestured with his gavel and dared anyone to oppose him.

"Gentlemen, if I may," Blaine began. "With respect, my point is that the Warblers are so concerned with image and tradition that sometimes I feel that we miss out on opportunities to step outside our comfort zones. Performing in front of a potentially hostile crowd will keep us loose and give us confidence."

"And where would this performance take place?" Wes asked

"Well Wesley," Blaine said with a slick grin, "That's where things get a bit tricky."

Kurt and Blaine hadn't met for coffee on Sunday. In fact, Kurt hadn't heard from the handsome Warbler at all since their brief conversation on Saturday. Kurt had called, texted, and in a moment of desperation he would take to the grave with him, even left messages on Blaine's Facebook wall. He'd been logged in, and having a conversation with some guy named Jeff so Kurt knew he'd gotten them…and ignored them. Kurt had noted with a twinge of jealousy that Jeff was, if possible, even blonder than Sam and extremely handsome. Kurt had turned the computer off and spent the day in a funk, only venturing up from the basement for food. By the time Monday rolled around Kurt was in a state of complete depression and harboring a slightly irrational dislike of blonde hair.

Kurt somehow managed to miracle his way through his morning classes and all the way to his lunch period without incident. He found Mercedes and Sam sitting at the gleeks usual table and slid into his regular seat next to Mercedes. He was mildly surprised when Finn and Rachel joined them but that was nothing compared his absolute shock at Puck claiming the seat next to him.

"Sup Kurt."

Everyone at the table stopped and stared at Puck.

"What?"

"You…are you aware that you just called me by my name?" Kurt asked.

"So?" Puck asked around a mouthful of his lunch before grimacing and pushing his tray away from him. "We've been going to school together since like, elementary. I know your name."

"Yeah but…dude," Finn said.

"What?" Puck demanded again.

"Nothing. Finn didn't mean anything by...just never mind. So uh, how was the rest of your weekend?" Kurt asked.

"Lame. Went home, went to sleep. Got up, ate, did a little gaming, slept again, got up and came to school. Yours?"

"Pretty much the same as yours, actually."

Finn was looking at the pair with a curious expression on his face, and Mercedes was regarding Puck with suspicion. Rachel took advantage of the silence to address Kurt.

"I hope there are no hard feelings concerning Finn and I choosing not to attend your last minute gathering this weekend."

Kurt opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Sam. "You and Finn should have come. It was pretty stellar."

"Yeah dude, you missed out," Puck said, looking at Finn.

Finn's head snapped up. "You went?"

Puck nodded.

"I thought, I thought it was a sleepover though," Finn said.

"It was," Mike said. "Sam's right though. It was pretty stellar."

"Yeah, Kurt had the trifecta going: cheesy 80's horror movies, tons of free food, and hot babes," Artie said, nuzzling Brittany.

"So all of you went?" Rachel asked, looking pointedly at Finn.

"Yes Rachel, save Finn and yourself everyone attended," Kurt answered for the group.

Rachel harrumphed and crossed her arms after glaring at Finn again. Finn turned a rosy pink and started to speak when suddenly there was a strange humming sound. The sound seemed to magnify and then there was a sudden swarm of boys in uniforms coming from every nook and cranny harmonizing. Kurt's breath caught in his throat as he recognized Wes and David and realized what was happening.

It's the Warblers. The Warblers are here and they're singing. They're singing and they're coming my way. They're coming my way and-

Blaine.

Kurt's brain short circuited as he made eye contact with Blaine. Blaine winked at Kurt and began singing.

Well you've done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
and now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
Nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon its again my turn to win some or learn some

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

"Kurt!" Mercedes squeaked. "Is that him?"

Kurt nodded.

"Is that your dolphin, Kurtie?" Brittany asked.

"Wait? Those are the Garglers?" Puck asked

"Oh my God, they've invaded. This is Vocal Adrenaline 2.0, they're trying to psych us out and-," Rachel ranted

"Shut up, Stubbles. If you ruin this for Kurt I will falcon punch you in the throat," Santana hissed.

"And I'll help her," Quinn promised.

Kurt tuned out the drama going on around him and focused on Blaine, making his way towards him, serenading him, in public, unafraid and unashamed.

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love love
Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing, we're just one big family
It's our God-forsaken right to be loved loved loved loved loved

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure

There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

"Gotta hand it to your boy Kurt this is player," Artie said.

"It's a trap," Rachel whispered. "He's Jesse with more sophistication and hair gel."

"Shut up, man hands," Santana snapped.

Blaine danced over to Kurt and hopped up on the table.

Do you want to, come on, scootch over closer dear
And I will nibble your ear

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
And so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I'll be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanities and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

Kurt couldn't move and everyone at the table stopped fighting. Blaine hopped off the table and came around behind Kurt, pulling him up and into his arms. Blaine kissed Kurt on the forehead and Kurt stopped breathing.

But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours
so please don't, please don't, please don't.
There's no need to complicate
'cause our time is short
This oh, this oh, this is our fate, I'm yours

As the song faded out Blaine drew Kurt into a bone crushing embrace. "I'm so sorry I didn't get in touch with you yesterday. I had some things to work out in my head but I swear it wasn't anything you did. I just, I just needed some time," He whispered in Kurt's ear.

"I was worried. I thought…I thought I did something wrong," Kurt whispered back.

"Kurt-"

"You can't do this again," Kurt cut him off. "If you need space or time or whatever, say so. Don't disappear. Don't ignore me. You can't do that. I won't deal with that from you Blaine, not again."

"Not again," Blaine agreed.

Kurt drew back and realized that all of the Warblers and the members of New Directions were staring at them.

"So uh, this is Blaine," Kurt said weakly

"Nice to finally meet you, dude. Kurt says you're pretty cool," Sam said, rising and extending his hand.

"Kurt speaks highly of you as well," Blaine responded, shaking Sam's hand. "These are my friends. This is Wes, and that's David, the hyper active blond in the corner over there is Jeff and the guy with the dark hair trying to strangle Jeff with his tie is Nick…"

Blaine introduced each of the Warblers and Kurt introduced the New Directions members. When he got to Rachel he steeled himself for the inevitable confrontation.

"Speaking as the female lead and most dedicated member of New Directions, I feel the need to point out that this thinly veiled attempt at intimidation will not work. Nor will your nefarious plot to have your lead soloist seduce Kurt-"

"Excuse me?" David gawked, shocked at what he was hearing.

"Rachel-" Kurt started to speak but Wes spoke over him.

"Is that so? Well Ms. Berry, as lead council member for the Dalton Academy Warblers let me assure you that unlike William McKinley High School, Dalton holds its students to the highest standards in academic achievement and personal conduct," Wes stated, eyes blazing, his voice cutting like a knife.

"An action such as the one you have just accused us of would be a violation of the Dalton Honor Code and violations of that code result in an immediate suspension from school and expulsion from extracurricular activities. Seeing as how we met Kurt when your group sent him over to Dalton to spy on us, I think if accusations of nefarious plots and questionable moral character are going to be made, they should be coming from us. Wouldn't you agree?"

Rachel turned crimson. "Yes, well. I wasn't, I didn't-"

"You weren't what? Aware of the actions being taken by a club you claim to be the leader of? You weren't aware that underhanded and dishonest tactics were being employed by members of New Directions in an effort to better your chances against us?" David cut in.

"If that's the case Ms. Berry, perhaps you should step down as co-captain as your leadership skills clearly leave something to be desired," Blaine stated quietly.

Rachel closed her mouth and sat back in her seat.

"Damn, you shut up Berry. Can we keep you?" Santana said to Blaine, Wes and David.

"You can, but only if Kurt's willing to share," Blaine quipped.

"This one's mine, get your own Warbler, Santana," Kurt joked.

"I for one would love to have my very own Warbler," Quinn said as she fluttered her eyelashes at Thad.

"You're well on your way to acquiring one," Thad replied, slipping into the seat next to Quinn.

"Are you all dolphins?" Brittany asked Trent, who had sat next to her.

"No, I'm a human. I guess I'm also a bird too since I'm a Warbler. But I'm mostly a human," Trent replied seriously. "But I'm not a dolphin. It's a good thing too, because I don't like fish. If I were a dolphin I'd be hungry all the time."

"Do you like cheese?" Brittany asked him.

"Oh yes, I love cheese," Trent nodded.

"You should come on Fondue for Two and tell my audience all about being a human bird."

"How can I have fondue for two if there's only one of me?" Trent asked.

"Oh my God, there are two of them," Nick said, dropping into a seat beside Puck.

"Sup?"

"Not much. You gonna eat that?" Nick asked, eyeing Puck's plate.

"No I'm not. Partly because my throat is sore but mostly because I want to live. If you want it though feel free to help yourself, Gargler." Puck replied.

"It's Warbler and thanks Mr. T," Nick quipped. "So this is mystery meat. HA! I laugh in the face of danger," Nick said before taking a bite.

"You ate that? Gargler dude, you are badass," Puck responded.

Jeff sat next to Sam and Santana snickered. "Oh my God, it's blonde and blonder."

"Who's blonde and who's blonder?" David asked, sitting next to Santana.

"Pick one, it's not like there's a difference," Santana shrugged.

"If you look directly at the combined brightness of their hair, I think you'll be blinded," David said.

"Wanna see if the carpet matches the drapes?" Jeff asked Santana, winking at her.

"You. Me. The 'Stix and we'll see," Santana replied.

"You're on," Jeff replied, and then turned to Sam, "What's The 'Stix?" He whispered.

"Breadstix. It's a restaurant and pretty much the only decent place around here to eat. As long as you don't eat the breadsticks," Sam answered.

"If the breadsticks suck why is the place named after them?" Jeff muttered.

"One of the mysteries of the universe man," Sam answered.

"Your performance was quite good," Rachel said to Blaine giving him a small smile.

"It's an olive branch, Blaine. Take it quickly before she yanks it back," Kurt whispered.

"Thank you," Blaine said sincerely. "Your performance of Don't Rain on My Parade at last year's sectionals was inspired."

Rachel sat up a bit straighter and sent Blaine a smile. Finn narrowed his eyes and put his arm around Rachel. Blaine noticed the move and raised an eyebrow before laying his hand over Kurt's. Flint, sitting unnoticed next to Thad, drew his lips into a thin line and glared at the couple's linked hands and Finn scowled.

Blaine had planned on ignoring Finn completely but being in such close proximity to one of the people he held responsible for Kurt's assault, Blaine's desire for some measure of revenge proved too great a temptation. "So Finn," Blaine drawled. "Kurt's told me a bit about you. I have to say meeting you face to face, you aren't exactly what I expected. I'm actually a little disappointed."

"Disappointed how?" Finn asked.

Blaine shrugged. "I expected more. Kurt insists on maintaining a friendship with you despite the fact that you've nothing to deserve it, so I assumed that meant there was something exceptional about you, but after meeting you face to face, I can see now that I was wrong."

Kurt gasped and Finn gaped as the table went quiet.

"Blaine-," Kurt began but Blaine cut him off.

"It's just I expected someone worthy of Kurt's time and attention. I suppose your looks are passable, if a bit generic for my tastes but I just don't see what makes you so special that Kurt's willing to forgive you for the unforgivable. From where I'm sitting Finn, you're just a latent homophobe with a completely justified inferiority complex and woefully inadequate leadership qualities. I guess I'm just disappointed that at the end of the day you're terrifyingly average."

Finn's face turned red and Kurt's jaw dropped. "You can't call me average!" Finn yelled.

Blaine smirked and nodded. "My apologies Finn, I wasn't aware you were suffering from delusions of adequacy."

"Blaine," Kurt said softly, squeezing his hand. "Stop."

Blaine exhaled sharply and nodded, then pressed a quick kiss to Kurt's temple. "Sorry babe," he whispered.

Flint's mouth drew into a tight line and Finn glared at the couple as the others slowly began to drift back into their conversations.

Twenty minutes later Blaine looked at his watch and sighed. "I hate to cut this short, but we do need to get back to campus. I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you and I'm sorry about my disappearing act," Blaine said.

"It's ok. Our lunch period is almost over anyway," Kurt said.

"I'll call you tonight. Maybe we can do something midweek. Make up coffee date?"

Kurt smiled but shook his head. "I can't promise anything. We have a crazy rehearsal schedule right now. Why don't we play it by ear?"

Blaine was disappointed but also found he enjoyed the fact that Kurt wouldn't drop everything to be at Blaine's beck and call. Kurt was proving to be just enough of a challenge that Blaine's interest was in no danger of waning.

Kurt was, once again, proving himself to be a departure from Blaine's usual.

"I understand. Why don't you give me a call if you get some free time? If not, how about the movies on Saturday?"

"That sounds perfect."

"Ok guys," Blaine announced," I'm afraid it's time for us to get going."

As the teens said their goodbye's to one another Kurt couldn't help but notice that Jeff and Santana, as well as Quinn and Thad exchanged numbers and Puck, Nick and Artie were talking animatedly.

"Blaine," Kurt said lowly, "I really like you, and I'm going to talk to Quinn about Thad because she deserves so much better, but I need you to know if the blonde wonder over there hurts Santana, I will hunt him down, pull his spine out through his throat and use it to strangle him. Are we clear?"

Blaine smiled. It was the second time he'd seen Kurt's protective side and he really loved seeing the strength beneath the vulnerability. "Thad's an ass. Tell the blonde she can do better. Jeff's a good guy…but he's not relationship material. If the brunette just wants to hook up he's her man. If she's about feelings and whatever Jeff's not that guy," he said honestly.

Kurt was quiet. "Santana's not usually one for feelings, although I suspect there's one notable exception. Regardless, if Jeff's as…laissez faire as you say, those two might be compatible," Kurt mused. "But the warning still stands."

"It's been duly noted," Blaine said, giving Kurt a quick kiss goodbye.

As the Warblers started to get ready to leave Kurt was surrounded by the girls.

"Kurt, that was the most romantic thing I've ever seen," Tina gushed.

"Who knew that you getting some man love would land me a date with a rich prep school hottie," Santana smirked.

"You did not tell me he was so cute," Mercedes squealed.

"'Cedes, I've had his picture in my locker since I met him," Kurt replied.

"Boy, you change locker decorations like girls change panties. I stopped paying attention last year," Mercedes scoffed.

Everyone laughed. Rachel left a scowling Finn long enough to sidle up to Kurt and link her arm through his. "While he was unforgivably rude to Finn, I acknowledge that he has valid reasons to be less than impressed with how the both of us have treated you recently," she said quietly. "I realize I may have been a bit hasty in my judgments and stated my initial opposition to your romantic liaison with a tad too much zeal, but…I'm happy for you Kurt. Blaine seems like a perfect gentleman and he's a reasonably talented singer as well. Of course, he doesn't have my stage presence-"

"Thank you Rachel," Kurt said, as he pulled her into a brief hug cutting her off. "I know that wasn't easy for you and that you sincerely mean that, so thank you."

As the New Directions walked the Warblers back to their vehicles, Blaine holding his hand and the happy hum of conversation flying around him, Kurt couldn't help but feel that perhaps things had turned a corner.