Chapter 3: Trouble's on its way.

Blaine opened his eyes, waking up in a darker room that usual when he was free from practice. If he didn't put his alarm the previous day or if he's mother didn't need him for something, he would sleep in until at least 12.

Not tonight apparently.

He glanced at the clock on his nightstand and it read 7:02, that meant that his mother still was asleep and douche step-father has left for work.

He doesn't even remember when his night has been as restful as this. He had slept for about an hour and then wake up again, only to toss and turn uncomfortably until he drifted off again. He just knew he couldn't take that anymore and had nothing else to do, than to start the day. His friends would be proud.

He groaned, running his arms across his face and finally managing to get out of his warm bed.  He dragged his body to the bathroom, taking a quick shower and brushing his teeth. He didn't bother to wrap a towel around his waist, going back into his bedroom with absolutely nothing covering his body. He pulled on some underwear as well as a muscle tee and one of his tennis shorts. After putting on his trainers, he jogged down the stairs and left a note for his mom, telling that he went out for a run, just in case.

He really needed a quick jog right now to get the tension out and set his mind straight. He walked for a minute to warm up and then sped up, slowly transitioning to a moderate run.

Yesterday, he almost had kissed Kurt. As much as he hated the feeling when Kurt pulled back and left, he also felt relieved. Kurt shouldn't be dragged into all of this mess that was Blaine Anderson's life. Being just friends was the way to go, right?

He didn't want to attend tonight's party so much. He would much rather just go somewhere quiet with Kurt and enjoy a practice free day.

Kurt.

There was something about Kurt. Something very special. He felt a deep connection between the two of them, he wasn't about to deny it. What he didn't know nor understand- was what the connection was like, exactly.

He had never labeled himself but it really was the first time he felt something that seemed more than a friendship towards a guy.

For now, all he could say was that he felt very protective of Kurt. He wanted to know everything about him. His favorite color, his dreams, how he sees his future, everything there is to know about a person.

After running for about a half an hour, he returned home with, still, a lot of time to kill. He could go to a tennis practice but he didn't really feel like it.

He decided to just take a brisk shower and do something good for his mother, because hey, they haven't been spending any time together lately and she deserved some pampering. So breakfast was just in time.

He took the shower as quick as he could and changed into some clothes that he wouldn't mind getting dirty because in no way he could make a meal without making a mess. Leave that to the chefs.

He played some music by Katy Perry, listening on his earphones while stirring up eggs with milk. Coffee was already brewing and bacon was broiling on the pan.

As he was pouring the egg mixture in another pan, he saw his mother coming towards him and he jumped a little, taking the plugs out of his ears and tossing them on the kitchen island.

‘'Hey, what are you doing up so early?'' he questioned, wanting to look at his mom but being too busy with stirring up the eggs to make them scrambled.

‘'Couldn't sleep,'' she responded dryly. ‘'I was up basically the whole night. Wanted to get out of bed only when I was sure that Ric was out of the house.''

Blaine raised an eyebrow and looked at her, noticing how tired she looked. He placed the silicone spatula to the side gently though the oils still spilled on the counter. He grabbed a mug from a cupboard, making his mother coffee just like he knew she enjoyed.

‘'Do you need any help?'' she offered. ‘'I could-‘'

‘'No,'' he said clearly. He held the mug in one hand and guided her over to one of the bar stools by the kitchen island with the other. ‘'You sit. I will take care of everything.''

He placed down the mug in front of her, earning himself a loving smile. But then he asked as he turned the bacon. ‘'What happened? Yesterday, I guess?''

He heard his mother sigh and be silent for a bit, probably thinking about what to say not to make her son angry or sad or feel any other negative emotion. ‘'We just had an unpleasant fight. You know I don't like that he drinks...He said some things about you that he shouldn't have.''

Great. Blaine thought. He didn't want to look at her right now. Not because he was angry but because he knew he'd see something he didn't ever want to see. His mother heartbroken. This was why he was making her the breakfast in the first place. And he was even more glad now that he did because otherwise there wouldn't be anything to make her morning at least a little better.

And as much as he disliked Ricardio, he also didn't want his mom to suffer. That was the reason he listened to the jerk anyway. To make sure there's less things they had to argue about.

He didn't bother asking her what he had said about him. Neither did he care, nor did he want to find out. Very likely that it had to do something with tennis, money or Vanessa. Or Nathaniel.

Silence stretched in the room but it wasn't awkward. Blaine just somehow wanted to make the mood better. Good he was nearly finished with the food.

‘'So mom,'' he started, trying to speak in a cheerful voice as if their previous conversation didn't happen, and succeeding very well because he could see the small smile on her face when he glanced at her for a second. ‘'You will eat, drink your coffee, I added extra milk to make it less strong, you'll let me give you a hug and then you'll go, take a nap. Are we clear?''

He couldn't suppress his own smile when his mother had her own. He loved making her happy so much.

He placed down a plate with scrambled eggs, bacon and a little bowl of fruit next to her partly empty coffee cup. ‘'Now, I would've loved to make you some fancy pancakes or something but I can't,'' he said and then mumbled. ‘'That seems more like something Kurt could do.''

His cupcake had been brilliant yesterday.

Then he narrowed his eyes at his mom. She was chewing the eggs with a mischievous-like smirk on her face. Blaine's eyes screamed ‘What?!'

‘'Why didn't you tell me about Kurt?'' she wondered loudly. ‘'You two look close already.''

Blaine blushed a little, leaning against the counter opposite his mother and looked down at his bare feet though he answered quickly. He didn't want to make her act weird with her weird mother suspicions and stuff. ‘'I met him, like, three days ago. And you could say we're pretty close, yeah. He's amazing,'' he couldn't help but gush. ‘'I'm sorry you didn't get to be introduced properly yesterday. I hadn't spent time with him the whole day and I kind of wanted to...you know. Fill the gaps.''

‘'Fill the gaps?'' his mother laughed loudly, almost spilling her drink she was about to sip. ‘'Is that what you call it nowadays?''

‘'Oh my god, mom,'' Blaine placed his hands on his face, feeling it heat up. ‘'It's not what I meant. What have I done to you to embarrass me like this?'' He mocked an accusing tone but she could hear his smile.

‘'I'm sorry, honey,'' she said and finally sipped her coffee after several attempts but not managing because another giggle rose.

She was now finished with breakfast. ‘'Why am I drinking coffee before a nap, again?''

‘'If you go to take a nap before the coffee does its thing that you'll wake up more energized than ever,'' he explained and her mother listened with a raised eyebrow. Her son was too smart for his own good.

‘'Okay smarty-pants,'' her mother got up from the stool. ‘'Now where's my hug?''

Blaine smiled and ran to her like an excited kid about to get some candy. ‘'Thank you, Blaine. You made my morning.''

They stood in the embrace for a few seconds and then Blaine mumbled in her shoulder. ‘'You should get some rest now.''

His mother jumped when she heard oils crackling and she burst out laughing at her son's startled, confused face. ‘'You forgot to turn off the stove, goofball.''

x-x-x-x-x

Kurt woke up with his heart fluttering. Today, he was attending a party. He knew that kids his age did this all the time but not Kurt. He'd been only to a few parties and none of them really were like this one would be like. So he was nervous.

At least people he knew would be there. Becky, Sam, Nick, Jeff, Anthony...Blaine.

Blaine.

Kurt didn't notice his fingers touching his lips lightly. Did Blaine really try to kiss him yesterday or were those hallucinations He wouldn't be surprised because it's not the first time he's crushing on a straight boy. And he for sure could say he has a crush on Blaine. Only he decided that it would be better to keep it to himself for now. Blaine has enough on his plate.

His aunt was already at work and he felt kind of bad for being able to sleep in when he technically would have had to go to work if he didn't have the party in the evening. But Mildred was anything but angry. She was so excited. Maybe even more than Kurt himself. His aunt was a piece of gold.

He made some breakfast for himself and after he ate he chose an outfit for tonight. Just when he was placing a shirt neatly on a hanger, he heard his phone buzz on the bed.

From Blaine:

Are you up to coming over?

Kurt smiled, bit his li and started to type an answer when it buzzed again with another message.

From Blaine:

It's just that I want another cupcake. Sam too, if possible. But me first.

Kurt now laughed loud and sent a response.

To Blaine:

Be right there.

He hurried to the kitchen to get two cupcakes and went out the door, deciding to walk the small distance from his to Blaine's house. Or mansion.

As he walked, with each step he got more jittery. He was afraid they were going to be awkward now but from Blaine's texts, he seemed to have already forgotten their weird encounter yesterday. All it meant was that Kurt probably was overthinking everything and Blaine maybe, possibly didn't even try to kiss him. For some reason, Kurt saddened at the thought even though he absolutely shouldn't.

He was about to enter the big gate that led to Blaine's house and he stopped a little before it when he heard voices coming from the house and the front door opening.

‘'I'm asking you again, where were you last night?'' It was Pamela's voice.

‘'I was doing business,'' came a sharp answer from Pamela's husband. ‘'What is up with you again? I thought we were over this.''

‘'I thought we were too,'' she was speaking a bit louder now, getting angry at her husband's cold attitude. ‘'But I don't like when some random women call in the middle of the night, asking for you. It doesn't make me feel good.''

‘'Do you think I'm cheating on you?'' Their voices had come a little closer but they had stopped again from what Kurt could tell. ‘'I was doing business.''

‘'I don't believe you,'' Kurt felt a pang in his chest at the choked up voice of the woman. ‘'Just tell me!''

‘'I swear to god, if you mention me cheating again, I will-‘'

‘'Kurt!''

Kurt jumped, startled and saw Pamela coming towards the gate with a big smile. She embraced him as Ricardio just passed them and went to his car again, driving away. Kurt could see the hurt expression on Pamela's face. Though there was something else about her expression, he didn't know what. Like relief and fear.

‘'How are you, Mrs.Anderson?'' he asked politely. Now that he thought about it, it was kind of weird that she still had her previous husband's surname. He'd have to talk to Blaine about that someday.

‘'Call me Pam, please,'' she waved with her hand. ‘'And it's not my best day but I'll manage. Blaine's in the backyard with Samuel.''

Kurt smiled at the name she used, feeling her gentle hand on his back, leading him inside.

Kurt's lips perked up when he saw Blaine lay on the ground next to the pool, looking up at the sky. He looked so peaceful, his arm resting on his stomach. He didn't even notice him coming. What gave Kurt away was the loud chuckle, Sam was knocked out, sleeping and snoring a little on the blow up mattress in the pool, a duck swim ring still around his waist.

Blaine turned his head at the sound he had begun to like more and more, and smiled at Kurt, sitting and then getting up.

‘'Hey, that was fast,'' Blaine rubbed his hands together, getting the dirt on it off. ‘'I didn't even think you'd show up at my ridiculous request.''

‘'Why wouldn't I come?'' Kurt asked but it wasn't a question he waited for an answer to.

Blaine was about to answer because of our awkward encounter but decided upon it. Better to keep the mood bright.

‘'Do you want to help me with something?'' Blaine asked, motioning inside. At Kurt's nod, he let them inside.

‘'Please, help me get this couch outside,'' Blaine grinned and placed his hands on a wicker sofa.

Kurt raised his eyebrow at the strange request but did it anyway. They brought it outside with ease.

Blaine sat down on one end sideways, plopping his bent legs on the cushion. Meanwhile Kurt went inside and got one cupcake he had placed on a coffee table.

When he came back to Blaine, he sat across him, their legs tangling on the sofa.

‘'Here you go,'' Kurt said in a more cheerful voice that he wanted when he handed it to him. Yes, he was proud and happy that Blaine enjoyed his cooking but he didn't want to show it so bad.

Blaine's eyes widened a little. ‘'Wow, I didn't think you'd actually take one. Thanks. Are there even any left for the party?''

Kurt smiled when Blaine laughed as he asked. ''Of course there are. I made more than you can count.''

‘'Are you saying I'm bad at math and can't count?'' Blaine fake frowned.

Kurt giggled, Blaine smiled, not being able to keep a serious ‘fake' face. Kurt's laughs were the best. ‘'I didn't mean it like that, silly.''

Blaine shook his hand with a grin and took a big bite of the chocolate frosted chocolate cupcake. Like a double chocolate. And dang it was good. Even better than yesterday. Just pure heaven. He just had to keep him around. For laughs and cupcakes.

‘'It's true though.''

Kurt's phone buzzed and he took it out while Blaine was chewing and humming with his eyes closed, like in a whole different dimension.

From Felix:

Can I give you a ride tonight?

Kurt smiled but he didn't reply yet, just stared down at his phone. Blaine raised his eyebrow. ‘'Who's that?''

‘'It's Felix,'' Kurt answered after a second, not looking up at Blaine's face that fell a bit of the other boy's mention. ‘'He offers me a lift to the party.''

‘'No!'' Blaine said immediately. He couldn't help but have this weird feeling every time Kurt was with Felix, it couldn't be protectiveness because he knew Felix was a very good guy and would be perfect for him. And that was another thing hard to admit for some reason. ‘'He drove you home the other day. Now it's my turn.''

Kurt chuckled at Blaine's ridiculous reason.

‘'I'm serious,'' Blaine said with a little pout and took a bite of the cupcake again.

‘'Okay, okay,'' Kurt said. ‘'I'll go with you.''

He sent a polite declination back to Felix, not noticing Blaine's eyes on him the whole time as he ate.

‘'Actually, I don't really know if I want to go to the party,'' Kurt said as he pocketed his phone. Blaine's face fell, a chocolate crumb falling off his chin. ‘'I mean, I don't really know anyone there and I haven't been in a real party, I don't know how those things work. And...I just feel like It'll be awkward, I'll just be the lonely guy in the corner, observing al the others.''

‘'It won't be like that, I promise,'' Blaine leaned forward with a straight face and serious eyes. ‘'I want you to go, Kurt. And our friends will be there. Besides, I take this party as an opportunity to spend time with you. We didn't get to spend a lot of time together yesterday and tomorrow you have to work and stuff.''

‘'What about Vanessa?'' Kurt was curious about Blaine's plan. Sure, she wasn't his ‘girlfriend' but people didn't know that. He'd have to spend the evening with her.

‘'There's nothing about her,'' Blaine shrugged and bit the dessert again. ‘'She'll hang out with her friends anyways. So I'll hang with mine.''

Kurt rolled his eyes as the boy took a really big bite, putting the whole thing in its mouth. ‘'You look like a chipmunk now,'' Kurt laughed. ‘'However, I know why you want me to come so badly,'' Blaine raised a questioning eyebrow, wanting to know Kurt's opinion but couldn't meet his eyes as the boy was looking at his own hands. ''It's because you have probably already guessed that I'm not a big drinker so you'll need someone to drive your sloppy asses home.''

Blaine shook his head, trying to say something but it came out as a mumble because of his full mouth.

‘'That's not true, Kurt, and you know it. I want you around,'' Kurt tried his best not to let the words rub him the wrong way. They were just friends. He shouldn't over-think this. When Kurt finally looked up, he couldn't help but start laughing, Blaine's face turning into pure confusion.

‘'Blaine, you have chocolate all over your face,'' Kurt said through laughs. ‘'I don't know how you managed it but it looks like you have a mustache. Like the guy from the movie ‘Her'.''

Blaine closed his eyes and threw back his head, bringing his hands to his hair in embarrassment. Yeah, a chocolate mustache. What a great way to impress a guy.

‘'Here, let me get it,'' Kurt leaned forward and scooped the sweet cream off Blaine's mouth.

‘'Guys, I ship you so hard.''

Both boys jumped and looked at the pool where Sam was wide awake, probably observing them the whole time.