Another Angle – The Sue Sylvester Shuffle:

Kurt carefully knocks on Finn’s door trying not to spill anything on the tray he’s carrying:

“Finn? It’s me…”

“Come in, it’s open.”

Kurt managed to open the door and try a small smile towards his brother playing video game:

“I couldn’t sleep and made warm milk; care for some?”

“Yeah! You know I love this stuff.”

Kurt was lying: he wasn’t insomniac; he was just trying to talk to Finn. It had been some weird weeks during the winter break. Kurt had finally found some ways to keep in touch with his McKinley friends; he even had developed a new friendship with Rachel Berry. At first, it was mostly an attempt from Rachel to get closer to Finn, but they had discovered their similarities and now were really close. Finn wasn’t resentful of Kurt or anything, but there was still a gap between them and Rachel only made it worse.

After finding out that Finn hadn’t grown up inside as much as he had outside; Kurt started applying for the children in his heart and managed to get wonderful results from Finn. Treats, particularly warm milk, made Finn’s inner children happy and he was more loquacious. Finn was now sipping his drink and let a little moan slip. He seemed unaware but Kurt knew he had hit the target:

“So, Finn, how are things at McKinley?”

“I don’t know… normal, I guess.”

Even in his most loquacious form, Finn wasn’t much talkative. However, Kurt wasn’t giving up yet:

“No big news?”

“There’s a big football game coming up, but we still have a lot to improve. Karofsky has been…”

Finn cut his phrase mid-sentence; almost like a child caught swearing. He turned symphatetic to Kurt:

“Sorry bro; I know it must be hard for you.”

“It’s not. I know how much of a prick Karofsky can be, but somehow I pity him.”

Kurt was now the one spilling the beans; luckily, it escaped Finn unnoticed. Kurt decided to leave before he said too much. It wasn’t like he was getting something from Finn tonight anyway.

*

            Blaine was excited about the regionals coming closer. The Warblers really were a great part of his life and he was confident about the competition. He had spent yesterday for almost all night researching and rehearsing songs he would suggest for the council. He didn’t want to sound cocky; but he was almost certain he would sing lead solo at regionals and he wanted to make sure they picked up a song that suited his voice.

            He and Kurt had left school together and were now at his favorite coffee shop enjoying a nice afternoon.  He couldn’t wait to share his ideas with his friend and almost rushed Kurt for a table after they collected their orders:

            “So Kurt, I was thinking regionals and I’d really like to try “Misery” from Maroon 5; what do you think?”

            “What makes you think the council will hear your idea and use it? Oh, right, they always do!”

            Well, it seems that Kurt wasn’t enjoying the afternoon as much as Blaine.

            “Wow, I definitively didn’t see that coming. Didn’t mean to sound cocky; you can cut out the irony.”

            Kurt smiled apologetically to him and it made Blaine calmer. He didn’t like to argue with Kurt, but Kurt cutting him off on something hurt a little. He was the only friend with whom Blaine could be completely honest and not fear being judged. Kurt was looking outside the window and lost in thoughts. Blaine cleared his throat which made Kurt look and start talking:

            “I may be a little bitter today; sorry. I thought I had figured it all out and managed to find a way to keep in touch with my friends at McKinley but Finn is still a puzzle. His broke-up with Rachel and my new friendship with her are getting in our way.”

            “Did you guys fought or something?”

            “No, we’re a just distant. But thank you for the concern; I’ll eventually figure something out. You were saying Maroon 5? You’ll sound fantastic.”

            Kurt was grinning and Blaine was, once again, surprise by his friend’s behavior. Kurt could so easily place his pain aside to help others; it was one of the things Blaine admired mostly about him. Maybe Kurt just didn’t want to talk about the difficult stuff; the things he had to give up when he transferred. Blaine too wasn’t the most comfortable when Kurt mentioned nostalgically the New Directions, so he just let go and caught the hook to talk about the Warblers at regionals.

*

            Kurt was once again daydreaming about Blaine. He simply couldn’t help it and he had given-up a while ago. Blaine played so well the role of the knight in the shining armor that Kurt felt almost like as it was Blaine’s fault that Kurt was in love with him. For example: Kurt had being complaining about missing his friends of New Directions and Blaine took this cue to take Kurt to coffee with Rachel and Mercedes. It had more; Blaine had even given them football advice to help the McKinley team; ending by suggesting that he’d like to go watch the game. How could Kurt not fall in love?

            He was awake from his daydream by his phone buzzing in his pocket. It was Rachel.

            “Hi honey!”

            “Kurt, Blaine is a genius! We looked up the football rule he mentioned and it ends up that us, the glee club girls, are going to be the missing players on the match!”

            Kurt was amazed. The girls would be playing? Including the petite Rachel? And Rachel didn’t need to remind him how wonderful Blaine was. In fact, his problem was forgetting it:

            “Rachel I don’t know if I congratulate you or otherwise. How are the boys reacting?”

            “They didn’t get it at first and were concerned about our safety. But I guess they want to teach the other players a lesson as much as we do. So, are you coming? We are doing Michael Jackson for the half-time.”

            “Not that I care that much about the game; but my father and Carole are going for Finn and I’d love the opportunity to parade one of my new scarves. I’ll see if Blaine wants to join us.”

            “Great! See you then. I have to go; team meeting in five. Bye.”

            Kurt hangs up with a laugh draw on his face: this would certainly be something worth watching. He started composing a message for Blaine.

*

            “Still up for watching the McKinley football game? You’ll never believe the solution they found out.”

            Blaine smiled at Kurt’s message and replied with just a yes; he was at the sheet music store with Wes on a council mission. Wes, however, hadn’t missed Blaine’s grin at the message:

            “Let me guess; it was from Kurt.”

            “Yes, he was inviting me for a football game.”

            Blaine was quite amused by the puzzled look on his friend’s face. He enjoyed it a bit more by not responding and making Wes chase after it:

            “Wait a minute! Kurt, Kurt Hummel, invited you to play football?”

            Blaine laughed out loud:

            “No! Although he told me he was in the team for a while. Anyway, his brother is playing and there seem to be some kind of trouble in the team that they come up with an unexpected solution.”

            Wes smirked and Blaine knew the worse was coming. Wes had stopped with his jokes about Kurt and Blaine, but Blaine knew he couldn’t resist when provoked. Wes pretended to be interested in some songbook in front of him as he mocked his friend:

            “So you are meeting the brother? Do you think is the right time for it? Are your relationship strong enough?”

            “Shut up Wes! I already met Finn. Also his father and step mother. But I’m worried; I never met all the members of New Directions and I never was in a place with all of them together. I don’t know if they think I stole Kurt from them or something. Do you think I’m intruding or something?”

            One of the qualities that Blaine admired most about Wes is that he knew when he needed to be serious. He certainly was the one who knew perfectly well what to say to piss Blaine of, but he was also the one who could see when his friend needed help:

            “Blaine, it’s a public event; you literally can’t be an intruder in a public event. Besides, Kurt invited you. I really don’t know him that well, but from what he has told me, his friends were happy to see him feeling safe. You’ll be fine. Not to mention, Blaine-boy, that you can always charm your ways into people’s hearts and make them love you.”

            That was the definition of Wes: he could combine in the same speech a way to make Blaine feel better and a way to embarrass him.

*

            Kurt’s room was unusually messy. He was nervous about showing up at the football game and having to face Karofsky. His father assured him that he wouldn’t be alone and Finn told him that Karofsky wouldn’t be playing and may not even show up.  Even though, Kurt was apprehensive and had spent the last hour trying on different outfits and scarves leading to his clothes being spread everywhere.

            He heard a knock on his door:

            “Kurt? It’s Blaine, can I come in?”

            “Sure Blaine, I just need to figure out what scarf to wear.”

            Blaine eyes widened as he saw the state of Kurt’s room:

            “What happened here? Why are your clothes spread like this and not nicely folded as you like them?”

            Kurt was caught off-guard by his friend remark and decided not to lie:

            “I’m nervous and have been trying different outfits.”

            Blaine uncertainly moved some clothes around and found a space to sit on the bed:

            “Why? Some cute player I should check out tonight?”

            “No. It’s Karofsky; I haven’t faced him since I transferred and I don’t know how he would react.”

            Blaine nodded understandingly. He looked at Kurt with eyes filled with the sorrows they shared. Kurt, however, didn’t let him talk:

            “Dad told me he wouldn’t do anything since I won’t be alone and Finn told me he might not even show up. But I can’t help it: I’m scared.”

            Blaine sighed before he answered:

            “Kurt, all can I say is that your dad is right: you won’t be alone. I don’t think he’ll try anything; but if he does, we’ll be there for you.”

            Kurt smiled feeling Blaine’s hands reassuringly on his shoulders. He felt his heart warming up:

            “Right. I think this scarf is the one; I’m ready.”

*

            Blaine went with the New Directions to BreadStix to join their celebration of tonight’s victory. All his worries had been proved wrong because the New Directions had all being extremely friendly (sometimes even grateful) towards him. It was clear how much they all love Kurt.

            Kurt was glowing tonight. His worries were also proved wrong; Karofsky had shown up, but he decided to ignore Kurt. Apparently, Kurt and Finn had grown closer by tonight’s victory as well. Seeing Kurt so happy surrounded by his friends in a night of celebration made Blaine happy for him.

            For a couple of minutes, Blaine allowed himself to just sit back and watch the New Directions interacting. Kurt had told him, but only seeing it with his eyes made him realize how much they really were a family. The Warblers were close and friends; but, as they say, adversity brings people closer together.

            Blaine was a little jealous; he couldn’t remember having any friendship as these guys had. Even in his family; he had problems communicating with both his father and brother. He could talk to his mother; but their connection was nothing to be compared with what Kurt and Burt had. Maybe Kurt; with Kurt he really felt a stronger connection.

            Blaine, however, felt lonely. He caught himself wishing for a boyfriend. He wanted someone special who he feared he’d never find. He had giving up dating for a while because he had only met jerks. He knew how much he’d have to fight to make everyone ok with the fact that he had a boyfriend; he wanted someone worth fighting for. Well, Valentine’s Day was approaching and he was feeling hopeful this year. He was ready to fall in love.

            Kurt looked at him concerned:

            “Are you okay? You’ve been quiet for a while.”

            “Just thinking… Your friends really are the best.”

            Kurt chuckled:

            “I know.”