“Whoa, whoa, easy there buddy. Your head is probably spinning like crazy,” a gentle voice said. He felt a dip in the bed, and then someone pressing two aspirin into the palm of his hand. Kurt didn’t want to open his eyes, partly because of the light and partly because he didn’t want to know who or what he did last night.

A glass of water was pressed into his other hand, and he popped the pills into his mouth. He gulped down the water, realizing how thirsty he was, and then he finally opened his eyes. The man sitting next to him was attractive, with scheming eyes and dark hair and tanned skin. It was easy to mistake him for a tall Blaine when drunk out of his mind. There was also something very familiar about the man.

“Did we…” Kurt trailed off, motioning between them.

“Nah, dude, I don’t do dudes,” the man said, waving a hand.

“Then why did you…”

“I was hammered. And you looked like a girl from behind.” The man shrugged and Kurt pursed his lips. He hated when people told him he looked like a girl, no matter how much truth there was to it. “We came here and we were making out on the couch and I realized you had no boobs and a huge boner, so I freaked out. But then you passed out, so I decided to be nice and let you have the bed.”

“How gentlemanly of you,” Kurt grumbled.

“Hey,” the man said. “Hey, wait a second.”

“What?” Kurt looked at him with a raised eyebrow. The man looked at him close, examining his face, his eyes narrowed. “What is it?”

“Kurt, right? Kurt Hummel?”

Kurt rolled his eyes and let out a long sigh. Fuck. The guy was a fan. Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck. Now down he’d want an autograph and a picture and something to prove that for a night he’d had Kurt Hummel in his room.

“Yeah,” Kurt sighed.

“Dude, don’t you recognize me? It’s me, Puck! From high school!” The man sat up straight, grinning at him as though he had solved some great puzzle. Kurt’s eyes widened as he looked over his face. He was older now, his features a little harder and his trademark mohawk gone.

“Puck? As in…Noah Puckerman?” Kurt shifted away from him a little, suddenly wondering just how many other people he’d brought home and shared the bed he was currently laying on.

“Yeah dude. Man, it’s great to see you! Last I heard you were on Broadway,” Puck said enthusiastically.

“Well I’m doing television now,” Kurt said. He pulled his knees up and rested his arms on them. Suddenly, he wondered what happened to his phone and his keys and any other possessions he’d entered the bar with last night. “Hey where’s my…”

“You left your keys with the bartender and your wallet and phone are in the other room. Some guy named Blaine texted you like six dozen times, so I called him and he’s coming to pick you up,” Puck told him as he stood, tossing Kurt’s black jeans on the bed from where they were on the floor.

Kurt stared up at him, half surprised that Blaine would want to help him and half angry that Puck took it upon himself to meddle in Kurt’s life. Ignoring his still splitting headache, Kurt stood and tugged on his jeans, leaving them unzipped and unbuttoned.

“Where’s your bathroom?” Kurt asked. Puck pointed to an open door across the room. Kurt stumbled across the room and went into the bathroom without even closing the door. Knowing Puck was still in the other room, Kurt asked, “So how’d you get here from Lima?”

“Came here for the MILFs at first,” Puck said. “Then the older I got, the older the MILFs got and they weren’t so hot anymore. So then I got a job as an on call body guard. I mostly just escort celebs to movie premieres and shit.”

“Sounds good,” Kurt said, flushing the toilet and moving to wash his hands. Suddenly, an idea dawned on him. He stood in the doorway of the bathroom and looked at Puck. “I just thought of something. You see, I’ve got a lot of fans now. A lot of female fans. And they like to chase me. I’d like to be able to go shopping just once without fear of being mobbed.”

Puck seemed to consider it for a moment. “So you like…want me to be your body guard?”

“Yeah. I mean, not all the time. Just, when I need to go out and you’re not busy with some other job,” Kurt said.

Puck shrugged. “Sure, I mean…are your fans hot?”

Kurt pursed his lips. “For girls, I guess they are.”

“Sweet. I’m in,” Puck said, grinning.

“Funny,” Kurt said, folding his arms in front of him. “I always knew that someday you’d end up working for me.”

Puck’s grin turned into an almost bitter smirk, but any more banter was interrupted by a heavy knocking on the front door.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Nineteen: Taking Chances
Scene 1

(INT. Bedroom. Darren rolls over and drapes his arm across the bed, only to realize it’s empty. Letting out a heavy sigh, Darren rolls over again and gets up. Next to his cellphone on the nightstand is a note from Chris. Darren picks it up and opens it. It reads: Dare, sorry I missed your good morning kisses. Had to start filming early. There is a fresh box of chocolate chip Eggo in the freezer. Don’t miss me too much. xoxo Chris.)

DARREN
(whispers) I missed you the moment I realized you weren’t here.

(He reads over the note a few more times before he sets it aside)

. ~ . ~.

Episode Nineteen: Taking Chances
Scene 3

(INT. It’s night and Darren is sitting alone at the table, poking his fork at a cold plate of pasta The clock behind him reads 10:47 PM and the candle on the table is almost burned out. He checks his phone again. There is nothing. He drops his fork just as the front door opens. Chris comes in, then starts heading towards the kitchen. He spots a miserable looking Darren)

CHRIS
Hey, Dare. What’s this?

DARREN
I made you dinner.

CHRIS
(surprised) Dare, I texted you at five and said we wouldn’t wrap until tonight.

DARREN
Yeah, well, I didn’t get your message.

CHRIS
Oh. I guess I really need a new phone then.

DARREN
Yeah, a phone call would’ve been nice.

CHRIS
I’m sorry, Dare. I told you this filming schedule was gonna get crazy.

DARREN
Just stop being gone for sixteen hours at a time!

CHRIS
Why are you getting mad at me about this?

DARREN
Because I hate you being gone so much!

CHRIS
You know this movie is my dream come true.

DARREN
It was fine until we started getting death threats. I just don’t want anything to happen to you and I hate that you can be so casual about going sixteen hours without so much as sending me a text message.

CHRIS
But I did. It isn’t my fault you didn’t get it. And you know what, Darren. I spent twenty-two years taking care of myself before you waltz into my life. I don’t need you!

DARREN
(stands up so hard the chair tips over) But I need you!

(Chris just stares at him, his shoulders trembling as he tries not to cry.)

DARREN
I need you, Chris. Every second of the day I spent without you it hurts.

CHRIS
Dare, I’m sorry. (steps forward, arms outstretched)

(Darren steps forward, hugging him around the waist. He presses his face into Chris’s neck.)

CHRIS
I’m not apologizing for my work. I’m apologizing for implying I didn’t need you too.

DARREN
(pulls back) I love you. I just…I really love you.

CHRIS
I know. And I love you too.

. ~ . ~ .

Puck gave Kurt a look, then headed out of the bedroom. Kurt took a deep breath and prepared to see Blaine. He wasn’t ready. Not after the events of the day before. Blaine probably hated him and all those text messages were officially breaking up with him. Kurt was too high maintenance or had too much baggage or was too needy or wasn’t good looking enough. Blaine was the perfect man.

“Come on, Kurt!” Puck called from the other room. Kurt took a deep breath and headed out of the bedroom, staring at the floor. Then he heard Blaine’s voice. It wasn’t hurt. It wasn’t angry. It was a little worried, and a lot possessive, with a hint of jealous.

“So did you guys…you know…do anything last night?” Blaine asked, the question directed at Puck. Kurt was surprised that of all things Blaine could say, that was the first thing out of his mouth.

“Nah, he’s not my type, if you know what I mean,” replied Puck. “He’s lucky though. Some guys had their hands all over him.”

Kurt chanced at glance over at Blaine as he nodded. He looked…unaffected. His hair was gelled back, his face showed no signs of missing sleep, his clothes were unwrinkled, and he had a very dapper look about him. Except his eyes. His eyes were hard and emotionless and when he looked over at Kurt, he literally felt the pain that all this had caused Blaine.

Suddenly he felt so, so guilty.

“Here’s your phone dude. I put my number in it, so give me a call when you need anything,” Puck said. Both Kurt and Puck caught the jealous, hurt look Blaine shot between them. Kurt hurried to explain.

“Puck’s a bodyguard,” Kurt clarified. “He’ll help me so I don’t get killed the next time I go shopping.”

Blaine didn’t say anything, or nod in understanding. He just said, “I already picked up your car from the bar. Let me take you home.”

Kurt nodded and looked over at Puck. “Thanks for…you know…not doing anything to me. It was great to see you again.”

Puck gave him a small smile and tucked his hands into the pockets of his jeans. Kurt followed Blaine out the door, hanging his head slightly. The tension was so thick between them that Kurt found it hard to breath. Blaine unlocked the car and Kurt climbed inside. As he buckled his seatbelt, his arm brushed against Blaine’s and he felt his heart skip in his chest.

“I’m only going to say this one time, because I don’t feel like I did anything wrong,” Blaine said stiffly as he put the key in the ignition. “I’m sorry, Kurt. For anything that could’ve hurt you. It was never my intention to hurt you, because I love you very much.”

Kurt’s heart thudded hard in his chest, and he knew Blaine was being so sincere. It almost hurt more knowing that Blaine still wanted him after he’d been such a jerk. He looked out the window the whole drive back to the condo and when Blaine started to get out of the car with him, Kurt hated himself as he finally said something.

“I-I’m not ready,” Kurt said. “I’m sorry, Blaine. I love you. But I just need some space.”

Blaine tried to hide his pain, but he wasn’t very good at it. He just nodded once and slipped back into his car. Kurt felt tears burning his eyes as he watched Blaine drive away. He wished he knew where Blaine was going, or that Blaine wouldn’t hurt himself over this.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Nineteen: Taking Chances
Scene 5

(INT. Hardware store. Focus on “Aisle 6” sign, then close in on Darren putting price stickers on boxes of nails. He looks quite unhappy. Allen, his coworker, comes up to him)

ALLEN
Nails, huh.

DARREN
Yup. They’re on sale.

ALLEN
Speaking of nails, you pounding any lately? You’ve been disturbingly uptight.

DARREN
I haven’t had sex in a week.

ALLEN
Oh, that’s harsh, man. You and Chris fighting?

DARREN
He’s filming.

ALLEN
You know it’s not really fair that he gets to chase his dreams and you’re stuck at this crappy ass job you’ve been working for the last three years.

DARREN
(stops what he’s doing and thinks) You know, you’re right.

ALLEN
I am?

DARREN
I’m twenty-five years old and the extent of my music career is playing in a bar three nights a week. Chris gets to have his movie, why can’t I have my dreams?

ALLEN
I don’t know, man. Maybe you should just go for it.

DARREN
You think? I mean, it’s not like Chris needs my help paying the rent anymore. I’ve seen his bank statements.

ALLEN
If you spent more time doing your music and auditioning then maybe you’d get something.

DARREN
I think I will.

(Darren hands the nail box and the price gun to Allen, then stomps down the aisle, turning sharply and running right into his boss Roger)

ROGER
You’re in quite the hurry.

DARREN
Roger. I quit!

(Roger looks shocked. Darren takes off his red vest and hands it over)

DARREN
I deserve to follow my dreams.

. ~ . ~ .

“Are you stupid?” Was the first thing out of Mercedes’ mouth when Kurt opened the door.

“Yeah. I am,” Kurt said. Mercedes walked in and took one look at him.

“You look like shit, baby boy. Now you wanna tell my why you dumped the best man you’re gonna find in this crappy world we live in?” Mercedes questioned.

“He deserves the best man he can find in this crappy world and I’m not it,” Kurt told her. It had been two days since he’d slept, eaten, thought about working, or done his moisturizing routine. To say he looked like shit didn’t begin to describe it.

“Did you ever think that maybe to him you are? He loves you, boy! More than I’ve ever seen a guy love someone before. I will indulge you with this one Disney movie night, but after this you are going to talk to him and you are going to ask him to come home and you are going to have wild, passionate sex with him, and they you’re going to record a beautiful duet with him.” Mercedes poked him hard with one finger in the chest and Kurt let out a small squeak.

“Fine. Tomorrow on the set I will tell him he can either come home, or come get his things. The choice will be up to him,” Kurt said. Mercedes still didn’t look like that was enough for her, but she accepted the answer nonetheless.

. ~ . ~ .

“Thanks for letting me crash on your couch, Wes,” Blaine said, fluffing up the spare pillow Wes had tossed at him.

“No problem. I’ve always got room for a friend in the dumps,” Wes said. He handed Blaine a bottle of beer and sat on the couch beside him. “Wanna like…talk about it or anything?”

“What is there to say? My ex came back into my life and ruined everything with the guy I had hopes of marrying one day,” Blaine shrugged.

Wes took a long swig from his bottle. “Sounds like you got a lot to say.”

“How am I supposed to be professional now? How are we supposed to pretend everything is alright when neither of us can look at each other without it hurting?” Blaine didn’t expect and answer, but Wes responded anyway with something that Blaine didn’t really want to hear.

“Well if you ask me, you should just move on. Kurt’s never been your type. We were friends before the show, man. You like those manly ones. Like the football player types and shit like that. Frankly, I was a little surprised when you and Kurt hooked up,” Wes shrugged.

“I’ll have you know that I find Kurt very attractive. And I can’t just move on. I have too many feelings for him,” Blaine sighed. He tipped back the bottle of beer and chugged it all in one breath.

“Whatever makes you happy, go with it. Just don’t have onto Kurt if you think you have to,” Wes said. “There are plenty of other guys out there and you’re quite the catch.”

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Nineteen: Taking Chances
Scene 6

(INT. Living room.)

CHRIS
You did what?

DARREN
I quit my job!

CHRIS
Are you fucking kidding me?

DARREN
No. I just figured since you get to do your movie, I should be able to pursue my dreams.

CHRIS
I had a fucking trust set up, Darren. I had money saved from three fucking years of TV acting before I decided to do this project.

DARREN
I’m sorry, Chris, but this is what I’ve done. Whether you like it or not, I’m not going back to that job.

CHRIS
I’m not supporting you, Dare. Not financially. Not now. Not ever.

DARREN
It’s not like its forever. If it doesn’t work out then I’ll get another job!

CHRIS
I love you, but you can’t just quit like that without even talking about it with me!

DARREN
Why not? If it’s my money and my life I’m screwing up, then what does it matter to you?

CHRIS
Because people in relationships talk about things! Because I have to know I can trust you if we’re ever going to get married some day!

(It’s silent between them for a few moments)

DARREN
(quietly) You want to get married to me?

CHRIS
(realizing what he said, tries to shrug it off) Yeah, I mean, someday maybe.

DARREN
I always thought you didn’t want to.

CHRIS
Well maybe you’d be the only exception.

DARREN
You’re kidding.

CHRIS
Maybe I am. Maybe I’m not. Maybe you shouldn’t push it.

DARREN
You better fucking kiss me right now.

. ~ . ~ .

Kurt figured it was best to get it over with before they started filming for the day. That way he could focus on his acting and not on the nervousness of trying to figure out what to say to Blaine. He walked towards Blaine’s trailer, and just as he reached up to knock on the door, it opened.

“Oh, hi Kurt,” Blaine said, standing there with his damp hair stuck to his forehead, a t-shirt in his hand, and his chest bare. Kurt gulped and forced himself not to look at the perfection of Blaine’s chest.

“Blaine,” Kurt squeaked, his voice took high-pitched for his liking.

“I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to talk to you,” Blaine said as he stepped down the steps and closed his trailer door.

“Y-You did?” Kurt asked, stepping back as Blaine shook his wet hair, then pulled on his t-shirt. Kurt mourned the loss of his view of those abs. Blaine had to come back. Kurt didn’t know if he’d be able to live much longer without Blaine’s body.

“Yeah, but you can go first,” Blaine said. Kurt’s heart dropped with worry. This wasn’t a good sign. He’d had this conversation before, only usually he was on the other side of it. Blaine was going to break up with him. He had about thirty second to fix this.

“Blaine, I really love you and I’m so sorry. I don’t want to mess this up and I already have, so bad. I knew it wasn’t your fault that Jesse kissed you like he did, but you’re just so gorgeous and I’m always afraid I’m not good enough for you and I just really, really want you to come home. Please, Blaine, you have to come back.”

Smooth, Hummel. Begging was totally not in your plan.

Blaine stared at him, surprised for a moment, but then he smiled.

“I wasn’t really expecting that to be what you were going to say,” said Blaine. “I was kind of expecting you to tell me to come get the rest of my things.”

“I love you, and I’m an idiot,” Kurt told him, a hint of pleading still in his voice.

Blaine chuckled, then said, “You’re not an idiot. It’s ok, though. If you’ll have me back, then I’ll come back.”

Kurt was surprised that Blaine was so willing to come back, continuing to just stare at him, his eyes wide as blue saucers. Before he could help himself, he lunged forward, circling his arms around Blaine’s neck and hugging him close.

“We are never almost breaking up again.” Kurt’s declaration was muffled against the warm skin of Blaine’s neck.

“Promise?” Blaine asked, hugging Kurt back.

“I promise.” Kurt moved closer to Blaine, his tear-dampened eyelids and his nose pressed impossibly close to Blaine’s skin, until everything he could touch, taste, smell, and see was just Blaine.

. ~ . ~ .

Episode Nineteen: Taking Chances
Scene 6

(INT. Bedroom. Chris is straddling Darren, whose hands are above his head, handcuffed to the headboard)

DARREN
(breathlessly as Chris sucks on a sensitive spot of his neck) Shouldn’t we talk about our plans?

CHRIS
The only plan I have is to give you the world’s biggest hickey.

DARREN
What about getting married?

CHRIS
(presses kisses to Darren’s chest, working his way up Darren’s neck to his mouth) Record (kiss) an album (kiss) and (kiss) perform (kiss) in front of (kiss) millions of (kiss) people (kiss) then I will (kiss) marry you.

(He reaches Darren’s mouth and kisses him deeply, passionately. Darren struggles against the handcuffs)

DARREN
I wanna touch you, Chris.

CHRIS
Too bad. Any husband of mine can’t be afraid to be dominated.

DARREN
Fuck, Chris, I love you.

(Chris kisses him again to keep him quiet. Then he pulls back with a wicked grin on his face)

DARREN
What are you planning?

CHRIS
I love you, too, Dare.

(Chris disappears beneath the sheets and Darren let out a low groan, his eyes fluttering shut as the screen goes dark)