literature

Love, A Simple Duty Chapter 5

Deviation Actions

PhantomOfARose's avatar
Published:
2.5K Views

Literature Text

The Hummel house hold was completely silent. This was actually a strange thing for the newly assembled family. Usually, Finn would be making some sort of noise, be it his heavy feet walking around the house or bringing a classmate over to spend time with. Finn, however, had been ushered out of the house at Carole's urging. They still hadn't told Finn about Kurt yet, though Kurt knew it would be coming, soon.

Other times, Kurt would be playing piano or singing, sometimes with Carole. Kurt's hands were too nervous to play, however, and he felt like his throat had closed in on itself.

Kurt didn't know why he was so nervous. His dad and Carole had met Blaine plenty times before today, but he supposed now it was different, now that they knew how Kurt felt toward Blaine, and he to Kurt.

"Is Blaine going to be arriving soon?" asked Carole, looking up from her needle point. His father looked over his newspaper.

"Any minute now, I suppose," said Kurt, looking over to the clock. It was Saturday and his family had wanted Blaine to come over, just to talk about the situation in front of them. Kurt also suspected that his parents wanted to know who their son (or in Carole's case, new son) had come to love.

After a few more minutes in silence, the doorknocker sounded from the front of the house. Kurt jumped up and hurried out of the room before Carole was able to put down her needlepoint. Kurt arrived at the door, took a deep breath, and opened the door, smiling at Blaine immediately.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he said, stepping inside and slipping off his had. Kurt grabbed it and hug it on the coat rack, then helped Blaine out of his jacket. "I was nervous and it took me longer than usual to get ready."

"It's fine," said Kurt. "I'm just glad I'm not the only one nervous," he admitted.

Blaine chuckled, then leaned over and kissed Kurt's cheek.

Burt cleared his throat from the doorway, causing both boys to jump in alarm. "It's nice to see you again, Blaine," said Burt.

"And you as well, Mr. Hummel," said Blaine, walking over to shake Burt's hand. Then he took Carole's hand and kissed it. "Mrs. Hummel."

"Hello, Blaine," said Carole with a broad smile. "We have some snacks set up in the living room. Come on."

The group of four walked to the living room, Kurt squeezing Blaine's hand in a comforting gesture; or maybe it was for comfort. After a few minutes, they were all sat down, Kurt next to Blaine, a healthy distance away, and Burt next to Carole, across from the couple. Carole had passed out beverages and snacks. Now, they were all looking at each other politely, making small talk.

"How are you doing in school, Blaine?" asked Carole.

"Well, Mrs. Hummel," he said, smiling one of his charming grins at her. He always had adults eating out of the palm of his hand with that grin. "I'm very excited to be going off to university soon next year, so I'm working quite hard now."

"Where are you planning on going, dear?"

"Perhaps Brown," said Blaine with a small shrug.

"Kurt is considering Brown, as well," said Burt, a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, we've both been looking at schools together, dad," said Kurt with a small smile.

"Hmm," said his father, taking a bite of a lemon square that Carole had made.

"Kurt tells us that you've been…together for quite some time," said Carole. Kurt had to give her credit; she seemed at ease with this whole situation.

Blaine turned red. "Yes, ma'am. We were good friends for quite a while before…pursuing more, but yes, for over a year now we've been in a courtship of sorts. Obviously, it isn't exactly an official courtship," said Blaine quickly, looking over at Burt. "It's usually custom for parents to arrange them and obliviously we've never had supervised outings…" Blaine coughed and looked down.

"But with respect," said Kurt suddenly, looking from Blaine to his father. "I consider it an official courtship….in my heart." Kurt could feel Blaine's eyes on him, but he choose not too look at his lover's eyes. He knew that would be too much right now. "I know that our courtship will never lead to anything substantial. We'll never be wedded or recognized publicly…" Kurt's eyes watered. "But I do hope that you can support our courtship and relationship as much as possible."

There was a tense silence in the room for a long moment. Kurt was afraid he had said too much. His family, up until this point, had been accepting. Almost too accepting…maybe this would push them over the edge. They could decide that he was absolutely repugnant and cast him out of the house. Then tell Blaine's family about him and….Kurt didn't want that.

"Kurt," said Burt gently. "I love you. I will support you in whatever you do. You need to know that."

Kurt's heart could have stopped at that moment. He let out the breath he had not known he'd been holding. He also heard Blaine do the same. Kurt risked a look at Blaine, who was smiling softly in his direction.

"This is going to take some getting used to, however," said Burt with a firm tone. "Just yesterday, I thought my son was…well, just my little boy. To know that he's been in a relationship so long….it does a lot to a father, you have to understand. There is also the fact that, to the public, we can't acknowledge our courtship."

"We understand," said Kurt. "We've had to deal with that for months and months. We know that no one can know…and go to great lengths to keep it that way."

Burt nodded. "Good, because I don't want anything bad to happen to you. Or you for that matter," he said, looking over at Blaine with a nod. "Who knows what people would do if they found out."

Kurt shivered, images of hell fire and angry members of their church suddenly filling his mind. Kurt had thought of people finding out often and every time, it was only bad thoughts that he imagined.

"Hopefully no one will say anything about Kurt remaining single for a while," said Carole idly. "He will be going off to university and we can always say that he is focusing on his studies. Thank goodness the Pierces will understand our withdrawal of our offer."

This mention made both Kurt and Blaine frown. While Kurt was happy that he didn't have to pretend to be involved with Brittany, but Blaine didn't have that luxury.

"What is it?" asked Carole, noticing the boys' frowns.

Kurt looked at Blaine, as if to ask him permission. Blaine nodded. "I'll tell them," he said slowly. He turned to Kurt's parents, worry lines present on his forehead. "I regret to say that…I'm involved in a courtship. One outside of the special courtship Kurt and I hold."

Burt frowned and Carole looked confused. "I assure you," said Blaine quickly. "I am not in it by choice. My parents told me that I was to marry Quinn Fabray one day, most likely this summer, before I go to school." Blaine sighed and frowned. "My father feels like it's a favor to Mrs. Fabray. Since her husband left her, she had been having troubles giving Quinn away…I couldn't refuse, obviously, without telling my family the truth. And so…it's official, as of a few days ago. I'm courting Quinn Fabray."

"Oh dear," said Carole softly, looking sympathetically at Blaine and then Kurt. "I know that many times, people enter courtship that aren't exactly based on love…rather status or necessity, but this is…well, horrible. I'm sorry, Blaine."

"I'm full of regret," said Blaine. "It feels wrong, for one, as if I'm betraying Kurt's trust. I also…feel horrible for leading Quinn along. She's a nice girl and deserves a good husband. That isn't me, however. I could never give her what she wants. In the end…" Blaine's face suddenly crumbled. "I don't want to marry her. I couldn't possibly live my life with a woman…a person I didn't love. Not with Kurt."

Kurt scooted over on the couch, resting a hand on Blaine's back and another on his knee. "It will be fine, Blaine," he said in a soothing voice. "We'll figure out something…"

Really, Kurt didn't have the answer. As it was, Blaine would be marrying Quinn. It didn't matter how much neither wanted it. What could they do?

"I'm sorry to hear that, son," says Burt gruffly. "I wish there was something I could do…"

"I know there isn't," said Blaine, regaining some composure. "Something will happen, for better or worse," he said with a grimace.

~.~.~.~.~.~

"It was very nice having you over, Blaine," said Carole as they walked to the door. She grabbed his coat and helped into it. "We must do this more often."

"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Hummel," said Blaine, grabbing his hat and toying with it, not yet putting it on. His eyes flickered from Burt and Carole to Kurt.

"Come on, dear, let's leave these two alone," said Carole, putting an arm through her husband's.

"Carole," said Burt with a frown. "It's not proper to…"

"Hush now," said Carole, pulling him from the room.

"I really like Carole," said Blaine softly when they were alone. "She's…more supportive than I think anyone else will ever be."

"I can only hope that my mother would have been like that," said Kurt, taking Blaine's hand in his own. "I'll miss you."

"I'll be seeing you again for school," said Blaine with a smile. "In just a few days. I'm not yet out the door. How could you miss me?"

"I always miss you," said Kurt, taking a step closer to Blaine, wrapping his arms around the other boy. They settled against each other in a familiar way, two pieces of a puzzle. It almost felt strange to be doing this, knowing that there were other people just another room away. "Sometimes I miss you when you're still right next to me."

There was a comfortable silence, Blaine's breath tickling his neck. "I know how that is," said Blaine softly, nuzzling his lips on the tender flesh of Kurt's throat. He kissed a spot just above Kurt's collarbone.

"Sometimes, when we lay together," said Kurt in a low voice. "And we're just holding each other and on the edge of sleep, our breath syncing up together…I miss you. I have this longing for you, even though you're right there. I just want to hold you closer and never let go…because I wonder if we'll ever be in the same situation ever again." Kurt swallowed and gripped Blaine tighter. "I'm afraid I'll never see you again."

Blaine returned Kurt's fierce grip with the same need. "I feel the same, all the time," he said, his voice thick. "But I have to push that away and just believe that this isn't the last time."

Kurt hiccupped. "I'll have to remember that," he said, shyly stepping away and breaking their embrace.

Blaine smiled up at Kurt, leaning into to kiss him chastely. "I love you," he whispered.

"Forever," sighed Kurt against his lips.

"Forever," repeated Blaine firmly.


~.~.~.~.~

Blaine and Kurt sat on Blaine's bed, kissing as if they would never get enough of each other. The school week had been long and difficult. Blaine had not gotten the chance to come to Kurt's home after school, nor Kurt to Blaine's, and obviously they couldn't even touch each other at school. They hadn't gone this long without some sort of physical contact in months.

It was positively stifling.

Kurt moaned into Blaine's mouth, clutching him close, his fingers already moving up to Blaine's tie. "Kurt," Blaine said, his hands tightening around Kurt's small waist.

Then, a loud knock came from downstairs, causing Blaine and Kurt to separate instantaneously, their blood suddenly running cold. "Who is that?" hissed Kurt, jumping up and hurrying over to a mirror on the other side of Blaine's room. Blaine followed him and they both tried to fix their appearances. Thankfully, they had not been home very long so little actually damage had been done.

"I have no clue," said Blaine, finding his hair presentable. He hurried down stairs, Kurt behind him. He took a sudden left, however, when Blaine went straight to the door. Blaine could hear Kurt digging though his school bag and setting books on the table. An alibi, of sorts.

Taking one last calming breath, Blaine answered the door, putting a small smile on. There, in front of him, was Mrs. Fabray and Quinn.

Quinn was dressed in a very nice dress, a lovely yellow color that looked beautiful on her skin. Her hair was in its usual style and she smiled when she saw Blaine.

"Hello," said Blaine after a moment of pause. "What do I owe this pleasure?" asked Blaine.

Mrs. Fabray frowned. "You do remember that you and Quinn were scheduled for an outing today, Mr. Anderson, do you not?" asked the older woman with a raise eyebrow.

"I do not," said Blaine slowly.

Mrs. Fabray looked at Blaine for a long moment. "Are your parents here?"

"No, they are not."

"Your mother said she would be chaperoning this first date," said Mrs. Fabray.

"I don't know what to say, Mrs. Fabray," said Blaine with a frown. "My parent's usually aren't so forgetful. I sincerely apologize."

"I can't chaperone myself," said Mrs. Fabray, looking back on the street. "I'm just on my way to a temperance meeting. I couldn't possibly leave Quinn and you alone." Mrs. Fabray was scandalized at the thought. "It's not at all suitable."

"Mrs. Fabray," said Kurt, suddenly appearing next to Blaine, a polite smile on his face that was incredibly forced to Blaine, though genuine to those who didn't know the boy. "I'm terribly sorry for interrupting, but I couldn't help but over hear your dilemma."

"This is my friend, Kurt Hummel, Mrs. Fabray," said Blaine, feeling a need to step in. "We're schoolmates. We were just in the middle of some homework."

"Mother, Kurt used to go to Jefferson," supplied Quinn quietly to her mother. "We were in the same choir, before Kurt transferred to Dalton Academy."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you," said Kurt.

"And you as well, Mr. Hummel," she said.

"I was going to suggest that I could perhaps act as chaperone for Blaine and Quinn, if that's not terribly out of line," said Kurt quickly.

Mrs. Fabray looked thoughtful for a moment, looking at Kurt with a steady gaze. "Well," she said finally. "I have heard only good things about you, Mr. Hummel. But you mustn't leave these two alone; it's not proper at all."

"I completely understand, Mrs. Fabray," said Kurt with a smile. "But I wouldn't want you to miss your meeting."

"Thank you," she said, a kind smile finally appearing on her face. "I won't be more than an hour. I'll be back then, Quinny." She kissed her daughter's cheek.

Blaine and Kurt ushered a silent Quinn into the door. "I'm so sorry about forgetting," said Blaine, still looking at Kurt with a questioning expression. Why had he been so keen to have Quinn over?

"It's quite alright," said Quinn with a delicate smile. She turned to Kurt, who linked an arm with the girl to lead her to the Anderson's living room. "It's so nice to see you again, Kurt. It feels like it's been forever."

"I couldn't agree more," said Kurt. "I seem to never get a chance to see everyone from my former choir. Only Finn, obviously, as I live with him and on occasion Rachel. Mercedes, of course."

Quinn smiled up at him and nodded. "You and that girl were as close as could be, for friends who didn't attend the same school."

"I feel horribly guilty for not seeing you as of late," said Kurt, waiting until Quinn had sat down to sit himself. Blaine sat across from the two old friends on the couch. "Especially considering recent developments," he said, looking at Blaine for a moment.

Quinn blushed. "Yes, well, it's funny that I would be promised to your best friend, seeing as we've also had a history together. It's such a small town, however, it is almost to be expected, in a way."

"Yes, horribly small," remarked Kurt dryly.

Try as he might, Kurt couldn't find it in himself to hate Quinn. It wasn't like she was trying to steal Blaine from Kurt on purpose. She was oblivious. A pon in a bigger game than either her or himself.

Quinn looked down at her hands, which were resting in her lap. "You look well, Kurt. I know you were never truly happy at Jefferson, even though we all miss you terribly in choir. I'm just…I'm glad you're well, now. You look happy, even."

"Thank you, Quinn," said Kurt softly. His eyes flickered to meet Blaine's. He was the real reason Kurt was so happy. Kurt was sure that he could be publicly humiliated every day of his life, as long as he had Blaine he would be happy.

"We can put our homework away," said Blaine, picking up a book and beginning to put it in his bag. "I wouldn't want to bore and ignore you."

"No, don't," said Quinn. She blushed. "I mean…maybe I could do some of your homework with you? I've always been…curious as to the differences in our education." She looked mortified for a moment. "I don't mean to sound question, however…"

"It's quite alright, Quinn," laughed Blaine, bringing his book back. "What kind of subjects do you prefer?"

"There aren't that many, honestly," said Quinn. "There is literature, which I love. There is also cooking and things like sewing. Music, as well. Obviously you boys wouldn't have cooking or sewing."

Kurt chuckled and nodded. Though he knew how to cook, though not fantastically, most other men his age had never stepped foot in a kitchen, in that sense. Kurt sighed. He had always wanted to learn to sew, honestly. It was just something that men did not do.

"What homework do you have?" asked Quinn, her eyes scanning the table.

"Mathematics," said Kurt with a frown. He was quite good at it, but Blaine was much better. "Some philosophy and literature."

"I've always wanted to learn math," said Quinn softly. "Well, obviously I know some basis, but nothing past adding and subtracting."

"Come here," said Blaine, patting the chair next to him and opening a book. "I can go over a few things." Quinn hesitantly stood and sat next Blaine, careful not to get too close. "It's not difficult at all, really," said Blaine, pointing to a problem in his textbook as he began to explain it to Quinn.

For the next hour, Quinn struggled over a few of Blaine's math problems, but she looked like she genuinely enjoyed it. Near the end of the hour, the three began to discuss the book that Blaine and Kurt were reading for the literature class. Quinn was very eager in the discussion, and very knowledgeable on the novel, actually. She said that during her home schooling last year, she had worked through many different books.

At the mention of her home schooling, the girl blushed and looked away from Blaine, looking ashamed. Kurt looked at Blaine with a sharp look. He mouthed the words: "Comfort her."

Blaine looked alarmed, but looked at Quinn with a small frown. "Quinn," said Blaine, his face turning slightly red. "I mean no disrespect, and I do hope that I'm not out of line saying so, but I do not think any less of you for what you went through last year." Quinn looked up at Blaine with wide eyes. "You're a stronger woman for going through that, I believe."

It was silent for a few moments, Quinn staring at Blaine with a slack jaw. "You're too kind," said Quinn finally, in a soft tone. "I'm ashamed for my actions," she said. "And you, as my future husband, should be as well."

Blaine blushed and looked away from Quinn. He ignored the stab in his heart at Quinn's word - husband. It was true, though, as far as she knew. They would be husband and wife one day, if Blaine's father had his way. "I am not," said Blaine finally. Firmly.

"You're a kind man, Blaine Anderson," said Quinn, in a slightly amused tone.

"I try to be," said Blaine, gathering his math book to put away.

Quinn's mother arrived soon after that. Kurt gave her a pleasant report, and told her that the three had spent the time working for the most part.

"That's nice to hear," said Mrs. Fabray. "I do hope your parents remember the next date, Blaine," she said to the boy.

"I hope so as well, Mrs. Fabray." He nodded. "I hope you have a lovely evening, Quinn, Mrs. Fabray."

After Blaine had shut the door, he turned to Kurt with a questioning expression. "Why did you volunteer to watch us?" asked Blaine. "She could have just left…we didn't have to spend time with her."

Kurt sighed and leaned up against a wall. "I missed Quinn, just a bit, like I said. She's a sweet girl. She didn't really deserve all those rumors almost two years ago. And besides, as long as I was with you two, you couldn't do anything."

Blaine looked at Kurt, cocking his head to the side. "You do know that I would never do anything with her, regardless of your presence." Kurt sighed. Blaine walked over and grabbed his hands. "You do know that, correct?"

"I suppose I do," said Kurt with a nod. "It's silly, to be jealous of a woman, and yet, I am, just a bit."

"You should know there is nothing to be jealous of," said Blaine, kissing Kurt on the cheek.

Kurt chuckled. "Yes, my logic tells me so. I should probably listen to that part of my brain more often." Kurt looked over at the clock and frowned. "I suppose I should be getting back home."

Blaine groaned, pulling Kurt closer to him with his hands on Kurt's waist. "We didn't get to do anything," he sighed, kissing the top of Kurt's neck.

"No marks, Blaine," said Kurt, pulling away slightly, but he sighed as well, leaning his forehead against Blaine's. "I have to admit, I'm disappointed as well. Hopefully we can get together in the next few days…"

"I look forward to it," said Blaine with a smirk. He kissed Kurt with an audible smack, then helped Kurt gather his books.

TBC
I’m so sorry for the long delay in getting this chapter up. I feel horrible for the wait!

Oh and some people have addressed some ways the things I’ve written don’t really mesh with real history (I cover this later, in the ending AN) and let’s just say that it’s poetic license and I don’t really care if it’s completely historically correct.
© 2011 - 2024 PhantomOfARose
Comments13
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In
secrets2share's avatar
is this going to be continued..... I love love love it!