It was a stormy night on the Neverland, the unfortunate weather interrupted the crew's plans to set sail.
As the crew scattered around the ship, a woman stood still watching the droplets fall & the lighting crash. She found peace watching the weather, especially at sea.
She shivered as the rain hit her bare skin, clutching onto herself to keep warm.
James sat in the chambers of his ship, keeping himself to himself. It is how he preferred to spend his time. However, James had a nagging feeling to go onto the deck.
He grabbed his classic red & gold jacket & made his way to the deck where he found Y/N.
The captain approached her, offering her his jacket. She took him up on his offer & he placed it around the pirates shoulders.
Y/N may keep her cool on the outside however, internally she was squealing.
"You're going to catch a cold dear Y/N."
She continued looking out to sea, and shrugged her shoulders at the Captain. James held out a hand, smiling gently.
"Please join me inside, it is absolutely freezing."
Y/N sighed but took his hand, making their way to the chamber.
James made his way to the grand piano to resume his playing. Y/N sat across from the captain, watching his every move.
She could not keep lying to herself any longer. She adored him, the way he takes care of her, the way he protects her, the way he laughed, the way he played his piano so beautifully.
He felt her watchful eyes & grinned.
"Sing with me."
She sat in shock as she was pulled away from her thoughts.
"Please dear, sing with me."
"Certainly, captain."
"This is a song I wrote a melody to along time ago, but I wrote the lyrics recently. Just follow my lead."
James began to sing the first verse, he had a magnificent voice, so versatile. His lower register was something Y/N loved to hear.
"Now I want you to sing the next verse dear."
She nodded & sang the next verse. The melody laced her lips so beautifully.
When the pair finished their duet, a look of admiration was shared between them.
"I think we make a great musical duo don't you?" He winked.
Butterflies formed in Y/N's stomach.
"I have to agree with you James."
He placed a hand on her knee, looked to his side & into her eyes. He knew how he felt about her for a long time but he didn't know if it was a good idea to tell her.
hi there! want some cool harry potter-esque books without it being harry potter or associated with The Bitch? do you want a book series that combines magic, folklore, coming-of-age, and whimsical but badass magical animal companions? do you want a book series whose plotholes don't look like a piece of baby swiss, and whose villain is a conniving and intriguing otherwordly-type creature?
well look no further!
i present to you one of my favorite book series' of all time! The Tapestry series by Henry H. Neff. It's a five-book series that is now fully available in print (due to rights, timing, and publishing issues, the fifth book was only available as audio/e-book until 2021)!
The Tapestry series is mainly set in the United States of America, starts with the first book, The Hound of Rowan where tween-aged Max McDaniels finds a mysterious room in a museum that leads him on a whirlwind journey to an ancient and hidden school, finding unlikely friends (and learning about ancient, unlikely, and horrifying enemies), and finds out that a extraordinary power resides in him that he must learn to harness.
The series goes through Max's life, following the relationships, allyships, and betrayals that surround him and his peers, where he knocks on doors that have probably been locked for a reason. All while a threat looms on the horizon that threatens not only his world, but the entire universe as we know it.
anyway, to stop sounding like a paid actor for this series, it's been one of my favorite series since I first read it when I was 11. even in my most harry potter-obsessed, the tapestry far surpassed hp in terms of thoughtfullness, worldbuilding, characterization, and handling of folklore.
also they have weapons. they gave them weapons. my man max has a giant-ass spear. what more can you ask for.
Warnings/Notes: Spoilers for episode 5 of TBOBF. I don't know what this is. Just a lot of feelings and emotions about what home means to Din. Watched the new episode, been listening to My Tears Ricochet a lot lately. Got trapped in sad girl hours.
Where do we go, Din?
Home.
But where is home?
A beat.
A sigh.
I don’t know.
I love you.
No hesitation.
I love you too.
For a single moment you had held your breath and let it go, a realization, hot and foreign and filled to the top with guilt, that you didn’t expect him to say it back. That you had looked at your Mandalorian, your hero, your Din, and assumed the worst would happen with all that he’s lost. That he would retreat within the corners of his heart and turn away from the fragile thing you had built together. You had set your trust aside for one heartbeat and gathered yourself in preparation of death and heartache.
Throwing stones; losing diamonds.
You look down at your hands, joined together, fingers cinched tight, leather and skin twisted with an elegance you could never hope to repeat. You look down and you smile. It’s a forlorn turn of your cheek, no true joy behind it. Things are broken, so broken, made all the more apparent as the two of you limp gracelessly away from battle, your tiny clan down to two.
But-
You are free.
Your Mandalorian is not.
You find his covert. His family. It almost feels like home. Almost, but not quite. It’s a ghostly scene, a wake of turmoil and broken vows, tense and awkward from where you hover just out of site. They don’t trust you; you won’t ask them too.
Din doesn’t feel it, not yet.
He trains, black crackling and dark fire swirling around him- the weapon of lore, of might bending to his will. They watch him with bated breath. Their worst fear, their saving grace, their promise. He is the flame, burning ash behind him, lightening and dust left in his wake. Black eyes hold steady on his towering frame and Din holds his tongue, bites hard at his pride and moves forward. Always forward. Each regret, every hurt, ricochets away. Out of sight. Out of mind. He doesn’t miss.
Until he does.
He misses desperately. His family. His heart. His son.
Gone but not lost.
Din doesn’t understand, not yet.
At night while he sleeps, feigns it, you send soft silent pleas out into the galaxy. You wish for peace, you wish for bravery, for the stolen lullabies of his people. You think of time past, a baby’s smile, songs lilted across an old ship, the grip of a hand, a promise of a future. Of home. You scream it loudly in the darkness of your mind, staring at the sky, lips open and throat empty.
Din doesn’t hear it, not yet.
The truth finds its way. You knew it would: honor and love and hurt pushing him down and pulling him up all the same. The words break the surface, leaving him in a shuddered gasp- betrayal, outcast, broken. He is no king, they whisper. He is no hero. They bury him, deep, and leave him to sink beneath the vast waves, bleak and forgotten.
You cup his cheek, beskar cold beneath your warm fingers, a jewel he wears, they wear just the same. Little pieces collected, gathered for those that are gone. Not lost. You lean in, grasping for him, clinging, helpless and afraid, and he matches your movement in kind. You speak softly, repeating that same call, that very wish refusing to die on your tongue, urging him to understand. There is nothing lost to this broken creed, this shattered promise. Not now. Not yet. Things can always be pieced back together. You believe this.
You like folklore? Mythology? Something people brand as “a coming of age” story? Existential dread? Well look no further!
Honestly one of my favorite series, the worldbuilding is spectacular. The first book is not the best in the series, but after reading it, it sets up everything else so well it is worth the initial jump start needed to really delve into the world, and from there everything is smooth sailing.
There are actual stakes, and the author commits to actions that occur. If I say anymore it would be spoilers and that would be a shame to ruin.
I initially read it back in elementary school, and actually never finished the last book. A couple years ago I picked it back up again and re-read the whole series, including the last book, and it was better than I had remembered it. The series does get darker than typical book series in this genre (YA Fantasy), but I think it allows for more depth and interest, and in the end I really appreciate how serious it gets. Just get past the first book. Trust me.
The selling point for me isn’t the characters themselves, but the worldbuilding and how they interact with it. Especially later in the series, the whole setting just feels vast and also really hits you with that fantasy folklore existentialism. Which is always a plus.
Summary: Blaine is a famous singer and just wants a day to himself; Kurt wins a meet and greet contest.
Notes: my first fic of the new year...sixteen days into it! I’m so happy with how this one turned out.
AO3
Blaine sat up, white hotel sheets wrapped around him. His personal assistant was talking into her earpiece and opening the curtains letting the morning sunlight in. Amelia gestured for him to get up and shower.
Another day, another packed schedule. He looked at the alarm clock he never had to set and saw it was 5 am.
Right, the morning show interview.
It was a quick shower, he didn’t bother doing his hair knowing as soon as he stepped out of the bathroom, his usual hair and makeup people would be set up. Blaine sat in their chair, still naked under his hotel robe, allowing them to get to work.
Meanwhile, Ameila talked him through the day as she always did.
“Morning show at 6:30, brief fan meet and greet after. They assured me it’s only thirty people.”
More exclusive than he’s used to but he has a concert tonight. There will be more fans to meet later today.
His first of three hometown shows. Well as close to hometown as he can get; Columbus is the closest city to where Blaine grew up. There’s not a big enough venue in Westerville to play. This show is the reason why he woke up in a hotel room as opposed to his tour bus. Multiple shows in one city meant an actual bed for a few nights.
“Quick lunch with Bobby at noon.” Blaine’s manager. “Your parents will meet us at the stadium for soundcheck at 2.”
After soundcheck, Blaine knows he’ll have exactly 40 minutes to himself. That time will be spent taking a nap or eating again. His team has him ready to go in less than 20 minutes, Amelia has a coffee in her hand for him and a cronut for the ride to the studio. Blaine makes sure to thank everyone before exiting the hotel room.
The interview is generic.
How’s it feel to be back home?
Favorite song to perform on tour?
Plans for the next album?
Best city you’ve visited so far?
Which city are you most looking forward to?
No questions he hasn’t answered a thousand times before. The meet and greets are always better.
Blaine loves meeting fans. They always have the best stories of how they found his music and make him feel like he’s actually changing minds with his lyrics. He takes photos and shares smiles. The line slowly gets shorter and shorter. Amelia is next to him keeping time.
The studio’s photographer, who will send professional photos to the fans, is having a blast. Creating funny poses as well as big smiles. Everyone is having a great time.
Still, Blaine has this sinking emptiness in his chest. This is all he ever dreamed of—making music, singing to crowds, meeting fans—yet he isn’t whole. There’s a piece of himself he hasn’t found.
Then a blue-eyed boy approaches him.
**
What the fuck do you say at a meet-and-greet?
You’ve changed my life. Made it feel possible to be gay and sing and be from Ohio. I wanna leave this place just like you did.
Everything Kurt could come up with sounded lame and overdone. There were no words to encompass what Blaine Anderson’s music had done for him.
Blaine Anderson was only three years older than Kurt. While still in high school, he signed a record deal. Rather than taking the SATs, he went on tour playing in small venues. He didn’t walk at graduation because he was promoting his second album. This was his third national tour and first with international dates.
Kurt was lucky to score tickets for tonight’s concert. He had begged his dad to let him go alone, reassuring him and Carole a hundred times that he’d be fine driving alone. Burt, of course, insisted Kurt stay the night in a motel and drive back the next morning. Kurt knew once the concert was over, he’d be thankful to only have a ten-minute drive until he could crash in bed.
Before tonight’s show, he was watching Blaine’s “Good Morning Columbus” interview and was one of thirty lucky fans getting to meet him afterward.
Kurt had won the meet and greet in a radio contest. Asked to use the restroom during third period to call in.
The line for the meet and greet was moving quickly. At least, it felt fast to Kurt. he was trying to distract himself with his phone but he could still hear the eagerness of the fans around him, see the flashes from the camera, and hear laughter from whoever was currently with Blaine.
All of a sudden, a lady was asking for his phone and name.
“Professional photos will be emailed to you within 48 hours, I can take some casual ones on your device.”
She had bright red hair, Kurt noticed.
“Thank you,” he said, handing over the phone.
“Name?” she asked, smiling at him.
“Kurt Hummel.”
She made an ‘o’ with her mouth and walked over to Blaine. Kurt could hear her whisper, “he’s the contest winner.”
Blaine beamed at him when Kurt introduced himself. He asked how old he was and if he lived in Ohio.
“18, born and raised in Lima.”
“No way!” Blaine exclaimed, “That's like an hour from my hometown.”
I know. Kurt held his tongue.
“Wow, that’s so cool.”
“Okay, smile wide,” Blaine instructed.
He wrapped an arm around Kurt’s shoulder and put their heads together. Everyone else had only gotten three photos with Blaine but Kurt went home with six.
After the meet and greet, Kurt went to the coffee shop across the street. He had a whole day planned out before the concert. There was no point to just sitting in his hotel room all day when there was a whole city to explore. But first, mocha.
He had just gone over his itinerary one last time and had opened his photos app when someone slid into the seat in front of him.
**
“Hi again,” Blaine said.
Contest winner Kurt looked over his shoulder and Amelia waved to him before putting a finger over her lips. A silent plea to keep this on the down low.
“Hey.”
“I don’t mean to interrupt but I wanted to talk more after the meet and greet but you had already disappeared. Usually, fans stay and...sorry that’s not the point,” Blaine said, stumbling a bit with his words. “Um, we—that is Ameila and I—we were walking to the car and saw you here. I had to stop.”
The boy across from him simply stared. Blaine had just dropped a lot of information onto him after all. He wasn’t quite sure he had explained himself very well either.
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“Right, well,” Blaine paused. “Do you have plans today?”
Kurt gestured to his itinerary on the table between them. “I do.”
“Oh, of course you do.” Blaine stood up. “I’m sorry to have bothered you. This was weird, I really am sorry.”
He went back over to Amelia, who was as usual on her phone. Undoubtedly typing out a message to Bobby about lunch.
“We can go now,” he told her.
She nodded, knowing not to mention Kurt until they were alone in the car. Blaine can’t remember the last time a boy had him tripping over his words like that. He hadn’t ever embarrassed himself so badly in front of a cute guy until Kurt. At least not since high school. Since his career imploded, Blaine had been pretty smooth talking to guys. Flirting came easy but today, oh boy, did Kurt have his insides tied in a knot.
“Wait,” someone said, just as Amelia was about to shut the car door.
Blaine leaned forward to see Kurt standing there.
“You didn’t ask to join me on my plans,” he said.
He was smiling shyly at Blaine.
“Amelia,” Blaine said, “do you think we can reschedule with Bobby?”
“Already done,” she told him.
Blaine got out of the car and joined Kurt on the sidewalk. “I’ll see you at 2 for soundcheck,” he promised.
“I’ll hunt you down otherwise,” she smirked.
The car pulled off the curb.
“So, where are we headed?” Blaine asked.
**
The last time Kurt Hummel had been in Columbus was with his dad. Burt had business with a tire company based out this way and little Kurt had been roped into a short road trip. Being with Blaine Anderson was different.
For one, they were walking to a museum not driving to negotiate tire prices. Blaine was happily chatting about shops they passed and guided Kurt into a shortcut he knew about.
Another thing, people occasionally stopped Blaine to take photos or ask for an autograph. Kurt had offered to play cameraman for a few fans. All of whom had assumed he and Blaine were lifelong friends. Who was Kurt to correct them? Especially, when Blaine said nothing at all about it.
“I’m sorry for being weird at the coffee shop,” Blaine said, as they crossed the street.
“It’s okay.” Kurt shrugged.
It wasn’t every day a famous person wanted to hang out with him.
“I’m sorry too,” he added, “I wasn’t the nicest to you. I was just confused, still am, to be honest.”
Blaine sighed. “I’m so not doing this right.”
“I’m Blaine,” he said.
“I know, I’m Kurt. We’ve met already,” he teased.
“Okay, okay, make fun of me all you want,” Blaine replied, “but in all seriousness when I saw you earlier, I just knew I had to get to know you better.”
“So tell me, Blaine Anderson, how did you convince your team to let you have the day off? Don’t you have a show tonight?”
Kurt knew very well that the man next to him would soon be on a stage. He was actually looking forward to it.
“Amelia, she’s my PA, is a godsend. She’s the one who was with me at the coffee shop.”
Kurt nodded. The slim redhead with a bright pink manicure.
“I only had lunch with my manager until soundcheck though,” Blaine continued, “luckily concert days are usually left empty. No one wants a drained superstar.”
“Ah, gotcha.”
“So, if you’ll have me…I’m yours ‘til then.”
Kurt looked Blaine up and down, pretending to size him up while actually checking him out. “I’ll have you.”
Blaine laughed.
Google maps told Kurt they were about 4 blocks from the museum now. Honestly, he could get used to the convenience of city life. New York was waiting for him when the summer ended. He was about to ask Blaine if he had any favorite spots in the city when he heard his companion’s stomach grumble.
“Don’t they feed you, pop star?”
“I was on my way to lunch when we bumped into each other,” Blaine said.
“You mean when you were stalking me,” Kurt corrected, smiling.
“I wasn’t…”
“Anyway,” Kurt interrupted, “wanna grab food?”
Blaine nodded, “yes please.”
On the next block, they find a sandwich shop that’s not too crowded. After a waitress took their orders, Kurt asked, “so, what exactly did you want to know?”
“Hmmm.”
“You said you wanted to get to know me better.”
“I did…” he replied, “everything I guess, you’re a senior right? You said you were eighteen.”
“I’m a senior, yeah.”
“So, what are your plans after you graduate?”
“College in New York City. My best friend and I are getting an apartment together.”
“Wow, that’s exciting!” Blaine said, “I love New York.”
“Tell me about it, I’ve only been once for a show choir competition.”
“You do show choir?”
“Yeah, I’m in the New Directions.”
“Didn’t you go to Nationals last year?”
“Twelfth place but yes we were there. Do you follow high school show choir?”
Blaine blushed. “I do, I used to be a Warbler. I got into the habit of reading those blogs and just never stopped.”
Kurt smiled. “They’d freak out if I said I had lunch with you.”
“Really? Maybe I should send you back with signed headshots.”
“Please don’t, they’ll never stop interrogating me if you do.”
“Maybe just one for you then,” Blaine suggested.
Kurt had to stop himself from saying yes, that’s exactly what I want.
**
Blaine did end up telling Kurt all about New York over lunch. He suggested some good places to shop and eat that Kurt wrote down in his notes app. In exchange, Kurt told him about his life: his dad’s shop, McKinley, glee club, and his future dream of being on Broadway.
“You’ll get there,” Blaine said confidently. “Half the battle of stardom is ambition and drive.”
“And the other half?”
“Talent.”
Long after their plates were emptied and cleared, the pair was still sitting at their table. So long, in fact, that Amelia found them there demanding Blaine get his ass over to soundcheck.
“Sorry about the museum,” Blaine told him.
“It’s fine, I can still make it before the show starts.”
“You’re coming tonight?”
“Yeah, I didn’t drive all the way to Columbus for an interview,” he said, “no offense.”
“None taken.”
Despite the fact that Blaine had turned away from Kurt, he could still see the bright smile on his face. Kurt took one last sip of water while Blaine seemed to be talking telepathically to Amelia. Exchanging weird eye contact.
“Come to soundcheck,” Blaine finally said, taking one of Kurt’s hands. “I’ll get you backstage and everything.”
Kurt looked to Amelia for permission but she was busy typing away again on her device. Probably scheduling the whole thing.
“Okay.”
The three of them got into the car. Amelia took the front seat to give them the semblance of privacy. Which would’ve worked if she had stopped turning her head around to relay information to Blaine.
“Your parents are running a little late due to high traffic even though we told them to leave an hour early.”
“Is this the final setlist?”
“Bobby is meeting us there since we skipped lunch, he has some stuff to go over.”
Sensing how overwhelmed Kurt was, Blaine reached over to squeeze his hand.
Kurt had been to the stadium here in Columbus before but he had never seen it so empty. There was plenty of crew rushing around putting the final touches on everything but all the seats were empty.
“I hope you won’t be upset at losing your seat,” Blaine said.
“Oh, I thought I’d hang out here until the show started then go sit.”
“Not if you want to stay backstage, you can watch from here.”
Blaine guided him to the edge of the stage pulling aside a short black curtain.
“Wow,” Kurt said, stepping forward a little.
“It’s a nice view, right?”
Kurt nodded.
“Blaine, you have to get ready.”
“Come on, wait ‘til you see the dressing room.”
Amelia led the way, Blaine kept them several feet behind her. Occasionally stopping to thank a crew member.
“I want you to know I had the best day today with you,” he told Kurt, “I don’t get many days off and I certainly don’t get to spend them with someone like you. So, thank you for letting me interrupt your plans.”
Kurt was silent for a moment taking in everything. Had he really spent hours of his time today just talking to one of America’s biggest names in pop? He wouldn’t have changed today’s outcome if he could. He had the time of his life.
“Me too,” he said, “I had a wonderful time.”
Blaine beamed. “I hope we can do it again soon.”
Kurt nodded.
****
2 years later
“Is this the final setlist?” Amelia asked.
Blaine nodded.
It’s been just over a year and a half since he last played here in Columbus. Once again, he has Kurt Hummel at his side, well, backstage.
During that brief period, Kurt had started college in New York and Blaine spent a lot of time at his New York apartment. Six months ago, when Kurt finished his semester, he gave up on the dorm life in favor of moving in with his boyfriend.
They hid from the public eye for as long as they could but eventually they were found out. It wasn’t even in the city, they were on a long weekend vacation in the mountains. A remote cabin. Yet, paparazzi found them on one of their outings into town.
Blasted their relationship over every magazine cover, exploding on the internet as the newest craze. The couple opted to spend the week at the cabin.
One instance, just a few weeks into their official relationship, Kurt was bombarded at school, came home sporting a decent bruise on his right arm from where he was grabbed. That night when Blaine came back from the studio, he tried to break up with Kurt. Except, his stubborn boyfriend was having none of it.
“I see you finished it,” Ameila said, smiling.
“I did.”
Someone waved him onto the stage, the crowd was deafening. Blaine looked around the floor for the white tent he knew Kurt was standing under and blew a kiss in his direction.
“I’d like to slow things down a bit, if that’s okay,” Blaine said.
The crowd cheered.
“It’s just me and the guitar now. I’d like to test out a song on you tonight. I wrote it when I was at a really low point. Struggling with what my fame meant for my life, what it meant for my boyfriend’s life, and what it would do to our budding love.”
The stadium is quiet now.
“It’s called peace and it’s for the love of my life.”
“Our coming-of-age has come and gone
Suddenly the summer, it's clear
I never had the courage of my convictions
As long as danger is near
And it's just around the corner, darling
'Cause it lives in me
No, I could never give you peace”
Kurt held his hands over his heart. Never had he imagined having songs written about him, let alone love songs.
A hand squeezed his shoulder, “he’s a keeper, you know?” Burt said.
Kurt nodded with tears in his eyes. His dad, Carole, and Finn (and a few bodyguards) were under the tent with him. He was overwhelmed with their support for his relationship with Blaine. They loved him as much as Kurt did.
“It’s for the love of my life,” Blaine had said.
God, he was so lucky to have fallen in love with him.
They had been dating just over 2 years now. They lived together. Blaine made it a point to call it their apartment not his.
Those 2 years were some of the best of his life but they had their fair share of trouble.
Kurt had never thought of love songs being about him because he never thought he’d be dating someone in the public eyes. Sure, Kurt thought he might catch the public’s attention whether it be on stage or in a fashion magazine. He thought he’d be the one protecting a partner from the spotlight.
But they agreed, nothing was coming between them.
“But I'm a fire, and I'll keep your brittle heart warm
If your cascade ocean wave blues come
All these people think love's for show
But I would die for you in secret”
A month after they moved in together, a gossip site published a series of articles about Blaine’s “publicity stunt of a relationship.” He was dating Kurt to prove he could date a man and not lose the public’s approval, he was dating Kurt to prove he could appeal to the “common man” by dating someone who wasn’t famous, he was dating Kurt….
Kurt came home crying that day. He collapsed at the front door.
“Sweetheart,” Blaine said, instantly wrapping Kurt in his arms, “what’s wrong? Please tell me.”
Through his sobs and tears, Kurt managed to say, “they hate me. They think it’s fake.”
“Who, darling, who?”
“Everyone.”
Later, Blaine got the whole story. He vowed to never make Kurt feel like that again. Kurt would be so loved that he couldn’t be phrased by petty gossip. Especially not gossip about their relationship.
They spent that night wrapped around each other on the floor in front of the fireplace. Outside, a blizzard was brewing giving them a much needed day off.
Two days later with the city still cleaning up the snowy streets, Blaine told him he loved him for the first time.
Kurt was sitting with his feet dangling off the kitchen countertop while Blaine added semi-sweet chocolate chips into their pancakes. It was noon but still dark outside. The thick clouds put the entirety of New York to sleep.
“You know it’s nice not having classes on Friday.”
“You could schedule that for next semester. I’m afraid the snow won’t be here that long.”
“Scheduling is coming up,” Kurt said, “and I wanted to talk to you about it.”
“What about it?” Blaine flipped a pancake.
“What if I went fully online for the spring?”
He turned around slowly, “and why would you do that?”
“Well, a little birdie told me Blaine Anderson is touring and I’m feeling like the groupie life is for me.”
Blaine smiled. “Oh yeah?”
He stepped closer to Kurt, who quickly wrapped his legs around his boyfriend’s waist. Their foreheads touching.
“It won’t affect your graduation date?”
“No, most students study abroad their sophomore or junior year, I’m basically doing that but instead of one country I’ll be seeing the world.”
“Let’s do it,” Blaine said, before pressing their lips together.
“And you know that I'd swing with you for the fences
Sit with you in the trenches
Give you my wild, give you a child
Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other
Family that I chose, now that I see your brother as my brother
Is it enough?”
The crowd loses their mind when Blaine sings about a child.
He knows they’re still too young. But dammit, if he doesn’t want to have everything with Kurt.
There are plenty of reasons why ‘right now’ doesn’t work.
For 1, Kurt has to finish school, start his life as an adult, and figure out who he is without classes to stress him out.
Two, Blaine has to get out of the spotlight before they have a family. He doesn’t want to be on tour and miss his kid’s first word. He’d step back for a while to raise them alongside Kurt.
Thirdly, they aren’t even married yet. Blaine has plans, no ring, but plans aplenty.
Maybe they’ve only been together for 2 years but Blaine knew from that first day this was his happily ever after. Kurt Hummel was it for him.
**
“He don’t mean…” Burt said.
Carole shushed him.
Kurt was sure the crowd was loud but to him the stadium was silent. He couldn’t hear anything but Blaine.
If Kurt said didn’t want anything and everything with that man on stage, he’d be a liar.
Blaine was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
Kurt was sure his dad was worried about the child line but it’s not like two cis gay men such as themselves could just jump into the whole baby thing. There’s way more planning for them than the average couple.
All Kurt could hear was that last line. He and Finn had had their own disagreements in high school but they were brothers now. Blaine had his own issues with his older brother Cooper over the years too. It was nice to know Blaine found a second brother in Finn because Cooper and Kurt were two peas in a pod.
Maybe they weren’t officially family yet but Kurt knew in their hearts the two families were already one.
“I'd give you my sunshine, give you my best
But the rain is always gonna come if you're standing with me”
Kurt ran to the dressing room after the show. Lost his parents and Finn in the crowd but he knew they’d find their way back here. He pushed open Blaine’s unlocked door. He never locked it when Kurt was at his shows. No one else barged in like Kurt did.
Blaine was pulling a new shirt over his head ridding himself of the sweat-soaked one. His hair looked like he had freshly showered but Kurt knew it wasn’t.
Still, regardless of how gross his boyfriend currently was, Kurt launched himself into his arms almost knocking the both of them to the ground. Luckily Blaine found balance along the back wall and held them up. Kurt wrapped his limbs around him and peppered kisses all over his neck.
“I love you so goddamn much.”
“What do I have to do to get a reaction like this every time I come off stage?”
Kurt laughed and pulled back to look at Blaine. It was then Blaine noticed his tears.
“Woah woah, what’s wrong?” He brought a hand up to wipe them away.
“Nothing,” Kurt said, smiling, “absolutely nothing.”
“I love you too. So much.”
Blaine eventually moved them onto the couch but Kurt refused to get off his lap.
“I’m all gross, Kurt.”
Which only made Kurt dig his face farther into wet Blaine’s neck.
That’s how the rest of the Hummel’s found them.
“I just wanna get one thing straight,” Burt said, entering the room, “no grandkids until Kurt’s settled in a good career.”
“Ay, ay!” Blaine replied, saluting him.
“And no proposals until Kurt’s outta school.”
“Understood,” Blaine said.
“Not that he can dictate that,” Carole told them. “It was a beautiful song, Blaine.”
“Thank you.”
“Like hell I can’t,” Burt said, “no fatherly blessing until there’s a diploma in his hand.”
“Well you’ve got step-motherly blessings out the wazoo,” Carole said, “that’s plenty to go to the chapel right now.”
While the two of them went at it, jokingly of course, Kurt whispered to Blaine, “I’d marry you in a second, Blaine Anderson.”
“I’d marry you in a second, Kurt Hummel.”
“But I do wanna wait until after college.”
Blaine smiled, “you always were a daddy’s boy.”
“Just hope our kids take after me.”
Knowing there was no better way to stop an argument, even one made up of jokes, Blaine kissed him.
AN: Since @slapshot-to-the-heart asked, you shall all receive. Here’s the repost of mirrorball. Which is just pure soft fluff from the folklore series. Hope you enjoy it!
Word Count: 1693 (honestly I didn’t know I could ever write anything so short)
Warnings: Babies.
I can change everything about me to fit in
You are not like the regulars
The masquerade revelers
Drunk as they watch my shattered edges glisten
Brock was a lot of things to the people who thought that they knew him well. There was a degree of truth to the infamous nickname, Mr. Sensitive. Brock was the type of person to put everyone before himself, his family, friends, teammates, and you. So much so, that he often felt he had to be the beacon of strength for those around him, confronting every situation with a facade of bravery, not allowing his own feelings to preface those around him. He simply cared about people in the way that always admired you on the surface, not realizing how many facets of his own sensitivities that he never shared.
But what most of the people around him didn’t know was how complex Brock really was. It was subtleties that you picked up on, slight hints of mirrored edges of his personality. The things he desperately tried to conceal, even for you.
It was the way that he would take every loss gravely, spending late nights reviewing tape, wondering if he was good enough to be where he was.
It was the way he would smile and nod at interviewers, even when they weren’t being subtle about their criticisms of him.
It was in his voice, everytime he called home, concern evident in his eyes as he spoke with his father, not knowing what the future held.
It was just how scared he was about being a dad, hands shaking as you told him you thought you were pregnant. No one else saw the reflection of his watery eyes when the test was positive, thoughts swirling in his head of if he could be a parent, doubting himself immediately. They didn’t see the panic in his eyes when the doctor told you it would be a boy, his hand squeezing yours gently, wondering how he would live up to the pressures of raising a little boy.
“Brock, you can do this.” You breathed out, words hanging in the air between you as he grabbed the hospital bag, recounting each item on the list you’d need.
“I should be telling you that.” He whispered, eyes casting downward to his hands, attempting to hide his own anxieties. He was prepared for this, he spent weeks reading the books, memorizing the words as she turned each page. He went to every appointment, carefully pulling out his list of questions for that day, wondering how the baby was developing each time. He spent time with his nephew, asking every question he could think of about having a newborn. But most importantly, he was there, alongside you, doing everything he could to support you the last nine months.
You walked over, pushing past the pain of your last contraction, knowing that you needed to take this moment to take in Brock. You reached up, running your hand along his cheek, pulling his forehead to yours.
“You’re going to be amazing, he doesn’t know how lucky he is. No one is the perfect parent, we’re going to make mistakes, but he is going to be surrounded by so much love. You don’t have anything to worry about.” You smiled softly, looking intently in his eyes, making sure he heard what you were saying. You loved Brock in every way that a person could love someone else, you never doubted him about anything. If you had to tell him everyday until he believed it, you would, because you knew he was going to be the best father this baby could have.
Brock kissed you softly, pulling you close as he ran a hand over your stomach. Taking in the last few moments of what his life was like before your son was born. Your words echoing in his mind. He knew you were right, you were as prepared for this as any new parent could be expected to be. The nursery was finished, light grey paint adorning the walls, forest green accents complimenting the dark chestnut crib. The walls were adorned with photos of the lake back in Minnesota, stuffed bears sitting in a basket by the crib, dresser drawers fully stocked with every item a newborn could possibly need.
He thought about it for a moment, smiling softly as he realized the next time he would be in the nursery, his son would be there. Despite his insecurities and fears, Brock loved him more than he ever thought he would love someone, which was saying a lot considering just how much he loved you. He often wondered how he got so lucky finding you, falling in love while you were a grad student in Vancouver, taking you home to Minnesota to get married in a small lakeside wedding, and now you were giving him a child that would hopefully have all of the best features of you.
You winced in pain, hand pulling back to grip your stomach, another contraction evident on your features, the sound instantly returning his attention back to you. The emotions hit him all at once, this was happening, you were in labor, soon he would be holding a little boy.
Brock quickly picked up the duffle bag, throwing the strap carelessly over his shoulder as he focussed on helping you out the door. He carefully wrapped his arm around you, trying to alleviate any pain of yours that he could as he walked you to the car.
“Brock!” You called out, looking at him quickly with wide eyes. He froze, unsure of the concern present on your features.
“What? Did you forget something? What’s wrong?” He panicked, words tumbling out of his mouth as he quickly ran through the lists in his head, mentally checking off each item.
“You might want shoes?” You laughed, looking down to his feet. He quickly grabbed his sneakers from by the door, shoving them on before picking up the duffel again, cheeks flushed as he helped you into the car.
Brock carefully got you into the front seat, leaning over to pull the seat belt over you. He meticulously checked the infant car seat in the back, making sure it was level and perfect. You were growing impatient, ready to get to the hospital, but you let Brock take his time, understanding that he was nervous and had to handle this in the only way he knew how, by making sure that everything was perfect for the baby.
He sighed softly as he sat in the front seat, turning on the car. He took one last glance in the rearview mirror, checking that the car seat was still there before he turned on the engine.
“Ready to have a baby?” Butterflies were floating in your stomach, nerves present in your shaky voice. You felt scared yet calm at the same time, knowing that you could do this, Brock would be there every step of the way.
“Yeah, I am.” He whispered, reaching over the console to wrap your hand in his, fingers remaining laced together the entire drive.
----------------
Brock watched carefully as the doctors placed the baby on your chest. He felt like he was out of his own body, fixated on nothing but you and the baby as the moment went on. You were crying, stray hairs falling in your eyes, wet with sweat.
You had done amazing, spending 20 hours in labor, never complaining once. Brock watched in awe as the baby boy cried, adjusting to the world around him. He felt his own eyes water, leaning down to press a kiss to your head. A simple gesture, holding so much weight. He was comforting you, a reassuring presence held in his kiss.
The doctors and nurses were circling around the room, carefully cleaning everything up, helping guide you and Brock through everything. You felt like the room was spinning, no one around but you, Brock, and the small baby boy on your chest.
You glanced up at Brock, noticing the tears in his eyes as he looked at his son, noticing just how similar the two of them looked. Brock had a subtle smile on his face, eyes focussed on the baby. You saw something change in him, a new piece of glass added to his complex shape. Brock spent so much time changing himself, hiding how deeply he cared for other people, and watching him look at the baby, you saw all of that flutter away, revealing the Brock that you wished other people were lucky enough to know.
“Alright dad, you ready to hold your son?” The nurse asked. She motioned for him to sit down in the chair beside your hospital bed. You watched as the insecurities slowly regained their presence on his face, his lower lip slightly tucked between his teeth, eyes wide. You carefully balanced your son in your arm, reaching your other hand out toward Brock, offering him a subtle gesture, knowing he felt comfort under your touch.
Brock was so sure he was going to fail, that everything he built up in his head about being a dad was going to crumble underneath him as soon as he held the baby. His hands shaking softly as he lifted his shirt, remembering that skin to skin is important for bonding with a newborn.
Every doubt Brock ever had evaporated as soon as he held his son to his chest, cradling his tiny body in his arms, instantly feeling the need to protect him from the world. He looked over every feature, noting the curve of his nose and lips, features he thought looked like you. He was fragile, his tiny hands curled into his chest, body needing the security of you and Brock to guide him. Brock felt him settle into his chest, and he closed his eyes, focussing on the baby’s breathing.
Brock was a lot of things, but watching him sit with eyes closed, softly holding your baby, you felt like you finally saw every piece of him. Every shiny piece of broken mirror coming together in the moment, shining clearly.
