Klaine Summer Challenge Day 4: Sunday In The Park
“But Yuè, it’s November.” Yeah, I hope I’ll have this finished before the Advent.
tw: implied child abuse
Klaine Summer Challenge Day 4: Sunday In The Park
A man playing guitar (play a song, play a song, play on) Singing for us all (singing for us) Will you help him change the world Can you dig it (yes, I can)
Saturday In The Park - Chicago
Thirty minutes.
Her father had given her thirty minutes to pack up her things and leave.
That’s how Quinn ended up in the middle of the night, alone, pregnant, homeless, and very scared. She could go to Finn’s house, but will his mother let him in.
Of course, Quinn has met Carole, and Quinn knows Carole is a good woman. Even though Finn still doesn’t know he isn’t the father, he’s supportive and so is Carole. But what if Quinn shows up on the doorstep? What is it is all a big façade, and Carole secretly despises Quinn for putting this on Finn’s shoulders. Carole loves her son, but wasn’t Judy supposed to love Quinn as well? Yet, she didn’t say a word when Russell, her own father, threw her out. Instead, she poured another glass of wine and she drank till she couldn’t hide the tears.
But she didn’t say a word.
Suddenly, a car pulls up next to her and the car window rolls down.
“Are you okay, miss?” a man asks.
Quinn immediately backs away. Even if he has good intentions, a woman should never trust a man like that in the dark.
“Go away,” Quinn yells, and she curses herself for not grabbing Frannie’s baseball bat.
“Look, I’m not going to hurt you.”
“That’s what all men say,” Quinn yells, close to tears. She’s afraid. This time, it’s not only her life, but also the soon-to-be life that is her baby. “So many times, men have stopped to ‘talk’ to me. But all they want is to fuck me. Well, you’re too late for that!” She points towards her belly. She’s not showing that much, but hopefully, he gets the memo.
Apparently, he doesn’t.
In fact, he opens the car door. Quinn is about to scream, but then she sees who’s there. It’s not a man. No, it’s a boy. He can’t be older than her. Quinn can’t hide the shock when she sees what state he’s in. The swollen eye must hurt.
“I’m Blaine, and I’m gay. Usually, I don’t use that to introduce myself, but in this case, I want you to know I want to help you and that I have no interests in taking advantage of you,” the boy, Blaine, says, “Especially if you’re with child.”
So, he did get the memo.
“How old are you? Should you be driving?” Quinn yells out in shock.
“No, since I’m fifteen, but since my dad has made it pretty clear he no longer wants to see me, and that I should ‘get the fuck out of the house and never come back’, the least I could do was steal his car,” Blaine shrugs, “No worries, my brother has taught me how to drive.”
A part of Quinn still distrusts him. Due to society’s freak obsession with gender, even little boys can be sexist and think it’s just a joke. Maybe he’s lying to win her over, and is his older brother hiding somewhere.
But he looks so sincere.
And Quinn has nowhere to go.
And nothing to lose.
“Can I put my suitcase in the back of your car?”
Blaine smiles widely. “You can put it next to mine.”
So Quinn does. Blaine gets back behind the wheel, but Quinn stops him before he can start the engine.
“I drive,” the practically demands.
“Of course,” he says and he switches seats. Quinn starts the engine and they drive off.
“Where to?” she asks.
Blaine shrugs. “That’s the shitty part of being a newly disowned son. I have nowhere to go and no one will be looking for me. I mean, his farewell present was this wonderful swollen, black eye.”
“I’m sorry,” Quinn says, and she means it.
“Ah well...” Blaine trails off, and it hits Quinn how young he is. How young she is. They have their entire lives ahead of them, and yet, here they are.
“May I ask you, why did your dad hurt you?”
“Like I said, I’m gay,” Blaine says bitterly, “And after the stunt I pulled last year, he’s been waiting for the right time to get rid of me.”
“What did you do?” Quinn asks, not even trying to hide her shock.
“Got beaten up after I went to a dance with another boy,” Blaine says, “And I know it wasn’t my fault, but my dad...” Blaine doesn’t continue, and Quinn doesn’t push it.
“I just got disowned as well,” Quinn says sadly.
“Because of the baby?”
“You’re so smart.”
“How old are you, then?” Blaine asks her.
“Sixteen. I could be on MTV,” Quinn tries to joke, but it’s not funny, and they both know it, “And I can’t go back. My friends... they don’t even know yet. I’ve only told the father and the boy who thinks he’s the father- don’t ask, please.”
Blaine clearly has questions, but he does as she asked.
“Maybe it’s for the best if I just leave and never go back,” Quinn says sadly, “It will spare the pain of a lot of people.”
“Yeah...” Blaine says and he gets it.
They drive around aimlessly. Two disowned teens. They have little money and no one to call.
“Let’s do that, then,” Blaine suddenly says.
“What?”
“Let’s go, you and me. We can start anew. We’re a team now,” Blaine says and for the first time, he seems excited about something.
Quinn laughs. “And where do we go?” she asks teasingly, but that’s only to hide her intrigue. It is an insane plan, but what do they have to lose?
“Well, I have always wanted to go to New York.”
5 years later
Kurt can hear the music. Some people hate the street musicians, and see them as tourist-baiting, but to Kurt, the amount of culture in New York makes him love his city even more, and street music is culture.
But this music...
Kurt can’t recall it, so that makes him even more curious. He should go home, but instead, he follows the music.
Then Kurt sees him.
The man is singing a song Kurt’s never heard of. He’s playing the guitar and bystanders are watching him and giving him tips.
And Kurt has to admit that he is rather cute. He’s wearing a polo shirt and a bowtie. He’s daring enough to wear brightly coloured pants, and Kurt can see that there are no socks for the the fancy, but worn down, shoes he’s wearing. While playing, he moves his head, and the curls are mesmerizing.
He finishes another song, and just like the others, Kurt applauds widely.
People tip him some more and slowly, the crowd starts to disappear. The man is already gathering his equipement.
But Kurt hasn’t tipped yet.
He quickly fishes his wallet out of the pockets of his designer coat and he approaches the man. “Hey, great performance,” he says and the man looks up in shock, almost dropping his stuff.
“Oh, wow, hi, thanks.”
“I didn’t have the chance to give you this,” Kurt hands him some cash, “You already tidied up your stuff, so.”
“Well, I don’t mind you giving it to me personally,” the man says and he then seems to realise he’s said it out loud, “I mean, I just, I could... uhm...” He blushes and he looks embarrassed.
But Kurt thinks it’s endearing. “My name is Kurt.”
“Blaine.”
“Hair gel?”
Blaine ignores the look of his roommate. “I know I stopped using hair gel in order to save money, but let me have this, okay?”
Quinn smiles. “Of course, Blaine, you have a date tonight. You should look nice. You always do, but it’s time to take it to the next step.”
“Thank you,” Blaine says and he kisses his best friend’s cheek, “What would I be without you?”
Dead. Blaine knows the answer very well.
Quinn nods and she walks off. Blaine watches her go. A lot has changed over the last 5 years. They’re still struggeling to make it every week, but they have found pretty decent lives in New York for themselves. Sure, Quinn works three jobs and when Blaine isn’t working at one of his jobs, he’s outside playing on the streets to make extra money, but strangely enough, they’re happy. It beats the alternative.
When his father violently threw him out five years ago, he thought he’s life would be over. He stole his dad’s car with the intention of driving to his death, but instead, he met Quinn and the two of them sold the car for a good price. That money made it possible for them to at least start new lives.
They went from being kids in rich families, to being poor runaways, but they both prefer the latter. Now, they actually have a chance at being happy.
His father made Blaine believe he’d never be happy with being himself, but as Blaine walks to Kurt’s apartment block, he knows his dad was wrong. He’s very happy he’s met Kurt.
He takes the elevator to Kurt’s floor. Blaine realises he should’ve gotten Kurt something, but he’s spend his last savings on the hair gel.
He knocks on Kurt’s door. A woman opens the door.
“Uhm, hi,” Blaine says shyly, “I’m looking for Kurt.”
The woman seems unimpressed, but she till turns around to shout: “Kurt, there’s a cute boy on our doorstep so you better get your ass over here. Is this the date?”
“Yes, Santana, that is the date,” Kurt appears behind her.
“Wait, I want to see him!” Another woman peeks from behind a door that must lead to a living room.
“Me too!” Blaine hears another voice.
“Mercedes, Tina, please,” Kurt rolls his eyes and he pushes past Santana. He takes Blaine’s arm and he shuts the door.
Blaine laughs.
“Sorry, my housemates are very happy for me,” Kurt says.
“So is mine,” Blaine says, “Quinn’d do the same.”
“But enough about our housemates-” they hear three loud gasps coming from the other side of the room “- let’s go.”
Three months later
Blaine wakes up, and he sees he’s not in his own apartment. Then he remembers he’s spent the night at Kurt’s and he smiles. It’s one of his only free mornings, so he’s going to enjoy it.
“Morning, sunshine,” Kurt mumbles as he slowly wakes up as well.
“Morning,” Blaine leans in to kiss his boyfriend.
“I like you like this,” Kurt says happily.
“Like what?”
“Shirtless,” Kurt says and Blaine laughs.
“Well, unfortunately for you, I have to get dressed,” Blaine gets out of the bed and Kurt protests.
“Just a little bit longer.”
“We’ve already slept in, Kurt. I really have to go to work. Rent’s due this week,” Blaine says and he picks up the clothes from the floor, “You should get dressed as well. You have class in two hours or so.” He throws a shirt towards Kurt, who groans, but he gets up as well.
“Well, if we’re quick, we can still have breakfast before we have to go our separate ways.”
Kurt’s a student at NYADA. Blaine has to admit that he’s a bit jealous, but he’s mostly happy for him. But then again, Blaine will never go to NYADA since he doesn’t even have a high school diploma. And besides, that doesn’t stop him from playing and loving music.
Blaine’s told Kurt about his past after they offically started dating. In Blaine’s eyes, Kurt was spoiling him. And Blaine couldn’t give him anything back. Once, he was lucky enough to be able to pay him dinner, but that’s it. So Blaine’s told Kurt everything, but Kurt doesn’t mind Blaine not being able to give him gifts. Blaine being with him is enough for Kurt.
Blaine watches Kurt get dressed. Then he moves to the the living area. Mercedes is already awake and she nods towards Blaine. Blaine likes Kurt’s friends and they like him. Which is a good thing. Otherwise Santana would’ve ended him.
“I’ll make pancakes!” Blaine yells. Suddenly, the door to Tina’s room opens.
“I heard pancakes!” she yells back.
Quinn’s restless.
Blaine hasn’t come home. Quinn didn’t have time to dwell on it, because she had to work, but she’s just gotten home and Blaine’s still nowhere to be seen.
He should be at work as well, but Quinn hasn’t seen him in almost 24 hours and he’s not picking up his phone.
She’s in the middle of suppressing a breakdown, when the door opens and Blaine enters their small apartment. He looks like a mess and he’s wearing his ugly work clothes, but he’s also very alive.
“Oh thank God!” Quinn throws herself on him.
Blaine’s surprised by her reaction. “What happened?”
“You didn’t come home last night and I got worried, especially when I couldn’t reach you and I was afraid something might’ve happened to you and I just-”
“Quinn, calm down. I stayed at Kurt’s place,” Blaine says.
“What?” Quinn lets go and she takes a step back.
“Yeah, I texted you,” Blaine says, “Why are you looking at me as if I’ve just killed someone.”
“I’ve been worried sick!” Quinn yells, but she knows what’s wrong. She can’t tell Blaine. He shouldn’t have mentioned Kurt.
“I texted you,” Blaine says again.
“I didn’t get any text!” Quinn yells, trying not to get too hysterical.
“What?” Blaine immediately checks his phone, but then he groans. “Prepaid Sim card is over. This is why I wish I could just afford a subscription for my phone.”
“You cannot just leave me like that!” Quinn yells.
“I didn’t know, Quinn, I thought my message had reached you.”
“Well, didn’t you think it was strange I didn’t reply?”
“I just assumed you forgot about it, especially since you had the early shift this morning, Quinn. It’s okay. No one’s hurt.”
“Is that how you see me?” Quinn says, and she’s starting to tear up, “Do you think I’d just forget about you like that?”
“Quinn, no-”
“Well, seems like you keep forgetting about me!”
“Okay,” Blaine yells back, “What is this really about, Quinn? I know you. I know you are having one of your moods, so I know you’re not trying to hurt me. You’re just trying to hide something.”
“Don’t use my fucked up childhood against me, Blaine,” Quinn says, “I don’t shit on you when you have a depressive episode, huh?”
“I’m not...” Blaine sighs, but then starts again, “I’m not using your fucked up childhood against you, Quinn. Again, I am just trying to understand. I know you lash out instead of talking, since at your home, problems were pushed away and feelings stayed inside. But remember that it’s me. You can tell me anything. We’re a team.”
That shuts Quinn up. She can still remember the first time he’s said those words to her, on the day they met and ran away.
“I...”
“Yes?” Blaine gestures to her to go on.
“I feel like you’re chosing him over me,” Quinn admits and she starts to cry, “I feel like he’s more important to you. We barely see each other, since work’s keeping us apart, but before, we used or rare time of freedom together. But now you’re with him and I- I feel left behind. Everyone always leaves me behind.”
“Quinn.”
“And it’s unfair. No one choses me! Finn didn’t choose me, but ran to Rachel, so that’s why I let myself be used by Puck. My parents chose their beliefs over me! Jacob got the promotion, so my boss chose him over me. You choose Kurt over me.”
“I love him, Quinn,” Blaine says, “I haven’t told him yet, but I love him. That is why I am with him all the time, because he makes me happy. But that doesn’t mean you’re no longer my friend.”
“I just feel so alone. All the damn time,” Quinn says sadly.
“Come to the potluck with me this Monday,” Blaine says and he hugs her. She lets him hug her. “Kurt’s already said that I could bring you, and I know you had to work every Monday evening, but now that you are making more hours at Starbucks, you were able to let go of that other job, so you have Mondays off.”
“I don’t want to intrude,” Quinn says.
“You’re not. You have an invite.”
“We don’t have anything to offer for the potluck,” Quinn tries, but she’s slowly trying to find out why she’s against it. Because... why not? Maybe it’s good to meet new people. She only knows Blaine and she has some acquaintances from her jobs, but that’s it.
“They know I’m poor. Come on, Quinn. It’s going to be fun.”
And Quinn nods.
“Yeah.”
“I just got a call from Blaine,” Kurt says, “He’s bringing his housemate with him, so they’re a little bit late. Apparently, she needs to run some errands before she has time to go.”
“The more the merrier,” Artie says, “Full house, yo!”
“Aren’t we all happy I’m back in New York for now?” Rachel says happily, “LA is fun, but I missed these potlucks.”
“It was better without her,” Santana whispers to Mercedes. Brittany, who’s also visiting her girlfriend, nods in agreement.
Sam laughs and winks to Mercedes, who rolls her eyes.
“So, you have news on McKinley?” Tina asks Sam. He immediately starts his story about Coach Beiste giving him a job.
“Well, after you’ve been half naked on the side of a bus, anything’s possible.”
Kurt and Mercedes set the table and Rachel is adding some more ingredients to her vegan soup. That’s when the doorbell rings.
“Oh, that must be them.”
Kurt goes to the front door. He takes a deep breath. It’s time for him to finally meet Quinn. Blaine speaks highly of her, and since Blaine has no ties with his family anymore, he’s started to see her as a sister. Kurt and Quinn have never met, since Quinn’s often at work. But now is the day!
With other words, it’s time for the Sister’s Stamp Of Approval.
He opens the door and Blaine’s smiling face is the first thing he sees. “Hello beautiful,” Blaine says and Kurt gives him a kiss.
“Hello to you.”
“Today, I have brought cheesecrackers from the $1 store,” Blaine says jokingly, “Better than the food I brought last week, if I may say so, but Quinn helped me. Speaking of Quinn...”
Blaine steps aside to reveal Quinn and Kurt’s eager to say hello, but then-
“Quinn?”
“Kurt?” Quinn’s just as shocked to see her old friend from high school.
Without thinking, Kurt wraps his arms around her. “My God, you’re okay.”
Quinn starts to shake. “I’m okay.”
Blaine’s watching the entire ‘meeting’, clearly confused.
“Guys! Guys, you would not believe it!” Kurt pulls back and he drags Quinn to the living room, where the others are chatting happily.
“Quinn?”
“HOLY FUCK.”
“Oh my-”
“Quinn?”
“Quinn!”
“Is this the Quinn you always talk about? The one who disappeared? Sick, dude.”
“QUINN. YOU’RE ALIVE!”
And so, one by one, all the New Directions that are currently in New York jump on their long-lost friend. Except for Kurt, who leans against Blaine.
“I am confused,” Blaine says to Kurt, “You guys know each other?”
“We met in high school. We were in the glee club together. Not for very long, I must admit, so the two of us weren’t extremely close, but it still created a bond between all of us. So when she suddenly disappeared... wow, I can’t believe she’s here,” Kurt wipes away a tear.
The Unholy Trinity, finally reunited after five long years, is a sobbing mess. Tina is crying while singing Don’t Stop Believin’ to herself and the others are also all over the place.
“We were all so worried. After a week or two of radio silence, her best friends, Brittany and Santana went to her house to look for her. Their cheerleader coach was with them. There, her father told them that they shouldn’t worry and that she’s moved to her sister in Minnesota. But we knew he was lying. All of us knew. Coach Sylvester threatened him, but since Quinn never went officially missing, we were powerless.”
“You were pregnant?” Rachel yells in shock.
“Quinn, holy shit.”
Kurt shakes his head. “I knew, of course, but the others don’t. My stepbrother thought he was the father, so it was pretty hard for him. But then Puck of all people stopped by our house to tell him the truth. So yeah, Finn, Puck, and I already had a feeling that had something to do with it, but we didn’t want to add fuel to the already circulating rumours, so we didn’t tell anyone. My brother died without ever seeing her again.”
“Wow, this is a lot to take in for all of us,” Blaine says, “I can’t believe you two managed to not meet each other for three months.”
“Yeah, you two are always so busy.”
“Ah, what can I say?” Blaine shrugs, “Rent doesn’t pay itself. But apart from that, I spend most of my time with you.”
“Good,” Kurt says and he kisses Blaine.
“God, I love you,” Blaine says happily and Kurt’s heart skips a beat, “I was told I could never love you, but here I am.”
Kurt smiles. “And I love you too.”
The two of them share a moment, until it’s interrupted by Quinn’s laughter. Santana has told her about Run, Joey, Run.
They’re all complete.
