there is the flashing of capitol-fashioned dimples
      her way, a laugh burning a hole through his tongue
      as a brow is cocked, body resting on his folded
      forearms as he leans forward slightly to meet her
      eyes. blue clashes with blue, saltwater & seafoam,
      & if his laugh is a gull's cry to the wind, they do not
      speak of it. the knowledge of his impending
      departure tightens, noose-like, around his neck--
      incredibly cruel, he should think for just a fraction of
      a second, asking a man to tie his own noose. the
      thought is cast aside quickly & forcibly, his hands
      finding purchase on hers, & he will ask if only because
      he knows he is not,
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
â Live Streamingâ Interactive Chatâ Private Showsâ HD Qualityâ Free Actions
Free to watch âą No registration required âą HD streaming
   â câmon, annie, we have to.             â itâs tradition.  â
   soft lips met saltwater;    a gentle embrace âââ-    lingering,       savoring,        only   for   a   moment.   Â
Will eventually be linked to both AO3 and Live-journal
âAll that glitters is not gold,
often have you heard that toldâ
Mine is all the glittering sea,
waves of gold engulfing me,
in the depths all shadows dark,
they do not offer a warning bark,
Have you ever sung to the ocean?
and walked waters with a board?
For the tideâs ears are always open,
as long as itâs pits are clawed
Chapter 9Â
The compromise is Blaine stays with his family until graduation; thatâs Tuesday, since they both missed the last week of school; so they only have to suffer through two days apart.
But Blaineâs skin feel itchier than ever, and the scattered sleep makes him want to scratch at his mind as well. He keeps thinking about Caroleâs suggestion. It is terrifying to think of needing help, even the whispered âIâve got it,â from Kurt, had been enough for the little twinges of embarrassment that had been at him all week to take control. Could he bear to have another offer their hands out to him? Perhaps a support group would be better, then he could be helping other people as well.
He feels scattered enough with only the sound of Kurtâs voice down the phone to remind him that he is one whole piece, and the tugging and scraping of his Motherâs attempts will not destroy him.
The issue lies with Graduation. The bright red gown was already folded on the end of his bed when he returned home, but had yet to try it on. Since it was summer he had yet to deal with sleeves, and the thought of such a prominent emptiness, such an obvious highlighting of his loss; it couldnât bear thinking about.
So he waits for Kurt, the coiffed top of his hair as he slips out of the car, an hour before so they can get ready together. Blaine is still in his pajamas, a tank top and boxers for the summer heat.
âHi,â is sudden at his doorway, with that quiet little squeak from when he snuck out all those times, âI was going to ask if you were ready butâŠâ
âYouâll chose something better than me,â Blaine suggests, but the lump in his throat is not about the clothes hanging in his closet.
âOoh, okay,â Kurt giggles lightly, rushing at his closet and opening it, the brightness of his clothes make Blaineâs eyes sting; he canât believe that used to be such a part of him, heâll never tie a bowtie again, âWell red is bright enough so I think weâll go with something a little more subtle hmm?â Kurt suggests, not turning around. Blaine watches as he plays the keys of his clothing like a piano, âhere we goâŠâ Kurt finally turns around, a white polo and a pair of grey slacks. It is blessedly muted, âDo you need any help?â Kurt asks holding out the clothes like an offering.
Instead of answering Blaine begins to dress himself. His skin prickles under Kurtâs watchful gaze, it feels intimate and terrifying. The truth is Blaine doesnât feel that much like heâs in his own body any more. Like heâs been translated into the lopsided weak being that he canât even use properly.
âYouâve lost weight,â Kurt comments, as heâs attempting to twist the polo shirt over his head, âHere,â and then there are hands at his neck gently tugging and the soft skin of Kurtâs fingers rub across his stomach. He is extraordinarily close. Too close.
âCan you grab me a pair of boxers?â Blaine chokes out.
âMmhm,â and he pecks the sweetest kiss against Blaineâs nose and turns, âhere,â he passes them over a second later, âDo you want me to wait outside?â
âKurt,â Blaine starts weakly, his eyes watering. He wants Kurt to stay forever and that hurts, but what hurts even more is that he needs him to stay. He been wearing pajamas for the last couple of days for a reason, and thatâs that buckles are by far the most difficult, âI might need you,â he manages to get out.â
âOkay, Iâll stay,â he replies, lightly, sitting back on the bed behind Blaine and watches the dip of his back as he slips into the new boxers and slacks, âYour ass still looks as great as ever if youâre worried,â he quips with a smirk as Blaine turns around, his flies open.
âThanks,â he gulps, gesturing to his fly, âCould youâŠ?â
âIâve got it,â and the fingers are there again, little pinkies brushing against the tightness of his stomach and the last press of cool metal against his skin as he finishes. But the hands are still there at his hips.
âBlaine?â
He looks down and those perfect eyes are still looking at him.
âBlaine, I want you to know that whenever youâre ready, I will still want you just as much as I love you. And I will always wait for you but I donât want you worrying about what has changed because you are still my beautiful Blaine. Okay?â
The earnestness of Kurtâs expression breaks him, the way he can feel the warmth of him at his hips, the way his thumbs rub at his skin, like he could tear right through it. He takes two hauling breaths and nods, reaching for the Kurtâs face to hold in his palm like a prayer.
âI donât know if I love myself so much anymore is all,â he tells the eyes, for to say it to all of Kurt would smash the words against his tongue.
âDo you still love me?â is the small answer.
âAlways, of course, always and always,â he rushes out, pressing closer so Kurtâs arms are wrapped around his waist and ducking their heads together.
âThen everything else will fall where it will,â Kurtâs muffled voice presses against the skin of his neck, âLetâs go get graduated.â
 The gown flops down his side as predicted when he finally puts it on and sits down next to Artie right at the front of the line of chairs. He grabs the wrist of the empty sleeve and twists it around his own.
âHey, howâve you been?â Artie asks. His own gown has been folded up his arms so he can still wheel his chair without the sleeves getting tangled.
âWell Iâm alive,â he murmurs. The rising sound of Figgins voice is dull and easy to block out.
âYeah it sort of feels that way huh?â Artie continues, âLike living is the only thing you woke up with left. Because every keeps saying âyouâre alive thatâs the main thingâ. But there is so much more left.â
âLike what?â
âYouâre about to graduate, the world is your oyster, man!â he thumps his fist against Blaineâs good shoulder and he supposes itâs a sweet gesture but.
âI donât think I could open an oyster shell if I tried right now.â
âHey,â Artie tries a different tact, âWould you consider coming along to a meeting with some of my friends next week?â
Before he can answer Artieâs name is ringing out across the crowd and he is wheeling away. And then so is his name and he is stumbling up the stairs, conscious of the railing that he can do nothing but waft a sleeve at. It is stiflingly hot, at sweat is sticking his gown to the back of his neck. His hat slip against the gel of his forehead, he used to much this morning his slippery hand panicking. The hall seems to silently watch his dragging feet and his sagging sleeve as he finally reaches Figgins. He faces the crowd instead of the painted pity of his teacherâs faces. He finds Kurt in the sea of red, his hat off, his hair glinting in the sunlight. They exchange a small smile.
âCongratulations on graduating William McKinley High School class of 2013, Blaine Anderson,â Figgins calls into the microphone, offering out a hand for him to shake. Blaine does so, knowing the quietness of the hall is not in boredom but in active eagerness. He is the âfinally something happeningâ theyâve all been waiting for.
âThank you, sir,â Blaine replies quietly, not giving the audience the satisfaction of hearing.
But Figgins is lifting his certificate over their shaking hands and following the tradition âshake and takeâ Blaine had perfected by five years old after winning the junior golf competitions and the Club. Now there is nothing there to take. Nothing in this world that you can practise enough that you will know forever. This is no like riding a bike. You canât kid yourself that the world wonât keep turning without you.
The heat of the cap and his melting gel fuzzes his sight a little and he yanks his hand away, snatches the certificate and trips back of the stage; as fast as he can without falling over that stupid red and all the stupid eyes looking at him, like theyâd sold them out front as part of the display.
He is not a display.
Outside the hall he rips the cap and gown off and throws them in the nearest dumpster. The pavement is steaming with heat but he sits down anyway, leaning against the boiling plastic of the dumpster, his knees up to his chest. Heâs never felt so utterly out of control in his life.
He sits there until the crowds come out, watching litter drift across the back lot. Counting the birds that snatch for food and fly off again. Breathing waiting breaths and trying to hold back the watery part of him that wants to burst him open like a pipe.
He lets out an echoing sob, the kind the knifed through a throat, that binds and heart and squeezes, the kind that jitters through your shaking skin.
His is still quaking when Kurt comes slamming through the back door, tearing off his cap and rushing at him.
âIâm sorry, I came as soon as I got of stage, they wouldnât let me past,â he crouches in front of Blaine and places a tentative hand against his shuddering shoulder, âBlaine, honey?â he canât look up, not now, it would shatter him open, âWhatâs going on can you hear me, Blaine?â The panic is rising in Kurtâs voice now.
Itâs just that he canât move now, his limbs feel heavy, his head and lips the heaviest of all.
âIâm going to ring Artie,â Kurt voice tells him, the high tremble of it makes everything worse. Heâs hurt Kurt again and itâs never going to stop because he canât be perfect again. Not like he was before, not ever like that again. Thereâs no pretending now.
âPlease, no,â He manages, his throat is raw and torn and the voice that comes out isnât his.
âOkay,â the hand on his shoulder grips tighter and the voice is closer, âwhat do you want, what should I do?â
âGo home,â he gets out.
âAlright Iâll call your parents,â Kurt tries, there is hurt in his voice but it is nothing to what pain there will be.
âNo, you, you go home,â his voice is calmer now and rigid. He refuses to raise his head.
âIâm not leaving you,â but the hand is gone and he is.
âI want you to.â
âWell, youâre not staying here, Iâm not leaving until you do.â
Between his knees, Blaine can see Kurtâs feet, steadfast and unmoving.
âI donât want to be with you right now,â he tries.
âWell let me call someone then. You canât stay here.â
There is a moment of two breathings short and stuttering. Kurtâs feet shift a little. Another door slams and thereâs movement inside.
âCall Artie,â Blaine decides, âtell him yes. Then you can take me home. My home. Then I want you to go celebrate with your family.â
âBlaine,â that voice is enough to nearly break him but he wonât let it. Artie is part of who his is now and all those friends he talked about. He belongs with the broken people. Not with perfect Kurt whose music will never stop even in his memories.
âThatâs what I want,â he tells him instead.
âOkay.â
And there is a phone ringing and a two hearts breaking like beautiful blowing glass bursting.Â
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
â Live Streamingâ Interactive Chatâ Private Showsâ HD Qualityâ Free Actions
Free to watch âą No registration required âą HD streaming
Will eventually be linked to both AO3 and Live-journal
âAll that glitters is not gold,
often have you heard that toldâ
Mine is all the glittering sea,
waves of gold engulfing me,
in the depths all shadows dark,
they do not offer a warning bark,
Have you ever sung to the ocean?
and walked waters with a board?
For the tideâs ears are always open,
as long as itâs pits are clawed.
 CHAPTER 6Â
a/n ok so it's literally has been an age, I moved countries and all sorts of other bullshit, so if you're still reading congratulations. Hopefully all the links work above if you want to start from the beginning and I promise i'm sorting out the other locations.Â
   When Blaine is finally released from the hospital, the Hummels have already settled into the rented house and are frantically trying to make the place homely enough for Blaine. Carol plans a barbeque lunch to celebrate his return, in the hope that the warm air and perfect view will lighten his spirits.
Burt and Kurt are silent as they drive to pick him up, Kurt had only really left the hospital a few days before, opting to sleep in an actual bed so he could be more awake when he was with Blaine. Not that Blaine had spoken about anything other than leaving since then.
Blaine is already sat, with his bag ready, on the edge of the bed when they arrive. He looks as he always had, his hair gelled perfectly, although heâll never tell Kurt that he had cried when he had to ask a nurse for help; and he wears a blue polo shirt and cargo shorts. The only different is one arm of the polo shirt in sewn together holding his bandage in place and his other hand is gripping tightly to the sheet.
âAre you ready to go?â Kurt asks sweetly, a little scared of the reaction.
Blaine nods and stands up, trying to lift the bag before Burt grabs it off him and swings it easily over his shoulder. He doesnât argue as he usually would.
Neither of them talk as they walk to the car, but Kurt slips in beside Blaine in the back seat and takes his hand firmly in his.
Not knowing what else to do, he starts rambling.
âYou know, Carolâs made the most perfect lunch. It smelt absolutely divine when we left the house and thereâs all your favourites,â he keeps on and on trying to fill the gaps, âAnd thereâs all the meats for you and Finn and I might even let Dad have some, because I chose the leanest meat.â
He stops, then squeezes Blaineâs hand a little tighter, turning to him, âI know weâre not properly home yet, but itâs a really nice place, and your parents have said theyâre comingâŠâ
âThatâs really nice,â Blaine says quietly, interrupting, letting go of Kurtâs hand so he can cling to his knee before clenching into a fist. Kurt remembers how he always held his hands in his lap together when he was nervous and how he now canât see to grip anything at all, âItâs just Iâm really tired is all.â
âThatâs ok,â Kurt replies, his voice a little too high, he feels so out of depth like heâs in the ocean and Blaine is swimming too fast for him, or maybe heâs not swimming at all and the tide is just pulling them apart, âYou can take a nap before we eat.â
âNo, I mean, I,â Blaine pauses, squeezing his eyes shut, âThatâs ok, I can make it through lunch.â
The thing is, when it really gets to eat, he doesnât know if he can. Everything looks so fresh and bright and he feels off-balance like he might just topple over. Especially when Burt goes to shake his hand and has to swap quickly, and when he hugs Carole itâs awkward and weak. He misses feeling comfortable and he misses people acting comfortable around him.
âWhatâs up dude?â Finn asks, with the same words he always does, but with a tone like Kurt is poking him in the back. Kurt isnât of course, he is stood right behind Blaine, one hand warm on his back, âThis barbeque, Iâm telling you man.â
âOh cool,â Blaine feels himself respond, âUm can I help with anything?â he hopes his voice doesnât sound as weak as it feels against his tongue.
âOh no Blaine sweetie, you sit down,â Carole replies, pulling out a chair for him. He gives in and falls into it, tugging his hand across his stomach and holding it tightly. Kurt stands next to him, like his guard.
âYou can sit, Kurt,â Blaine tells him, hoping he sounds kind still.
âI just want to be near you,â Kurt says, softly, touching a hand to the soft hair at the base of his neck and rubbing gently. Blaine closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He feels like he is walking on eggshells and stumbling, all of them are.
âSit on my lap,â he orders, when he opens his eyes.
Kurt looks shocked and drops his hand to his side, his eyes unblinking, his mouth stutters a moment before he can form an answer, âBlaine I canât, you justâŠâ
âYour parents wonât mind,â Blaine almost whines, knowing that the just had meant something else entirely. Kurt trying not to hurt him when thatâs all Blaine wants. He wants to feel the crush of Kurt all around him, remind him that they were made to crush each other until they are one mess, one heart, inescapably.
âItâs not that,â Kurt says weakly, âYou just got out of hospital, Blaine, I might hurt you, I canâtâŠâ
âPlease,â he utters, gripping the flesh of his side tightly, trying to feel what he used to feel with two arms wrapped around him, he needs to feel blanketed, safe but he canât not when Kurt wonât touch him properly.
âNo,â comes the sharp reply, âNo, Blaine.â
âIâm going to bed,â Blaine tells him blankly, getting to his feet, he feels the tangle of Kurtâs fingers between his own and what sounds like a whimper of closed off tears. He wonât look, he canât, âCan you tell me where, please?â
âSecond door on the right upstairs,â Kurt tells him, squeezing the pleads he tries to cancel out of his voice into his hand, âI can come with you,â he starts, âShow you whereâŠâ
âI can find it Kurt,â he interrupts too sharply, âI havenât lost my mind you know. Iâm not broken. And thatâs what you said so please say what you mean or say nothing at all. Iâm sick of you holding back. Weâre equals remember? We hurt each other, we get angry at each other, and we love each other properly and fully, always, no matter what has happened before. So donât come and show me anything until you can do that again.â His voice shatters halfway through but he carries on, despite how the broken sounds that Kurt tries to hold back cut like shards into him.
He feels the stares of the others on his back as he enters the house and he knows he has broken everything again. Knows he has destroyed something that was only the best they knew how to give. They will never love him like he needs again and he knows that. So why wonât they just stop trying. Everything would be so much easier if everyone else stops acting like it was all ok. Itâs never ever going to be ok again.
 Back in the garden the silence is broken by Finnâs cursing, his fingers singed on the barbeque. Kurt lets out a sob finally and Carole rushes at him, tugging him tightly against her chest. He clings to her the way he had wanted to cling to Blaine. He had wanted to dive straight back into him, press rough kisses into his skin, bruise his fingers into him and hold him like there would be no way back.
But Kurt cannot do that. He just canât yet. Not when Blaine doesnât seem to be coping at all. Not when all he can think about is that shark. He knows Blaine must be thinking about it too. How could he not be? And how could he really be thinking straight after that kind of trauma. No, Blaine needs someone to care for him now. All the rest, later, there is always later.
 But lying still in his bed later that night, Kurt canât help but feel the crawling sensation of loneliness; how Blaine had refused to even look at him. He had hurt him, in his best attempt to make sure he was never hurt again. And he canât sleep. He canât sleep because no one, not even Carole, had been able to give him the words of comfort he needed. The words of comfort only Blaine could give.
And he was right next door. Just like he had been all that time at Dalton when they had annoyed their roommates by tapping out wordless conversation through the wall.
 He turns to face the wall, pressing his cheek against it and listening. There is nothing.
He takes a deep breath and taps out a melody.
I. Am. Sorry. I. Just. Donât. Know. How. To. Do. This. Right.
There is long pause and for a terrible minute, he thinks Blaine is ignoring him. Then a tentative response.
I. Just. Miss. You. I. Need.
The tapping stops.
Can. I. Come. In?
The tapping returns a minute later, this time closer, through the wooden panelling of the door.
âPlease,â Kurt utters softly, waiting for the soft squeak of the door and the pad of covered feet. Blaine always did like to wear socks in bed, especially when he was upset, he said it felt like being tucked in. In his old blue pajamas, Blaine looks quiet and nervous. He clutches the empty sleeve against his chest, and his shoulders jolt like he needs to be holding something else. Kurt shuffles to sit up, patting the bed next to him, âSit, please.â
âIâm sorry,â Blaine starts as he awkwardly perches next to him, his toes scuffling at the floor as if heâs worried he canât touch Kurt any more.
âWe were both upset,â Kurt tells him, hoping that Blaine will reach for him again but he doesnât, âI didnât want to hurt you,â He looks at Blaine again but heâs turned away, staring at the door, he can see the little scratches at the back of his neck where he was thrown against the rocks, âAnd I know I did and Iâm sorry too.â
âI just want to be with you,â comes the half-broken reply.
âYou are with me,â Kurt breaks with him, giving in and reaching both for his hair and the soft cotton of his arm and gently easing Blaine back so heâs lying against him, curls tucked under his chin, hot weight against his chest. Blaine lets out a muffled squawk and then a couple of gasping breaths. Kurt lets him settle before continuing, âYou are always with me, but I need you to understand that that means I was with you when you were close to dying, I was with you when I practically kidnapped Artie to get you to and I was with you when they wouldnât let me at you in that waiting room. So I need you to understand that I was hurt and scared too and I need time too. And I know that sounds selfish butâŠâ
âItâs not selfish, Kurt,â Blaine interrupts, softly, âI want you to be happy.â
âI want us to be happy, but everything feels really tender and hard at the moment and I donât want you to ever think I donât love you the same,â Kurt starts, absentmindedly rubbing a hand across Blaine back, feeling the warm solid muscles, each indentation of surviving human existence, âBecause I know I will always love you and thatâs why, do you understand?â
He waits for Blaineâs retort, not knowing what to expect, anger or sad acceptance like in the car, but nothing comes.
âBlaine?â he murmurs, carting fingers through his soft curls, tinkling a melody against his scalp. The reply is only the deep breathing of calm sleep.
He is not angry, more relieved that this he can still give. He can still comfort with the touch of a hand, he can still calm Blaine into sleep. He is not broken either.Â