Crawling Back to You

Dinner for Three

It was Sam's fault. And Sue's. Blaine wouldn't be standing in his kitchen in a cold sweat if it wasn't for their persuasion.
The doorbell rang. There was no turning back.
Frantically, Blaine ripped off his apron. "Just a sec!" He yelled to his awaiting guest. He made sure the table looked nice before walking to his front door.
Slowly he unlocked the door and opened it. Kurt Hummel.
Kurt was wearing dark jeans, a Wicked shirt, and a black sports coat. His hair was slicked up and Blaine couldn't help but notice the worry lines around his ex's eyes. Kurt looked older and -- sad.
"Hey." Blaine said, almost in a whisper.
Kurt managed a smile. "Hi."
They spent a minute just staring at each other. It didn't feel like it used to. They seemed to judge each other's weaknesses instead of embracing their strengths.
Kurt had worry lines forming on his face and he was the skinniest Blaine had ever seen him. As for himself, Blaine was pudgy in his middle and his curls were long enough that they occasionally sprung in his face, a careless nuisance.
Finally Blaine stood back and motioned into his house with his hand. "I guess, come in. The table's set but you can sit in the living room until... Karofsky gets here and I'll just go do..." He trailed off and let Kurt step in.
"It's a nice place you have here." Kurt observed as he carefully set his shoes on the mat by the door.
Blaine looked around and sighed. His house was far from nice. It was in good shape, his dad had designed it. It was just one story with a basement, but the veranda in the back was expansive and had a sun room that led into the living room. The outside was white wood siding with a forest green trim. Inside, the walls were all cream colored and the master bedroom and living room had grey carpeting.
But it was empty. Though Blaine had paintings hung on the walls and beautiful furniture in each room, it still was big enough that Blaine felt lonely and small whenever he came home. A feeling he never thought he'd get used to.
"Yeah. I try to keep it in decent shape." He replied.
Kurt nodded and turned to Blaine hesitantly. "Soo... Where's the living room?"
"This way." Blaine said as he led Kurt through his home. As they walked into the room, Blaine caught himself scanning Kurt's body and admiring the confident stature Kurt carried. Then he pinched himself. They were strangers now, not fiancés.
He motioned for Kurt to sit on the couch and offered to get him a drink, like any good host would.
Kurt waved him off. "I'm fine, thank you. Mercedes and I went to the Lina Bean prior to this."
Blaine nodded. "Okaay, well... How are you?"
"Fine. You?"
Blaine wanted to say he was fine, but was he really? Was he really getting by? The truth was, he wasn't. But he needed to seem strong. "Doing better than ever." He responded.
Kurt furrowed a brow and made eye contact with Blaine for the first time in over three years. "Then ever?"
His shoulders dropped and he laughed inside. Kurt had always read his emotions spot on. "No, I guess not." Blaine admitted. "But I'm not doing terrible either."
"How's Dalton treating you?"
"Great actually." Blaine said. "It feels so awesome to be a Warbler again. The boys are so--"
"Once a Warbler, always a Warbler." Kurt said, an amused smile on his thin lips.
"I know right." Blaine agreed. "Just couldn't stay away."
Kurt looked down and mumbled something under his breath.
"What?" Blaine asked, suddenly defensive.
Kurt looked up again. "Nothing. Nothing. Continue."
Blaine really wanted to know what Kurt said, but he went on anyways. He was halfway through asking Kurt how he was doing when the doorbell rang again, followed by a fierce knock.
Kurt gripped the side of the couch, but Blaine held up a hand. "I'll get it. Uhh... I guess if you want to come with or take a seat at the table or--"
Kurt stood up, his smile erased from his flushed face. "I'll... I'll just find a seat at the table. Thank you."
Blaine's reaction to seeing Karofsky was more relaxed, but still awkward. They weren't really dating anymore, but still flirted and met up often.
When his guests were seated at the table he went into the kitchen and said a little prayer to God that this all went smoothly. He sure hoped there was a God because he needed some trusty back up in order for him to survive an entire evening with two of his exes. Sam and Sue would pay if this flunked.
Blaine rummaged in a door and put on some oven mitts. Not that the pot of chicken alfredo was scalding hot. It was more because Blaine's hands were shaking so much that he would drop the pot if he held it bare handed.
What's on the menu, Chef Anderson?" Karofsky asked in a forced upbeat tone.
Blaine set the pot down on a hot pad and turned back to get the salad. "Alfredo, green salad, some apple Snickers salad mom made, garlic bread, and a mystery dessert."
"A mystery." Karofsky called from the table. "I can't wait to be surprised! Or should we guess?"
Blaine retuned to the table and set down the two salads. The bread was already there. He shrugged as he sat at the head of the table. "I don't care. Whatever you want."
Kurt and Karofsky glanced at each other before Kurt spoke up. "Then we'll be surprised."
"Dig in." Blaine commanded.
•••
They exchanged casual conversation for most of the main meal. Karofsky had just moved to a nearby town where he got a job as an assistant for a mechanic.
Kurt was temporarily living at home with Burt and Carol. During the week he managed the finances at Burt's auto shop and in the evenings he helped Rachel with the New Directions.
Blaine was super busy with his first year coaching the Dalton Academy Warblers. Jeff Sterling taught choir and they often collaborated together. Prepping for Sectionals was under way and Blaine was stressing over what song they should perform.
"Well I know the New Directions have a kick ass performance planned." Kurt bragged. "But I'll let you be surprised. No spoilers!"
Blaine laughed, but when Karofsky stared at him he busied himself with tearing his bread. After he swallowed his next bite he said, "And how's Schue doing with Vocal Adrenaline?"
This was Karofsky's turn to talk since he had a buddy who taught there. "I don't really know, but Mr. Schue is definitely a proud coach this year. Vocal Adrenaline is better than they have ever been."
That didn't help Blaine's nerves. At Sectionals he would be competing against close friends, something he dreaded. Especially with the talent they all had.
"Well then they're gonna have a tough time." Blaine challenged. "Because the Warblers are at their prime." Which wasn't entirely true, but Blaine wanted to seem confident in his students and in himself.
Karofsky shrugged and took a big gulp of water. Kurt reached out and touched a nimble hand to Blaine's. "Well I'm sure their success is the result of their amazing teacher."
Blaine flinched when their hands made contact causing Kurt to draw his hand away quickly, embarrassed. Karofsky carried on as if nothing had happened. But Blaine saw Dave's body language change, and become more awkward and anxious.
As Blaine took their empty dinner plates into the kitchen and brought out the mint chip brownies he had made, he took the short time to process why Sam wanted him to do this.
Sam had approached Blaine a week prior saying that he and Sue had been talking. They noticed that Blaine was still hanging out with Karofsky and avoiding Kurt at all costs. However, Kurt was lonely and would often stare at Blaine and Karofsky, jealous and hurt. Blaine had refused to be empathetic with his ex-fiancé. They were done. For good. Sam and Sue (and Rachel and Mercedes and most of the rest of their friends...) just wouldn't give Blaine a break about how his "fling" with Karofsky was so wrong.
As they worked at their dessert, bit by bit their stomachs protesting, Blaine had an epiphany. It was as if all the heavens had opened up and the world's secrets had been revealed.
Blaine Devon Anderson was a coward and a cheat. He was a user and a liar to both himself and those around him.
He asked himself what he saw in Karofsky and came up with a pretty long list. Dave was a great guy and fun to be around. However, Blaine discovered that he wasn't really all that intimately attracted to him.
He then focused his attention to his high school sweetheart. Kurt Hummel. Boy was he a sight for sore eyes! Kurt was everything Blaine had ever wanted in a partner. He was undeniably handsome and had the most unique and caring personality. Then to top it off, Kurt was talented like no other with a huge heart for the arts. Why had Blaine closed his eyes right after they were wide open? He had been asleep for so long until Prince Charming came right back in to save their love.
He stood up and cleared his throat. "If you'll excuse us Dave, but I'd like to talk with Kurt, privately."
Karofsky swallowed the last bite if his dessert, hard. He looked up and managed a tight smile. "Okay." He stood up too.
Blaine frowned. "No no... You don't have to leave I--"
Karofsky shook his head. "No. I think I do." He gestured to a bewildered Kurt. "I know why we're here and I know Sam was behind this. He cares about you, man." Karofsky told Blaine with a sincere nod. "He had known for so long that you two were destined for each other."
Blaine felt the corners of his mouth quiver. Why was he about to cry?
Karofsky saw Blaine's expression falter and he put out a hand. "No, please. Don't get me wrong, Anderson. I love you. I do." He smiled again. "But I think... I think Kurt loves you more than I ever could. We were not meant for each other. I treated you two like junk my junior year. I thought..." He massaged his temple. "I thought that maybe we could be something after you two helped me change into who I am today. I thought you and I would have something going, Blaine. And we did. I enjoyed it. But our forever is over. I know I will find my destined infinity elsewhere." He took his jacket from the nearby coat rack and put it on. "Now if you'll excuse me." He came over and offered a hug. Blaine embraced him and blinked away tears rapidly. "Thanks for dinner. I had a great time." Karofsky whispered before shaking hands with Kurt. And he was out the door before Blaine could stop him.