Klaine Princess Diaries part 6
Grandmother had a pot of tea in front of her and she let them squirm for a few minutes before saying, “Sit.”
Kurt kept his back straight and head high, but Blaine slouched down, trying to avoid Grandmother’s stare. Joseph stood behind him, Spencer behind Kurt.
So he and Kurt weren’t the only ones in trouble. Wonderful.
“Joseph,” Grandmother finally said after taking a delicate sip of tea. “Please tell me what happened earlier tonight.”
Standing at attention, Joseph reported, “His Highness and Mr. Hummel snuck out, Your Majesty. They believed they had shaken their protection detail; we allowed them to believe so and followed discreetly.”
“And where did the boys go?” Grandmother asked, sounding riveted. She rested her chin in her hand.
“They went to a bar,” Joseph said. “Another boy met them; we’ll have a full work-up on him by morning. He flirted with His Highness and baited Mr. Hummel.” Joseph paused. Grandmother raised an eyebrow and he continued, “Mr. Hummel decided it was time to leave. Since Spencer and I were trying to remain unseen, we were unable to prevent an assault on His Highness.”
Grandmother sat up straight, eyes narrowing. “An assault?” she repeated.
“It wasn’t - he just kissed me,” Blaine said. “I mean, it’s not, I’m - hurt, or anything.”
“Just a kiss?” Kurt demanded, glaring at Blaine. “He grabbed your face, unwanted with no warning, held you still, and forced his lips on yours.”
Blaine helplessly shook his head. “Kurt,” he said, “It’s not the same. Sebastian never touched me before tonight, and it was for the cameras.”
Kurt turned away. Blaine reached for his hand and Kurt avoided him, so Blaine wrapped his arms around himself and tried not to cry.
“What happened after the kiss?” Grandmother asked.
“Spencer and I rushed over, but the boy, Sebastian, was already down. Mr. Hummel pulled him away from His Highness and kicked him, Your Majesty.” It sounded like Joseph might be smirking, but Blaine didn’t look to check.
“It was beautiful, Majesty,” Spencer said. “That boy won’t be thinkin’ with his downstairs brain for quite awhile.”
Grandmother nodded. “Thank you, gentlemen. Joseph, tell Charlotte to call whomever she needs; our policy will be defense of others, if the boy’s family tries to press charges.” She smiled, gazing past Blaine. “Joseph, Mr. Spencer, allow me time with the children, please.”
“Majesty,” they both said. The closing door sounded like a death knell.
Blaine really wanted to hold Kurt’s hand.
“I understand what tonight was about,” Grandmother said, pouring two cups of tea and setting them in front of Kurt and Blaine. “I myself got into some trouble when my betrothal to Rupert was announced. Being watched all the time, being shadowed by strangers - it was distressing. I tried to lose my bodyguard a few times in the early days.” She smiled at them, but Blaine couldn’t smile back.
“I never managed it, of course,” she said. “Just like tonight, you didn’t, either.”
“Grandmother,” Blaine said. “Please. Punish us or let us go home.” He was tired, and wounded, and needed to either wrap himself around Kurt or get out of his presence.
“You are seventeen, and not my child,” Grandmother said quietly. “I hope that you know how disappointed I am that you went out alone - you snuck out, so you know it wouldn’t have been approved. Something could have been arranged, Blaine. If we had known, the media would’ve been planned for and maybe tomorrow’s headlines avoided.”
Blaine winced at the thought of what the papers would say. He glanced at Kurt, who was still staring at some point past Grandmother’s ear. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I was just… I thought it would be fun. Me and Kurt out together. And it was, until -”
“Until that boy assaulted you,” Grandmother finished gently.
“It wasn’t assault!” he shouted, lunging to his feet. His chair fell back with a clatter.
Grandmother simply looked at him and elegantly lifted her teacup for a dainty sip. Blaine’s fists clenched as he fought to control his temper; he closed his eyes, counting to ten in English and then French.
“What happened in ninth grade,” Blaine said, doing his best to keep his voice even. “That was assault. What happened to Kurt all the time, and then that one time - that was assault. But tonight? That was just a handsy douchebag trying for his fifteen minutes of fame.”
Kurt scoffed. Grandmother looked from one to the other but held her peace as Kurt said, “Like Karofsky wasn’t a handsy douchebag last year?”
A bolt of fear shot through Blaine and he turned to Kurt in a panic. “Did something else -”
“No,” Kurt said firmly. He met Blaine’s eyes. “Just lockerslams and that bout of theft in the hall, I promise.” He paused and then slowly held out a hand, which Blaine quickly claimed with his own.
“I’ll give you a minute,” Grandmother said. “Joseph has alerted both your fathers.”
Blaine sighed, but he couldn’t help smiling almost immediately because Kurt was holding his hand again.
Grandmother left the room, closing the door gently behind her. Kurt slipped out of his chair and knelt between Blaine’s legs, still holding his hand and wrapping his other arm around Blaine’s waist. “He grabbed your face, held you still, and shoved his disgusting lips on you,” Kurt said softly. “He’d been touching you all night, and watching you, and I thought…” Kurt laughed, resting his forehead on Blaine’s stomach. “I thought he was harmless, Blaine. I thought I disliked him because he was so clearly after you.”
“It wasn’t the same,” Blaine whispered, using his free hand to cup Kurt’s cheek. Kurt closed his eyes, nuzzling into the touch. “I’m not afraid of Sebastian. He’s never hurt me.” He chuckled. “According to Spencer, he’ll probably never come near us again.”
Kurt’s eyes blinked open and Blaine really wanted to kiss him. “Will you kiss me?” he asked.
Eyes sparkling, Kurt surged upwards and Blaine replaced the stale-beer-taste of Sebastian with Kurt.
.
Of course, Dad was furious when Joseph brought Blaine home. He didn’t yell, though. Dad never raised his voice. He just gave Blaine his disappointed look and quietly asked Blaine to go to his room, saying they’d talk in the morning. He also took Blaine’s phone, informing him he might get it back in the morning.
“I shall text Mr. Hummel your goodnight,” Joseph said. “Go to sleep, Your Highness.”
Blaine only remembered one dream that night: a nightmare where Sebastian locked Kurt in a room with Karofsky and all Blaine could do was listen to their mingled laughter and screams.
He fell out of bed just after six and hurried downstairs to the kitchen where Dad had just started his coffee. He didn’t even wait for his cellphone; he used their landline to dial Kurt’s (just in case Burt had stolen Kurt’s cell, too) and held his breath until Carole answered.
“Hello?” she said, wide awake. “Hummel-Hudson residence.”
“Carole,” he said, trying in vain to forget his nightmare, “I need to talk to Kurt. Please.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” she said. “Just a minute, okay?”
Blaine held his breath again. When Kurt said, “Blaine, what’s wrong?” he sank to the floor, back against the counter, and replied tearfully, “Thank god you’re alright.”
Dad and Joseph were staring at him when he looked up, but Blaine ignored them. “Sweetie, what’s wrong?” Kurt asked a second time. “I’m fine. I mean, I made the front page, but at least I look wonderful on it. And Dad actually yelled at me last night, if you can believe that. Yelled! Apparently, your grandmother terrified him about my safety, somehow.”
Blaine repeated, “You made the front page?”
Dad’s eyes widened. Joseph nodded. He murmured to Dad, “Eaton fetched the paper,” and grabbed it off the table, unfolded and holding it up for Blaine to see.
And there, in full color, was last night: Sebastian kissing him, Sebastian curled up on the ground, Joseph and Spencer hurrying Blaine and Kurt away. And the headline - Blaine groaned and closed his eyes, letting the back of his head hit the cabinet behind him.
“‘Royal out of control?’” he said in horror. “Really?”
Kurt laughed. “I love you, Blaine. I’ll see you at school.”
“Love you, too,” Blaine replied, and let the phone dangle from his fingers as he stared at the newspaper.
Joseph held it out. “Would you like to read it, Your Highness?”
“No,” he said sharply. But then he sighed, pushed himself to his feet, and took it, muttering, “Might as well.”
.
Spencer and Kurt were waiting for them in the parking lot - along with all of New Directions and what seemed like half the school. But thankfully, everyone was keeping their distance. Probably because of Spencer’s glare, but maybe because of how the article about last night made it seem like Kurt had beaten Sebastian half to death.
Kurt smiled at him, ignored the crowd, and kissed him. Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt, ignored the crowd, and kissed him back.
Shockingly enough, the crowd dispersed with barely any vitriol spewed at them. When they separated, Blaine even saw a few girls giving them dewy-eyed looks.
Only the glee club remained when Kurt and Blaine separated from a second kiss.
“Okay,” Santana announced, “that was hot.”
Finn gave her a horrified look while Brittany and Tina nodded fervently, and Lauren said, “Hell yeah.”
“Next time you have a barfight, invite Puckzilla,” Puck told them. “D’ya need me to beat the shit outta that punk for you?”
“No,” Joseph said.
“Dude, you’re like a ninja!” Sam said. “I totally forgot you were even there.”
“We should get to class,” Rachel proclaimed. “Kurt, Blaine, we wished to ascertain your health, but you seem well.”
Kurt rolled his eyes at Blaine. “Thank you for the concern, Rachel.” He said louder, for everyone, “We’re fine. We’ll see you in class or at lunch.”
Mercedes stepped forward as most of them headed for the front door. “Can I talk to you, Kurt?”
“Yes,” he said. He gave Blaine a quick kiss to the cheek, nodded to Spencer to lead the way, and walked with Mercedes.
Blaine looked around the empty parking lot and murmured, “Wow.”
Joseph chuckled before saying, “Come along, Your Highness.”
.
A few people - bullies, mostly, though Blaine thought one of them might be in the AV club - asked if Blaine had dumped Kurt. Blaine didn’t respond to any of them, but in math, one of the girls asked in reply, “You weren’t in the parking lot this morning, were you?”
Then she pulled out her phone and played the video.
Blaine groaned and let his head hit the desk. Of course somebody had filmed it. Probably more than one. It’d be uploaded to the internet, more than likely already was, and some old lord in Genovia would petition Grandmother, and she’d announced on Saturday that Blaine forfeited the throne.
Mrs. Dalker dropped her book on her desk and had instant silence. “Enough chatter,” she said. “Pencils and paper out - pop quiz time. If anyone makes a hundred, they’ll get five points added to their mid-term exam.”
The rest of the period was silent. Blaine was pretty sure he made at least an A. When the bell rang, he hurried out of the room ahead of Joseph, but Joseph caught up in the hall and glared forbiddingly at anyone who approached.
Karofsky nodded as he passed by, but Blaine thought back to his nightmare and flinched. Thankfully, Karofsky didn’t see, even though Joseph did. But Joseph, like always, kept his own counsel and simply took up his position at the back of Mr. Fredericks’ history classroom.
.
Blaine jotted down the highlights of the lecture, but his mind kept wandering. The ball was two days away. The announcement making it official that Blaine was the Crown Prince of Genovia. Queen Clarisse’s heir. Future king. And Blaine had spent weeks dreading it, sure he didn’t want it… but now that it might be taken away…
The bell rang. Blaine followed Joseph to the cafeteria, but his mind was elsewhere. He noticed that instead of quieting, the noise level increased, but Kurt pulled him down into the chair next to him and kept talking to Mike about dance styles. Brittany added a few comments that sounded shockingly knowledgeable, but then Blaine remembered that Brittany used to dance with Kurt. Kurt mentioned it once: he and Brittany had been in the same classes as kids, so they started high-school already semi-friends.
Puck was trying to talk to Spencer about being a bodyguard. Spencer ignored him and kept munching on a granola bar. Blaine frowned and looked up at Joseph. “I haven’t seen either of you eat,” he said.
Joseph shrugged; Spencer grinned.
.
After school on Thursday, Blaine had a meeting with Grandmother. Kurt went home with Spencer and promised to finalize his possible outfits for the ball. He wanted Grandmother to okay his choices before he made his final final selection.
“Blaine, today we will conduct one last test,” Grandmother said. She stood and waited; Blaine carefully pushed back his chair, stood, and walked around the table, where he stopped by Grandmother and offered his arm.
“Good,” Grandmother praised. “Escort me to the dining table.”
Blaine had noticed a table full of plates when he first arrived. He escorted Grandmother to it as gracefully as he could, pulled out her chair, and offered his hand in case she lost her balance.
“Well done,” she said. “Now, please, sit. We have a meal to eat.”
Mom had given Blaine a few etiquette lessons, and Grandmom continued them irregularly after her death. Grandmother’s lessons, though, had been rigorous. By the end of the meal, Grandmother had corrected only one mistake.
Their discussion ranged from current events to classical literature to philosophy. Grandmother gently explained a few points he had wrong, but as their places were cleared away, she said, “I am impressed, Blaine.”
“Really?” he asked. She nodded and patted his hand. He gathered all his courage to ask, “So you won’t announce on Saturday that I forfeit my place as heir?”
She stared at him. “Of course not, Blaine. What on Earth - oh.” She squeezed his hand. “This is about last night. And today’s headline, I imagine.” Grandmother laughed. “Your father did far more scandalous things, I assure you.”
Blaine said, “But the people knew him. He grew up with them. He actually spoke their language. I’m just…” He shrugged and pulled his hand away. “I’m just some American interloper. They’ll never want me as much.”
“Oh, my dear,” Grandmother said, standing and walking around the table. She pulled his chair back and held out her arms. It took a moment, but when he finally realized what she wanted, Blaine threw himself at her and shared his first hug with his grandmother.
“My dear boy,” she whispered, “the people will love you.” She kissed the side of his head and rubbed circles on his back, and waited until he pulled away to let go.
He was too embarrassed to look at her, and she gently grabbed and squeezed his hand. “We should do something fun,” she said.
“Fun?” he snorted. “On a Thursday afternoon in Lima?”
Grandmother said, “Oh, there must be something. It’s a beautiful day, sunny with barely a chill in the air.”
“We can go to the zoo,” Blaine suggested. He chuckled at her look. “What?” he said. “Really, Grandmother - when’s the last time you went to the zoo?”
“Oh, it’s been years,” she replied. “I can’t remember…” She tapped her finger against her lips. “Rupert and I visited after the renovations; Philippe was still young, then. I did enjoy it.” She nodded firmly. “Very well.” Grandmother patted his shoulder and called, “Joseph!” As he entered the room, she announced, “My grandson and I are going to Lima’s zoo.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” he said, and then into his radio, “Ryell, Braedon - the eagle and sparrow are about to take wing.”
Blaine rolled his eyes. It didn’t matter how many times he heard their designations: they always sounded ridiculous. He was afraid to ask what Kurt’s was.
“Charlotte,” Grandmother commanded as she stepped in after Joseph, “contact the zoo.” She laced her arm through Blaine’s. “Come, my dear. We are off to have fun.”
He grinned, and actually felt excited. “Can we go incognito?” he asked.
“Of course not,” Grandmother said. “So far, you have seen the downsides of being royal, but there are perks, too.” She grinned at him, looking decades younger. Blaine couldn’t help smiling in return.
.
In the limo, Blaine texted his dad and Kurt: Going to zoo with Grandmother! We’ll be back when we’re back.
Dad replied, Have fun. Kurt sent, :) and then a few minutes later, I emailed you my final choices. Show them to the queen.
Blaine obediently said, “Grandmother, Kurt just emailed me his final choices for the ball. He’d like you to okay them; can I forward ‘em to you?”
“Very well,” Grandmother said, putting on her glasses. She knocked on the partition and as it rolled down, she commanded, “Joseph, my phone.”
Grinning down at his own phone, Blaine forwarded Kurt’s email. Kurt’s selections were in six attachments, each with three pictures: the entire ensemble laid out on a table, then Kurt wearing them, back and front. Blaine chuckled, wondering who Kurt had conscripted to take the pictures.
“Oh, these are nice,” Grandmother murmured. “Mr. Hummel does have a discerning eye.”
Blaine nodded. “He’s annoyed that you’ve already decided my outfit for the ball.”
Grandmother laughed. “Oh, the poor boy. I’ll need to reassure him that he’ll have many opportunities to dress you in the future.”
While Grandmother scrutinized Kurt’s outfits, Blaine played Harbor Master on his phone, grumbling every time he had a collision. Finally, as the limo turned into the zoo parking lot, Grandmother handed Blaine her phone with the fourth outfit up. “This one is my favorite,” she said. “But let him know I approve of them all.”
Blaine quickly sent, She picks #4. Off to see the komodos! and slipped his phone into his pocket as he got out of the limo.
“Perimeter is secure, sir,” one of the suits - Ryell, Blaine was sure it was Ryell - said to Joseph. “The zoo director would like to greet Her Majesty.”
“Of course,” Joseph said. Ryell took the lead, with Braedon bringing up the rear, and Joseph escorted Grandmother while Blaine walked on her other side.
It’d been awhile since he went to the zoo, and he was totally looking forward to seeing the Komodo dragons. And the tigers. And the flying foxes. Those had been his favorite, when he was a kid.
“Your Majesty, this is the zoo director, Thomas Zyson,” Ryell said, as they paused at the gate. “Mr. Zyson, this is Her Majesty Queen Clarisse Renaldo of Genovia and His Highness Blaine Anderson of Genovia.”
Mr. Zyson was younger than Grandmother, taller than Joseph, pale, and quite clearly very nervous. “It’s wonderful to meet you,” he said, stumbling into a bow. “Thank you for coming to our zoo, Your Majesty.”
“Blaine suggested it,” Grandmother said. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve been to a zoo.” She smiled graciously. “I’m sure it’ll be as wonderful as I remember.”
“Yes, yes, Ma’am,” Mr. Zyson stuttered. “Please, I’ll take you on a tour, if you like?”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary, Mr. Zyson,” Grandmother said. “This afternoon, I think we’d like to just wander, if that’s not too much trouble.”
“Of course not!” he replied, completely flabbergasted that she’s asking for his permission.
Blaine was completely in awe of how well she took command without seeming to.
“Thank you, Mr. Zyson,” Grandmother said kindly. Ryell took lead again; Braedon followed. Joseph circled around Grandmother and Blaine, and it all seemed so effortless. This was going to be his life until he died.
But it was a fun afternoon, and Grandmother was appropriately wowed by the Komodo dragons, promising to add a few to the Genovian National Zoo.
Blaine didn’t check his phone again until they were back in the limo, headed for the Hilton. Wes had texted him, he had a voicemail from Grandmom saying she was on the way to Lima, and Grandma had texted him flight details.
He had a sudden vision of his three grandmothers in a room and nearly sprained something trying not to laugh. Grandmother gave him an odd look but returned to checking her emails.
Kurt’s three texts were, I’ll tweak #4. So glad she likes it!, then Blaine, why is Finn trailing me like a sad puppy? Does he really think that’ll earn him forgiveness? and finally, Holy SHIT, I’m going to a ball in TWO DAYS! Blaine smiled down at his phone, flicking his gaze at Grandmother when she muttered something in French that sounded like it might be a curse.
I like #4, too, he typed. And Finn’s mind is a mystery to me, you know that. He paused to tell Grandmother, “I’d like to take Kurt out on a date tomorrow night, after his family dinner.” She glanced up from her phone. “One final night as just us, before there are formal declarations of royalty, you know?”
Grandmother nodded, smiling. “I do know, Blaine. Clear all the details with Joseph and I see no problem.”
“Thanks,” he said, and finished his text with, I wanna do something tom night. I’ll call you when I’m home.
Blaine played Harbor Master on his phone until Grandmother said, “We should test your French.”
He groaned as one of the little ships hit the annoyingly slow and big one, a single point away from beating his record, and he had no rewinds left. He let his phone drop and whined, “Do we have to?”
“Yes,” Grandmother said firmly. Then she asked, slowly and clearly, in French, “Tell me about your boyfriend.”
Blaine could totally do that.
masterpost
Kurt kept his back straight and head high, but Blaine slouched down, trying to avoid Grandmother’s stare. Joseph stood behind him, Spencer behind Kurt.
So he and Kurt weren’t the only ones in trouble. Wonderful.
“Joseph,” Grandmother finally said after taking a delicate sip of tea. “Please tell me what happened earlier tonight.”
Standing at attention, Joseph reported, “His Highness and Mr. Hummel snuck out, Your Majesty. They believed they had shaken their protection detail; we allowed them to believe so and followed discreetly.”
“And where did the boys go?” Grandmother asked, sounding riveted. She rested her chin in her hand.
“They went to a bar,” Joseph said. “Another boy met them; we’ll have a full work-up on him by morning. He flirted with His Highness and baited Mr. Hummel.” Joseph paused. Grandmother raised an eyebrow and he continued, “Mr. Hummel decided it was time to leave. Since Spencer and I were trying to remain unseen, we were unable to prevent an assault on His Highness.”
Grandmother sat up straight, eyes narrowing. “An assault?” she repeated.
“It wasn’t - he just kissed me,” Blaine said. “I mean, it’s not, I’m - hurt, or anything.”
“Just a kiss?” Kurt demanded, glaring at Blaine. “He grabbed your face, unwanted with no warning, held you still, and forced his lips on yours.”
Blaine helplessly shook his head. “Kurt,” he said, “It’s not the same. Sebastian never touched me before tonight, and it was for the cameras.”
Kurt turned away. Blaine reached for his hand and Kurt avoided him, so Blaine wrapped his arms around himself and tried not to cry.
“What happened after the kiss?” Grandmother asked.
“Spencer and I rushed over, but the boy, Sebastian, was already down. Mr. Hummel pulled him away from His Highness and kicked him, Your Majesty.” It sounded like Joseph might be smirking, but Blaine didn’t look to check.
“It was beautiful, Majesty,” Spencer said. “That boy won’t be thinkin’ with his downstairs brain for quite awhile.”
Grandmother nodded. “Thank you, gentlemen. Joseph, tell Charlotte to call whomever she needs; our policy will be defense of others, if the boy’s family tries to press charges.” She smiled, gazing past Blaine. “Joseph, Mr. Spencer, allow me time with the children, please.”
“Majesty,” they both said. The closing door sounded like a death knell.
Blaine really wanted to hold Kurt’s hand.
“I understand what tonight was about,” Grandmother said, pouring two cups of tea and setting them in front of Kurt and Blaine. “I myself got into some trouble when my betrothal to Rupert was announced. Being watched all the time, being shadowed by strangers - it was distressing. I tried to lose my bodyguard a few times in the early days.” She smiled at them, but Blaine couldn’t smile back.
“I never managed it, of course,” she said. “Just like tonight, you didn’t, either.”
“Grandmother,” Blaine said. “Please. Punish us or let us go home.” He was tired, and wounded, and needed to either wrap himself around Kurt or get out of his presence.
“You are seventeen, and not my child,” Grandmother said quietly. “I hope that you know how disappointed I am that you went out alone - you snuck out, so you know it wouldn’t have been approved. Something could have been arranged, Blaine. If we had known, the media would’ve been planned for and maybe tomorrow’s headlines avoided.”
Blaine winced at the thought of what the papers would say. He glanced at Kurt, who was still staring at some point past Grandmother’s ear. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I was just… I thought it would be fun. Me and Kurt out together. And it was, until -”
“Until that boy assaulted you,” Grandmother finished gently.
“It wasn’t assault!” he shouted, lunging to his feet. His chair fell back with a clatter.
Grandmother simply looked at him and elegantly lifted her teacup for a dainty sip. Blaine’s fists clenched as he fought to control his temper; he closed his eyes, counting to ten in English and then French.
“What happened in ninth grade,” Blaine said, doing his best to keep his voice even. “That was assault. What happened to Kurt all the time, and then that one time - that was assault. But tonight? That was just a handsy douchebag trying for his fifteen minutes of fame.”
Kurt scoffed. Grandmother looked from one to the other but held her peace as Kurt said, “Like Karofsky wasn’t a handsy douchebag last year?”
A bolt of fear shot through Blaine and he turned to Kurt in a panic. “Did something else -”
“No,” Kurt said firmly. He met Blaine’s eyes. “Just lockerslams and that bout of theft in the hall, I promise.” He paused and then slowly held out a hand, which Blaine quickly claimed with his own.
“I’ll give you a minute,” Grandmother said. “Joseph has alerted both your fathers.”
Blaine sighed, but he couldn’t help smiling almost immediately because Kurt was holding his hand again.
Grandmother left the room, closing the door gently behind her. Kurt slipped out of his chair and knelt between Blaine’s legs, still holding his hand and wrapping his other arm around Blaine’s waist. “He grabbed your face, held you still, and shoved his disgusting lips on you,” Kurt said softly. “He’d been touching you all night, and watching you, and I thought…” Kurt laughed, resting his forehead on Blaine’s stomach. “I thought he was harmless, Blaine. I thought I disliked him because he was so clearly after you.”
“It wasn’t the same,” Blaine whispered, using his free hand to cup Kurt’s cheek. Kurt closed his eyes, nuzzling into the touch. “I’m not afraid of Sebastian. He’s never hurt me.” He chuckled. “According to Spencer, he’ll probably never come near us again.”
Kurt’s eyes blinked open and Blaine really wanted to kiss him. “Will you kiss me?” he asked.
Eyes sparkling, Kurt surged upwards and Blaine replaced the stale-beer-taste of Sebastian with Kurt.
.
Of course, Dad was furious when Joseph brought Blaine home. He didn’t yell, though. Dad never raised his voice. He just gave Blaine his disappointed look and quietly asked Blaine to go to his room, saying they’d talk in the morning. He also took Blaine’s phone, informing him he might get it back in the morning.
“I shall text Mr. Hummel your goodnight,” Joseph said. “Go to sleep, Your Highness.”
Blaine only remembered one dream that night: a nightmare where Sebastian locked Kurt in a room with Karofsky and all Blaine could do was listen to their mingled laughter and screams.
He fell out of bed just after six and hurried downstairs to the kitchen where Dad had just started his coffee. He didn’t even wait for his cellphone; he used their landline to dial Kurt’s (just in case Burt had stolen Kurt’s cell, too) and held his breath until Carole answered.
“Hello?” she said, wide awake. “Hummel-Hudson residence.”
“Carole,” he said, trying in vain to forget his nightmare, “I need to talk to Kurt. Please.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” she said. “Just a minute, okay?”
Blaine held his breath again. When Kurt said, “Blaine, what’s wrong?” he sank to the floor, back against the counter, and replied tearfully, “Thank god you’re alright.”
Dad and Joseph were staring at him when he looked up, but Blaine ignored them. “Sweetie, what’s wrong?” Kurt asked a second time. “I’m fine. I mean, I made the front page, but at least I look wonderful on it. And Dad actually yelled at me last night, if you can believe that. Yelled! Apparently, your grandmother terrified him about my safety, somehow.”
Blaine repeated, “You made the front page?”
Dad’s eyes widened. Joseph nodded. He murmured to Dad, “Eaton fetched the paper,” and grabbed it off the table, unfolded and holding it up for Blaine to see.
And there, in full color, was last night: Sebastian kissing him, Sebastian curled up on the ground, Joseph and Spencer hurrying Blaine and Kurt away. And the headline - Blaine groaned and closed his eyes, letting the back of his head hit the cabinet behind him.
“‘Royal out of control?’” he said in horror. “Really?”
Kurt laughed. “I love you, Blaine. I’ll see you at school.”
“Love you, too,” Blaine replied, and let the phone dangle from his fingers as he stared at the newspaper.
Joseph held it out. “Would you like to read it, Your Highness?”
“No,” he said sharply. But then he sighed, pushed himself to his feet, and took it, muttering, “Might as well.”
.
Spencer and Kurt were waiting for them in the parking lot - along with all of New Directions and what seemed like half the school. But thankfully, everyone was keeping their distance. Probably because of Spencer’s glare, but maybe because of how the article about last night made it seem like Kurt had beaten Sebastian half to death.
Kurt smiled at him, ignored the crowd, and kissed him. Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt, ignored the crowd, and kissed him back.
Shockingly enough, the crowd dispersed with barely any vitriol spewed at them. When they separated, Blaine even saw a few girls giving them dewy-eyed looks.
Only the glee club remained when Kurt and Blaine separated from a second kiss.
“Okay,” Santana announced, “that was hot.”
Finn gave her a horrified look while Brittany and Tina nodded fervently, and Lauren said, “Hell yeah.”
“Next time you have a barfight, invite Puckzilla,” Puck told them. “D’ya need me to beat the shit outta that punk for you?”
“No,” Joseph said.
“Dude, you’re like a ninja!” Sam said. “I totally forgot you were even there.”
“We should get to class,” Rachel proclaimed. “Kurt, Blaine, we wished to ascertain your health, but you seem well.”
Kurt rolled his eyes at Blaine. “Thank you for the concern, Rachel.” He said louder, for everyone, “We’re fine. We’ll see you in class or at lunch.”
Mercedes stepped forward as most of them headed for the front door. “Can I talk to you, Kurt?”
“Yes,” he said. He gave Blaine a quick kiss to the cheek, nodded to Spencer to lead the way, and walked with Mercedes.
Blaine looked around the empty parking lot and murmured, “Wow.”
Joseph chuckled before saying, “Come along, Your Highness.”
.
A few people - bullies, mostly, though Blaine thought one of them might be in the AV club - asked if Blaine had dumped Kurt. Blaine didn’t respond to any of them, but in math, one of the girls asked in reply, “You weren’t in the parking lot this morning, were you?”
Then she pulled out her phone and played the video.
Blaine groaned and let his head hit the desk. Of course somebody had filmed it. Probably more than one. It’d be uploaded to the internet, more than likely already was, and some old lord in Genovia would petition Grandmother, and she’d announced on Saturday that Blaine forfeited the throne.
Mrs. Dalker dropped her book on her desk and had instant silence. “Enough chatter,” she said. “Pencils and paper out - pop quiz time. If anyone makes a hundred, they’ll get five points added to their mid-term exam.”
The rest of the period was silent. Blaine was pretty sure he made at least an A. When the bell rang, he hurried out of the room ahead of Joseph, but Joseph caught up in the hall and glared forbiddingly at anyone who approached.
Karofsky nodded as he passed by, but Blaine thought back to his nightmare and flinched. Thankfully, Karofsky didn’t see, even though Joseph did. But Joseph, like always, kept his own counsel and simply took up his position at the back of Mr. Fredericks’ history classroom.
.
Blaine jotted down the highlights of the lecture, but his mind kept wandering. The ball was two days away. The announcement making it official that Blaine was the Crown Prince of Genovia. Queen Clarisse’s heir. Future king. And Blaine had spent weeks dreading it, sure he didn’t want it… but now that it might be taken away…
The bell rang. Blaine followed Joseph to the cafeteria, but his mind was elsewhere. He noticed that instead of quieting, the noise level increased, but Kurt pulled him down into the chair next to him and kept talking to Mike about dance styles. Brittany added a few comments that sounded shockingly knowledgeable, but then Blaine remembered that Brittany used to dance with Kurt. Kurt mentioned it once: he and Brittany had been in the same classes as kids, so they started high-school already semi-friends.
Puck was trying to talk to Spencer about being a bodyguard. Spencer ignored him and kept munching on a granola bar. Blaine frowned and looked up at Joseph. “I haven’t seen either of you eat,” he said.
Joseph shrugged; Spencer grinned.
.
After school on Thursday, Blaine had a meeting with Grandmother. Kurt went home with Spencer and promised to finalize his possible outfits for the ball. He wanted Grandmother to okay his choices before he made his final final selection.
“Blaine, today we will conduct one last test,” Grandmother said. She stood and waited; Blaine carefully pushed back his chair, stood, and walked around the table, where he stopped by Grandmother and offered his arm.
“Good,” Grandmother praised. “Escort me to the dining table.”
Blaine had noticed a table full of plates when he first arrived. He escorted Grandmother to it as gracefully as he could, pulled out her chair, and offered his hand in case she lost her balance.
“Well done,” she said. “Now, please, sit. We have a meal to eat.”
Mom had given Blaine a few etiquette lessons, and Grandmom continued them irregularly after her death. Grandmother’s lessons, though, had been rigorous. By the end of the meal, Grandmother had corrected only one mistake.
Their discussion ranged from current events to classical literature to philosophy. Grandmother gently explained a few points he had wrong, but as their places were cleared away, she said, “I am impressed, Blaine.”
“Really?” he asked. She nodded and patted his hand. He gathered all his courage to ask, “So you won’t announce on Saturday that I forfeit my place as heir?”
She stared at him. “Of course not, Blaine. What on Earth - oh.” She squeezed his hand. “This is about last night. And today’s headline, I imagine.” Grandmother laughed. “Your father did far more scandalous things, I assure you.”
Blaine said, “But the people knew him. He grew up with them. He actually spoke their language. I’m just…” He shrugged and pulled his hand away. “I’m just some American interloper. They’ll never want me as much.”
“Oh, my dear,” Grandmother said, standing and walking around the table. She pulled his chair back and held out her arms. It took a moment, but when he finally realized what she wanted, Blaine threw himself at her and shared his first hug with his grandmother.
“My dear boy,” she whispered, “the people will love you.” She kissed the side of his head and rubbed circles on his back, and waited until he pulled away to let go.
He was too embarrassed to look at her, and she gently grabbed and squeezed his hand. “We should do something fun,” she said.
“Fun?” he snorted. “On a Thursday afternoon in Lima?”
Grandmother said, “Oh, there must be something. It’s a beautiful day, sunny with barely a chill in the air.”
“We can go to the zoo,” Blaine suggested. He chuckled at her look. “What?” he said. “Really, Grandmother - when’s the last time you went to the zoo?”
“Oh, it’s been years,” she replied. “I can’t remember…” She tapped her finger against her lips. “Rupert and I visited after the renovations; Philippe was still young, then. I did enjoy it.” She nodded firmly. “Very well.” Grandmother patted his shoulder and called, “Joseph!” As he entered the room, she announced, “My grandson and I are going to Lima’s zoo.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” he said, and then into his radio, “Ryell, Braedon - the eagle and sparrow are about to take wing.”
Blaine rolled his eyes. It didn’t matter how many times he heard their designations: they always sounded ridiculous. He was afraid to ask what Kurt’s was.
“Charlotte,” Grandmother commanded as she stepped in after Joseph, “contact the zoo.” She laced her arm through Blaine’s. “Come, my dear. We are off to have fun.”
He grinned, and actually felt excited. “Can we go incognito?” he asked.
“Of course not,” Grandmother said. “So far, you have seen the downsides of being royal, but there are perks, too.” She grinned at him, looking decades younger. Blaine couldn’t help smiling in return.
.
In the limo, Blaine texted his dad and Kurt: Going to zoo with Grandmother! We’ll be back when we’re back.
Dad replied, Have fun. Kurt sent, :) and then a few minutes later, I emailed you my final choices. Show them to the queen.
Blaine obediently said, “Grandmother, Kurt just emailed me his final choices for the ball. He’d like you to okay them; can I forward ‘em to you?”
“Very well,” Grandmother said, putting on her glasses. She knocked on the partition and as it rolled down, she commanded, “Joseph, my phone.”
Grinning down at his own phone, Blaine forwarded Kurt’s email. Kurt’s selections were in six attachments, each with three pictures: the entire ensemble laid out on a table, then Kurt wearing them, back and front. Blaine chuckled, wondering who Kurt had conscripted to take the pictures.
“Oh, these are nice,” Grandmother murmured. “Mr. Hummel does have a discerning eye.”
Blaine nodded. “He’s annoyed that you’ve already decided my outfit for the ball.”
Grandmother laughed. “Oh, the poor boy. I’ll need to reassure him that he’ll have many opportunities to dress you in the future.”
While Grandmother scrutinized Kurt’s outfits, Blaine played Harbor Master on his phone, grumbling every time he had a collision. Finally, as the limo turned into the zoo parking lot, Grandmother handed Blaine her phone with the fourth outfit up. “This one is my favorite,” she said. “But let him know I approve of them all.”
Blaine quickly sent, She picks #4. Off to see the komodos! and slipped his phone into his pocket as he got out of the limo.
“Perimeter is secure, sir,” one of the suits - Ryell, Blaine was sure it was Ryell - said to Joseph. “The zoo director would like to greet Her Majesty.”
“Of course,” Joseph said. Ryell took the lead, with Braedon bringing up the rear, and Joseph escorted Grandmother while Blaine walked on her other side.
It’d been awhile since he went to the zoo, and he was totally looking forward to seeing the Komodo dragons. And the tigers. And the flying foxes. Those had been his favorite, when he was a kid.
“Your Majesty, this is the zoo director, Thomas Zyson,” Ryell said, as they paused at the gate. “Mr. Zyson, this is Her Majesty Queen Clarisse Renaldo of Genovia and His Highness Blaine Anderson of Genovia.”
Mr. Zyson was younger than Grandmother, taller than Joseph, pale, and quite clearly very nervous. “It’s wonderful to meet you,” he said, stumbling into a bow. “Thank you for coming to our zoo, Your Majesty.”
“Blaine suggested it,” Grandmother said. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve been to a zoo.” She smiled graciously. “I’m sure it’ll be as wonderful as I remember.”
“Yes, yes, Ma’am,” Mr. Zyson stuttered. “Please, I’ll take you on a tour, if you like?”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary, Mr. Zyson,” Grandmother said. “This afternoon, I think we’d like to just wander, if that’s not too much trouble.”
“Of course not!” he replied, completely flabbergasted that she’s asking for his permission.
Blaine was completely in awe of how well she took command without seeming to.
“Thank you, Mr. Zyson,” Grandmother said kindly. Ryell took lead again; Braedon followed. Joseph circled around Grandmother and Blaine, and it all seemed so effortless. This was going to be his life until he died.
But it was a fun afternoon, and Grandmother was appropriately wowed by the Komodo dragons, promising to add a few to the Genovian National Zoo.
Blaine didn’t check his phone again until they were back in the limo, headed for the Hilton. Wes had texted him, he had a voicemail from Grandmom saying she was on the way to Lima, and Grandma had texted him flight details.
He had a sudden vision of his three grandmothers in a room and nearly sprained something trying not to laugh. Grandmother gave him an odd look but returned to checking her emails.
Kurt’s three texts were, I’ll tweak #4. So glad she likes it!, then Blaine, why is Finn trailing me like a sad puppy? Does he really think that’ll earn him forgiveness? and finally, Holy SHIT, I’m going to a ball in TWO DAYS! Blaine smiled down at his phone, flicking his gaze at Grandmother when she muttered something in French that sounded like it might be a curse.
I like #4, too, he typed. And Finn’s mind is a mystery to me, you know that. He paused to tell Grandmother, “I’d like to take Kurt out on a date tomorrow night, after his family dinner.” She glanced up from her phone. “One final night as just us, before there are formal declarations of royalty, you know?”
Grandmother nodded, smiling. “I do know, Blaine. Clear all the details with Joseph and I see no problem.”
“Thanks,” he said, and finished his text with, I wanna do something tom night. I’ll call you when I’m home.
Blaine played Harbor Master on his phone until Grandmother said, “We should test your French.”
He groaned as one of the little ships hit the annoyingly slow and big one, a single point away from beating his record, and he had no rewinds left. He let his phone drop and whined, “Do we have to?”
“Yes,” Grandmother said firmly. Then she asked, slowly and clearly, in French, “Tell me about your boyfriend.”
Blaine could totally do that.
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