Kurt hadn't seen Blaine since his mum had died. Actually he hadn't seen many people since his mum had died, everything had been a flurry of distant relatives and days off school and late nights spent at his dad's tire shop because neither of them knew what else to do with themselves. They'd had various people stay with them, people who pinched his cheeks and called him honey and made dreadful warm milk. He hadn't liked them and he couldn't make sense of his thoughts and one time when he'd tried to go into the study he'd found his Dad crying at the desk, and since then he didn't really want to talk to anyone. He'd never seen his dad cry before, not even when he told Kurt the news. As a result Kurt had taken to hiding in his room, he'd wrap himself up in her blankets or cardigans and spend hours upon hours staring blankly out of the window. That's what he was doing now, only this time he was waiting for someone. Eventually the funeral had come and gone, the relatives packed up and left, and in their wake was a gaping kind of hollowness that enveloped the whole house. Her absence was felt in the very foundations of the building; the rooms rang with an eerie kind of silence that reverberated through the walls from the lack of her voice. She used to sing everywhere she went; she used to fill up a room like sunshine slipping through cracks, and now everywhere just feels dull, muted and useless and half the time Kurt finds himself wandering aimlessly, unsure of what to do with himself. What's the point in playing with his toys when she'll never sit down to play with him again? What's the point in watching his favorite movies when she isn't there to sing along with him? What was the point in anything really? After a while Burt had picked up on Kurt's behavior. He'd found Kurt wandering the halls, looking lost and catatonic, and he'd decided that Blaine should come over to play. If anyone could make Kurt happy, Blaine could. And Kurt had been excited for Blaine to come round at first, but now he just felt guilty, he didn't think he was allowed to be excited when he should be feeling sad about his mum. He was still wondering how he was supposed to feel as he saw Blaine's car pull up to their driveway out of his bedroom window. He watched, a small smile playing at features, as Blaine jumped out of the car and ran up the steps, followed by his mother. Kurt raced down the stairs two at a time as soon as he heard the doorbell ring. When he got to the living room he saw Blaine and his mother talking to his Dad, they all looked very serious. Blaine looked over at him and smiled, his eyes lighting up in that mischievous they always did whenever he smiled at Kurt, like warm evening sun in the middle of autumn. Blaine walked over to him and left the grownups talking. "I saved your seat at school." Blaine smiled excitedly, almost everything Blaine did seemed to be done in excitement, he reminded Kurt of a puppy sometimes. "What?" asked Kurt, wrinkling his nose in confusion. Blaine always thought he was adorable when he did that. "Tina wanted to sit next to me while you were away, but I told her no, it's your seat." Blaine smiles, all gap toothed and proud of himself. "Thank you Blaine. Do you want to go up to my room?" Kurt starts to lead the way up to his bedroom but before they get very far Blaine's mother is calling up to them both. "Blaine come back here and give me a kiss goodbye before you go sneaking off!" Blaine hurtles back down the stairs to give his mother a quick goodbye kiss before he's gone racing off after Kurt and into his bedroom. They both sit on the bed, looking at each other. "What do you want to do?" Asks Kurt. "No. What do "Blaine you don't have to be nice to me just because my mum is dead." Kurt sighs exaggeratedly and rolls his eyes like he's seen his dad do a thousand times. Blaine gives him a strange look, he furrows his brow in concern, his tight dark curls bobbing atop of his head. "I wasn't. I was being nice to you because you're my best friend. You're supposed to be nice to your friends. Doesn't matter if their mums are alive or not." Blaine says it like it's so simple, like it's the only rule you ever have to follow, it makes Kurt smile. "Oh." "Do you want a hug?" Blaine opens his arms wide, spreading them invitingly and looking at Kurt, all sincere honey colored eyes and tight lips. Kurt doesn't say anything, just nods a little and tucks himself against Blaine's body, their little arms wrapping around each other and holding one another close. "Do you want to talk? Coop says it's good to talk about things, that's why I have to tell him all of my secrets." " "Well not "Do I what?" "Want to talk?" "We are talking." "No not like that, about Kurt waits a very long time before saying "I miss her." He wasn't really sure what "I'll look after you Kurt, I promise. I'll make you warm milk and everything." "Blaine you don't even know "I'll learn." "You'd do that for me?" Blaine nods emphatically, warmth just seems to radiate from him, he makes Kurt feel better without ever trying. That was the first time Kurt realized how much Blaine meant to him, that his love ran deeper than that of most eight year olds for their best friends. It was completely platonic of course, but Blaine just had this way of making everything seem so simple, like there wasn't anything in the world Kurt couldn't do, and he was always so confident and charismatic, charming from the day he was born, just knowing that he was on Kurt's side made Kurt feel so much better. That was the day he realized just how much he cared about Blaine and their friendship. "Do you think we could watch the little mermaid?" Kurt asked after several minutes of silence. "Only if we get to sing along." Blaine grinned back at him.
*Blaine*
Blaine Anderson woke up to the blaring of his alarm clock. He groaned and rolled over, fumbling for his glasses and sliding them on. Once he was able to see properly he slapped the beeping machine on his night table into silence. He stumbled out of his cozy bed into the en suite bathroom and settled himself against the porcelain sink.
Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes he chanced a glance into the mirror. Hazel eyes blinked back at him blearily and he rubbed at them again, hoping to rid them of the redness. His hand went up to his raven curls and he patted the unruly locks down to no avail.
He sighed, giving up and hopped into the shower. He popped open the cap of his shampoo and smiled to himself as Kurt's voice ran through his head; 'It's Curl Control, Blaine. You'll need it.'
Blaine stopped the flow of the shower with a flick of his wrist and stepped out, wrapping his fluffy towel around his waist. Blaine walk over to his closet and pulled out his favorite red pants, picking a black polo and striped bow tie to go with it. He pulled on his clothes and walked back into the bathroom and picked up his contacts, sliding them in.
He picked up his gel and poured a copious amount on to his hands. He spent several intense minutes styling his hair until it was tamed under several layers of gel. Once he was satisfied he closed up the bottle of gel and took one last look in the mirror.
Almost reluctantly he dragged his feet across the carpeted floor and stopped when he reached his door. He took a deep breath and steeled himself. Even he knew it was sad how much preparation it took him to walk out into the hallway of his own house and face his parents. Or, well, one of his parents. In an almost ceremonious gesture he turned the knob of his door and walked out into the hallway.
His curiosity piqued when he walked to the top of the stirs and he heard a voice from the kitchen, "Yeah Mom, I told you, this time it's an audition for an actual movie."
Feeling a burst of energy he took the stairs two at a time and walked into the kitchen. In the kitchen he found his mother sitting at the table and a figure with their back turned rummaging through the fridge. Blaine smiled at the familiar tall form and asked, "Cooper?!"
The figure turned around, a grin on their face, "Blainie!" Cooper rushed over to his little brother and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Coop!" Blaine exclaimed, "When did you get here? I missed you!"
Cooper pulled back to take a good look at Blaine. "At like, one this morning. I wanted to wake you up but Mom said to let you sleep because it was a school night." He grinned and went to ruffle Blaine's hair but was halted by a slap to the wrist and a stern look from Blaine.
"Don't touch the hair."
"Wow, squirt, I'd say you got taller, but well, you haven't."
"Funny. But I'm serious, stay away from the hair."
Cooper smiled and walked back over to the fridge, "You're worse than Kurt. How is he anyway? Still crush worthy as ever?" He looked over his shoulder to give Blaine a cheeky grin.
Blaine rolled his eyes, "I'm over that, Coop." He couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Not that it would matter."
Cooper straightened up, a carton of chocolate milk in his hand. "What was that?"
Blaine slid his homework into his messenger bag, "Nothing."
Cooper gave him a skeptical look but didn't push it. "Huh. Anyway, don't pack a lunch. I'm going to take you and Kurt out to lunch today."
Blaine smiled, "Thanks, Coop.
Lily looked over the scene with a smile on her face that she hid by taking a sip of her coffee. Blaine walked over to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "See you later, Mom. I'll be home for supper; I'm probably going to head over to Kurt's house after school."
"Alright, sweetie." She cocked her head towards the living room, "Go say goodbye to your father."
Blaine stiffened and Cooper noticed his rigid posture from the corner of his eye. "Okay."
Blaine walked into the living room where his father sat, leafing through a newspaper. "Bye, Dad. I'm leaving for school."
Mr. Anderson grunted in response and Blaine rolled his eyes. He wasn't expecting that much anyway. He wasn't going to let his father ruin his day, not today. Today was going to be a great day, he thought. Cooper was home and it was a Friday.
Blaine shouted a final goodbye to his mother and brother and walked outside into the fresh Lima air. He began his usual trek to the Lima Bean to meet Kurt.
As he walked he mulled over his brother's words,*'Still crush worthy as ever?*' Blaine knew he was lying when he said he was over it, he was still crushing on Kurt. Probably even more than he was when he talked to Cooper last. It wasn't his fault he had a crush on his best friend, in fact it was more Kurt's fault than anything. Damn him for being so beautiful, with those blue-grey eyes and that perfect hair. Blaine mentally sighed at the course of his own thoughts. There was no point in wishing, Kurt would never look at Blaine that way. Kurt wanted the strong, hot, athletic guy. Not Blaine who was short, adorable and dorky.
Blaine was okay with it though. He had to be. Being Kurt's best friend was much more important to him than confessing his feelings
His thoughts were halted when Blaine reached the Lima Bean. He walked into the familiar shop, the air heady with the fragrance of coffee.
*Kurt*
Kurt sighed. He was already running late, but his bed had just been so warm this morning, he'd ended up spending an extra thirty minutes snuggling down and pretending he didn't have to go to school. But then of course he'd been in a rush to get ready, and there was no way he was skipping any of his moisturizing routine to he had to miss breakfast instead.
Now hungry, disgruntled and in a hurry, he was made his way towards the lima bean, walking perhaps a little more aggressively than was needed. Blaine was waiting for him inside, Kurt could spot him easily. He was standing in line, wearing his bright red pants and the bow tie Kurt had bought him two birthdays ago.
"Hey, sorry I'm late. Overslept. You look cute." As Blaine looked up at him Kurt felt almost all of his tension fade away, Blaine just had that effect on people, he seemed to emanate warmth and equanimity. Familiar hazel eyes met his and Kurt couldn't hide the smile that broke out onto his face.
"How is it that you oversleep, probably have to get ready in and rush, and run most of the way here, and yet you still look better than everyone else?" Kurt laughs, light and free, throwing his head back in the way that he does, exposing the slender line of his neck to Blaine.
They fall into easy conversation, practically picking up where they left off the day before, teasing and laughing with each other as the line moves sluggishly forward. As they near the front Blaine sees Kurt staring longingly at the cinnamon toast in the display.
"Hungry?"
"I didn't have time for breakfast." Kurt says, still staring forlornly at the toast. Kurt's love of food has always been something that amused Blaine.
"You should get it, it looks good."
"I forgot my money."
"Oh well I'll get it for you." Blaine's already reaching for his wallet to count out the extra money he needs. "It was my day to buy the coffee anyway."
"No Blaine! It's fine you don't have to."
"I don't mind honestly. We'll call it even as long as you give me a bite."
"Okay, thank you." Kurt gives him that smile that makes Blaine's heart melt, it's genuine and sweet. Blaine's noticed that Kurt barely shows his teeth when he smiles anymore, he's always a little more reserved, but today he does and it makes Blaine grin back just as much.
"What would you do without me?" Blaine singsongs, before turning to pay the barista and grab their drinks.
"I dread to think." Kurt murmurs to himself. They make their way to their usual table, nestled just in the corner next to the window, and take their seats.
"So Cooper's back in town." Blaine announces, once they've both settled down and Kurt's stopped raving about how good his toast is.
"Really? How is he?" Kurt has always loved Blaine's brother, truth be told he might have been harboring just a bit of a crush on him, but that was back when he and Blaine were children, it's all gone now. Mostly.
"He's fine; he wants to take us to lunch."
"That's great… because I may have forgotten that too."
"Did you remember anything today?" Blaine laughs, kicking Kurt playfully under the table.
"Yeah, to look fabulous!"
"Well I can't argue with that." Kurt always manages to look perfect, it's what had drawn them both together on the playground when they were children, they were the only kids at school wore scarves as fashion accessories rather than because their parents made them.
"But really why is he back?"
"I don't know some movie or something, no doubt we'll hear all about it over lunch."
They finish up at the coffee shop quickly and make the way to school, finishing their drinks on the way. The bell is going just as they pass through the gates so they say a hurried goodbye and leave for their respective classes, promising to meet each other at the gates for lunch with Cooper.
The rest of the day passes pretty quickly, both teachers and students alike desperate for their Fridays too end. Kurt spends most of his lessons daydreaming, he has double French first which he hardly needs to concentrate in and the rest of the day is spent with teachers who couldn't care less. He's excited to be spending lunch with Cooper and Blaine, the two of them are pretty much the only friends he has. Blaine's been his best friend for as long as he can remember, both of them were outsiders who somehow found each other amongst all the people who despised them, and of course considering how much time they spent with one another, and how much time they spent annoying Cooper, the older boy had practically become a brother to Kurt too.
Their families used to spend a lot more time together before Kurt's mum died, and then of course there was that whole thing with Blaine's dad…
The bell for lunch shakes Kurt out of his reverie and he packs up quickly, heading off to meet Blaine. He finds Blaine mock sparring with Cooper out by his car, but as soon as the two of them spot him Cooper's launching himself at Kurt and picking him up in a bear hug.
"Hey Kurtsie!"
"Hi Coop." Kurt says dryly, but the smile on his face is affectionate as Cooper sets him back on his feet. "How've you been?" Cooper's hand stretches out to ruffle Kurt's hair but before he even makes it half way he receives a sharp slap on the wrist and a stern glare.
"Don't touch the hair."
Cooper smirks, looking between Kurt and Blaine, before he simply states "You two need to stop spending so much time together" and climbs into the driver's seat.
Kurt rides shotgun, chattering aimlessly with Cooper about school and his dad and how much Blaine really needs to stop listening to Katy Perry, but every so often he catches Blaine's eye in the rear view and gives him that smile again.
They get seated pretty quickly; it's surprisingly quiet for a Friday afternoon. The three of them bundle into a booth at Breadstix and order their drinks. Cooper's trying out and Australian accent today, Kurt and Blaine just roll their eyes at each other as the waitress practically swoons in front of them.
"It must be wonderful to have that effect on people everywhere you go." Kurt smirks as the waitress leaves, a teasing lilt in his voice and mischief in his eyes.
"When I grow up I want to be just like you Cooper." Blaine joins in, making his eyes wide and sincere and nodding earnestly.
Cooper looks between them, unimpressed. "Neither of you are funny." He shakes his head slightly, and then an idea occurs to him. Both Kurt and Blaine share a wary glance as they see something unintelligible flash through Cooper's eyes. "So Kurt, do you have boyfriend yet."
"Um, no…" Kurt looks down at the table, he's not sure where Cooper's going with this but he suddenly feels wary, and more than a little shy.
"What about you Blaine?" Cooper is full on grinning now, Blaine really doesn't like where this is heading.
"I think you'd know, Cooper."
"No, you hide all sorts from me now, ever since you realized you didn't actually have to tell me all your secrets- I still blame you for that you know Kurt." They laugh easily, and then fall into silence. Cooper is still staring at Blaine.
"No Coop, I do not have a boyfriend." Cooper smirks.
"As soon as he does Kurt, you tell me. Call me straight away and we'll both check him out, see if he'd good enough for our little Blaineykins."
"You bet!" Kurt laughs; meanwhile Blaine just blushed harder and stares down at his lap.
"You're supposed to be on my side, Kurt!" Kurt just grins at him, and Blaine can't even pretend to be mad, not when Kurt looks at him like that. "Anyway can we just-"
"What about each other?" Cooper cuts off Blaine's attempt to change the subject.
Blaine chokes on his drink.
"Ha ha, very funny Cooper, your wit astounds me." Kurt deadpans, sparing a glance at Blaine who is still spluttering around his water.
"I'm not joking."
"Please, that's so weird, there is about as much chance of Blaine and I dating as there is you and I dating."
"You'd love that wouldn't you?" Cooper smirks.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you want me. I saw the way you used to look at me."
"I was thirteen with a new found appreciation for the male body and you used to walk around everywhere with your shirt off! What was I supposed to do? It does not mean I want you." Kurt rolls his eyes and Cooper waggles his eyebrows suggestively.
"Please stop, you're going to make me throw up." Blaine mutters.
"Oh you've got your voice back I see." The three of them laugh, but soon all talk of dating is gone and forgotten.
They finish their lunch happily, joking and smiling just like when they were younger, but Kurt can't quite get the image of Blaine spluttering for words out of his head, he feels like he's missing out on some kind of joke between the other two men.
*Blaine*
Blaine watched carefully as Kurt disappeared into the bathroom before rounding on his brother. "Cooper!" he hissed.
Cooper looked up from where he was shoving fries in his mouth, "What?" he asked, mouth full of potato. Cooper wouldn't dare do that when Kurt was around, knowing he would earn a sharp rap on the head and a lecture about table etiquette.
Blaine only rolled his eyes, "You know what! You practically just told Kurt I have a crush on him!" He whisper-yelled.
Cooper smirked, "Aah. So you do have a crush on him."
Blaine glared across the table, "I do not. He- I- said… Ugh!" He threw his napkin on the table and sat back, arms crossed like a petulant child.
"It's okay, Blaine. Why haven't you told him yet?" Cooper let an unusual amount of sympathy seep into his voice.
"You heard him! He doesn't want to date me. I'm just his geeky, curly-haired best friend." Blaine spoke with a laugh but Cooper could hear the harsh hurt that shone through.
Cooper could only give him a sympathetic smile as Kurt walked back to the table. "What're you guys talking about?"
Cooper shrugged his broad shoulders, "Nothing. I was hoping to see your dad before I left."
Kurt smiled, settling into the seat beside Blaine, who quickly composed his features. "Of course," Kurt said, "Dad would love to see you."
The trio finished their meals, Cooper reaching out to steal Kurt's fries and wooing the waitress with his exotic accent. They headed out after Cooper payed, into the warm May air.
Kurt called shotgun again, which was probably just as well because Blaine wasn't sure how much longer her could keep up the smiling charade. Blaine slid into the backseat, diagonal from Kurt gaining the perfect view of him.
Blaine watched as Kurt laughed animatedly at something Cooper was telling him. He took in the way his nimble hands gestured wildly in the air. Blaine closed his eyes for a second, letting Kurt's melodic voice wash over him.
It wasn't fair, he thought, why won't he even look at me? Sure, I'm not super athletic or blonde. But I know him best. Who was there for him when his mother died? I was. Who befriended him when no one else would? I did. Blaine could feel his thoughts taking an angry turn and he tried desperately to control them.
Blaine was fortunately snapped from his reverie when Kurt's voice pulled at his consciousness.
"Blaine? We're here."
Blaine looked up to see the familiar structure of the school. "Oh, yeah, sorry. I'm kind of out of it today."
Kurt looked worried, "Oh. Are you okay? Do you want to go home because-"
Blaine cut him off with a wave of his hand, "I'm fine, Kurt."
Kurt still looked worried but he didn't push the subject. After bidding Cooper goodbye, the pair walked into the school and split off into their respective classrooms.
As Blaine walked to History Kurt's words ran through his head, Please, that's so weird, there is about as much chance of Blaine and I dating as there is you and I dating.
Blaine groaned and kicked a locker, the hollow sound reflecting the state of his heart.
Whoop! First chapter finished. Virtual high five to Chloe, the best writing partner a girl could ask for! Seriously though, writing a story from opposite ends of the world is difficult, so kudos to us for not losing patience with each other.
-Shini
Returns virtual high five! Yep this chapter's all finished, and we seem to be moving along pretty quickly so the next chapter should be up soon. It's pretty hard trying to do all of this through emails and pms but Shini's great to work with so we're doing well. We hope you're all enjoying it, tell us what you think and we should update soon.
-Chloe