"You got a job," he repeated again.
Kurt sighed. "Yes, dad. I got a job. I don't get what is so hard to understand about this."
Burt shook his head. "It just astounds me how you always manage to do the exact opposite of what I want you to do. It is admirable that you want to work for your own money, but I told you that you can help out around the shop. Your hours can be flexible, so you can focus on school and –"
"That is exactly the thing, dad. I know you want me to focus on school, but I am going to have to work in New York to provide for myself, and I need some experience. Having one reference from a shop with my family name in it is not good for the job market. Plus, I need some practice balancing school and work. NYADA is going to be much harder than McKinley. And for the last time, no. You cannot support me while I am in New York. We both know you can't afford it," Kurt said with an upturn of his head at the end of his rant.
Burt finally cracked a smile. "How did I raise you to be so damn stubborn? I'm proud of you."
Kurt whipped his head around to face his dad. "Really?"
"How could I not be? Barely eighteen, and you're all grown up. So, tell me about this job."
Kurt beamed. "It is just at the Lima Bean. I already spend all my time there anyway, so it should not cut into my time too much."
Kurt continued to ramble on to his dad for a while. He was really excited about this. None of his friends had jobs because their parents supported them, and they didn't have the time between school and glee and college applications. He felt so grown up.
Less than a week later, the excitement had started to wear off a bit when his first day rolled around, but Kurt was still over prepared as always. Kurt walked into the shop in uniform, sporting a hat and scarf he had added for a little bit of flare, and strode up to the counter with a smile on his face. "Kurt Hummel reporting for first day of work," he stated confidently. That was until he met the eye of the gorgeous boy behind the counter. Kurt stood frozen feeling slightly embarrassed at his entrance to his very attractive new co-worker.
The boy flashed a beautiful smile. "I wish I would have known we were allowed to wear hats. I am always looking for new ways to tame these curls at work."
"I, well, the handbook doesn't object to accessorizing," Kurt finally got out after a moment of being frozen.
The boy offered a coy smile. Was that a smirk? "Good to know. You can come behind the counter you know," he said gesturing to the where the counter lifted up. "I'm Blaine, by the way. Pleasure to meet you, Kurt Hummel."
"Likewise. Wanna show me where I can put my bag?"
Blaine nodded. "Follow me." Blaine lead Kurt into what appeared to be a small staff lounge area. There was a small table and a few lockers. The manager who hired Kurt, Paul, stuck his head out of the office area behind the lounge. "Kurt! Ready for your first day?"
Kurt nodded. "Absolutely!"
"Glad to hear it. I believe I mentioned during your interview, but I am more of a business guy. I can make a coffee when I need to, but Blaine here is the expert. The best barista we've got! I am going to have him show the ropes. Of course, if there are any questions that he cannot answer I would be more than happy to help you out," Paul said with an excessive amount of enthusiasm.
"Sounds great, sir."
"I started you out on an afternoon because that is when we are slowest, and that is the majority of your availability until summertime, but I will have you on Saturday and Sunday mornings when you feel ready as well."
Kurt nodded along with the man's speech. "Works for me."
"Alright, Blaine. He's all yours," Paul said tapping Blaine on the shoulder and walking back into his office. Kurt restrained himself from widening his eyes at that statement. Oh my. I'm screwed.
Kurt was still thinking the same thing later as the training went on. Blaine was unbelievably nice. Nice teenage boys in Lima were not a thing. They just didn't exist. But here Blaine was being kind and helpful and beautiful. So, so screwed.
"How come I've never seen you here before?" Kurt eventually asked. "I spend a lot of time here, and I think I would have remembered you because, well –" Kurt cut himself off before humiliating himself to one of the first boys who had been nice to him before even knowing him. The only other boy that fell into that category was Sam.
Kurt assumed that endlessly polite Blaine would drop it, but he tilted his head to the side to prompt him. "Because what?"
"You know. You're memorable. Because of the – curls! Your hair," Kurt blurted out the first thing he could think of.
Blaine nodded with a small smile. "Okay. The curls. I usually work the morning and day shifts when you would be in school. Paul switched me to later in the day, so I could train you."
"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry. I hope that was not a huge inconvenience to you."
Blaine shook his head. "As long as I am working a consistent schedule I don't mind. You honestly saved me from coming in to do baking at 4am. My schedule is flexible."
Kurt's eyes widened in horror. "You don't think I will have to do that, do you? I need my beauty sleep." Kurt's face suddenly scrunched up in confusion. "You don't go to school? How old are you?"
Blaine for the first time looked mildly uncomfortable, but it quickly disappeared. "I'm twenty-one. And yourself?"
"Eighteen," Kurt said sheepishly. He didn't know why he was embarrassed to be younger than Blaine. It wasn't like he could ever date Blaine, regardless of the fact that Blaine was older and more mature than him. Blaine would have to be gay and in his league and – it would never happen. The universe never aligned that way for Kurt. "I didn't mean to seem like I was passing judgement that you weren't in college or anything. I just thought you were my age you look so young."
Blaine shook his head. "No worries. Anyway! Tell me about yourself."
"What would you like to know?" Kurt asked.
"Just the basics. Favorite color. Any siblings. Deepest secrets that you swore you'd take the grave. You know, all the stuff you tell people you've just met," Blaine said teasingly.
Kurt shook his head. "Personally, I find all three questions much too personal." He teased back.
"Fine, fine. But you must tell me, Kurt," Blaine said seriously. "The most important part of the getting to know you exercise," he leaned in so Kurt did the same. "What is your coffee order?"
Kurt laughed loudly at Blaine's theatrics.
Blaine started at him. "You have the most amazing laugh," he said seriously.
Kurt cut off abruptly. "Uh, thank you."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," Blaine was quick to apologize.
"No, no!" Kurt assured. "You didn't I promise. I'm just not used to compliments I suppose."
"Well that's a shame. Everyone should be reminded of how wonderful they are."
"Grande non-fat mocha," Kurt said to change the subject.
Blaine smiled another one of his bright, gorgeous smiles. "Alright. Let's teach you how to make a grande non-fat mocha," Blaine said with a wink.