t had been a long time coming.
Lima simply didn't hold the seeds to success that Kurt had been sowing all of his life. The move to New York held the answer to all of his questions. Two weeks after high school graduation, he moved to the Big Apple with dreams in his pocket and Marc Jacobs' finest in his suitcase.
Carole was offered a prestigious position in the UCLA nursing program that same summer. In response, Burt sold his Lima car-repair business and began work at a high-brow Southern California repair shop. What used to be a simple drive back to Lima on weekends, turned into once-a-month, cross-country flights home for Kurt to see his family. He didn't mind though, since it meant he could squeeze in a few auditions for TV and movie roles, enjoy the cool beaches, and get lost in the unique culture that was Hollywood.
This all brought him to where he was headed today. West Santa Monica Blvd is home to one of the top-rated tattoo shops in West Hollywood. The choice he was making today was anything but expected, but Kurt had made a name for himself by taking the unbeaten path. He wasn't about to stop himself now.
Before making his monthly trip to California this time, Kurt spent hours pouring over websites, reviews, and client experiences from many tattoo shops in Hollywood. Nothing but the cleanest, most upscale and professional shop would do. The Honorable Society was hands-down the perfect place for what he wanted. The décor was classic and elegant (a rarity among tattoo parlors), the artists were unmistakably
the masters of their craft, and the strict sanitation rules put Kurt at ease. Besides, the copious praise for their resident piercer, led Kurt to feel comfortable and secure in choosing The Honorable Society for his body modification.
Truthfully, it was a simple procedure that could be done at any run-of-the-mill shop, but Kurt couldn't bring himself to get his ears pierced at a store meant for tween girls. He hardly needed to add fuel to his flaming gay fire. With a chuckle to himself, Kurt turned onto Santa Monica Blvd. He sharp eyes spotted the modest shop just in time to pull into the small parking lot, amidst impatient honks and speeding cars. Nervous energy settled in his hands once he locked his car door, and he wrung them tightly to soothe the strain. A jingle of the overhead doorbell and a gentle gust of wind signaled his arrival at The Honorable Society. A glance around the shop eased his tension. It was quiet today- the perk of coming in on an early Friday afternoon. The firm clunk of his Doc Martins on the linoleum seemed shrill in the gentle, soft ambiance.
"Hello, how can I help you?" A woman with a blunt, boyish haircut and a smattering of tattoos, stood behind the counter. Despite her outward appearance, she had an air of gentility.
"Hi, I'd like to get my ears pierced today."
A knowing smile grew and she replied, "Sure, our piercer is just finishing up with a client. I'll let him know you're here. Please take a seat and he'll be out in a few minutes for your consultation."
Sliding his hands off the counter, Kurt stepped back and over to the waiting area. He relaxed into the cushions of the couch and pulled out his phone. While he wasn't a follower of entertainment fads, "Angry Birds" sure made time pass easier in moments like this. Just as he was about to topple the fort
on the umpteenth level, a sweet, deep voice broke his concentration. A hand reached down to him, outstretched to shake.
"Hi, I'm Blaine, are you here for a piercing?"
Kurt looked down at the hand in front of him, then slowly rose his gaze to meet the man's eyes. Black converse shoes... casual yet stylish... Kurt swallowed, navy paneled jeans from Alexander McQueen's Fall 2011 collection, and they fit him like a glove...paired with a white Hanes v-neck: A flawless combination of couture and Target-chic.
Kurt lived in the fashion capitol of America, where one wore high fashion, plain clothes, or nothing. Mixing and matching was deeply frowned upon in his neighborhood. If the man in front of him had a decent personality and a pretty face, he'd snatch him up faster than he could say "I'm not gay." What Kurt saw looking back at him must have been a mirage. Delicious, thick black curls wound loosely in slight disarray, just long enough to spiral, but short enough to give him a clean, kept style. Broad, manicured eyebrows and a curtain of eyelashes stood in dark contrast to his bright, rich green and gold eyes. And what a smile. Those lips looked like they could hold their own in a heated moment. Kurt wasn't sure how long he stared in wonder at the stranger in front of him; It could have been minutes, or mere seconds.
Without dropping Blaine's gaze, he took the piercer's hand. "Yes, I'm Kurt. Kurt Hummel. I'd like to get my ears pierced." With a soft squeeze and release of Kurt's hand, Blaine sat right next to him, knees nearly brushing his own.
"Okay, what placement would you like? Tragus, helix, rook..."
Suddenly Kurt was second-guessing his plain-Jane choice, but he wasn't ready for anything else just yet.
Kurt studied his hands "Um actually just uh- earlobes."
Instead of the expected laugh at his expense, Kurt merely heard "Great! I'll get everything set up for you, and I'll come back out to fetch you in a moment." After a pat and squeeze of Kurt's knee, Blaine stood and left the waiting room. Well, he's friendly.
Kurt returned his attention to "Angry Birds" and got through a few more levels despite his shaky hands. Geez Kurt, he thought to himself, he's just a guy. He's probably not even gay, so there's no point in getting flustered and flushed... He's just one of those overly-friendly, handsy types. Besides, there's the glaring problem that you live across the damn country from him and most-likely won't see him again after this. How could someone he'd seen for two minutes, cut through to his heart so quickly?
A gentle hand pressed warmly to his shoulder and pulled him out of his thoughts. "I'm ready for you. Would you please follow me?"
Timid boots followed tranquil Converse across the linoleum. Kurt tried and failed to keep his eyes away from the gorgeous backside tucked into those Alexander McQueens. The sculpted way those jeans fit proved that Blaine clearly took pride in taking care of his body. And he was probably... gulp. Flexible. Kurt mentally slapped his hand and tried to stave off the less than appropriate, though harmless, thoughts.
As Blaine led him past the front counter and down the hall, Kurt felt his nerves tighten like guitar strings, squeaking and ready to snap. Getting holes purposely pressed through one's body was slightly jarring- never mind the fact that the man who was about to do it was clearly a gift from the gods. At the end of the hall Blaine turned left and disappeared into the designated room. Kurt followed closely behind and stopped
dead in the doorway.
While he knew what to expect with the shop's waiting room décor, he didn't plan on walking into a piercing room like this. To Kurt's delight, the room was sterile and pristine, but strikingly handsome. The walls were a warm, deep brown that felt positively cozy. Berry-red silk curtains draped above and across the large square window. A lush red chaise lounge meant for family or friends of his clients, sat just below it. The only evidence that this room was meant for body modification, was the discreet sink and overhead cabinets to the left wall, the plush table reminiscent of those used at his masseuse's spa, and the rolling tray that was dotted with fresh supplies at-the-ready for Kurt's piercings.
"Don't be shy, come on in." Blaine's ungloved hand took Kurt's and led him to a wide, upright file cabinet in the far corner. Fingertips brushed his palm as Blaine let go, sparking a shiver down his spine. Hold it together, Hummel, Kurt chastised under his 've had your share of boyfriends, and plenty of experiences with more than fingertips. Settle the heck down.
"Did you decorate this room?" Kurt looked around in awe.
"Yes, I did. Do ya like it?" Blaine asked with twinkles in his eyes.
"It's a perfect blend of masculine and feminine. I'm impressed."
With a giggle and a smile that reached his eyes, Blaine turned back towards the filing cabinet and opened the top drawer. "Thank you. Let's pick out the studs you'd like to wear."
Kurt nodded mutely in response. "Now, make sure you choose wisely, since you'll need to wear the same pair for the next 6-8 weeks."
The piercer expertly shuffled through the various designs and metals of studs for Kurt, showing the different styles, and naming the pros and cons of each. After a bit of back and forth, petite diamond studs (just big enough to give a hint of sparkle) were chosen and set in the sanitizing solution on the rolling tray.
"Go ahead and take a seat on the table, and let your feet dangle off the edge towards me."
Blaine turned away and moved to the sink. He washed his hands thoroughly, meticulously. Kurt took the opportunity to pay more attention to Blaine's features. It was unusual to see a body modification artist with so few modifications on himself. Blaine had subdued wrist tattoos and gauged earlobes- a modest size 1. Kurt squeezed his eyes closed, trying to find his center. This was it. No backing out now. The faucet shut off. Paper towels ruffled out of the dispenser, and gloves snapped onto soft hands. Kurt opened his eyes to see Blaine directly in front of him, having brought the rolling tray with him. Heart-eyes met Kurt's, and peaceful reassurance poured over his body. Wow, no wonder he comes so highly recommended.
"Okay Kurt- have you ever had any piercings before?"
A giggle escaped his lips "Uh- no, I'm a virgin- I me- um I've ne-" hands fluttered in front of his chest, trying to mimic the words he couldn't get out of his mouth.
A steadying hand found his forearm. "Take a breath."
Kurt heaved in a stuttering gulp of oxygen.
"Hey, it's okay to be nervous. Everyone has their own first time with piercings. I'll walk you through the process. No surprises, okay?"
And Kurt knew it would be just fine. Geez I feel like a baby. I
can't even handle a few needles. "Okay."
"Now this," a cold solution was rubbed on the front and back of Kurt's earlobes, "is a cleanser. It will disinfect your ears to help prevent contamination and infection."
The solution-filled Q-tips were discarded onto the tray, and replaced with a small felt-tip marker in Blaine's hand. With the slightest press of fingertips, a dot was drawn on Kurt's left ear. Those heart-eyes drew back and forth to each of his earlobes a few times, and then a dot was made on his right ear .
"Take a look at those dots and tell me if you like the placement." A heavy handle pressed into his palm, and Kurt lifted the mirror to his face. Turning this way and that, Kurt examined the delicate markings.
"They're perfect," he breathed.
"Awesome! That's what I like to hear."
Blaine smiled a beautiful, toothy grin and placed the mirror on the tray. He opened an autoclaved pack of needles. Nimble fingers picked up one of the thick, deadly-looking needles and one of the studs.
"Getting professionally pierced is a different process compared to the stereotypical piercing guns found in malls. Since this is your first time, I'll give you the low-down."
Blaine held out the needle for Kurt to see. "I will line up the needle-point to the dot on your ear, then quickly press through your lobe."
He turned the blunt end of the needle up "Do you see how the needle is hollow? Once the needle is 3⁄4 through your ear, I'll take one of the studs you chose and slide it into the needle's end. This creates a seamless transition from needle
to jewelry, in your ear."
He demonstrated fitting the stud into the needle's end. "I'll push the needle the rest of the way through, and the stud will be in place. Then I'll touch the backside of your earlobe to check for any inconsistencies or abrasions."
Kurt's eyes blew wide.
"Don't worry- they occur very rarely with a professional doing the work- and I've never had one in my three years of piercing and gauging."
Blaine placed the earring back on the tray and two-handed the needle. "I'll put the backing on the earring, and then you'll be all done. Capiche?"
Biting his lip, Kurt nodded.
"Would you sit up straight please?"
Kurt straightened like a rod.
"Thanks. Now, I want you to take a big breath in through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth."
Kurt couldn't help but stare at Blaine's lips while he demonstrated, his full lips making the "Oh" shape during his exhale. Kurt unconsciously licked his own lips.
"On your exhale, I'll press the needle through. Ready? Deep breath, and- out slowly."
Kurt felt the sharp needle flow smoothly through his ear. He could feel everything, but it didn't hurt. Blaine paused to grab the stud and slid it in, pushing the needle the rest of the way through his ear.
"Excellent job, Kurt! You handled that like a seasoned pro."
A large thumb held his earlobe steady as deft fingertips lightly massaged the back of his ear. "And my record is still spotless!
Your earlobe took the needle beautifully. No tearing."
The way this guy talked, you'd think he was a cross between a n energizer bunny, a five-year-old, and a counselor. The tireless optimism was infectious and adorable. A smile grew on Kurt's lips.
"That wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." Kurt replied, swinging his feet, a little breathless.
With a wink, Blaine picked up the second needle for Kurt's right ear. "Alright just like the first one. Sit up... deep breath- and blow out through your mouth."
It was over before it started. Gentle fingertips rubbed his right lobe. With a devastating smile, Blaine announced, "Another perfect piercing. You, Kurt have skin that was made for modification."
One more swipe of cleansing solution was applied to each lobe with fresh Q-tips. His ears grew quite warm.
"Um- Blaine- is it normal for my ears to feel hot?"
Wrapping up the supplies on the tray and tossing them in the trash bin, he replied, "Absolutely. Your body noticed that something has changed, so blood is rushing to your ears to check it out and begin the healing process. You shouldn't experience any bleeding though."
Removing his gloves and tossing them in the trash, he pressed a kind palm to Kurt's arm and gestured towards the door .
"Your ears will feel warm today, but shouldn't by tomorrow. You can use frozen peas, or an ice pack to soothe the heat. I'll give you a cleansing solution to wipe on the front and back of your ears twice daily for 6-8 weeks. Twist your earrings a few times a day with clean hands- this helps prevent the
earrings from sticking to your healing skin. If you notice any redness, swelling, crust, blood, or excessive soreness, give me a call and come in the shop anytime so I can take a look. I'll determine if the jewelry needs to be removed, and if you should see a doctor."
Kurt took a deep breath- this was a lot to take in at once. They reached the front counter and Blaine slid effortlessly behind it. He rang up the cost and Kurt handed over his credit card. A bag full of informational sheets and cleaning solution, as well as Blaine's business card, was traded for a signed receipt that held a hefty tip.
"Well Kurt, it was a pleasure providing you with new ear- piercings today."
Blaine shook his hand in both of his, and held on for longer than socially necessary. "If you ever need any piercings in the future, I'd love to have you back. Shoot me a text, or call me- anytime." Kurt blushed.
"Thank you. I'll remember that."
Confident boots quietly crossed the linoleum floor, and a doorbell rang to signal his exit.
Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that.
Twisting the business card in his fingers later that night, he
sent a text:
"Hey Blaine this is Kurt. Thanks for taking such good care of me today. Hope to see you again soon ;)"