Chris paid the cab driver and hopped out of the big yellow New York taxi. He retrieved his luggage from the trunk and thanked the driver. Here he was in New York City. He loved New York, especially New York at Christmas time.
Just a week ago he'd had a call from Darren. Glee was on a break from filming and everyone was off doing their own thing. Darren had been offered his brother's apartment in New York city to use over the Christmas holidays.
"Hi Chris," the friendly voice had said over the phone. "Was wondering if you fancied flying into New York for a few days before you go to your family for Christmas. Once you''ve finished all your publicity stuff of course. Chuck's letting me use his apartment over Christmas - I thought you might like to join me for a few days." Darren may have mentioned something about 'shopping', but it wasn't as if Chris needed any persuading. It sounded perfect.
Chris had an exhausting schedule of promotions for his new film, which meant lots of different hotels in different cities and towns. All this straight after Glee had finished filming - he hadn't even got to spend a night in his own apartment before he had to fly off out for his first engagement. So now that all his commitments were finished he would be able to relax for a bit. A rare thing these days. Then he had Christmas with his mom, dad and sister to look forward to. He couldn't be happier.
Chris had been to Chuck's apartment once before. They'd been filming in New York and he and Darren had gone to have dinner with Chuck one evening. Darren didn't often get to see his brother as they were frequently in different states to each other, what with Chuck touring with his band annd Darren filming Glee or doing live gigs with his own music. Darren also had his musical theater company he tried to stay involved with. So the fact that the brothers were in the same state at the same time cried out for a get-together. That had been a few months ago.
The air was cold and crisp, probably cold enough for snow. Even so, Chris didn't feel cold as worked up a sweat with his suitcase and bags. This was too much like hard work! He whipped out his phone as he got to the apartments' main entrance. He rushed off a text to Darren.
I'm here - help me please! (Chris)
His phone buzzed shortly after.
OK. Stay there. I'm coming down (Darren)
Chris was too tired to care if he was being pathetic at this point. A minute later he heard a click and a head of dark curly hair poked through the half opened door, grinning at him. "Hi."
"Sorry," Chris feigned, smiling guiltily at Darren.
"It's fine. Really." Darren spoke softly. "I'm just going to be quick," he added, "as I'm only in this t-shirt." He gestured at his fitted black t-shirt. "It's not really t-shirt weather!" Darren grabbed Chris' suitcase and hauled it through the doorway.
"Thanks," Chris said as he heaved the rest of his baggage through the doorway after Darren.
"So what's with the just wearing a t-shirt in this weather?" Chris mused as they rode up in the elevator to the 5th floor. "I mean, I know it must be warmer in the apartment than outside, but it is December.."
Darren shrugged. He didn't always think too hard about what clothes he was throwing on. "I didn't think I should rethink my wardrobe choice before coming down to rescue the 'damsel in distress'."
"Please don't expect me to start comparing you to a knight in shining armour," Chris grinned.
The elevator arrived at a stop and the doors dinged open.
"My horse would collapse under the weight of this luggage," Darren muttered as they exited the lift.
Once in the apartment, Darren showed Chris into the guest bedroom. He put Chris' case inside and Chris followed with his bags. "There's at least room for all your stuff in here," Darren teased eyeing all the luggage.
"God, aren't you being a bit dramatic?" Chris glanced around the generous sized room. "I did have to prepare for several weeks away from home."
"I mean even if you don't actually sleep in here, at least your luggage can have a room of its own." Chris looked quizzically at Darren. Where else would he sleep?
Darren got it quickly. "I um..I just mean if we don't fall asleep on the couch watching a movie or something, instead of sleeping in our beds."
"Of course," Chris thought to himself. He and Darren often had late night movie sessions when filming ran on into the evening. It just seemed easier to crash out in one of their apartments with a takeaway, and if it was already past midnight when they got home anyway - well, it didn't seem worth either one of them going back to an empty apartment for just a few hours sleep. Often they'd wake up on the couch the next morning, usually having seen only half the movie.
"I'll put some coffee on." Darren turned to leave, breaking Chris' thoughts. "Give you a minute to sort yourself out."
Chris decided unpacking could wait. He went to freshen up in the bathroom, splashing water on his face to try and revive himself a bit. Chris looked in the mirror. He didn't look quite as bad as he felt, but that wasn't saying much. Back in the bedroom he fished jeans and a sweatshirt out from one of his bags. He'd come straight here from his last interview and while he knew he looked the part in smart pants and shirt, he just wanted to put on something comfortable. Relaxing was the name of the game - certainly for now.
Chris wandered out of the bedroom and over to the kitchen in the open plan area. Darren smiled broadly as he saw him coming over. "Coffee's ready - that might help!" he laughed. "You definitely look exhausted." Darren enveloped him in a big hug and guided him over to sit at the kitchen counter. "Just relax Chris," Darren said softly, moving behind him and massaging his fingers into Chris' shoulders a few times. Chris resisted the urge to throw his head back with sheer pleasure - it felt so good.
That was the thing with Darren, he was always so touchy feely. Not only with Chris - he was just a tactile person. Chris was used to people recoiling at his touch (a throw back from his school days) and it taken him a while to get used to Darren. He was fine with it now - that was just Darren, and he loved him for it.
Darren moved off Chris to pour out coffee for them both. "Are you hungry?" he asked, peering into the fridge. "I can rustle up a sandwich or something..I thought we could get a takeaway or go out later, but maybe a snack?"
"Coffee's fine, thanks." Chris took a sip of his coffee smiling at his friend's antics. He relished the caffeine boost as the coffee slid down his throat. "Come and sit down. Tell me what you've been up to."
"Darren eased into the bar stool opposite Chris. "Oh, nothing that exciting. Just spent a bit of down time in the studio. Um.. did some up close and personal gigs in LA - I love doing those. Then came here a couple of days ago. That's it really. I've got another gig at a bar here in New York tomorrow, just a couple of blocks from here in fact. Chuck's band sometimes play there when they're in town. On the whole though, I've just enjoyed being a bit lazy." He smiled over at Chris. "How about you?" Darren asked questionably, "How did all your publicity things go?"
"Okay I guess. Exciting at first, but by the end I could barely remember where we were. Everyone was more interested in the Klaine relationship saga really. You know - will they or won't they get back together. As if we actually know anyway! In fact I'm glad we don't know, incase I let it slip."
"Do you think they'll get back together?" Darren questioned.
"Of course they will. They're soul mates, aren't they?"
"I used to think they would, but I don't feel so sure now. I don't know if they can get back what they had, and it all seems to be dragging on so long."
"I guess they've grown up a bit - life's bound to get more complicated. Plus the fans will go nuts if the don't." Chris looked knowingly at Darren. They were both fully aware of the fandom for Kurt and Blaine. The fans desperately wanted them back together.
"I might be out of a job if they don't," Darren smiled wryly. "If Blaine doesn't get into NYADA I'll be worried. Plus I'll miss our kissing scenes," Darren added jokingly. "I've been looking for you forever," he mimicked in his Blain voice.
Chris laughed, "No way will they not get back together. I think they're just teasing everyone. I mean they only went for the relationship thing between them after deciding we had a good on screen chemistry. I don't think anyone was sure where the story was going to go before then."
Chris remembered back to when Darren started on Glee. He hadn't been aware that he needed a best friend before then, but now wondered how he'd ever managed without one. He'd been so so lucky.
Darren looked thoughtful. Then as if he could read Chris' mind he spoke."It's hard to remember life before Glee, yet in some ways it's all gone so fast. I can't believe there was a time when you weren't my best friend. It feels like we've always been friends."
"Well, anyway," Chris said, after a short silence, "I guess it's sort of out of our hands, whatever's going to happen - unless we're going to go and beg, and that's not very dignified. And it probably wouldn't work."
Darren cleared his throat. "Anyway, let's decide what we're going to do for the rest of the day then. I'm all yours, whatever you'd like to do."
Chris blushed at Darren's words as he smiled across at him. He wasn't really sure why.