The apartment was exactly how they had left it: sketchbooks piled on the coffee table, Kurt's tablet on the counter, Blaine's laptop on the bed, magazines all throughout the apartment on any available surface, and nothing but a few condiments, a couple cans of diet soda and a lone beer in the fridge.
What wasn't the same was the alarming number of emails in both Kurt and Blaine's inboxes ranging from Twitter and Facebook notifications to a few 'how are you's from Rachel and Finn or Burt and Carole.
"We gained nearly two-thousand followers since the wedding," Kurt said as he scrolled through the emails.
"That's crazy." Blaine came up behind him to look over his shoulder at the screen. "I bet they're worried because we haven't posted anything in over a week."
"Nah. Besides the spam, it looks like most of the messages are congratulations."
"That's really sweet," Blaine said. He placed his hands on Kurt's shoulders and massaged them gently.
"Yeah. Thousands of complete strangers care about us and every little thing we do. It's sweet, but it's also something else," Kurt laughed.
"It comes with the territory, you know that."
"Oh, yeah, and I was prepared. I just can't wait to see the internet explode when I make the announcement about the new show," Kurt said. He swiped his finger over the screen again to bring up a new window.
"I would stay off the computer for at least a week after," Blaine joked. "Give them some time to calm down."
"I should probably check in with Tyler and get up to speed. I know we weren't gone that long, but you know how I get - I need to be on top of everything," Kurt said.
"And that's why I keep you around." Blaine kissed Kurt on the cheek. "So, what were you thinking about for dinner? There's nothing in the fridge, so we'll need to either order in or go out."
"Hm, I'm kinda craving pizza," Kurt said. "But, I want to stretch my legs and get back out into the city."
"A night out it is, then."
After a relaxing meal of classic New York cuisine, a half-hour subway ride, and their stroll around the city, Blaine was not surprised that their night out ended at the boutique. Kurt really couldn't stay away, and there was a lot of gossip that he had apparently missed and immediately began to catch up on upon entering. They checked in with Tyler who had only a few minor things to report on, but Andrea, one of the designers they had brought onto their team, seemed to be bursting with information.
"You know those guys from England? They're like the new Beatles or something, only there's five of them," Andrea said.
"One Direction?" Kurt said.
"Yeah, that's who I meant. Well, anyway, they're in New York right now, and everyone's after the tall, curly-haired one for magazine shoots and modeling gigs," she went on.
"Were you trying to stalk them or something?" Kurt asked.
"Of course I was. Who wouldn't be?"
"Well, then, did you? Did you find Harry Styles in the city? Please tell me you found Harry Styles," Kurt said, his eyes lighting up.
Andrea tightened her lips, her eyes full of mischief, looked to the side, and then pulled out her phone. Kurt bounced on the balls of his feet, clapping as she opened her photos.
Kurt gasped. "Oh my god. That's not just Harry, that's...Larry." He covered his mouth and continued to look on at the picture in awe.
"Who? One of them is named Larry? I thought that was Louis. I'm so confused," Andrea said.
"Oh, no, no, no," Kurt laughed. "That is Louis - Louis and Harry. Larry."
Andrea's eyes grew wide. "Ooh...I get it."
"You can't post that online," Kurt said, suddenly growing serious. "Just - don't."
"Why not? I wasn't going to, but why?"
"You would open a can of worms and start a riot, and no one wants to deal with all of that," Kurt explained. "Besides - " He snatched the phone from her hands and sent the photo to himself. "I want to keep this one for myself."
"I didn't realize it was such a big deal," she said, now laughing at Kurt's excitement as he handed her phone back.
His phone vibrated in his pocket to signal the reception of the text. "It is -"
"Oh it definitely is," Blaine cut in. "Kurt takes his boy bands seriously, especially when it comes to One Direction."
"Larry, my dear," Kurt said, glancing sideways at him.
"Oh yes. How could I be so clueless?" Blaine jested.
"Anyway," Kurt said, directing his attention back to Andrea. "It's a shame we don't have a menswear line, isn't it. I would love to dress him up." He sighed.
"Wouldn't we all," she said. "Speaking of dressing up, a few more commissions came in, and we're pretty much booked for the awards season."
"That's fantastic!" Blaine said. "We'll have to go through them tomorrow and begin planning and sketching."
"Oh, yeah. Andrea, Blaine is going to be the only one running things around here for a little while," Kurt said.
"Really? Why?"
"I'm going to be in LA for about two months working on a project," Kurt said.
"Is it top secret or something?"
"For now, yes. I'm not allowed to say anything quite yet. But when I can, you'll know. Don't worry, it's exciting and a good thing for all of us," he said.
"Now you've got me curious, and you know how impatient I am. C'mon," she whined.
"Trust me. It'll be worth the wait," Kurt said, beaming.
-s-
The next few weeks flew by too quickly for Blaine's liking, and before they knew it, it was time to send Kurt off. Blaine reached into the drawer and pulled out a few of Kurt's undershirts. He turned toward the bed where Kurt was carefully packing shoes into one of his three suitcases. Blaine let out a heavy sigh and stepped over to set them on the bed. When he turned his head again, he saw the open drawer now empty, and he felt a pang in his stomach.
"We've come a long way, haven't we," Blaine said.
"What? What prompted that thought?"
"I just - I remember the last time your drawer was empty, but this time it's sort of - joyful."
Kurt froze for a moment, his eyes growing sad for a split second before becoming bright again. "Yeah. It's definitely on different terms," Kurt agreed.
Blaine breathed in deeply, and then turned to meet Kurt's eyes. He smiled, and Kurt's lips curled up in response.
"I want you to take tons of pictures and send them to me. I can pretend I'm there with you," Blaine said, still grinning.
"Don't worry. Every off moment I get, I won't be able to help myself. You can expect texts, calls, and late-night Skype sessions," Kurt said. "Because I'll miss your face."
"Mm," Blaine hummed. "That all sounds perfect to me."
"So, what outfits should I pack? If I'm not mistaken, LA winters are mild," Kurt said.
"Let me see..." Blaine walked over to the closet and searched through Kurt's clothing. He slid a few shirts out of the way before pulling a few hangers out. "These will be perfect." He laid them on the bed, and Kurt examined his picks.
"Yep. Perfect." And he began to fold them and pack them neatly in the designated case.
Blaine went through Kurt's accessories, choosing some of his favorite scarves and brooches, and Kurt chose some shorts and light pairs of pants. Soon, they had completely filled all three suitcases, and zipped them up with a sort of content finality. Kurt was leaving in the morning.
-s-
The cab pulled up to JFK Airport, and Blaine paid the fare as Kurt got out to retrieve his luggage from the trunk.
"You've got everything?" Blaine asked, Kurt's carry on in hand and messenger bag slung over his shoulder.
"Yep." Kurt pulled the handle out on his one suitcase and shut the trunk.
They made their way into the airport and over to baggage check, dropping off two of the cases. Then Blaine turned toward Kurt and sighed.
"I guess this is it. I can't go any further with you without a ticket of my own."
Kurt grabbed Blaine's arm. "I'm a big boy, Blaine. No need to hold my hand." He grinned. Blaine looked down at the ground and let out a low laugh.
"I know. But that doesn't mean I don't want to. I know how big this is for both of us, but it's hard to let go." He paused. "Call me or text me as soon as you get there?" Blaine said, looking back up into Kurt's eyes.
"I promise." Kurt leaned in and kissed Blaine's lips, a short kiss, but filled with the promise, and it eased all the tension in Blaine's body and calmed his mind. "I better go now. The flight leaves at 9 and it's -" Kurt checked his phone - "8:26. Shit."
"I love you," Blaine said as Kurt turned and began to walk away.
He spun back around, his eyes wide. "I love you too," Kurt said, stepping forward to give Blaine one last hug before turning around and heading toward the queue, his ticket and ID at the ready.
Blaine watched from beyond the barriers as the line moved along, taking Kurt farther and farther away from him. And then Kurt waved before going through security and disappearing on the other side.
-s-
Kurt dozed off for a bit during the five-and-a-half-hour flight. When the plane touched down and he wearily made his way into the crowded airport, he finally turned his phone back on only to see that the time had adjusted itself and that he had one text message:
Blaine
9:14 AM
I love you. I miss you already.
He swiftly typed a response:
I'm here safely. I love you more.
He looked at the time: 12:32. It was going to be a long day. And he was already exhausted from the flight. Baggage claim took less time than expected, and Kurt hummed as he rolled his suitcases toward the door.
The sun was exceptionally bright when he exited LAX, and, squinting, Kurt took his sunglasses out of his messenger bag and slid them on. He loosened the scarf around his neck, already tempted to take it off along with the light jacket that had been appropriate in New York and on the chilly flight but was now threatening to cause him to suffer heat exhaustion.
The shuttle took him across town to his hotel, and during the ride he watched Los Angeles roll by out the window as he was carried along toward Downtown. His stomach fluttered, and he squirmed in his seat as excitement bubbled up inside of him. He had seen LA in movies and on television, but actually being here was different. And there were palm trees! There were really palm trees along almost every street. It seemed such a silly thing to get excited over at his age, but Kurt didn't care.
Once at the hotel, he didn't take time to unpack having decided to leave it for later. He was anxious to get a bit of sightseeing in before he settled in for the evening and passed out.
Kurt grabbed lunch and then wandered around. He hopped a bus that took him toward the Paramount Pictures studios, and it suddenly occurred to him that he was in Hollywood. Some of the biggest celebrities were possibly only feet away from him, and he wouldn't know what to do with himself if he ran into anyone.
When he got off the bus, he pivoted around, breathing in deeply. Then his eyes locked on something all-too-familiar but so surreal to see in real life.
Kurt lifted his phone up and took a few snapshots of the hill in the distance. He opened up a text message to Blaine, attached a photo, typed out a short caption, and hit send.
-s-
Blaine felt his phone buzz against his leg and jumped. He set down his routine midday coffee and pulled it out of his pocket. When he opened the message from Kurt, a picture of the Hollywood sign popped up on the screen, and Blaine read the short caption:
Wish you were here.
He quickly responded.
Me too
But now it's your time to shine, Blaine thought. And he smiled as he looked at the picture for a moment more.
-s-
The next day, when Blaine opened his laptop, he saw the same picture pop up on his Twitter feed.
Kurt Hummel (a)emBarKurt
Exciting news for you guys! I can officially announce that I will be a mentor on Under The Gunn! #UnderTheGunn #ProjectRunway #hereigoagain
[link to pic]
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Blaine Anderson (a)emBarKBlaine
"And I can't believe that I'm your man,
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can
Whatever comes our way, we'll see it through,
And you know that's what our love can do"
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