One week later…
Blaine wakes up extra early and takes care in dressing into the outfit he decided on last night. He puts on his special Marc Jacobs checked polo shirt. Although he has plenty of other red ones, this shirt shows off his biceps quite nicely. He lies down on his bed to put on his pants. They might be super tight, but it's totally worth it, because they do wonders for his ass. He clips the black suspenders in place and does up the Brooks Brothers red bow tie. He might not be able to compete with the bad boy look, but he hopes Elliott gets his socks knocked off with this outfit...
And decides he wants to drop the casual part of their relationship after all.
It's not like he doesn't enjoy their make-out sessions, or their flirty banter when grabbing a cup of coffee or lunch, but he wants more. He wants the hand holding, the secret smiles, and the dates out to restaurants or movies. He wants to feel special and to fall in love.
He wants a real boyfriend.
This is the day that Elliott will want to claim him as exclusively his. They have their shared Shakespeare class this morning, and Blaine is going to surprise him with a treat - nothing big, but it's the little romantic gestures that count, right? Instead of the usual make-out session in the library stacks afterwards, Blaine will suggest going out to hear some music at a nearby bar. Other men will notice him, especially in these tight pants, and it'll make Elliott realize that Blaine is a hot commodity.
Blaine will hold out on the kissing until Elliott walks him back to campus. There's a tree in front of his dorm, and they'll make out there. It can't go too far in a public place, can it? And when he leaves, Elliott will be planning their next date, for sure. By the end of the month, Elliott will be begging him to be his boyfriend. The plan is foolproof.
He puts on his jacket and gathers his satchel, phone, wallet and keys. On the way to NYU, Blaine goes a little out of his way to stop at the Screamin' Beans coffee shop for his morning dose of caffeine. While waiting in line, he spots the display of sweet treats and buys a red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing, topped with red sparkly sprinkles. Elliott is going to be so surprised when he sees that Blaine has upped his game with little romantic gestures.
Blaine turns around, and his heart races when he spots the gorgeous man that was waiting outside the library last week. He's sitting at a table in the corner by the window all on his own. Blaine internally squeals when he sees that the man is wearing his scarf. A warm feeling pools in his belly knowing that the man chose to wear his scarf over all his others.
He goes to the condiments station to add cinnamon to his coffee, but he can't keep his eyes off the man. The morning sun casts a light on him that makes him look even more beautiful.
Blaine has no idea what to say, but he's going over to that table and introducing himself. Opportunities like this don't come his way. Ever.
"I don't know if you remember me, but… umm... I was the guy from the NYU library the other night… you know, at closing time… so, yeah."
Smooth Blaine. Real smooth. He probably thinks you're a bumbling idiot.
The man gives him a large smile and immediately jumps up from his chair, which tips over. Blaine gently chuckles as he picks the chair up off the floor. He's glad that he's not the only one who is acting nervous.
The man unwraps the scarf from his neck and hands it to Blaine. "The scarf was a real lifesaver the other night. I'm glad to get the chance to return it to you."
Blaine shakes his head and slips the scarf around the man's neck again, and wow, does he smell good. "No, you keep it. The color matches your eyes perfectly. I'm Blaine, by the way."
The man's cheeks pinken, and Blaine realizes that ten seconds after meeting him, he's already embarrassed the poor guy. Paying someone a compliment looks so much easier in movies.
The man extends his arm. "I'm Kurt."
The awkward moment is interrupted when Kurt's phone buzzes. He takes it out of his pocket, and swipes to read a message. His lips press together, and he lets out an exasperated sigh. His fingers speedily type, and he tosses the phone on the table.
"I hope it's not bad news."
"No, not really. I was supposed to meet someone here, but he's overslept. It's not the first time it's happened."
Blaine shakes his head in disbelief. If he was the one meeting Kurt at a coffee shop for a date, he would be here at least 15 minutes early with Kurt's coffee order waiting at the table and perhaps a plate of biscotti or cookies to share.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Blaine asks.
"Not at all. That would be nice," Kurt gushes.
Blaine rushes over to pull out Kurt's chair.
"You really are a gentleman."
By the pleased look on Kurt's face, Blaine realizes that he did the right thing. He's glad that the manners he's learnt at Dalton Academy have come in handy.
As Blaine takes off his jacket, he looks out the window to see a man with a leather jacket and jeans rushing down the street. The jacket looks like the exact same one that Elliott wears, but it surely can't be him because they have Shakespeare class soon. Fuckety fuck fuck. I totally forgot about class.
Blaine checks his watch and realizes that the class is due to start soon. He looks up at Kurt, who is smiling at him. It's a no-brainer where he would rather be. He's up-to-date on the class material, and he can always get the notes from someone in the study group. Second chances to have coffee with a gorgeous guy will never happen again in his lifetime. Ever.
"Do you need to be anywhere?" Kurt asks.
Blaine is sure he hears disappointment in Kurt's voice, but then again, maybe it's wishful thinking. He sits down. "Nope. I have a class in a couple of hours."
There is a lull in the conversation as they both take a sip of coffee. Blaine can sense that Kurt is feeling a little down, maybe because he's been stood up for a coffee date. Blaine pushes a bag towards Kurt. "Here's a little pick-me-up to brighten your day."
Kurt opens the bag and takes out the red velvet cupcake. His eyes sparkle. "Ooh… How did you know that's my favorite?"
Blaine chuckles, proud that he was the one who put that delighted look on Kurt's face. He would buy the man a cupcake every day just to see it.
Kurt rushes away from the table but soon returns with a plastic knife. He slices the cupcake into two, places one half on a paper napkin, and slides it towards Blaine. "I know you really bought this for yourself."
Blaine isn't about to reveal that he actually bought it for another guy - not when Kurt closes his eyes and looks so happy after the first bite. Blaine's eyes open wide when Kurt's tongue pokes out to lick the frosting from his fingers. Blaine places his fist against his mouth to stop himself from begging Kurt to let him do the licking.
Kurt's phone vibrates again, and he glances over at the text displayed. When Blaine sees him rolling his eyes, he asks, "Is your date coming?"
"No, it's an apology text, and he's asking for a repeat tomorrow morning."
"Are you sure he'll show up?"
Kurt snickers, "Fifty-fifty chance. Starchild is a law unto himself."
"Starchild? Is he a love child from a commune or something?"
"Nah, it's his stage persona. He's a glam rocker."
Blaine finds the courage to ask the question that he really wants to know the answer to. "Is he your boyfriend?"
Kurt looks up at the ceiling for a few moments, as if considering his reply. When he returns to gaze at Blaine, he says, "I wouldn't call him my boyfriend, per se. It's sort of casual. We go on dates, we have fun and a laugh or two… That sort of thing."
Blaine takes a sip of coffee while he digests that bit of information. It seems that all gay men in New York City are into casual relationships.
"How about you? Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?"
"I'm definitely gay, and like you, I'm in a casual relationship with someone."
There is another lull in the conversation, and Blaine wonders if he should cut his losses and leave Kurt to text this Starchild. He feels Kurt's eyes staring at his outfit, and it feels a bit weird.
"Marc Jacobs… I'm impressed. There aren't many who would pair it with a Brooks Brothers bow tie," Kurt observes.
"You know about fashion?"
"I'm gay, of course I do," Kurt replies with a wink. "Stereotypes aside, I work in fashion."
"Oh my god, you're a model. I knew it!"
Kurt giggles, and Blaine finds it so endearing. "No, I'm just an intern at Vogue."
"I have a subscription to Vogue!"
The conversation moves to their favorite issues (how unbelievable that they both have the one with Marion Cotillard on the cover as their number one) and fashion trends. Kurt is certainly knowledgeable about fashion, and Blaine wishes he had enough courage to ask him to go clothes shopping with him.
Kurt glances at his phone and stands up. "Ugh, I didn't realize the time. I'm going to be late for work."
Blaine stands up as well, not sure what to do. What he really wants is to ask Kurt for his number and maybe out on a date.
"I enjoyed talking to you, Blaine. I'm here most mornings for coffee. Don't be a stranger."
Blaine isn't sure if Kurt is flirting with him. Not for the first time, he wishes there was a manual about how to act around gorgeous guys.
When Kurt shakes his hand, Blaine says, "Kurt, don't waste all your time waiting for Starchild. You're an amazing person, and you should be with someone who treats you like a prince."
With a stunned look on his face, Kurt simply nods before leaving the Screamin' Beans. Blaine glances out the window as Kurt dashes down the street. Kurt is the man of his dreams. He's not just gorgeous but also smart and snarky. But there is no way Blaine can compete with a glam rocker, especially one called Starchild.