A spark is instant. Jolting. Sometimes fizzling out after one short breath, other times burning strong as time stretches impossibly long. It connects two beings in a way no other can. A tether of sorts is created in that one moment and it's nothing more than luck whether the bind lasts or whether it breaks.
The boy hopes it doesn't break.
The air is crisp as Blaine walks home, a smile fixed to his face and his hands shoved deep in the pockets of his coat. One hand is clutched around his phone, the same phone that now contains Kurt Hummel: beautiful New Yorker's phone number. He almost can't believe his luck, their afternoon turned out splendidly and it takes everything in him to resist skipping the last few blocks home.
He's so jittery that it takes several tries before he's able to get his key in the lock. On the fifth attempt the door swings open and Blaine waltzes straight into the kitchen to pour himself a large glass of water. He toes off his shoes and collects his notebook and pen from his satchel before retiring to the study. He supposes study is a bit too liberal a word to use for the messy and cluttered spare room in his apartment, but it's one of his favourite places to write and has therefore earned its status.
He sets his glass down on the far side of the table, away from the spread out notebook that he's now looking at in awe. He doesn't understand, cannot possibly begin to comprehend what has just happened. He flicks through the freshly inked pages, searching for some minor detail or quirk, anything that sets The Man and Kurt apart. The scrawls of writing end and Blaine's fingers find new white pages.
He puts pen to paper and relives his conversation with Kurt. Once he'd gotten over his immediate shock, Blaine had been quick to introduce himself and with a sudden, uncharacteristic jolt of bravery, had patted the empty part of the park bench next to him with a glint in his eye that suggested Kurt join him. Looking back on it, he's not sure what came over him. He isn't forward anymore, hasn't been for a long time but something about this guy had just left him wanting more.
More of his voice, more of his smile, more of anything Kurt's willing to offer.
He's very thankful it's not just one conversation. That being said he's yet to test out the number Kurt gave him and he hates the tiny part of his brain telling him it might be a fake. Kurt wouldn't do that though, they clicked this afternoon and Blaine knows it wasn't just him that felt it.
They ended up talking for half an hour, about New York, about the joys and struggles of living there and whatever else managed to come up. They talked until Kurt had caught sight of Blaine's watch and exclaimed that he was going to be so late if he didn't leave right now. He suggested they exchange numbers with only a hint of a blush in place and Blaine wondered how he could be so confident. He didn't complain though, just handed his phone to Kurt with a wordless smile.
The thought that Kurt would want to see him again had left Blaine on a high that he wasn't sure he would come down from anytime soon. He just felt alive! Maybe he had become somewhat of a hermit the past year or so but even if he saw hundreds of people a day, he knew Kurt would still stand out. He was special.
And that's when Blaine remembered why Kurt had approached him in the first place. He needs a friend, Blaine reminded himself, not some weird guy mooning over him. Hell, he didn't even know if Kurt was gay, though surely he hadn't imagined the flirty tone to their conversation or the way Kurt's eyes had lingered over his body maybe a second or three too long when they said goodbye. It's been a long time since he's felt this instant, strange but pleasant connection to someone though, and he hopes more than anything that Kurt feels it too.
God, you're obsessing already, Blaine thinks. He splashes a little water on his face, trying to let the fact that he's known Kurt two hours sink in so he'll stop acting like they're potential soul mates.
Still, Kurt does want a friend, and whilst Blaine hasn't had the best experience at being one, he knows he would settle for anything if it meant spending more time with the man. With a small smile on his face, Blaine turns his attention back to his notebook and begins to write of a friendship that rivals any other. It's only when he stops hours later and trudges to bed that he really feels alone.
Blaine waits two days before texting Kurt. After a bit too much deliberation to be considered healthy, he types out a message and sends it before he has time to chicken out. He cringes as he re-reads the text. Why oh why had he not inherited Cooper's charm?
To Kurt:
Hi! Wanna grab a coffee sometime? This is Blaine by the way, from Central Park. We talked for like half an hour – not that I was counting. Anyway you said you could use a friend? I'm up for the position if it's still open.
It's the cheesy ending line that makes him hate himself the most and he feels a blush crawl up his neck and spread across his cheeks in record time. He wonders if he'll even get a response, his stomach is in knots at the thought of rejection, but he only has to wait a minute before his phone is vibrating.
From Kurt:
Ah, Coat Guy, how could I forget? I'm actually craving coffee like crazy! Do you maybe wanna meet up in an hour? Only if you haven't got something better to do. And yes, Blaine, the position is still open. Is it too early on in this friendship to call you a dork?
Blaine grins and his heart thuds in his chest at both the nickname and Kurt's offhand use of the word 'friendship.' Too many people have let him down over the years for the term to still be sacred, but he feels a cozy comfort fill him nonetheless.
To Kurt:
That sounds perfect. How about one of the Starbucks near Central Park? And no, it's never too early to accept my dork-like ways.
Blaine fidgets as he waits for Kurt to respond, too keyed up to see how pathetic he's being. He'll laugh about it later but right now he's too busy staring at his phone. He almost jumps when it vibrates again and this time he lets out a soft chuckle.
From Kurt:
Sure, the one on West 57th? Can't wait.
Blaine's stomach flips over itself and he rushes to get ready.
They meet outside at a quarter past three with shy smiles and small waves. Kurt's dressed impeccably once again, tight jeans hugging all the right places and a shirt that accentuates toned arms that were hidden beneath a thick jacket days before. A loose scarf trails over his neck, drawing attention to his exposed and pronounced collarbone. Blaine forces himself not to comment. If he does, he'll likely stammer out a bold statement similar to the clichéd Nice clothes, I bet they'd look better on my bedroom floor. And he refuses to make a fool out of himself.
"This should feel weird, shouldn't it?" Kurt asks as they stand in line, having already exchanged pleasantries.
"I don't know," Blaine admits.
"I mean I met you three days ago," Kurt continues, biting the corner of his lip as he thinks, causing Blaine to avert his eyes. "And we didn't talk for that long, yet I feel like, I don't know, I could say anything to you and you wouldn't care or judge or tell anyone or…"
"I wouldn't," Blaine agrees earnestly and Kurt smiles.
"I know. And that's the weird part…it takes me ages to give out my trust to someone. And you seem to have somehow already earned it."
It takes a second for Blaine to process that and before he has the chance to reply - though he has no idea with what - Kurt's taking a step closer to the counter and ordering for them. Blaine manages a quiet medium drip when Kurt looks at him expectantly and they sidestep to the left to wait for their drinks.
"Sorry, I'm being weird," Kurt apologises and Blaine shakes his head.
"You're not. Sorry I'm not talking more, I'm just a little nervous."
"Nervous?" Kurt echoes, cocking his head to the side in the most adorable way possible. "Why? I guess it could be that serial killer vibe I give off occasionally."
Blaine laughs awkwardly, his cheeks heating up as he shrugs, "I don't go out for coffee much. With other people, I mean. I don't really have a lot of friends."
A short silence sets in as Kurt considers him, his eyes warm and welcoming. He's surprised by Blaine's words but he understands, more than almost anyone. He's been there, hell he is there, but he knows all it takes is one person to take notice, for one person to care and suddenly the world feels a little bit less empty.
There's a tiny hint of worry beginning to taint the smile Kurt is growing to love so much, so he smiles himself and it does wonders to reassure Blaine, "Excellent, that means you need me as much as I need you. Now where would you like to sit?"
They choose a table by the window and Blaine is eternally grateful to Kurt for letting his stupid comment go without a fuss. He's also glad he at least had the common sense to lie about why he was nervous. Yes, he doesn't have many friends but he doesn't know anyone who makes his heart beat this fast either.
"So…" Kurt drawls, his fingers clasped around his mug of coffee, tapping occasionally, "We never discussed jobs or college the other day. What is it that you do with your time?"
"Um, I majored in creative writing at Hamilton last year before moving out to Manhattan." Blaine smiles each time he tells this story because he takes pride in his achievements. His parents may not see a Bachelor of the Arts as impressive but he will forever be glad he followed his own dreams.
"Ahh, that would explain the notepad."
"Yeah, Central Park is surprisingly inspiring. It's clichéd but it's true."
Kurt grins, "So do you want to be an author then or…?"
"I'm not sure," Blaine says honestly, "I want to write, that's a definite, whether it's for enjoyment or as a career I don't know, but I think writing will always be a huge part of my life. How about you?"
"I'm studying fashion design at FIT," Kurt explains, taking a sip of his drink and Blaine most certainly does not focus on the way Kurt's Adam's apple bobs as he swallows. "Stereotypical gay, I know, but there's something beautiful about expressing yourself through different fabrics and colours and patterns."
Blaine hides a grin behind his cup of coffee; so Kurt's definitely gay. Although he knows that doesn't mean anything in terms of Kurt's attraction, or lack thereof, towards him, he's at least glad he's the right gender.
"I'm gay too!" Blaine blurts out, then covers his mouth immediately as his eyes widen slightly. It doesn't sound like an admission, it sounds like a cry for help and he never meant for his sexuality to come out like that - no pun intended.
"Yeah, I kinda guessed?" Kurt grins and Blaine lets out a sigh of relief; no harm no foul. "You see there's this thing called a gaydar, you might have heard of it."
"Shut up," Blaine groans, "I didn't mean to say it so suddenly or weirdly or at all, really. I just thought you should know. Anyway let's move on, tell me more about FIT. Or you could let me fall into the hole that's just conveniently opened up in the middle of the floor."
Kurt side eyes him but obliges anyway and begins to tell the story of how he'd managed to snag an internship at Tommy Hilfiger. "It's part of the course, to intern for a major fashion business, but they don't generally keep sophomores for more than six months. By some stroke of luck, I'm still working there ten months on. I'd like to think that means I've done something right, but I'm not so sure these days."
Blaine frowns, "How come?"
"I don't know, I keep making mistakes recently and my creativity is getting quashed. I just feel like I don't belong there anymore…" Kurt sighs and shakes his head, looking slightly sheepish, "Sorry, when I so strangely demanded a friend the other day I didn't mean someone I could just rant and complain at, I swear."
They both grin and something passes between them before Blaine simply says, "That's what friends are for."
A few more minutes pass before their mugs are empty and they fall quiet for the first time all afternoon. Kurt looks outside, only for a split second, but Blaine notices and suggests they go for a walk. His timidity seems to be melting away the longer he spends in Kurt's presence and he feels valiant for being the one to propose they continue talking, so valiant that he almost slips up and asks if Kurt has a boyfriend. He needs a friend, Blaine reminds himself for the umpteenth time and he tries to force all ideas of wooing to the back of his mind.
The sun is actually peeking through the clouds today, providing an unexpected warmth, meaning their walk is anything but unpleasant. Blaine asks Kurt more about the problems at his workplace but he shies away from the subject and brings up writing until they find themselves in the middle of a ten-minute discussion about the pros and cons of Shakespeare.
"All I know is there's nothing romantic about two preteens killing themselves because they've had a crush for a few days and their daddies won't let them date," Kurt finishes, crossing his arms to show he won't be swayed into believing otherwise. Blaine just snorts at the haughty action and rolls his eyes playfully.
"Kurt, the beauty you see in clothes is how I feel about words. And sure, Shakespeare isn't a favourite, and maybe a few of his storylines aren't the best, but there's an undeniable lure to his style of writing."
Grinning because passionate Blaine is just so cute, Kurt shakes his head, "Nuh-uh. Give me a good Nicholas Sparks novel any day, at least those make sense."
"His plotlines are intriguing," Blaine allows and even though they've been bickering back and forth over something he cares about more than he'd like to admit, it's been fun and he's certain he hasn't laughed this much in a good year, probably more.
They end up back at Central Park, chattering about nonsensical things as they walk past the trees and benches that Blaine knows will always remind him of the day they met. Their fingers brush occasionally and it's only for a second but they both feel a rush of adrenaline each time skin meets. This is how it's supposed to feel, Blaine thinks briefly before squashing the thought deep down.
"I should really get going if I want to be home in time to cook dinner," Kurt says eventually. He's noticeably reluctant and Blaine checks his watch to make sure several hours haven't ticked by whilst they've been talking.
"Wait, where do you live?" Blaine asks and instantly blanches, "Not that I'm gonna rob you or anything..."
Kurt laughs, "Rob away, my loft is far from full. I'm sort of poor, which you could guess from the fact that I live in Brooklyn. On the outskirts, but still."
"Wait," Blaine says again, "You traveled over half an hour just for a cup of coffee?"
"Maybe I really like coffee," Kurt shrugs. Or maybe I really like you.
Blaine doesn't want to say goodbye, would happily continue chatting until afternoon turned to night and night turned to day again but he knows that's not an option. He also knows he's being obsessive again, but he can't help it. Kurt's wonderful and he almost feels an ache as he waves him off minutes later.
He begins his stroll home, buzzing with energy and inspiration and he only lasts seven minutes before pulling his phone out and messaging Kurt.
To Kurt:
Are you sure I can't walk and subway you home? What if you get mugged or stabbed or you fall and scrape your knee and cut open your favourite jeans and you'll just be on the sidewalk, crying over ripped denim, and I'll never know?!
From Kurt:
Oh, Blaine, what makes me think I'm going to regret calling on you to be my friend?
To Kurt:
Good instincts. Run whilst you still can, Kurt Hummel.
A/N: Thankyou to those who reviewed, please feel free to give me your thoughts!