I have apologize for another quasi "filler" chapter. This was originally going to be the beginning of a much longer chapter but I decided to divide it up instead. Sorry, should have planned better. But, actual major plot development in the next one, I promise.
The boys continued to exchange texts over the next week and a half. It was often only a couple of back-and-forths at a time, mostly because of Kurt's schedule, but they kept up a continuous rhythm. It was primarily small talk, friendly banter and casual complaints about their jobs or school. If something really funny or ridiculous happened, they would always feel the need to text the other and tell them about it. Dave got a particular kick out of Kurt's story about an older photographer trying to chat-up one of the models while he had a piece of toilet paper sticking out the back of his pants.
And no matter what, Kurt always texted Dave to say good night. It had gotten to the point where Dave literally could not sleep until he got his good-night text from Kurt and sent one in return.
Dave wondered if Kurt did this type of thing with lots of other people. The boy struck him as being something of a social butterfly, at least in his own circles, and Dave could imagine Kurt keeping up a constant chat with many of them at any given time. But then again, maybe he really was special. Who knew? It was certainly not something Dave was going to ask about; he was aware it would make him look either jealous or needy for special attention, neither of which would be attractive.
So Dave simply kept his responses to Kurt casual and unassuming. He did not want to inject more intimacy into their conversation than was intended or desired.
Then, on Thursday afternoon, about a week and half after they first reconnected, Dave finally got the text from Kurt he had been waiting for.
So after tomorrow I will finally have some time off. Any chance u are free to hang out soon?
Dave's stomach did a summersault. He had gotten used to communicating with Kurt via text (though truth be told, he still got a little surge of excitement every time he heard his text alert). But the offer of an actual date to hang out, that was really exciting.
Not wanting to seem too desperate, but also not wanting to put it off, Dave decided to tell Kurt he had the weekend available.
Well, I'm free this weekend. But I understand if u need to crash for few days. No rush.
Dave hoped his "no rush," came off as casual as he wanted it to sound. He hated the idea that his eagerness might be seeping through in spite of himself.
At first Kurt was glad Dave suggested the weekend. Over the last ten days, whenever he had a free moment, all Kurt had thought about was being able to see the boy again, really catch up with him, talk to him in person. But he did not want to appear too anxious, especially since he still did not know what exactly it was he even wanted from the other boy…or what the other boy wanted from him.
But he did know one thing –he definitely wanted to find out.
Dave's offer was casual, and likely deliberately so. Or maybe Kurt just flattered himself, maybe Dave really was in "no rush." Kurt wondered if he should pretend to be as cool as Dave was playing it, or if he should just be honest. Everything in him was aching to be honest, but at the last minute, his pride got in the way.
Yeah, probably should crash this weekend. How does next Sat. sound?
The minute Kurt sent the text he regretted it. He should have just agreed to this weekend and pride be damned. But it was too late now. If he took it back he'd look like a desperate sap, and that thought made him squirm.
Dave was undeniably disappointed by Kurt's text, but not at all surprised. From the distant sounds of things, the boy had been working basically non-stop for the last few weeks, and he deserved some time alone to just veg. Dave doubted it said anything about Kurt's desire to spend time with him. All it said was that Kurt was human and needed rest. It was still a bit disappointing though.
Hitting the Reply button, Dave typed out his subsequent, seemingly affable agreement.
Next Sat. sounds great. Got anything in mind?
As Kurt read his return text, he felt his heart sink. He was going to have to wait another whole week and some to see Dave again, and for no other reason than his stupid pride, his idiotic need to seem cool and uneager. God he regretted that! But it really was too late to backtrack now. So instead of fessing up to what he really wanted, Kurt simply proceeded with making a plan.
How does coffee sound?
It was as good a suggestion as any, Dave conceded…well, short of an offer to make out on Kurt's couch anyway.
Sounds great. I'll come to u. I like Manhattan more than Brooklyn.
Kurt was grateful for this at least. He did not have a car, and he was not a fan of New York public transport. Most of the time he was able to walk to the places he needed to go and on the rare occasion he had to travel a significant distance for work, he was typically given cab fare. He conceded this made him a bit spoiled, but he felt no need to subject himself to the potential horrors of the metro transit system if he did not absolutely have to.
Cool. Sounds like a plan. :-)
At first Dave was just going to let it be, but on impulse he sent back a short, 3 character reply.
;-)
It spoke volumes to Kurt, who began to feel as if, in spite of all their talk of being 'friends' and just 'catching-up,' this really was a date, and the significance of it was simply being conveniently masked by those other, less weighty words.
The thought that Dave was under the impression this get-together was a date should have made Kurt uncomfortable. After all, as they both knew quite well, he technically still had a boyfriend…if only according to Facebook. But in reality, all that thought made him feel was a bubbly exhilaration.
Although he hated to admit it, as much as Kurt had told himself this was just about being friends, and hanging out and catching up, he was aware that the possibility of something more romantic and erotic blossoming between the two of them had hung heavy over the light-hearted text banter, and the nonchalant plan-making he and Dave had engaged in over the past two weeks or so.
And while Fashion Week and its direct aftermath had rather conveniently left him way too busy to worry himself over the nebulous vectors of his love life, now that that distraction was alleviated, Kurt knew he could not put off The Conversation any longer.
It was finally time to grow-up and give his 'boyfriend' a call.
