While he had been focused on Elliott in his professional capacity, a part of Kurt had observed the rock star's studiously brooding look and caught glimpses of something lighter beneath. It wasn't his place to push the man, but Kurt found he rather yearned to see him smile and hear a laugh that didn't have the mocking edge to it that he'd been listening to all week.
Kurt was blown away by the difference between Elliott-on-a-date and Elliott working. The Elliott he spent the evening with was funny and genuine and he found himself laughing and having the best date he'd had in years. Not only that, but the brooding persona was gone as well, and Kurt decided Elliott had a smile that lit up the entire restaurant.
After the drawn out meal, they went for a walk, and Kurt was happy to hold Elliott's hand as they meandered through Central Park.
"Can I tell you that I really don't want the evening to end?" Elliott admitted. Kurt ducked his head and smiled. But it occurred to him that Elliott might be suggesting that they extend the date to something more intimate, and Kurt decided he needed to make a very clear boundary.
"I-I'm not going home with you," Kurt said, letting Elliott's hand drop.
"What? No! I just mean I'm having a wonderful time talking with you. I wasn't trying to..."
Kurt side-eyed him, and judged his sincerity. He hesitantly reached out and laced their fingers together again.
"I'm sorry. I figured that you're used to first dates that throw themselves at you and I just... That's not me."
Elliott smiled and squeezed Kurt's hand. "I don't really date much, Kurt, for that reason among others. But I want to hang out some more. Can we go find a coffee shop or something?"
So they found a place that was open all night and talked through until nearly dawn.
Kurt found it easy to tell Elliott about how he'd ended up a stylist. He had always been passionate about fashion, and he confessed his interest in performing during hight school. He'd planned on combining the two when he applied and was accepted for Project Runway, but he'd had to drop out before filming began when his father had had a heart attack.
Once Burt had recovered, he'd insisted that Kurt return to New York, where Kurt began an internship with Isabelle at Vogue. She'd encouraged him to submit articles, a few of which had been accepted and published, and had seen his transformational makeover of a friend and began referring people to him as a stylist. A friendship had developed as they'd worked together off and on, and Kurt made an acceptable living after establishing himself.
"Do you still design?"
"I do. Mostly for myself with clothes, but I sell accessories on my etsy store, too. This tie pin is one of mine," Kurt said, and Elliott made flattering sounds.
In turn, Kurt learned how Elliott had begun with a love of singing and had studied opera in high school but had eventually created his Starchild persona when the stultifying world of formal performances didn't appeal to him. He'd been scouted playing gigs and working as a studio musician in his early twenties. His management company had helped propel him into bigger and bigger performance venues, and he'd released his first album on iTunes to great acclaim. Everything had just spun out from there.
They spoke of their families and interests, and when yawns began interrupting words, they agreed to end their date.
Plans to see each other again had been made during their walk, so all they had left to do outside the diner was to say goodbye.
Kurt hesitated, uncertain if Elliott would want a kiss, and was relieved when instead, Elliott enveloped him in a long, tight hug. He felt wonderful being close to Elliott; safe and content, and he couldn't wait for their next date.