It had been two weeks and Kurt was giving up hope of ever seeing the mysterious Blaine again. He really should have just gotten the guy's number, but every time was so rushed that it just never happened. Even the last time, when Kurt had been positive that they'd be able to talk some, Blaine had dashed off out of nowhere. Maybe he wasn't interested after all? But then why was he so bold at times? Blaine was officially the king of mixed signals, and Kurt wasn't even sure why he was still hung up on this one man when he had so much else going on in his life.

Kurt had landed the role. Yes, it was Off-Broadway rather than on and it wasn't the lead, but it was a major supporting role. With any luck, it would get his name out there again, and in the mean time he'd get to do what he loved. He'd sing and dance and perform.

The unfortunate downside was that he was now working constantly and for even less money than he made at his job as a waiter. He and Rachel would, in desperate times, borrow money from their respective parents, but Kurt wasn't comfortable relying on them all the time and hadn't done it in over a year. He could make it work. He'd just have to tighten his belt significantly.

...Then his reward for it would be rehearsal eight hours a day, six days a week.

They were still working on the singing and choreography for the most part and wouldn't be moving into the actual theater for a few more weeks. It was... exhausting. Mentally and physically. But Kurt knew that it would be worth it. It always was.

"Hey!"

Kurt looked up from where he was packing his bag to see one of the leads approaching him. Clarissa always had kind words for her peers, and she and Kurt would often talk after rehearsal.

"Hey," Kurt replied, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "You want to hit that Mexican place a couple blocks down? I'm starving."

She smiled apologetically. "No can do. I've got a date tonight, but maybe next time." She paused, hesitating. "I just wanted to let you know that you're doing really well. With Johnny dropping out, I think the director was worried, but you're better than he ever was."

"Wait. Who's Johnny?" Kurt was sure he'd never heard that name before, not related to the show anyway.

"The guy you replaced?"

"I replaced someone?"

"Oh, you didn't-" Clarissa frowned. "Sorry, I assumed you knew. Johnny was originally cast as Daniel, but a day later he decided that he wanted to pursue other roles. I've got to say it was kind of weird. I've worked with him a few times and I've never known him to be picky. Anyway, you were the next choice."

"Huh." Kurt furrowed his brows. He wasn't sure how to take that. Well, at least that explains why it took so long to hear back.

"Oh, Kurt," Clarissa clucked, "Don't take it personally. You really are amazing."

Kurt smiled at that. "Thanks. Seriously though, I think I could eat a horse, so I'm going to go home and get some food. I'll see you Tuesday."

...

A heavy sigh escaped his lips as Blaine finished his first day of teaching. He could tell he had some work ahead of him. There were maybe six students legitimately interested in music, two of which were in both his chorus class and music theory class, and another 250 or so students that had little work ethic in addition to no interest. Music theory was his first class of the day, and it hadn't been too bad. Granted, the class had only consisted of going over the syllabus and introducing himself, but most of the students sat in polite silence, eyes glazing over just a bit. With only fifteen kids, it would be manageable.

Then there was the general chorus.

As soon as Blaine had walked in, he'd written his name on the board in big, bold letters: MR. ANDERSON.

The students, however, sat unfazed. A group of girls in the front row were discussing the season finale of some summer drama. There was a couple in the back row giggling to each other and looking to be on the verge of making out. Another group near the middle was causing the most commotion with banter thrown back and forth broken up by loud calls of "OOOOOOOOH!" A boy in the second row was reading his book and ignoring them all, teacher included, but at least being quiet. Everyone else had their own conversations going. Not a single eye strayed towards Blaine.

"Ahem," Blaine tried, then again at a louder volume. "Ahem!"

A few people near the front glanced at him, then around the room to see if anyone else was paying attention, and then back to their conversation partners. Blaine pressed his fingers to his forehead, already feeling a headache coming on. This was ridiculous. As he crossed over to the piano, he wondered idly just what the decibel level was, and then

CLANG

Nearly all the students jolted at the clamor of smashed piano keys. A few of the rowdier students still hadn't heard.

CLANG

He thought maybe one more time for good measure.

CLANG

Well

CLANG

"Good morning, class," he began once he was sure he had their attention. "As you can see, my name is Mr. Anderson–" a hand immediately shot up "...and I'm the new chorus teacher. Yes?"

"Can we call you Mr. A.?"

Blaine smiled a little. "Sure. Now, I've been told that the previous instructor was a bit... lenient. I'm not going to be too strict, but you will have to work in this class." He made eye contact with a few of the students and muttered to himself, "Well, as much as I can make fifty students work in forty minutes."

He'd handed out the syllabus, explained that they would be learning seven different songs that semester, five of which would be performed in small groups at the winter chorus concert. Attendance at the concert was mandatory unless a doctor's note was provided. Grades would mostly be based on class participation. Questions? No? Good, you may spend the rest of class talking quietly. Rinse and repeat for each class.

Now, as the bell rang and his final group of students exited, Blaine let himself relax. He leaned back in his chair and worked some of the muscles in his neck and shoulders. How was he going to do this for years? Could he handle it? Was it foolish to think that he could live such a mundane life trying to control teenagers after years of traveling and adventure? Then Blaine thought of the woman whose job he'd taken. He owed it to her at least to keep going.

That being said, Blaine definitely knew what he needed right now: coffee.

…

Kurt was practically running on fumes all week, taking odd shifts at the diner in addition to rehearsals, so on his Monday off he fully intended to relax and enjoy himself. He'd slept late, soaked in the tub, lounged in the living room. It was wonderful. By 3:00, however, he was craving a mocha from his favorite coffee place. Forgoing the practicality of the cafe a few blocks over, Kurt decided to make the longer trek to the one that he went to all the time while in college but was much too far out of his way now.

Coffee: That's what led him to this moment where he was practically gawking at a familiar man near the back of the shop. He knew he was being creepy. He knew he should stop. Kurt couldn't bring himself to look away, though.

The curly-haired head was down, focusing on whatever papers he was scribbling on. He had coffee already, but in the last few minutes that Kurt had been watching him he hadn't touched it at all. Briefly, Kurt considered getting him a refill, but dismissed the idea within a moment of thinking of it. Blaine might just be waiting for his to cool. Even if he wasn't, Kurt had no idea what the man's order would be. He could assume regular drip, but plenty of people didn't like their coffee so bitter and only drank those of the sugary varieties. Rather than suave, he'd likely come off as awkward.

Would it be rude to interrupt? Blaine was obviously doing something. The only way the "do not disturb" sign could be bigger was if he'd put noise-canceling headphones on.

But maybe he wouldn't mind if it was Kurt. After all, he'd seemed interested. At least, he had until he ran off for no reason. Maybe Kurt was making it up. It'd been weeks. Memories grew hazy. Over-analyzing gave moments more meaning than they were ever meant to have. Plus, Blaine hadn't even asked for his number before running off. Granted, Kurt hadn't ask for his either, but he'd been shell-shocked at the abruptness of the other man's departure.

Soon, his order was ready and there was no more reason to stand there. He either had to leave, sit at his own table, or confront Blaine. With a final huff of frustration, Kurt steeled his nerves and walked to the back of the store.

"I promise I'm not following you."

Surprised, Blaine looked up from his papers. "I never said you were. Please, sit."

Kurt busied himself with pulling out the chair opposite the other man while Blaine moved some of his papers to make room. The extra few seconds firmed his resolved, and Kurt decided that this would be it. There would be no worrying after this point.

"Listen," he started, "I usually don't approach people I barely know at the coffee shop and invite myself to sit with them."

"You didn't invite yourself," Blaine interjected. "I asked you to sit."

Kurt just gave him a look that said This is no time for semantics, I'm on a roll.

"And I can see that you're busy. That being said, I'm interested in you, and I'd like to think that you're interested in me." It was out there now. Kurt kept his gaze steady. "I thought it was high time that we actually get to know each other, maybe swap numbersif you don't have time right now."

"I think I can make time for you." Blaine's lips quirked into a smile. "And I am, by the way."

Kurt blinked. "Am what?"

"Interested."

"Oh." Kurt relaxed back into his seat, grinning to himself. "Good to know."

Blaine rested his chin on his hand. "Likewise."

They just sat there, gazing at each other in companionable silence. There was something in the way that Blaine looked at him, completely confident in his actions. He'd been like that in every one of his encounters, no matter how flustered or surprised Kurt had been. Blaine seemed to take everything in stride easily.

"Oh!" Kurt suddenly remembered. "In case you were wondering – because you seemed pretty invested before – I did get that part I auditioned for. Maybe bumping into you gave me luck."

A not-quite-troubled look passed over Blaine's eyes that Kurt didn't quite understand, but soon the normal cheerfulness returned.

"Congratulations, but I doubt I had anything to do with it. I'm sure that you would have gotten it anyway."

"Probably," Kurt sipped at his drink, testing the temperature. Blaine still hadn't touched his."Do you need a refill?"

"Oh!" Blaine looked as though he hadn't even remembered that he had coffee. "No, it's fine. I'm just waiting for it to cool. I had plenty to keep me busy while I waited." He raised the to-go cup to his lips and blew at the drink before taking a sip. When he returned it to the table, steam that Kurt hadn't noticed before rose prominently from it. How had he missed that?

"What are all these papers anyway?" Kurt asked, attention drawn to them for the first time. "Is that sheet music?"

"Yeah, I teach music at E. Montgomery High School. I was trying to rearrange some songs to be group numbers for the chorus." As he'd been talking, Kurt had picked up the papers, examining the furious scribbles and arrows and lines that marked them. Blaine raised an eyebrow. "I don't suppose you have any experience with that."

A twinkle came to Kurt's eye as he recalled his years in glee club.

"Maybe some."

The next few hours were spent talking, first about arranging the music, then about Kurt's time in glee club, and then what sort of music they both listened to. Blaine asked Kurt about the musical he was in; Kurt asked Blaine about why he went into teaching. The topics never ran out and it was with a heavy heart that Kurt realized he would have to pick up dinner for himself and Rachel soon.

"Is it really that late already?" Blaine asked.

"Afraid so," Kurt replied, regretful. He felt as though he could talk with Blaine for hours more.

"Why don't we go to that French place down the street?"

Kurt almost said yes, but... "I really can't. Rachel's expecting me to bring dinner home soon. I'm sure she's had a long day."

He also wasn't sure if Rachel would approve of him ditching her at the last minute for a date with this particular man. If it was any other guy, it would probably be encouraged, but Blaine really made her uneasy for some reason. Though neither of them could name it, something was different about Blaine, so Kurt couldn't even blame her for it.

"Well, some other time then." Standing, Blaine held out his hand but instead of simply shaking Kurt's when it was given, he brought it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss between each knuckle. Kurt shivered at the gesture; there was something so sensual about it. "Until then."

Blaine started walking away before Kurt grabbed his arm. He turned, surprised at being stopped, and furrowed his brow in question.

"It's a big city. Can't I get your number?"

"Oh, yes! Of course, I'm sorry." Blaine finally seemed out of his element, as if he hadn't even considered swapping numbers. If Blaine hadn't already confirmed that he liked him, Kurt would have been nervous about it again. Instead, he smiled and handed over his phone with a new contact page already up. Blaine looked blankly at the screen before putting in a number and returning the device.

Kurt messaged him so that Blaine had his number as well.

Until then.

…

That night, Blaine sat in his apartment wondering what he'd gotten himself into. He'd never had a real relationship with someone before, preferring to flit from place to place without needing to care for another person. He'd dated some but never a mortal. Would he be able to keep his secret forever? Despite living with mortals, he often found himself using magic to take shortcuts. Most of the time, he wouldn't even think about it. It'd be something simple like having a spoon stir his coffee while he took a bite of his eggs or pulling his phone out of nowhere because he hadn't thought to bring it with him. It was just such an inconvenience not to use magic. How did they even do it?

Well, Blaine thought, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. In the mean time, he'd continue this dance of normalcy. Maybe he'd get tired of Kurt soon anyway. Something in Blaine doubted that, maybe the memory of Kurt's passion when he spoke of performing or the way his smile softened when he spoke of his father.

If there was one thing that Blaine was certain of, it was that it would all work out in the end. It always did for him.

…

Author's Notes:

Oh my god I am so sorry about how long this took. I don't even know why it took so long and I hope you can forgive me.

The timeline will probably speed up more once they actually start dating, and we'll also see more minor characters every now and then. I'm thinking Santana will probably pop in next chapter. She, along with Rachel, will be one of the biggest characters other than Kurt and Blaine themselves.

Review if you so please and, as always, thanks for reading!