But Anyway
AN: Hello everyone! I got back from my vacation sooner than I thought so here is a chapter earlier than expected! Thank you for all the suggestions with the characters! One makes an appearance at the end of this chapter and more will be finding their way into this story soon :)
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Glee.
Chapter 4:
The wind blew across Kurt's face as the motorcycle wove through Lima. It was a rush unlike any Kurt had experienced and he full understood why people would ever want to own such a dangerous mode of transportation. Speaking of danger, he was also surprised at the feeling of safety that surrounded him as he and Blaine sped through the town.
Lima, the city he had lived in for the past 25 years –except is four years at college- seemed almost unrecognizable as they zipped past his dad's shop, the small city park where he learned how to swing, and down Main Street.
The restaurant was nestled between two large oak trees on the far end of Main Street. It looked like a refurbished barn, with a large wooden door and high ceilings. Circling the building was an elaborate collection of flowers, providing colors that contrasted well with the black exterior. Even though it was only a few city blocks from the boutique, Kurt had never set foot in it before.
Blaine parked the motorcycle in a designated area, only steps from the back patio. It seemed a little to convenient to simply be an occurrence of chance that the only restaurant in Lima that had motorcycle parking –at least that Kurt knew of- was also owned by Blaine's friend. Not that Kurt was complaining. He had chosen a new pair of shows so the less time they had forming an acquaintance with the gravel parking lot the better.
There was a substantial pause of all about three seconds where neither of them moved before Blaine's silent laughter shaking his body reminded Kurt that his arms were still very much wrapped around the other's man's waist, his chest practically flush with Blaine's back.
And they hadn't even eaten dinner yet.
Kurt quickly drew his arms back, clutching his own body to ward off the sudden feeling of emptiness. It had felt nice to hold another body close to his.
Unlike everyone other encounter Kurt had ever had, he was pretty sure that moment, the wind in his hair and holding onto Blaine's waist, would be scratched into his memory for a while. Possibly forever.
A small gasp left Kurt's lips when a warm hand cupped his cheek in order to turn his head as another released the clasp of the helmet from under his neck. He hadn't realized that Blaine had already got off the motorcycle and was by his side.
"While you managed to pull off the helmet very nicely, I'm assuming you didn't want to wear it inside." Blaine proceeded to tilt his head and partway close one eye in a gesture that Kurt found oddly adorable.
In an attempt to regain some of his dignity, Kurt allowed a small smile, then slid off the side of Blaine's motorcycle. He even brushed off his wrinkle, dust, and tear free custom made jeans for good measure.
"You ready?" Blaine asked, hair gel free and curling in a way that Kurt vaguely remembered, his hand extended. The few tiki torches scattered around cast a soft hue of color over the area and Blaine's skin was doused in light creating a warm glow over his face.
No verbal response was necessary. Kurt's hand clasped with Blaine's as though it was second nature and the two cleared the few steps to the front door, easily falling into step with each other.
"Any recommendations?" Kurt asked, peering over the edge of the menu, and a second later Blaine caught his eye.
They had been seated quickly towards the back of the restaurant. Much to Kurt's surprise almost every waiter and guest greeted Blaine by name. Which -naturally- could only mean one of two things. Either Blaine frequented this establishment quite often, of Lima had a hell of a lot of sick animals.
"Recommendation" Blaine repeated slowly. Kurt nodded and set down the menu, unconsciously leaning forward. "Honestly, everything here is delicious but my favorite is the Cajun chicken."
As if on cue, a waitress appeared and took their orders for two plates of Cajun chicken. She lingered a little longer than necessary and Kurt cursed the feeling of jealousy when she openly flirted with Blaine.
"I see you took my suggestion." Blaine said with a grin, taking a piece of bread from the small basket in the middle of the table and smearing it with butter.
Kurt's eyes followed his movements, "Well, I figured I should give it a chance, even though I had a brief history with it in the past, sometimes you just need to start over, and I'd hate to have the wrong impression about something."
Blaine raised an eyebrow and his eyes for slightly squinty, lips pursed and Kurt could tell he was running over possible responses in his mind. After a few moments of silence Blaine's face softened and a playful glint shone in his eyes, "We are still talking about the Cajun chicken, right?"
Kurt laughed freely, a teasing twinkle in his blue eyes even though his voice was serious, "Of course."
Turns out, the chicken was some of the best Kurt had ever eaten, and the conversation wasn't half bad either.
No awkward pauses were present, unlike their previous meeting at the clinic, and Kurt never felt like anything was rushed or he had to try and find the 'right' answer to any of Blaine's questions. He was just himself, witty, sarcastic, and only slightly judgmental when fashion was the topic of discussion.
In between bites of their meal, they discussed the past, where they went to school and reasons for returning to Ohio. Both had fled the state after high school, Blaine to UCLA and Kurt to NYU. But, after graduating they both decided to return to their home state. Blaine's uncle, who was the primary veterinarian at the Anderson Animal Clinic offered to hand down the practice to Blaine upon retirement, it wasn't an offer Blaine could pass up. Kurt returned for a more somber reason, his dad suffered another heart attack and he wanted to be closer in case anything happened.
It was just a wonder they hadn't met sooner.
Just as Blaine was reaching for his glass of water, plate thoroughly cleaned, his phone went off.
"Shit." He cursed, silencing his phone as soon as possible and groaning at the message on the screen.
"Everything alright?" Kurt asked, slightly concerned at the expression of panic on Blaine's face.
"Yes, I mean no, I-I need to make a call, I think there is an emergency at work." Blaine smiled apologetically before he quickly maneuvered his way around the table towards the entrance, already talking rapidly into his phone.
Kurt watched him leave and absent mindedly picked at a piece of bread while he waited for Blaine to return.
Eventually Blaine made his way back over to the table looking slightly flustered. His hand ran through his curls which were in disarray, sticking in all directions. Kurt figured it was a nervous habit of his.
"I'm so sorry," Blaine apologized, biting his lips. He didn't sit back down, instead opting to stand behind the chair. "A horse out in Westerville has colic and I'm on call tonight which means I have to go. I'm really sorry Kurt, I didn't mean to ruin our date."
"It's okay Blaine, really I understand." Kurt quickly tried to assure Blaine, "My dad owns a tire shop and you wouldn't believe how many times he left mid dinner to help someone with a flat."
Blaine smiled but it didn't quite reach his eyes, hazel eye which were swirling with guilt. "Thanks. Um, the bill has been taken care of and my friend Tina is going to take you home."
Kurt nodded and tried to keep his face from showing the disappointment coursing through his body at having their date cut short.
"See the guy standing over there, the one staring at us?"
Flowing Blaine's gaze, Kurt turned in his seat, "yes?"
"That's my friend who owns this place; if you need anything let him know. Tina should be here in ten minutes."
Blaine took a deep breath and Kurt tried to hold back a chuckle, the other man had practically been speed talking since he got back, "Okay, well I need to go and I'm really sorry about this. I'll call you tonight."
Walking around the table, Blaine leaned down and pressed his lips to Kurt's cheek, "Bye Kurt."
"Bye." Kurt's farewell was a soft murmur and then Blaine was gone. Unsure how he was going to pass the time and mind reeling at the sweet kiss Blaine had just given him he didn't notice Blaine's friend walking over.
"You're Kurt?"
Startled, Kurt looked up to see the man Blaine pointed to earlier standing in front of Blaine's vacant chair, fixing a calculating stare on him.
"Um, yes." Kurt replied, trying to keep his voice from wavering. The man's eyes narrowed and Kurt sat up a little straighter, trying not to let Blaine's nameless friend intimidate him. He was Kurt Hummel, nothing intimidated him. At nothing did until now when he was being stared down by his date's friend.
With a mischievous smile, the other man pulled out the chair and sat down. "I'm Wes."
AN: So a little introduction of what's ahead. Thank you to everyone who is reading this, and a huge thank you to those who take the time to review and comment. :)
I posted a picture of Blaine's motorcycle on the But Anyway page on my tumblr. The link is in the side bar on the main page.
I'm still taking suggestions for characters and parings you'd like to see, so if you haven't left your opinion feel free to. So far it seems like Wes/David, Niff and Tina. :)
Thoughts on this chapter?
Tumblr: dougaboo