BLAINE ANDERSON: BLAINE'S OFFICE: WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
The times when he would get a new case before he'd even finished his last one were the most stressful times he knew. It made him work extra hours, skip lunches, and make him lose sleep due to his anxious head. The same thing happened whenever a case was complicated, too.
Now there was a man filing a lawsuit against Taco Bell for having slippery bathroom tiles. Not only were the details of the case absurd, it was also complicated. Yes, it was possible to sue a company for being injured on their property. That didn't mean that Blaine wanted to deal with the case. Going up against big corporations with nothing but circumstantial evidence was a challenge to say the least.
Of course, he was a good lawyer. He was a great lawyer. He knew which direction the company was most likely to pull the trial in, so he knew what to look out for. They would argue an act of God. The big companies always did. Or they would say that Blaine's client slipped because of his shoes, or ask him what he had eaten during the day to insinuate that he had been dizzy from malnutrition, which had caused him to trip. It was impossible to know beforehand which exact direction the corporate representative would take the trial in, which was why there was so much research involved with a case like that: as an opposing lawyer, you had to be ready to discredit every single angle they might throw at you.
Though the fact remained that Taco Bell had had a broken faucet leaking water onto the floor. The fault was entirely theirs, there was no doubt. Someone would have to pay the man's medical bills. But big corporations provided anything but an open and shut case.
Blaine could already see it in front of him, standing in court while some Taco Bell representative brought up file after file claiming that there was nothing wrong with how the company was run, laid out, or built.
He sighed. He was going to tell his partner Wes that he wouldn't take the case. Wes could take it if he wanted to, but he didn't feel up to taking it himself at the moment.
He was tired of his job always being the same. The client was always unhappy, the opposition was always unwilling to settle, and Blaine would always work his ass of trying to find that one angle that would make him win the trial.
It wasn't that he didn't like his job. He did: he loved it. He loved winning trials, he loved the research and the feeling that he's done something good. He was just tried of his clientele, the same old cases.
He hadn't told Wes, but he had started looking at other fields. If Wes wasn't willing to expand the company, then fine. He would keep doing his boring, old cases without complaint. But if Wes agreed, then Guy & Anderson's would have a top lawyer in a new field. He hadn't decided which yet, but he had been looking at criminal law and family law. He was tired of working with civil litigation.
His phone started ringing, which brought him back to reality. He was still in his office, still working on his cases of personal injury and products liability. That wouldn't change anytime soon.
It turned out that it was Annalise calling him.
"Hi Annie," he greeted her, already forgetting about his stress.
"Hi Daddy!" She sounded cheerful as always. "I'm not interrupting you, am I?"
"No, not at all. I was thinking about getting some lunch now, anyway."
"… It's almost four o'clock."
Blaine lifted his suit jacket sleeve to look at his watch. Sure enough, she was right.
"Oh, damn, look at that. No wonder I was getting hungry."
"You have to take care of yourself, Daddy," Annalise said, her voice already deprived of its cheer.
Blaine closed his eyes. He hated when he did that to her. Sure, it was always by accident, but he didn't like it when he made her worry about him. It was his job to worry about her, not the other way around. "I will, I promise. It was just a one-time thing." Lie. "It won't happen again." Another lie. "I'm fine." Debatable.
Who was he trying to fool?
He heard Annalise click her tongue against her teeth as she often did when she didn't know what to say.
"Did you want something, sweetie?"
"Oh, yeah! I was wondering if you could pick me up later on Friday, in town?"
"Oh, uh, sure?"
"It's just that Dad is having a bridal fitting and I really wanted to watch."
"That's fine," Blaine said. "Just let me know when and where."
"Will do! Love you."
"Love you, too. See you Friday."
The line clicked, but Blaine stayed still with his phone pressed against his ear for a while. He realized he felt disappointed. It wasn't fair of him, he knew, to feel that way. His daughter was growing up and he couldn't cling to every minute of her company forever. He'd just be away from her a few hours extra, tops. It was no big deal. It wasn't fair of him to put all his needs of socializing on her. He needed more comfort than she could give him.
Sighing, he brought the phone from his ear and pressed in a new number. He waited for the call to connect and the person on the other line to pick up.
"Hi, baby, miss me already?"
Blaine smiled at the greeting.
"Yeah. I was just thinking about the other night. I had a great time."
"Me too. At the restaurant at dinner, and afterwards at your place…" Justin chuckled. "Maybe I could come over sometime before the girl comes on Friday?"
Blaine winced at how he said the girl. It felt like he was cheating on somebody. It sounded like Annalise was nobody to Justin. It was probably true. They had never met, so why should he care about her? But Blaine couldn't deny that it bugged him, that he dreamed of a man that would love Annie as much as he did. Maybe it was too much to ask.
"You better," Blaine said instead of voicing his thoughts. "How about tonight?"
"That works. I'll stop by later. Can't wait."
As soon as he hung up, there was a series of knocks on his office door. He stood up behind his desk, bracing himself for whoever it may be: a client he had forgotten about; someone who had been trying to reach him; or news about a new, awful case. The possibilities were endless when he was on duty, and all were equally terrifying.
"Come in!" he called. The door opened, and his body slumped in relief when he saw who it was. "Wes. What's up?"
Wes held up his phone, which made Blaine frown in confusion.
"Your daughter Annalise just called."
"I know," Blaine said, thinking about their brief conversation. His eyes widened. "Wait, she called you? Why? How does she even have your number?"
"Beats me." Wes put his phone back in a pocket on the inside of his suit jacket. "But she told me to force you to eat something. I think she worries about you."
Blaine grinned. "She always does. And anyway, I'm on my way to get some lunch. I told her that."
Wes raised his eyebrows. "Lunch? You do know what time it is, right?"
"Yeah, I know."
"Case keeping you busy?" Wes motioned with his head toward the door, a quick little twitch. "Walk with me."
Blaine shut his laptop and made sure he had his wallet and phone before going after Wes. Blaine always felt good when he stepped out of his office, even if only for a moment. It reminded him that he wasn't the only one working his ass off. The floor was brewing with life even though a few people had already gone home for the day. He took the elevator down with Wes, stepping into the small, crammed space with a few lucky fellows who got to call quits for the day, and a few unlucky ones who were unintentionally bringing work home in their minds, that stayed there and kept them awake until early hours of restless half-sleep.
"Case keeping you busy?" Wes repeated. "I had one two weeks ago, I know the signs."
"Yeah, that. And I looked at the Taco Bell versus Brewman case."
"Oh yeah? Does it seem doable?"
The elevator kept stopping at every other floor, some people getting out but most people stepping in. They all greeted Wes and him, knowing who they were. There was only one person who didn't, and Blaine figured the ginger guy was new. He couldn't help but notice he was kind of cute. Especially when he gave Blaine an unsure smile.
"Yeah, it does. I just don't think I can do it."
"Blaine, I know you don't like big corporate cases, but remember that they pay well before you turn it down."
"Like I need to take it for the money," Blaine reminded him.
Wes chuckled. "I guess you're right. I just let you have first pick in case you wanted it. You know, take Annalise for an extra vacation in the Bahamas or something. But if you're sure I'll just send it down."
"Do you think there's someone who can handle it? Corporate cases are not for everyone."
"I'll tell you what." Wes straightened his tie before they stepped out of the elevator on the entrance floor. "I'll hand it to you. If you can find someone you think capable of taking the case, give it to them. If not, call Brewman and tell him we reject."
"Sounds fair."
Blaine always liked walking through the lobby. Not because of the sleek design that screamed of his and Wes's success, but because of the block letters above the reception desk. There it was, in big golden letters, to remind him of how far he had come.
Westley Guy & Blaine Anderson: Attorneys at Law.
It made him feel proud of himself every time.
"So where do you wanna eat?" Wes asked.
Blaine chuckled. "You haven't eaten either?"
"Oh, I have," Wes said. "But Lilly has become vegan and I'm not digging dinners at home anymore. Her being a vegetarian I could handle, as long as I got my meat for lunch. But this is awful. No eggs, no cheese. Why would anyone want that for themselves?"
Blaine shrugged. "Beats me."
When Blaine got back to his office, stomach full and spirits heightened, he thought that his job wasn't so bad. He had made a lot of friends in his office, even though he probably made even more enemies out in the world. It was worth it.
He was sitting in his office, the time nearing six, when he looked at the folder for the Brewman case. He wouldn't take it. He didn't need the extra cash, nor the added stress just as his week with Annie was coming up. But the question was who he could assign it to.
Just as he thought about assigning it to Lopez or Evans, there was another knock on his door.
"Come in!" Blaine called, wondering what Wes wanted this time.
But it wasn't Wes. It was the supposed new guy he'd seen earlier in the elevator. His pale cheeks were red as if he was blushing, and he barely stepped into the room, holding on to the door like a lifeline.
"Excuse me for interrupting your work, Mr. Anderson, sir."
Blaine smiled. "It's alright."
"But I think I might be able to help you."
"Is that so?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
The guy seemed to evaluate the situation and deemed it safe to step away from the door. He closed it, and came to sit on the chair in front of Blaine's desk.
"I'm sorry if I'm overstepping," he said, "but I overheard you and Mr. Guy talk in the elevator earlier about needing someone to assign a case to. I came to offer my services, sir."
Blaine watched the guy for a moment. He could not have been more than twenty five years old.
"What's your name, kid?"
"Emmett. Emmett Hayworth."
Blaine got up from his chair and looked out of the tall windows in his office. The sun shone low over the city, a yellow light reflecting off the tall buildings.
"Hayworth…" Blaine mumbled, dragging out the name. "What makes you think you're capable for this case? You're new, aren't you? Inexperienced?"
"I don't have as much experience as the rest, but I'm good. Really good. I've won practically all my cases since I graduated."
The sun started shining in his eyes, so he turned away from the window. Instead he leaned against it, tilted his head to the side and inspected the newcomer.
Hayworth rose from his chair, yet didn't move from his spot.
"If you were willing to give this newcomer an ounce of faith, I promise I won't disappoint. I know the stakes, and if you want you can fire me if I lose."
He seemed to be shocked by his own words, but he made no effort to take them back.
Blaine stepped away from the windows and grabbed the folder from his desk. He held it close to his chest.
"If you screw this up, you can consider yourself unemployed." Blaine held out the file to Hayworth. "Do you still want it?"
Emmett Hayworth, fresh and eager, reached for the folder.
"All Brewman's contact details are in there, just state our company name and tell him I sent you. I suggest you do your research, and lots of it, before even setting up a meeting with a Taco Bell representative."
Hayworth nodded enthusiastically. He looked so happy he could be breaking out into song at any moment.
Blaine almost smiled, then realized the gravity of the situation.
"Remember, you lose your job if you fail me. But you can come to me anytime if you have questions, okay?"
Hayworth nodded, his eyes admiring and trusting on Blaine's.
Blaine didn't know what possessed him to do what he did then.
Maybe it was Hayworth's pale skin, his barely noticeable freckles, his curiosity and trust, or his coiffed ginger hair that was so close to chestnut brown in the yellow sunlight. Maybe he had a moment of confusion, or one of insanity. No matter what, he could not take back what he did then.
Their lips pressed together for infinite seconds, soft and warm against each other. Blaine could swear that he felt Hayworth press his lips harder against his, but it only lasted fr a second before he quickly drew back.
Hayworth looked horrified, his eyes wide and alarmed.
"I- I should-" was all he said before he ran for the door. Though he still had his manners, so just before he escaped, he bowed his head and mumbled, "Thanks for the case."
Blaine hid his face in his hands when the door shut. He had no idea what had possessed him to kiss his new employee. He gave himself ten seconds to freak out, then composed himself and sat back down behind his desk. He opened his laptop and went back to work on the case he still had. He didn't let himself think about the kiss for a second. Thinking about reasons was too dangerous.
Even when Justin woke him up and he realized he was still in his office, he wouldn't think about it. He remembered it as he looked around, disoriented, but he pushed it away as soon as he remembered it.
"What time is it?" Blaine asked, rubbing at his eyes.
"Almost nine," Justin said, looking at Blaine with pitiful eyes. "I went to your apartment but you weren't there, so I figured this is where I'd find you."
"I'm sorry that happened." Blaine groaned. "Again."
"It's okay. I'm just worried about you. You're killing yourself with work."
"I'm not," Blaine said defensively. "It's just a lot right now. But I reassigned a case today, so that's good."
Justin moved behind him, and his hands found Blaine's shoulders. He began massaging kinks out of Blaine's tense shoulders. It felt great. The office was dark like the night outside, and Blaine closed his eyes peacefully and sighed.
"That feels good."
"You know what else feels good?" he asked. A second later his breath puffed against Blaine's ear, and his teeth nibbled on his earlobe.
"That does feel good," Blaine moaned. "Why don't we hurry back to my place, and-"
"Actually," Justin said, placing kisses down his neck. "I've had this… fantasy taking place in your office…"
In the darkness, in an empty office building, Blaine took all of his clothes off. In the dark, where he felt safe and isolated, like nothing could touch him or hurt him, he bent his boyfriend over his desk. And, for the first time in many years, he had sex thinking about nothing but Kurt.
Oh my God, I got such a lawyer!Blaine crave while writing this. Can you imagine a fic where Blaine is a topshot, asshole lawyer and Kurt is a smalltime lawyer newbie and then Blaine becomes a sort of mentor to him and when he's not lecturing him about what he's doing wrong he's fucking him in his office *u*. Ok, oof, I need to stop.
To BritHummderson's question: I have been planning to bring it up in a future chapter, so just hang in there!
I hope you enjoyed!