Author's Notes
I'm SO sorry this is a few days late. A simple dentists app turned into a mouth op and days of horrible pain. I hope the actual Chapter makes up for the delay. The next Chapter is one that I am so giddy about. It's cheesily entitled in my mind as 'Tea parties, tissues and taking chances''. Enjoy and YEY THEY MEET AT LAST! ;)
I decided to scrap part 8C and just include it here. It was never going to be overly long anyway!
THANK YOU to those who have left the most snuggleworthy reviews and recc-d this at various places. It means so much to me.
Tuesday Morning at the Lima Bean
The Lima Bean was warm in comparison to the world outside, the sheet white sky and icy wind acting as the perfect backdrop to winter.
Blaine found his wallet, fingers shaking a little as he repositioned the bag over his arm, and stepped forward in the line.
The sound of percolators and the smell of roasting coffee beans were always comforting. Ever since his grandmother had schooled him in the art of coffee making and drinking, he'd taken immense pleasure in perfecting the art and only visiting the best joints in the area.
Business men and women, professional in their starch suits and shiny shoes, were already enjoying their fix alongside arty types and hipsters with moleskin notebooks and iPods but it was the smattering of couples that caught Blaine's eye.
The seating area wasn't huge; the chairs and tables were close enough to hear a near-by conversation. Blaine swallowed, keeping his eye on the queue's end, and surveyed the possible places to sit. He knew Kurt would arrive soon as it was ticking on 8.45 but he wanted to make sure that everything went as smoothly as possible.
They were comfortable with each other from afar, easy talking about their lives and the more serious things they had on their minds but Blaine knew that awkwardness and nervousness was impossible to avoid. It was inevitable and the more forward thinking about location of their seat and other defining decisions would make a big difference.
The barista smiled and raised her eyebrows when the queue died down.
"One Medium Drip and one Grande Non Fat Mocha, please, and could I also order two biscotti and two caramel wafers."
The curly haired blonde girl nodded. "Sure, collect it at the end," she sang happily with a grin, "and don't look so sad, it might never happen!"
Blaine flinched. "Oh sorry," he hurried, "I was in another world. My apologies. I'm not sad, just distracted." He feigned a smile and tried to be polite, after all she was so shiny and happy in return.
"Ooh don't worry about it," she replied, her voice soft, "I serve hundreds of people who barely look me in the eyes so it's nice to serve someone who talks."
"Well, I can definitely do that." She was nice, her smile welcoming and a break from the barista he was used to - some moody guy with fat dreads and six piercings along each eyebrow.
She began stirring and pouring, heating and mixing as she spoke. "So, any plans for today?" she asked with another beaming smile. Blaine grinned back, small but noticeable.
"It's the Regional Show Choir Championships this afternoon and my club is competing. I'm the front man." He knew he'd added the final comment for effect. He wasn't a bragger as such but being the Warblers lead for so long was an achievement and one he didn't mind people knowing about.
"Ahha I see," she cooed, scalding the milk, "so that's why you're distracted."
Blaine laughed a little, wry and rough with nerves. He was usually smoother than this - that much he knew - but he didn't often encounter nerves and apprehension. His brain was over thinking and his mind racing - it wasn't helping.
"It's not so much the competition. I've mostly always been lead soloist for our competitions so I don't feel the pressure as much but I'm, um," he stuttered, wondering how he'd entirely lost his cool all of a sudden, "meeting someone."
He'd never been in this situation before. In a way, he wanted to boast and tell everyone about his new found spontaneity but it was still Ohio, so he kept quiet – some people wouldn't appreciate the truth.
"Well," the blonde girl said with a grin, all teeth and genuine enthusiasm, "I hope it goes well. Here, have one of these on the house. They were left over from Valentine's Day and they're too cute to throw away in my opinion. Just give me a wink if you need a refill and we'll call it a gift, ok?"
Blaine frowned a little in shock. "Wow, thank you. That's very kind." He took the two mugs and balanced the plate in his hand as she waved him away, smiling.
Knowing that kindness was so rare, Blaine couldn't help but smile to himself. He knew the nerves stemmed from more than just meeting Kurt for the first time though. They were going to be two boys sitting down for coffee together and in small town Ohio, that wasn't always accepted too kindly.
He knew he'd suffered. The memories would always be to hand and there to dredge up to remind him of exactly how cruel the world could be. It wasn't as if he'd chosen his own reality but there it was and he would soon be sitting opposite someone who knew just how that felt.
It was a step he knew he'd always have to take.
Blaine knew he could never let his life become guarded enough to withdraw from the things that could potentially bring the most happiness. He knew he'd have to be strong and take a chance some day but the added pressure of meeting Kurt in such a setting for the first time, teamed with the 'will Kurt like me?' stress... safe to say, Blaine needed the coffee.
~o~o~oOo~o~o~
Kurt wiggled the ice cold tips of his fingers outside of his fingerless gloves and threw the unruly end of his scarf - Blaine's scarf - over his shoulder. It fell down immediately and with a huff and a swift roll of his eyes, he placed it exactly in position with fingers that refused to settle.
He couldn't go in.
He'd never done anything as reckless and schmaltzy and random and spontaneous and scary and so far out of his comfort zone before. The panicking was clouding his usually logical and controlled thought processes and he knew that the second he saw Blaine - whether through the window or face-to-face - he'd stop dead and all rational thought would fly away, up to the non-existent heavens to mock his lack of experience from above.
He had to move though, had to take the few necessary steps towards the Lima Bean and get a grip.
With a shaky inhale, he forced his feet to move and burrowed his half warm half cold hands deep into the pockets of his vintage Dior swing coat.
As he reached the doorway and moved aside to allow a lady to push a pram through the doors, Kurt saw him.
It was hard to miss him in a sea of business people and couples, which were only typical for the time of morning.
It took less than a second for Kurt to take a step back and just... look.
It was then that the reality hit him square in the face. It was really happening. Blaine wasn't just a guy, he was a close friend, a confidant and someone - one of the only people ever, really - that Kurt knew he trusted and actually envisaged keeping a hold of for a long time.
Blaine was someone he could keep in his life.
Meeting him wasn't a one-off, it wasn't just a simple way of rounding off their quirky story - Blaine lived close by, he was gay, he was a friend and he seemed to feel exactly the same way in return.
Kurt laughed to himself, burying his face momentarily within the folds of grey and red, and took a deep breath.
Blaine looked... good.
Don't make things up in your head. Don't let your emotions run away with themselves. Don't paint an epic romance where there is none.
Like a cycling mantra, Kurt let the words rest in the corners of his mind as he felt an unruly blush creep at his cheeks.
Blaine wasn't in uniform, which was the first noticeable thing. He'd opted for what looked like dark turn up jeans, black scuffed boots and an emerald green henley under what appeared to be a dusky grey cardigan, unbuttoned but tight around the arms and shoulders. He was smaller than Kurt remembered too but broader in the way he seemed to sit upright in the chair, eyes down on his right hand as it stirred rhythmically at whatever drink he'd bought.
With a skipping heart, Kurt saw the plate of something unhealthy and a mug of coffee for the empty chair opposite.
Blaine had bought him a drink already.
Kurt could feel his heart pounding, the blood rushing to his ears and heightening the intensity of his senses. Blaine looked focused yet far away and Kurt knew that he'd have to make the first move.
He closed his eyes for a second then walked without another thought.
With heart beat in his fingertips, Kurt made his way to where Blaine was sitting - still stirring to a perfect beat - and said the first thing that came to mind.
"Bonjour, Blaine."
It was cheesy, inexcusable and Kurt knew in an instant he'd regret it, which seemed to be evidenced by the lightening fast flush to his cheeks; he luckily straightened up just as Blaine stopped stirring and turned quickly.
"Kurt," he said simply, eyes wide and lips slightly parted as if to speak but no words came out.
Kurt felt his skin flood warm and the only breath possible catch in the back of his throat as he smiled a little.
"We said no small talk. No awkwardness. This is me sticking by our rules. Hello."
Blaine smiled then, his shoulders noticeably relaxing as he pushed back to go to stand but Kurt circled the table and took a chair without a thought.
"Non fat mocha, ready and waiting," Blaine said with a smile. Kurt noticed in that second just how bright and hazel they were and exactly how his own nerves were mirrored.
"Thank you."
Kurt sat down, hands reaching for the warmth of the mug. Blaine did the same without realising.
Blaine couldn't breathe.
One look at Kurt in his obviously normal clothes was enough to remove every coherent sentence from his usually competent brain, replacing it with 'is he for real?'
The jeans.
The way his long sleeves made his arms appear slender but never-ending.
The softness of his hair, so precisely groomed and so cool.
The... scarf. He was wearing it.
It seemed to be everything. He was different. At Sectionals, Kurt had blended for the most part with his eyes and pale skin providing the defining features but Blaine knew as he'd turned around exactly how impossible he was going to find sitting opposite Kurt for an extended period of time.
Blaine felt his brain scream, screeching to 'just say something. Anything' before forcing himself to relax into the moment, to urge his shoulders to slacken, his smile to slide more easily onto his face and legs to stop tensing.
"The barista was kind enough to give us a few free extras," he said softly, eyes tentative to glance into Kurt's, "help yourself."
Kurt's eyes widened and a smirk followed. "How did you pull that off? Bat your eyelashes?"
Kurt swallowed, reaching to hold tight to the mug in front of him for grounding. Blaine's eyelashes were not an ideal topic of conversation - they were distracting enough.
"Just my natural charm," Blaine said simply, a small grin teasing at his lips. Kurt was nervous. He could sense it in the air, how thick it was and exactly how gentle Kurt seemed to be. It wasn't right. He had to do something.
"Ok," Blaine said quickly, snapping the silence in two and causing Kurt to blink, mid coffee mouthful. "I'm breaking the ice, which feels miles thick, and I'm going to give you my present. Is that ok?"
Blaine watched Kurt elegantly - it was a perfect word from a long list to describe Kurt in real life - plant his coffee down. He took a breath and nodded. "I think that would be acceptable. Yes."
Blaine saw the spark in Kurt's eyes fire up for a moment and knew he was onto something.
Kurt watched as Blaine leaned down, cardigan folding against his skin in all the right places. It was criminal really. He knew he'd have to keep his feelings under wraps, as a sure fire away to have Blaine running for the hills was to be obvious. It was difficult though - so very difficult.
As Blaine sat upright again, his hands and eyes focused upon unwrapping tissue paper and ribbons, Kurt could see the deep purple reflected in Blaine's eyes, the soft way his hair curled at the edges (no doubt expertly styled thanks to Kurt's own product suggestion) and how his cardigan sleeves dragged at the wrists to reveal a stylish and very expensive watch which stood out against his more tanned skin.
In a second, Kurt felt the insecurity tug hard. He was pale and oddly proportioned and, yes, he looked good in a well thought out ensemble but that was all smoke and mirrors - Blaine's attractive qualities would have still shone bright if he wore a garbage bag.
"Kurt?"
Oh hell. Blinking back into the moment - again- Kurt allowed himself to look into Blaine's eyes.
"I've bored you already."
Blaine's face was serious. Wide eyes sat above a quietly concerned expression.
Reaching out in a split second or even less to the table in front of him, Kurt gasped. "No. Not at all. Just..." he trailed off, lips pouting slightly as he grappled for the correct thing to say. "This is just surreal. That's all."
Blaine let out a laugh, his eyes rolling as he bit his lip. "I was kidding... joking... and badly, apparently."
I'm an idiot. It was the only conclusion Kurt could come to. "Right. Apparently I left my sense of humour at the door. I'm not exactly what you'd call an expert at these kinds of situations. Give me a stage and a mic or an idiot in a Letterman jacket and I'm Obama-level articulate and fabulous but clearly I'm a wreck otherwise. Fantastic."
Kurt could feel the flush hit his cheeks immediately.
It was so cute. Very cute. Blaine chuckled to himself as he pulled the package from its confines. Looking up at Kurt, he'd spotted the slight pinkness to his cheeks and averted his eyes out of politeness. He knew he was a bad joke away from falling to pieces himself so the least Kurt deserved was a moment.
It didn't take that long. As he glanced back, Kurt was composed, fingers loose around his mug and eyes fixed on the package. They were sparkling.
Feeling as if he'd seen so many facets of Kurt's personality already, Blaine could feel his heart swell. He'd never done this with anyone before and in a refreshing way it was so pleasantly overwhelming.
"You're just like I imagined, you know?"
He could barely stop his mouth from forming the words. As they hung in the air in the meter between them both, Blaine knew it would be comments like that which would guarantee him a reputation for being terrible at... everything real, everything serious.
Kurt couldn't feel his fingers and it wasn't due to the heat of the mug in his hands. Blaine was staring, his eyes seemingly acting as the only part of him capable of expressing his true feelings. The rest of him was so well put together. Something deep down felt proud that he got to be the one to witness that.
"Oh great," Kurt scoffed, his lips pursing, "and here I thought I embodied a little mystery. Damn it."
Blaine laughed, genuine and sweet. Kurt knew by the way Blaine blinked a few times and stared down at the package as if it were a precious diamond, that he was stunned. Perhaps in the same way Kurt was.
"Here," Blaine offered. He held the package out with a deep breath as if to reconnect with a little ounce of confidence.
"Blaine, you really didn't have to," Kurt shook his head but then winked, "although I'm pleased you did. I love presents."
Blaine knew he was giving too much away. He couldn't do it normally, his actions were considered and words careful but it was Kurt...
He laughed and sat back to take a sip of coffee as Kurt picked lovingly at the gold ribbon. It was clearly a winning choice to gift wrap it if the gleam in Kurt's eyes and the way he folded the ribbon into his pocket was anything to go by.
Gently opening the wooden box, Kurt felt his throat catch.
"Oh my. Blaine." Words escaped him. In the centre of the box, surrounded by expertly swirled gold paper, was a large tarnished antique-silver brooch in the shape of a 'K'. Around the lengths of silver were sculpted vines adorned with delicate silver flowers and a small dainty bird perched on one stem.
"Do you like it? I saw it at a market in Rome and it was hard to walk by and leave it behind."
Turning the brooch between his fingers, Kurt couldn't focus. The only people in his life to buy him presents were family members and Mercedes; they were obliged to be lovely during holidays but this was different - it was a whole other level of 'thoughtful'.
"It's beautiful. Thank you."
Blaine bit his lip, hiding the face splitting smile he knew would appear.
"The lady I bought it from didn't speak a word of anything but Italian but the little I do know was helpful to allow me to understand that it's a scarf pin."
Kurt giggled - actually giggled - and closed his eyes momentarily. "You are joking, right?"
Laughing, Blaine shook his head. "No. One hundred percent true." As Kurt looked up, eyes wide and gracious, there was no way he could think straight.
"I don't ever want to wear it because I think my heart would break if I lost it. I just know that if it fell to the floor in McKinley, either Puck would pawn it or Brittany would be trying to work out its magical powers."
Chuckling, Blaine worried the end of his cuffs. It was hard to retain the eye contact. The months they'd spent sharing their lives was oddly too intense now they were face-to-face. Every time Kurt opened his mouth, his voice was fascinating but it was the social queues and mannerisms he'd been missing.
Kurt had a way of lengthening his neck and jutting out his chin to add extra effect to every single important word. He had very pretty eyes – Blaine had noticed this from the start – but they were different when focused upon you. They were everything.
Kurt didn't speak with his lips and his voice and lyrical tone; he spoke with his eyes and every glance into them was an insight into his soul. Blaine was sure he'd never met anyone quite so luminous – it was the only word that sprung to mind.
Kurt was statuesque too. He sat still and sturdy, as if nobody could break him if they tried, but it was the elegance with which he held himself and moved that obliterated the stereotype.
Blaine found himself smiling uncontrollably. Nobody, in his entire life, was impossible to describe. Even his family members were easy to sum up as their characters were precise and obvious – even acquaintances were summarised effortlessly but it seemed that Kurt couldn't be.
Blaine knew the moment he attempted to find an adjective worthy and fitting, his brain would add a 'no but' to the end and there another contradicting list would form until Kurt wasn't one thing, he was the other and more and...
"Blaine?"
He sucked in a lung full of air and focused back in, noticing Kurt's uneasy forehead crinkle.
"Sorry, I was just thinking."
"Thinking about what?" Kurt asked, head tilting demurely, his hands clasped together on the table now.
"Just, this."
Kurt shuffled in his chair, a hand automatically reaching to smooth down his silk scarf. Blaine could feel his heart in his throat.
"You're the same as I expected too, you know? For the record."
Smiling, Blaine ducked his head. "Really? Because I'm not so self aware."
"Coming from the guy who wrote to me in Latin, sent me holiday cards and phoned me specially on my birthday, I think it's safe to say that you had to impress," Blaine laughed, frowning at his own apparent cheesiness, "but you're not a let down yet."
The sarcasm was lost on most people in Kurt's life – he knew that – but Blaine seemed to enjoy it. "Oh well, I'll be sure to keep it up. Thank you for your assessment."
Kurt let out a sharp laugh before muffling it with his hand. "You're so welcome."
"Would you like a caramel wafer?"
It sounded exceptionally cool in his mind but Blaine said it anyway, outwardly cringing as he watched Kurt stifle a giggle. It was worth the humiliation to see Kurt smile like that – this, Blaine was realising rapidly.
"Now I'm getting why that barista treated you. Charm personified."
"Here." Blaine tore open the packet with rolling eyes, passing one to Kurt who held it between finger and thumb as if it were laced with poison. "It's not going to bite."
"I know," Kurt whined, unsure how he'd suddenly become so relaxed, "but this looks plastic. Are you certain this monstrosity is edible."
"You've never had a caramel wafer?"
Kurt pulled a face and examined it. "No, but I'm sure I'm about to find out what they taste like."
Blaine nodded. "Follow my lead and I promise you, it'll blow your mind."
As Blaine spoke, the fingers on his free hand fanned out and gestured to emphasise every syllable. Kurt was close to beaming embarrassingly, his lips desperate to smile because not only was Blaine obviously stifling his own excitement but the ever so slight and miniscule hints at 'real' and relaxed Blaine were simply enchanting.
As Blaine rested the wafer over the steam of his coffee, Kurt kept his eyes steadfast and copied the action whilst being careful not to burn any fingers.
"Now we wait."
Kurt chuckled but stopped dead, appreciating the utter sincerity of Blaine's face, the way he nodded matter of factly at his own clever trick and seemed younger and much more playful. Kurt had never expected that – not from his letters – but it was there, a twinkle in Blaine's eyes of something repressed deep down.
The thrill was that Kurt knew he was lucky to see it at all.
"Oh you're serious."
Blaine took in Kurt's bemused expression with a smile. "Wait until it starts to melt. If you don't like it, it's ok. It's kind of stupid but it's something I do so I thought..."
"No," Kurt interjected, careful to explain himself, "I like things like this. I have plenty of freaky things I do so you're not alone. It'll just cost me an extra hour on my treadmill and a face mask but I can deal with that."
After a moment, Blaine peeled the wafer back and began pulling it apart, the caramel sticky and stringing together. Kurt copied, careful to keep any mess away from his clothes.
"Ohmygodthisisamazing."
Blaine smiled smugly. "Told you, and if you eat between mouthfuls it's even better." He couldn't help but fall mesmerised by Kurt's languid chewing and fluttering eyelashes bit corrected himself before it became embarrassing.
"So, how's school?"
"Fine," Kurt affirms between mouthfuls. "It's just the same really. Last week, Puck and Lauren were caught doing unmentionable things in the janitor's closet, Rachel decided that she may be considering getting a nose job ala Quinn after Finn's dancing almost broke her face and Sam called me last night to ask if I'd help him in a couple of days with something top secret – I suspect he requires hair advice. So, all in all, McKinley is as weird as ever."
"Wow."
Kurt laughed wryly. "Wow is an understatement. You get to spend the afternoon in the same room as these people. Be scared, Blaine."
"Believe me, ever since you described them, I thought you were over exaggerating but after Sectionals... I understand and I promise to psyche myself up. Dalton's kind of sheltered. No making out in closets – just hiding in them. No plastic surgery – that's just the moms. I guess there are plenty of secrets but we're not a sharing community with our emotions."
Kurt giggled, wiping his fingers on a napkin. "Sounds like heaven to me. Are you sure there isn't a transfer window. I think I could rock the preppy look. I have a beautiful new brooch to adorn a forlorn blazer with!"
"You'd get detention for, and I quote, 'defacing the sanctity of our uniform'."
Kurt bit back a laugh. "You're not serious."
"Oh I am," Blaine smirked, "maybe I'll let you try mine on later before the show. You can see how the preppy look works for you... although I can't see you failing to pull it off."
He caught it. Kurt's cheeks bloomed a little with the faintest blush but it was there nonetheless. Blaine watched Kurt swallow hard to cover it up.
"I'm going to hold you to that."
"It's a deal."
~o~o~oOo~o~o~
"You should feel privileged."
They'd been talking for an hour and a half about anything and everything. The topics were fluid and entirely unrelated, which Kurt cherished for the sheer fact that they were at ease. The conversation hadn't turned serious for a long time but Kurt could tell that it could at any second and it'd be fine – they'd manage that.
"Why's that?" Blaine asked. Kurt was different now. He wasn't so still, his hands gesturing and facial expressions much more animated in a way that spoke only of comfort. Their lack of face-to-face contact meant they'd missed out on a lot for the beginning of a friendship but it had taken them mere hours to catch themselves up. Blaine knew he'd even leaned a little closer, his arms on the table and back straight but angled forward. Kurt had kept the same posture for an hour until he'd rested back into his seat and repositioned his legs just to the side of Blaine's – close enough to touch but far enough to retain boundaries.
Blaine knew the swirly feeling in his stomach wasn't due to his second cup of coffee.
"Because I don't share my recipes with anyone. They're MI5 level top secret."
"These look delicious. Really really delicious," Blaine cooed. The little box of cookies was adorable. It was clear that Kurt had taken time to make them look pretty; it resembled a Christmas present, all bows and sparkly streamers and a label that simply read 'Blaine, Please enjoy. Kurt xx PS: Share the recipe and I'll cut off your fingers'.
He could hardly breathe for laughing.
"It's not a laughing matter, Blaine Anderson."
Kurt clasped his hands together tight. It was that or reach out to touch Blaine in some way. His levels of 'charming' were hitting the obnoxiously high mark and when he smiled, Kurt couldn't help but try to memorise the way his eyes scrunched up in the most adorable way.
He was handsome – first and foremost – but there was something about his height or his eyes or even the still tragic hair that softened the initial intensity. Kurt could almost see the facade slipping, its edges fraying and allowing the true Blaine to peek through.
Kurt liked what was underneath. Very much.
"So, I wanted to ask you something and now that you've threatened my life, I don't think there could be a more fitting moment." Kurt raised his eyebrows questioningly, leaning forward in his seat, "I wanted to ask about tomorrow."
There it was, the flick of the metaphorical switch that Kurt knew was coming. They had to address it. "Well, if we win, I'll be attempting to quell Rachel's overzealous ego and if we lose, I'll no doubt be the one to calm her rage as Finn's as useless as a chocolate fireguard."
Laughing a little, Blaine pushed further. "I meant in the realm of Kurt and Blaine."
Kurt felt his stomach flutter in a way he was absolutely not used to. Their names sounded good together. Stop it, he told himself, stop it right now. "You and I?"
"Those are our names, yes."
Kurt swatted the air as if it were Blaine. "Shut up. You know what I mean. I just... I guess we stay friends."
"Oh god, of course," Blaine rushed. Kurt's eyes were wide and expectant as if a wrong word would shatter whatever he was trying so hard to keep solid inside. He was holding his breath, Blaine could see that, and it only meant one thing – he was worried things would stop. Or so he hoped. "I just meant, with our rules. Do we write, do we write and meet up or do we pack away our stationary and do the friends thing as normal?"
Swallowing, Kurt bit his lips. Nerves seeped back in immediately. He wanted to say 'yes, of god yes I want to be friends and see you as often as I can because you make me smile and I haven't done that a lot in recent years' but what came out was "I like my stationary."
It took effort not to slap his own face.
Blaine's household was never touchy feely; they didn't hug a lot or initiate touching unless absolutely necessary but he always knew he was tactile with others to make up for that. Contact with others was so important and he knew he'd always wished for that connection, that warmth and closeness he'd always dreamed could exist when he found someone special to be with.
He had the urge to reach out a lot but it had never been stronger than looking at Kurt's eyes, bright and shining. He was clearly masking his feelings and if Blaine knew anything well, it was the art of putting on a front.
"I want to be friends. Normal friends."
Kurt all but collapsed with relief. "Me too." He knew his face was on fire but it didn't seem to matter for a moment as Blaine smiled, biting his lip and laughing behind his hand.
"Good. Well we've cleared that up."
Kurt settled forward on the table once more. "So, what do we do?"
As if to create a mirror image, Blaine rested his chin on his knuckles. "Friend things."
Laughing, Kurt rolled his eyes. "Helpful."
"Ok then," Blaine grinned, "so we meet up."
It was miraculous, the feeling of being able to plan and actually see Blaine whenever he wanted. He'd simply been a gorgeous guy from a competing Glee Club but he wasn't anymore – he was so much more. The feeling hit Kurt hard, clutching at his heart until he could hardly breathe, so he said the first thing that came to mind.
"Do you want to come over this weekend?"
The intensity of the feeling those words caused shocked Blaine for a moment. Yes, he did. Plain and simple. Knowing Kurt for so long was a privilege and it had been one of the best times of his life but he knew, right then, that he wanted more.
"To your house?"
Kurt didn't smile; instead, his eyes widened and he breathed deep, eyelashes in a flurry. Blaine was sure he'd never seen anything quite as adorable. He knew he had to say 'yes' quickly as Kurt's heartbeat was almost audible.
"Yes. If that's weird for you then you don't have to, I just don't think you're ready to shop with me and we can't be repetitive and come here and well, there are other places but I thought-"
"I'd love to, Kurt. If you're not trying to talk yourself out of it that is." He smiled, trying to inject as much sincerity into it as possible. He wanted to go and badly – Kurt had to know that.
"Oh no. Ok, ok then. How about Saturday afternoon? I'm experiencing the pain of a Rachel Berry sleepover solo on Friday evening so I may need some normal company come Saturday."
"Oh, well maybe I shouldn't come over then. I don't I qualify," Blaine joked, enjoying the sparkle in Kurt's eyes far too much. The way he reacted to teasing was so addictive that Blaine knew he'd try to incite it as often as he could.
"Fine."
Feigning petulance, Kurt planted his lips together and pouted. He folded his arms and glanced around. He could feel Blaine's eyes on him, feel his smile and the glint in his eye. The more he felt it, the more he played. Kurt knew, as Blaine began to laugh, that he'd never ever experienced anything quite like it before. He felt Blaine beside him. He knew Blaine's dreams and some of his nightmares. He had opened his heart to Blaine and, as scary as it was to consider doing it again, there was a trust between them that made Kurt's throat tighten, his heart skipping with the mind blowing realisation that he was lucky enough.
It was his turn now.
Maybe.
Blaine reached out, his arms stretching a little to cover the space between them. Kurt all but jumped out of his seat as Blaine's hands clasped his folded arms and attempted to pull them apart. "Don't be like that. I take it back!"
Kurt couldn't move. It took every ounce of effort to not flinch when Blaine's fingers firmly took hold.
Blaine chewed his lip, casting a glance as Kurt's face as he sat back. Kurt was blushing and it was just about the last straw to Blaine's resolve. It was criminal how cute Kurt was in real life. He wasn't like other guys at all. It was written in eloquence all over his face exactly how much he felt and how deeply too, so much so that it became fascinating to focus on the tiny shifts in mood and emotion.
Kurt has spoken about his lack of physical contact, the way he felt as if his life was void of affection. Blaine knew that as long as they were friends, he'd attempt to rewrite that fact.
"Won't your dad mind?" Blaine asked, breaking off a piece of biscotti.
Kurt watched his fingers as he spoke. "No, he's out with Carole all Saturday at Carole's mother's house. Finn will be in all day so I'm sure you'll have the pleasure of meeting him but as long as you remember he's a lolloping giant with the common sense of a twig then you'll be fine. He's sweet but he's an idiot."
Blaine ate between words. "I feel like I know them all so well – your Glee club – that if I do ever get the chance to meet them properly, it'll be hard to not put my foot in it."
Kurt's laugh was sarcastic and filled with a history of experience. "Believe me, they'd be wary of you coming from a competing school at first, then they'd mock you for something, no doubt Puck or Santana would have a hand in that, they'd ask you wildly inappropriate questions, you'd be Brittany's pet... literally... and immediately under the scrutiny of Rachel's accusatory glare not before Finn slaps you on the back and calls you bro and Artie has you rapping to Run DMC. You're dodging a bullet. Stay away."
"They mean a lot to you," Blaine said simply, resting his chin back on his fist, "I always read your letters and at first I thought you were serious about how much they annoyed you and how crazy they were but you love them."
"That's the worst thing you've ever said to me," Kurt deadpanned but Blaine saw the twitch at his lips.
"You particularly love Rachel too. I know Mercedes is, as you put it, 'your girl' but Rachel is special to you, isn't she?"
"I'm seconds away from causing you a biscotti themed death, Blaine."
Kurt could see just how much it was amusing Blaine to press him on personal matters. They'd been scattered through their conversations and usually subtle but they were being so honest with each other that, somehow, the more they touched upon the truth in their lives, the easier it became.
"They mean a lot to you."
"Yes." Kurt nodded once and offered a tiny smile. Blaine was pretty infuriating. "You like being right, don't you?"
Blaine covered his face and chuckled lightly. Kurt had him there. "It's a gift, what can I say. When you've got it, flaunt it."
Kurt sniggered, on the verge of hysterics. "That's the gayest thing I've ever heard you say or read or whatever."
With pink cheeks, Blaine closed his eyes in mock humiliation. "I buy you coffee and food and antique brooches and in return I get this."
"What?" Kurt gasped, hand on heart, "a flawless friend with exceptional taste and humour?"
Blaine couldn't wipe the grin off his face. He just looked. Kurt's eyes lingered for a second, widening as the silence dawned slowly. Blaine knew he couldn't look away, not for a moment. This is what he'd been missing for all of these years; he'd longed for someone to just understand him, to just accept him and for the need to explain himself and preface everything with an excuse to just disappear. He was himself with Kurt and it was the most wonderful feeling in the world.
"This isn't awkward at all, is it?" he asked, knowing he was crossing that line again but tiptoeing wasn't an option anymore.
Fighting a smile, Kurt shrugged. "Again, it helps if you have a flawless friend like me." Blaine could see antithesis in Kurt's eyes. Kurt cherished it all just as much as he did.
Mid-laugh, Blaine glanced down at his watch. His heart dropped at the knowledge they didn't have long before they had to be at the theatre.
"It's nearly twelve."
Kurt's face dropped. "Oh. Ok, then I guess we need to go."
"I guess so," Blaine sighed, mapping the forlorn expression on Kurt's face and wishing he could take it away. He didn't want to leave either.
Kurt watched as Blaine packed up his things, his eyes regretful. He wanted to hold onto the table, to the moment, for a little longer just to convince himself it was real and happening; for the first time in his life he felt comfortable around someone of the opposite sex whom he liked and who seemed (if it wasn't the rose tinted glasses talking) to feel the same way.
"So, um."
Kurt inwardly groaned. So much for articulacy.
Blaine stood up, brushing down his jeans.
Kurt regulated his breathing at the sight of Blaine's t-shirt, the material thin and soft looking, loosely skimming the rim of his jeans. It was innocent enough but Kurt knew he could be forgiven for gawping secretly when Blaine wasn't looking as he was unfairly attractive.
Dreamy. That was the word he'd used in his letter.
"Good luck today," Blaine said finally, looking up as he swung his bag over his shoulder with a bright smile.
Kurt could feel the warmth of it.
"You too," he added, sliding his own bag over his shoulder and adding "but I actually hope you lose because well, I want to go to New York."
The sight of Blaine laughing hard as he picked up his other bag as enough to cause a swooning episode that Kurt wasn't all too sure was appropriate for a wholesome coffee chain.
"In that case, good luck trying to beat us. I hear The Warblers have an exceptional front man."
Kurt groaned. "Meh, I've heard he's a bit arrogant to be honest. Thinks too highly of himself. Wears too much hair gel. You know, the usual."
Blaine pressed his lips together in amusement. "I've heard he's pretty dreamy actually."
Kurt gasped. He couldn't quite move. Blaine's eyes glittered with a cruel sense of payback and a smidgen of humour. Kurt knew, right then, that he was done for.
Neither moved for a moment. Kurt felt his chest constrict at the stark reality that they weren't just teasing, they were flirting and it was scary but... incredible.
Most days Kurt knew he felt twelve years old, void of any human contact, sex appeal or attractiveness but standing in front of Blaine he didn't quite care because his skin was on fire, heart beating wildly, cheeks hot under the scrutiny and he felt alive for the first time in years.
"I'm going to leave now before you reference any more of my unfortunate misgivings. It has been a pleasure, Blaine Anderson. Good day."
It was dramatic, Kurt knew that, but he couldn't help himself.
Blaine laughed loudly, grabbing the air as Kurt walked past quickly and headed for the door. Watching the way Kurt commanded the room, turning heads as he walked, was one thing but Blaine couldn't focus his brain. He felt like he was losing his mind in a split second.
"Hey!" he called as the Lima Bean door closed and the cold air hit his face. Kurt outwardly shuddered, his arms drawn up by his sides. He'd thrown his scarf over his shoulder expertly. As Blaine reached him, he turned with a smirk. "I see you're wearing the scarf."
"I told you I wore it."
A slow smile spread onto Blaine's face holding much more affection than intended. "It looks good on you." He watched as Kurt shifted his feet and looked down then back up, his eyes shining under his eyelashes. "I suppose I'll see you on Saturday then."
Blaine nodded and took a step closer. "Joe's going to miss you."
Kurt laughed then, biting his lip. "Maybe I'll write to him instead."
"I'm sure he'd love that."
Kurt could feel the crackle of something between them but blinked it out of his mind. He couldn't go there. Not yet.
"So. Bye then."
Kurt smiled and turned to leave but Blaine caught his arm. "Um, isn't it customary to hug a friend goodbye?"
Kurt blinked rapidly, eyes full of shock. "I, um. I suppose."
With a fond smile, Blaine reached forward and wrapped his arms around Kurt's shoulders, drawing him closer.
Kurt struggled to focus. All he felt was the intense warmth surrounding him compared to the cool breeze and the firm sense of being held in place. As he felt Blaine twist his head, Blaine's skin hot against his own, Kurt was sure his legs would give out.
"This doesn't feel real," Blaine whispered against his ear causing Kurt to shudder and let out a short but nervous laugh.
Breathlessly, he muttered "I know." He couldn't think straight to form coherent sentences.
Blaine's hands slid down his arms, goosebumps forming in their path and butterflies flurrying in Kurt's stomach. He'd never felt it before - the desperation at loss of contact - but as Blaine stepped back, his own expression registering shock and awe, Kurt wanted to close the distance again.
He couldn't remember the last time he was touched quite so affectionately. If ever.
Blaine took a deep breath. Knowing Kurt as he did, he knew just how important their morning was. He knew, more than anything, exactly how much it had meant to both of them, how miraculous it all was but nothing could have possibly prepared him for the sheer emotion in Kurt's eyes.
Blaine watched them flicker in stunned silence. They didn't just sparkle, they drew you in and Blaine knew he'd never resist because a moment with Kurt rivalled any he'd spent with his Dalton friends or family.
That fact was too enormous to process. This was the first time they'd ever met but it was as if they'd known each other for years.
"So," Blaine sighed, "I don't know if I'll get to see you when we get to the theatre but is it ok if I text you later?"
"That would be fine. You don't need to ask me, Blaine."
"I guess I don't."
"Ok," Kurt took a breath, hiding a smile, "have fun, Blaine Warbler."
Laughing lightly, Blaine nodded. "You too."
With that, Kurt ducked his head, his hands clutched at the strap of his messenger bag, and walked away.
~o~o~oOo~o~o~
Regionals passed quickly. Finn hadn't probed for information; instead he'd spent the afternoon making eyes at Rachel which, thankfully, mellowed her out extraordinarily well. She was bearable for the entirety of the competition.
Kurt had looked for Blaine when they weren't crammed into the Green Room but he was nowhere to be seen. He'd clocked a few guys in Dalton jackets but no Blaine.
As they took their seats for The Warblers set, Kurt couldn't sit still. He'd had the pleasure of watching Blaine perform once before but this time there was a world of history between them to make it a hundred times more exciting.
As a sea of blazers appeared when the house lights went up, Kurt caught his breath. Blaine in real life, in a cardigan eating biscotti, was one sight to behold but Blaine on stage was another things altogether. He was spectacular.
Kurt didn't move for the entire set, his lips firmly together and game face fixed but inside he was a pathetic mess - a teenage girl in the 60s at a Beatles concert didn't have a patch on him.
Pride swelled inside as he watched Blaine bow, his face beaming and sheened with sweat but looking as handsome as ever.
~o~o~oOo~o~o~
Blaine felt Jeff slide in the seat beside him.
"Dude, is he here?"
Blaine rolled his eyes. "Yes."
"Awesome," Jeff mumbled, fishing in his bag for his candy.
He felt like he was holding his breath. The New Directions filed out in perfect unison, their costumes coordinated perfectly, but Kurt still stood out.
It was inevitable.
Rachel took lead, skipping and hopping to the beat as the rest of the group bopped and shimmied alongside her. Their enthusiasm was infectious but what was so obvious – and Blaine prided himself in hinting at it with Kurt earlier – was their love for one another.
Even the Mohawk dude was grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Kurt, on the other hand, was the picture of professionalism. He danced the steps in perfect time, found his mark effortlessly and sang each note pitch perfectly, making it look as simple as breathing.
He shone brighter than most of the club – only Rachel really provided any competition for brightest star – and as they took their bows, Blaine knew they'd won.
It was a done deal and, as much as it hurt not to have the opportunity to explore the Big Apple, it was deserved.
~o~o~oOo~o~o~
Worrying his sleeve, Kurt stared at his phone on the bus back to McKinley. He glanced down, fingers lightly tracing the 'K' of his brooch currently holding his scarf in place, and smiled.
Watching The Warblers lose hadn't been fun. Yes, the New Directions were off to Nationals and the bright lights of New York, but that meant that Blaine wasn't.
He'd kept his eyes on them as the mad woman with the mic announced the winners. As Rachel jumped up and down beside him and into Finn's arms, Kurt had watched as every one of the Warblers smiled at one another in reassurance, offering kind pats and faces that said 'oh well'. In the sea of navy and red, Blaine was a picture of calm, his leadership capabilities shining through. Kurt was still nervous.
Would be angry? Would he be jealous? What did it mean for them?
As he closed his eyes to block out Mike and Tina's slurping noises and Santana's obnoxiously loud iPod, he felt his phone buzz.
Simply put, three hours is not long enough. I can't wait for Saturday. You were incredible. Just amazing. Congratulations. We'll have our chance next year but until then, the nursing homes of Lima are in for a treat! Lots of Love, Blaine xx
~tbc
PLEASE NOTE:
I'm going on holiday tomorrow morning for a week. When I arrive home, I will have the rest of this story written in full. I already have a large chunk of it written so I'll post it every day when I return home : )
Thank you ALL for your lovely feedback and encouragement for this story. I've loved writing it so much so it's wonderful to know people are enjoying it. I hope a week's delay won't put you off.
Can't wait to catch up on the Glee madness when I return. Lots of love xx
