August 1920
Blaine
Blaine carefully sets the homemade quiche Lorraine into a box. He once tasted this open pie made of eggs, cream, and bacon while on local rest leave in France during the war. He's sure that Kurt will love it, too, but just in case, he's made Scotch eggs and pork pies as well. He checks the picnic basket one more time; there is enough food to last for days - salads, scones, blackberry jam, grapes, strawberries, and more. Why, he's even made a special Battenberg cake, which he knows that Kurt loves.
Once he's satisfied that he has everything needed, he moves the picnic basket and boxes to the front door, where his suitcases are already packed and waiting. He checks his wristwatch one more time and is disappointed that he still needs to wait an hour before Kurt collects him for their holiday in the Hamptons. He's been awake since 5:00 AM, cooking and packing, and he doesn't want to wait any longer.
He goes upstairs to his bedroom to make sure that he's packed everything he'll need. He absolutely loves how his bedroom turned out. Kurt selected a neutral color scheme, accentuated with touches of chocolate brown, in the latest Art Deco style. It looks modern and glamorous - certainly different from his bedroom at Westerville Abbey. Blaine opens the wardrobes, which Kurt designed and Finn custom built, and is satisfied that he's packed everything he'll need at the Hamptons. He glances at the empty rods and shelves in one half of the wardrobe, waiting for the day when Kurt moves in with him.
He quickly checks his outfit in the full-length mirror. He's wearing his plus-four trousers that go down just below the knee, with long argyle socks to cover his calves. It's paired with a simple white shirt, suspenders, and a blue and yellow striped bow tie. He hasn't told Kurt yet that he's been to Brooks Brothers in secret to buy a few things for the holiday. He knows he should be saving all his money to finish off the top floor of his house, but it's not his fault if he happens to pass Brooks Brothers and sees something he likes. Maybe Kurt isn't the only person in this relationship who likes fashion.
He hears the sound of letters dropping through the front door mail slot and descends the stairs to collect the post. When he sees an envelope sealed with the Westerville Coat of Arms impressed in wax, he goes to the living room to read the letter from his father.
My Dear Blaine,
Your mother is now fully recovered from the ocean journey, and is settled back in Westerville. We all enjoy listening to her tales of your life in New York City. I only wish that I could have gotten away myself to visit, but this business of an independent Ireland is keeping me very busy in the House of Lords. The Irish Republican Army are attacking Royal Irish Constabulary all over the country. It's a very complicated and messy situation. I understand that Captain Jeffrey Sterling and his company have been sent there to help keep the peace. I'll let you know if I hear anything about your dear friend.
The reason I am writing to you is that I received a telephone call from the War Office earlier today. They told me that you recently spoke with the Americans representing the Commission for War Crimes. Apparently, they were impressed with your recounting of what happened in the POW camps. They want you to testify at the trials that will be held in Leipzig, Germany, which are scheduled to take place next July.
I'm certain that you don't want to return to Germany, not after what you have been through. However, the Commission feels that your testimony will go a long way to convict certain individuals you encountered. I urge you to go to Germany to testify. You owe it to both yourself and your soldiers to tell the tribunal what really happened in the POW camps. Great Britain is depending upon you to help make things right.
After the trials, I suggest that you come to Westerville Abbey to visit. We are all missing you very much and would love to see you again. You have yet to meet Margaret Rose, Cooper and Quinn's youngest daughter, and your other niece and nephews are growing so quickly.
Please give everything some thought, and let me know your decision.
Sincerely,
Your loving father
Blaine sets down the letter and rubs the back of his neck. Two weeks ago, he was interviewed by American military officers assigned to the War Crimes Commission. They allowed Kurt to join him, and he wouldn't have been able to get through it without him by his side. The officers took meticulous notes, asking for clarification when needed on a few minor points. Since that day, he's felt lighter, more carefree, as if there is a weight off his shoulders. Blaine had thought that his involvement would end there.
He doesn't know what to think about returning to Germany to testify before the tribunal. He understands why his father feels he should agree to attend. After all, his father puts much emphasis on honor and duty to both his family and his country. In this instance, Blaine might have to agree. He was the only officer in the enlisted soldiers' POW camps, which had far worse conditions than those used for officers - less food, harder work, and the most primitive living conditions - and his testimony would add weight to the proceedings. He also wants to visit Westerville. He misses his family and next summer would be ideal to spend time with everybody again. However, he needs to talk it over with Kurt, because he wouldn't even consider doing it without him.
When the doorbell rings, Blaine rushes to the entrance, and his mind switches from the Great War to the special holiday ahead of him. As he opens the door, his breathing quickens, and his eyes dart up and down, taking in Kurt's outfit. He's wearing a pair of plus-fours, along with an argyle patterned vest. He can't take his eyes off Kurt's shapely calves, which are covered with knee-length socks. The cap on his head finishes off the outfit nicely.
Kurt smirks as he enters the house. "You're not the only one who can pull off the plus-fours look, my love. Turn around for me. I see that you've made another stop at Brooks Brothers."
After Blaine slowly spins around, showing off his new outfit, Kurt gently pulls at a suspender. "You look delicious enough to eat."
Blaine's eyes darken. "Don't say things like that when we can't do anything about it. We've got a three- or four-hour journey ahead of us to the Hamptons."
"Ah, but think of what we can do when we're there," Kurt purrs. Blaine blushes as Kurt looks at the boxes, baskets and suitcases at the front entrance. "It looks like you've packed for a year!"
"Well, I brought most my wardrobe because I want to look good for you. I also have some new books that I want to read, and writing paper because I owe so many people letters. I made us a picnic for lunch today, and whatever we don't eat we can have over the next few days. I don't want to spend all my time cooking - not on holiday."
"Fair enough. It's a good thing that Hiram lent us his car for the week."
They pack all of Blaine's things into the red Fiat, and Kurt starts the drive out of Manhattan. Once they've crossed over the Hudson River to Long Island, Kurt pulls the car over to remove the soft roof. They resume their journey, and Kurt expertly drives along the coastal road towards their destination in the Hamptons. Blaine enjoys the breeze, not caring that it might mess up his carefully styled hair pomade. The sun is shining, and he can smell the salty air from the ocean. He's about to spend the week with his love, and he doesn't have a care in the world.
An hour later, they stop along the roadside for their picnic lunch. Kurt's eyes open wide when he sees all the food that Blaine has prepared. "We certainly have enough food to last a week!"
"We'll still go out to the local restaurants. I want to taste the freshly-caught seafood, particularly blue claw crabs."
Blaine prepares a plate of picnic food for Kurt and watches very carefully when he takes a bite of the quiche.
"This is absolutely marvelous. It's the perfect blend of pastry and egg."
Blaine's lips form a smug little smile. "I recreated something that I tasted in France. I could add vegetables to the pie and maybe even cheese."
"You would add cheese as a man from the west country. Perhaps cheddar?"
"I plan to suggest the quiche, along with a salad, be included in Healy's Tavern lunch menu. I think it would be a success."
Kurt rolls his eyes. "I doubt very much that the Healy brothers would approve. They prefer the standard fare that are proven favorites and make money."
Blaine leans back with a furrowed brow. "You're probably right about that. Sometimes I wish that I had full control of what is on the menu. It could be a lot more creative and still bring in the profits."
They quickly pack up to drive the last leg of the journey. Blaine can't wait until they are finally at the Berry house.
"I wish I knew how to drive," Blaine sighs.
"I'll teach you one day. It's fun, especially when you go fast." Kurt's foot pushes down on the accelerator, and they speed along. Blaine laughs, knowing how easy it must be for a flying ace to drive a simple car.
When they see the sign announcing that they are in Bridgeport, Blaine finds the instructions to get to the Berry house. It's a small hamlet, and it takes no time at all to find the large two-story house by the ocean. The front veranda is inviting, with cushioned wicker furniture and lanterns for night time, and it affords a view of both Sagg Pond and the Atlantic Ocean. Past the front lawn, there is an impressive-looking guest house by the shore, and a dock with some boats.
Kurt looks around. "I don't think we need to go inside. I could spend the entire holiday right here on the veranda."
Blaine chuckles. "You'll think differently when you need to use the bathroom or want to eat. Let's unpack and have a look around."
When they enter the house with their cases, they marvel at all the rooms. It's less formal than the Berry townhouse on Fifth Avenue, but at the same time, equally as splendid. Every modern convenience can be found in the kitchen, and they quickly store the perishable food in the ice-box. Blaine notices that a platter of canapes and a bottle of champagne are already there waiting for them.
When they enter the master bedroom, there is a large box with a red ribbon bow on the top. Blaine picks up the simple card that reads Happy belated birthday, Blaine. Love, LeRoy. He sets it aside so that they can unpack their cases.
"Aren't you curious as to what is inside the box? Why don't you open it?"
Blaine carefully takes off the bow. When he opens the box, he snaps it shut right away, and his face reddens.
"What's inside?" Kurt asks.
"Oh dear Lord, you'll never believe what LeRoy has given me."
"At least give me a hint."
Blaine takes out seven tubes of K-Y jelly. "I can't even imagine going through a tube a day."
"Oh, really? That sounds like a challenge to me," Kurt replies, waggling his eyebrows.
Blaine systematically takes out each item - a pair of handcuffs, a blindfold, a feather duster, and silk scarves. The last thing he takes out is a wooden box. When he opens it, he discovers four torpedo-shaped hard-rubber instruments varying in diameter. Blaine picks one up. "What do you think this is for?"
Kurt turns beet-red, and giggles. "It looks like a penis to me. I think it's for umm... You know… penetrating."
"You mean like having this fill you while your partner is busy doing other things?"
Kurt smirks. "Something like that. I can already think of one or two possibilities. We'll have to experiment sometime this week."
Blaine's cock stirs, wanting the experimentation to start right now. However, he'll wait until Kurt takes the lead, because he always loves Kurt's ideas.
"The sun is beginning to set. Why don't we sit on the veranda?" Kurt suggests.
When they go downstairs, they head to the kitchen. Kurt places glasses, plates, and cutlery on a serving tray, while Blaine retrieves the bottle of champagne and the canapés from the ice box. They make their way to the veranda, and Blaine struggles with the bottle's cork, wondering if it will ever come off. When the cork finally shoots out, he quickly pours the overflowing champagne into glasses and hands one to Kurt.
Blaine clinks his glass against Kurt's "Cheers. To us and to the beginning of the best holiday ever."
"To us, my love."
They snuggle in a wicker settee, watching the sun change colors and sink below the horizon. Blaine truly hopes that they will have the best holiday ever. It'll give Kurt a glimpse of what it could be like if they lived together. Blaine wants it so much, he can almost taste it. He prays that this week will be a success.
The next morning, Blaine puts on his new blue seersucker suit. He grabs the pink bow tie with blue polka dots and goes down the stairs to find Kurt. "Honey, could you do up my tie for me?"
Kurt's eyes open wide in surprise. "Another new suit?"
Blaine lowers his head and nods. "Perhaps I was a bit extravagant at Brooks Brothers the other week, but I want to look good for you."
"You always look good in my eyes, darling. Bold choice of pink for your bow tie, but it looks perfect."
Blaine lifts up a trouser leg. "It matches my socks."
"Only you could wear pink socks and nobody would raise an eyebrow."
"You look great, too, and the red tie is also a bold choice."
Kurt waves his hand, dismissing Blaine. "You've seen me wear this blue plaid suit oodles of times."
"But that doesn't mean that I don't like it."
"Do you have the tickets?"
Blaine nods. "Thanks for agreeing to attend the Hampton Classic Horse Show with me. It's the last day of the show jumping competition, and the socialites will be returning to Manhattan tomorrow. I promise this will be the only society event we'll attend during our holiday."
"I'm looking forward to it, too. I've never seen show jumping, or have been to a society event, at least as a guest."
"You'll fit right in, Kurt. In everyone's eyes, you're the British flying legend, and not a waiter. You can choose what to tell people."
When they arrive at the showground, they find their seats for the morning events. Blaine marvels that the riders are able to get the horses to jump over such high obstacles. Blaine can't help but miss Firebird and their long rides around the Westerville Estate. When the competitions break for lunch, Blaine and Kurt head towards the concession tent. Along the way, Blaine sees a booth for the Deep Hollow Ranch.
"That's the ranch that Uncle Hiram arranged for me to go horse riding this week. I'd like to schedule something for tomorrow. I'll meet you in the concession tent. Could you get me a glass of lemonade?"
"Certainly. I'll see you soon."
Blaine spends the next half an hour talking to the owners of the Deep Hollow Ranch. He hadn't realized that it's the oldest working ranch in America. He makes arrangements to go riding the very next morning and is looking forward to exploring the ranch's 3,000 acres.
When Blaine arrives at the concession tent, his eyes dart around to find Kurt. He soon spots him in the middle of a crowd, signing autographs. Blaine realizes that someone must have recognized Kurt as the legendary flying ace. Not wanting to interrupt Kurt's time with his fans, he grabs a lemonade and stands in the corner, appreciating Kurt's beauty and grace.
When the crowd slowly disperses, Blaine notices that there is one tall striking gentleman lingering around Kurt. Judging by the arm movements, it's obvious that this man is telling Kurt an amusing story, and Kurt doesn't take his eyes off him for a single second. The gentleman steps closer to Kurt - far too close for Blaine's liking - and cups his hand along Kurt's ear, while whispering. Kurt shyly smiles before looking down and fluttering his eyelashes. When Kurt looks up, he can see the gentleman's eyes drop down to Kurt's lips very briefly.
Blaine has had enough of this. Don't touch him! Don't flirt with him! Don't make Kurt's cheeks glow with a blush! And certainly don't imagine what Kurt's lips taste like! Kurt is mine! Mine! Mine!
Blaine strides over to Kurt with purpose, and when Kurt sees him, his face lights up. "I was wondering where you got to. Let me introduce you to Lieutenant Elliott Gilbert of the US Army Air Service. He was also a pilot during the Great War. Elliott, this is Sir Blaine Anderson, a dear old friend from England. We're both from the west country, and we've known each other for simply ages."
Dear old friend? It makes me sound like a schoolboy chum…. Practically a dinosaur.
Lieutenant Gilbert steps forward and holds out his hand to shake. "How do you do, Sir Anderson? Kurt and I were just chatting about the 1918 Spring Offensive."
"Are you a flying ace, too?" Blaine asks. He knows that this Gilbert isn't one - the Yanks only had two - but he wants the Lieutenant to admit that he's not as celebrated as Kurt.
"I'm afraid not. Our planes were second rate, almost obsolete, compared to the ones in the Royal Flying Corps. I would have done anything to fly a British Airco plane."
"Believe me, Elliott, they weren't without their problems. I left the warfront at the end of 1916, and so many improvements to aeroplanes have been made since then."
"Aeroplanes? The way you say that with your English accent is so charming. I could listen to you all day," Lieutenant Gilbert replies.
Blaine rolls his eyes. If he has anything to do with it, Gilbert won't be listening to his Kurt at all.
"I'm stationed nearby at Mitchel Field, and we have a de Havilland DH-5 fighter that has recently been rebuilt by Boeing. You should come visit and have a spin in it."
Kurt's eyes open wide in surprise. "The Air Service would allow me to fly one of its aeroplanes?"
Elliott touches Kurt's shoulder. "We'd be honored to see a British ace fly one of our planes. Here's my card. Telephone me the next time you're available to join me at the airfield. I'll introduce you to the other guys. They'd love to chew the fat with you at the adjoining flying club afterwards."
"Thank you! I'd love to come one day and visit the US Air Service. I'll let you know when my next day off is."
Blaine has had enough of this Gilbert bloke, who is taking such an interest in Kurt. While Blaine wants to encourage Kurt to make new friends and pursue things he enjoys, he doesn't trust Lieutenant Gilbert as far as he can throw him. Blaine not so subtly coughs to get Kurt's attention. "I believe that the final competitions are about to start."
"Yes, of course, we should be off. I'll be sure to contact you very soon, Lieutenant Gilbert."
"I look forward to that very much," the Lieutenant replies, with a wink.
As they walk toward the tent's exit, Blaine looks over his shoulder, and is shocked to see Lieutenant Gilbert staring at Kurt's buttocks. He gives the angriest glare he can muster because nobody, but nobody, will take Kurt away from him.
Author's notes
Want to see a photos of picnic items and outfits worn in this chapter? Go check out my chapter announcement on Tumblr (assessable from the Big Apple Master Post on my Tumblr page - HKVoyage).
Many thanks to my fantastic betas - Fearlessly, Lilyvandersteen, Dblmalfunction. I made the last-minute edits and performed the final proofreading by myself, so all mistakes are mine.
I'm HKVoyage on Tumblr.
Next up: Blaine decides what to do about the upcoming war crime trials, and Kurt decides what to do with certain items in LeRoy's birthday box.