Kurt felt dumb. For some reason when he was getting ready this morning, he had decided on an outfit that he would usually save for a night clubbing. Not a Wednesday morning at a quaint coffee shop. If he was being honest with himself (Which he was trying really hard not to be), he was hoping Blaine would come in and see him like this.
He only briefly mentioned his pants yesterday. They were purposefully ten times tighter than any other pants the singer had worn to the coffee shop. It was Kurt's turn to show himself off. He had even forgone the usual apron to make sure all his parts were visible.
His face flushed when he thought of how stupid he was for doing this. Blaine probably just used that playful banter with everyone. He was a rockstar and he was well known for his charisma. Every interview, performance, and interaction Kurt had ever witnessed of Blaine's just showed him oozing charm.
The line went by. It was well past Blaine's usual time to come when Kurt realized he probably wouldn't show up. Maybe yesterday was too much. Maybe it stopped being playful for him when he realized I probably have a crush on him and now he's never going to come back.
Kurt went about his shift sad to have wasted such a good outfit. It was nearly noon. He was turned around and prepping for the lunch rush when a familiar voice spoke from behind him.
"Now that's just not fair." Kurt slipped on a puddle of spilled milk as he turned around, nearly crashing into the register. He steadied himself with only a slight amount of embarrassment as he looked up at Blaine.
"What's not fair?" He asked trying to go back to the uninterested persona he usually put on for the man. A way to distance himself from the overwhelming amount of butterflies that appeared in his stomach when he looked at the crooked smile of the rockstar.
"When I wear skinny jeans sure they look good. But when you do…" Blaine just let out an exhale by way of a compliment.
"Uh." Kurt for once didn't have a quip or comeback in mind. He had just been complimented by Blaine Anderson.
"When I put your number in my phone should I just put 'blank stare' or would you prefer Kurt?"
Kurt shook out of his astonished gaze. "Who said you're getting my number?"
"Is there a particular reason you won't give it to me?"
"Yes. In fact." Kurt busied himself with straightening lids and wiping down the pumps. "I only talk to people who show up on time."
Blaine laughed. He would never get away from getting yelled at for being late. "Sorry. If I would have known you would look like that, I would have woken up earlier."
Kurt just stuck his nose up. "Another medium drip, I presume?"
"You remembered my drink order." Blaine smiled.
"You didn't answer the question."
Blaine nervously scuffed his loafers on the ground. "Actually no. It's around lunch time, I was hoping that maybe you would be on break soon."
"You want someone else to make your medium drip?"
"You are impossible. You know that?" Blaine chuckled and Kurt held his face still. He was going to give this man resting bitch face until he proved himself worthy of Kurt's interest.
"I don't get a break. The next shift comes in in one hour. If you want to wait that long, I suppose I could make time for one coffee."
"No cupcakes?"
"I figured you didn't like my cupcakes since you gave both of them away last time." Kurt gave him a knowing smile before turning back to work. "One hour, Katy Perry." He said over his shoulder.
"You're on." Blaine made his way over to the table in the far corner. Away from the windows and with very little light. He figured though it was dead now, lunch would bring in a large crowd and now was not the time to get recognized.
He watched Kurt for a while. The way he effortlessly moved about the shop. Cleaning, straightening, chatting with the few customers that were there. He looked like he owned the place. Wait, did he own the place?
Blaine thought about it for a few minutes before distracting himself with his social media. These were things he could ask Kurt on their date. Their few minutes of drinking coffee together. He corrected.
He logged onto Twitter and opened his direct messages. There were nearly 100 from this morning alone. Most of them were young fangirls drooling over him. No matter how much he told the press that he was 100% undoubtedly gay he was pretty sure there would always be a bunch of teenage girls with the hopes that there was some tiny part of him that wanted to give heterosexuality a try. He shuddered as he remembered his brief encounter with that same thought.
The memory reminded him, and he opened his messages and scrolled down to his best friend, Rachel Berry.
Blaine: How's Broadway, baby? See what I did there? You remember our duet? ;)
Rachel: Blaine Anderson, if you think you can make stupid jokes to keep from having to explain yourself then you are in for a treat. What is going on with you?
Blaine: I told you Seb was trying out a new image for marketing. What's wrong?
Rachel: Well if the tabloids are correct, and the picture evidence is shockingly pretty clear, it looks like you had a great time last night.
Blaine: We just went to a few bars, it was no big deal. I was just being a part of the nightlife.
Rachel: Blaine Devon Anderson there is a picture of you vomiting on a bouncer outside of a drag bar. Seems like kind of a big deal.
Blaine: It was the food.
Rachel: Blaine. I know you and I know you can't hold your liquor. Case and point that time you made out with me during spin the bottle then thought you might be straight for a week after.
Blaine: It was only a week then I realized I'm definitely gay.
Rachel: Yeah thanks again for that experience. Also, it took you being sober to realize it.
Blaine: Rachel. I'm fine. I can handle myself.
Rachel: I just don't want you turning yourself into something you're not for fame.
Blaine: You know it was never about fame.
Blaine snorted angrily, closing out of the message and going back to the internet. He scanned through some of the pictures and articles. He had made a big splash last night. (Unfortunately, that was one of the headlines above a picture of him vomiting). Rachel's name kept popping up with new messages, but he didn't read any of them.
Who did she think she was judging him for this? She would literally cut off an arm and a leg if it meant she would get the leading role in a musical. He was just testing out a new image to get his soon to be released album to the top of the charts. Right?
His phone buzzed and he picked it up without looking.
"I don't want to hear it Rachel." He growled.
"Not that bitch again. Anyway, why would you pick up if you didn't want to hear it?"
"Sebastian. Why are you calling?" Blaine moaned. Sebastian was the one who had convinced him to go out last night. The man's very voice reminded him of the dull pounding and queasiness in the back of his head.
"Blaine! You beautiful bastard. You're all over the media. People are in a frenzy. They are interested in you now. You went to a gay bar, got absolutely obliterated, then threw up all over the place after they refused to keep serving you." Blaine looked up at Kurt, worried that he would be able to hear Sebastian. He quickly scooted out of the seat and ran through the door. Kurt watched him go with a disappointed look on his face. But it didn't last long before he went back to discussing a potential renovation with an old man.
Sebastian kept telling Blaine what had happened last night and how excited he was about it. "I mean you need to learn to hold your liquor but keep this up, add a few bar fights with burly straight men, and you're set. Your album will be everywhere. We will have hit every single market."
"Except my own, Sebastian. I can't keep doing that."
"What do you mean? You went out one night. I gave you the day off today because you must have a mad hangover and I thought you deserved a congratulations on a job well done."
"I won't be able to make it into the studio to finish recording if I keep going out. I think I actually almost died last night."
"Yet. You still seem okay enough to leave your penthouse. I can hear the cars and foot traffic you idiot." Sebastian went silent for a minute. "Are you at that stupid coffee shop again. Blaine you nee—"
"I gotta go, Seb." Blaine nearly shouted as he cut his manager off and hung up. He took a deep breath, adjusted his beanie, and went back inside.
He was right about things picking up. It was about one o'clock and the place was crammed full. He must have been on the phone longer than he thought. The population of the small coffee shop had increased by at least 25 people. All impatiently waiting for their coffee and snacks.
Blaine looked at Kurt who was running around. He was exasperated, and Blaine could tell he needed help. Was there not a second barista around? He had never seen this many people in the shop before, even on the busiest of mornings. He had a flicker of a thought and he knew he would regret it if he acted on it. But, he couldn't stand by and watch those beautiful eyes strain themselves over a crowd of impatient assholes.
Blaine tucked his phone in his pocket and strode through the swinging doors.
"Hey boss. What do you need me to do?" He gave Kurt the best smile he could.
Kurt stood stock still staring at him for a few moments in disbelief before looking over at the line of angry customers.
"Uh register." He tossed an apron toward Blaine who grinned and walked over to the register.
"Hi, what can I get you?" He asked with his usual charm.
"I need a large skinny mocha latte with extra whip, a pump of vanilla, and a caramel drizzle."
"Okay." Blaine said nervously. Staring down at the hieroglyphics on the screen. He pressed what looked like the right buttons. "Your name."
The lady glared at him like he should have known through osmosis.
"It's Cassandra." She said bitterly. "Alright Cassandra we will have that right up for you."
"Sure you will." She muttered under her breath and Blaine gulped. This was not as easy as it looked.
A man folded his arms in front of Blaine and glared at him. Blaine felt Kurt brush past him and had a brief burst of motivation.
"What can we do for you today, sir?" He figured the best way to get through was to put on his best fake smile. The smile he wore for the label executives not the genuine one he wore for his fans.
"It's Chris and I want my usual."
"Which is?" Blaine raised his eyebrows. He felt Kurt reach around him and press a few of the buttons on the register. His arm was right up against Blaine's and Blaine's heart beat out of his chest.
"Got ya, Chris." Kurt said before turning around. "Write Chris on a medium cup, Tony."
Blaine was all sorts of confused by what had just happened, but he did as told, and collected payment from Chris as well as a halfhearted couple of cents in the tip jar.
"Thank you so much." Blaine said with the smallest amount of sarcasm. "Next." He found himself shouting. He had been working in the food industry for approximately four minutes and he already completely understood.
The course of an hour progressed in this way. Blaine would take the orders. Sometimes he grabbed the customer a treat out of the bake case if he felt competent. Kurt swooshed past him making drinks and finding time to talk with customers that were regulars. Asking them how their important meetings had gone. Helping Blaine figure out what to him still seemed like terrifying space technology.
Blaine was sweating by the time the line had stopped and Kurt had made the last drink.
"Holy shit."
"Yeah." Kurt said taking a breath of his own and leaning against the counter.
"Your shirt is ruined. That was Armani, what a shame."
"I deserve it for breaking my one rule."
"Which is?" Blaine leaned in.
"Not wearing anything that came from a collection to work." Blaine laughed at his own ruined shoes. Luckily, he had had a pretty crappy morning, so he was only wearing Fendi and not one of his favorite pairs of handcrafted Italian oxfords.
"Thank you by the way." Kurt said quietly after they were finished chuckling. "I don't know why you helped, and even my best friend isn't allowed behind the doors. But thank you."
Blaine just smiled at him. He didn't want to try and explain himself.
Suddenly a girl came crashing through the doors. Throwing her hair up in a ponytail while the ties of her apron hung loose beside her.
"Kitty, you're late."
"Sorry boss. New guy?" She gestured at Blaine who had just begun untying his apron.
"No." Kurt responded simply. Kitty just looked Blaine up and down confused.
Blaine handed Kurt the apron back. "So, does that mean the hour is up? Do I get the one coffee now?" He said it hopefully. His hand brushed Kurt's while he took the apron and tossed it through the doors to the storage closet.
"Actually, I have a better idea." He slid open the bake case and removed two cupcakes.
"Kitty the fresh batch is in the oven. Don't forget to take them out. I don't want a repeat of last time."
"It wasn't my fault I was in a heated argument and didn't hear it go off!"
"Kitty. I swear." Kurt murmured as he pulled Blaine out from behind the counter. Instead of taking him toward a table he turned down a hallway Blaine had never seen before. He pushed the cupcakes into Blaine's hands and turned to a door. He unlocked it and led them to a hidden staircase."
"Where are we going."
"You'll see."
Kurt led him up the stairs to a big sliding door. He unlocked this one as well and gestured for Blaine to walk in.
"Wow." Was all Blaine could say. It wasn't that the sight before him was grand and beautiful, it was just that he was genuinely surprised to be there. In Kurt's home, which was apparently right above the coffee shop. "So, I guess you do own it."
"Opened it about two years ago."
Blaine looked around. It was essentially just one big room that had added dividers to give it privacy in some areas. The furniture was mix and matched but in a seemingly purposeful way. It was much better and way more cozy looking than the furniture Blaine had allowed Sebastian to pick for his apartment. He hadn't cared about how much of his life Sebastian controlled until now, seeing this memory filled, homey apartment in Brooklyn.
Blaine had a lot of questions, but he started with the one forefront in his mind. "Why did you bring me up here?"
"Why did you help me through the rush?" Kurt countered, and Blaine took this as a reasonable answer.
"But you don't even know me."
"I know more than you think." Kurt flirted, taking the cupcakes from Blaine and placing them on the table.
"Like my name?" Blaine laughed. "You don't know my actual name."
"So you're saying it's not Tony?" Kurt asked in mock astonishment.
"No it's Bl—"
"Blaine." Kurt cut in. "Blaine Anderson. And I brought you up here because I figured you really didn't want to be noticed sitting in my coffee shop. I'm still surprised you took orders from an entire line of people without anyone recognizing you."
"And I am permanently traumatized by that experience." Blaine laughed. "How long have you known?"
"Since the first day you came in."
"You didn't say anything?" Blaine took the seat that Kurt offered him.
He pushed a cupcake toward a confused Blaine as he dug into his own. "Wearing a beanie and glasses, getting coffee in Bushwick. I kind of figured you would prefer to be left alone."
"So you're not a fan then?" Kurt got silent and Blaine watched a blush creep all the way from his neck up his face.
"Actually."
"Am I in the presence of a fanboy?" Blaine put his hand over his heart.
"I may or may not have downloaded a few of your songs."
"Illegally?" Blaine pressed. Kurt went silent again. "Tsk Tsk Shame on you."
"You get a free cupcake we will call it even." Blaine laughed, he was well aware of the amount of people that downloaded his music. He was never in it for the money though as long as there was always enough to pay the people that produced it, he would be fine.
"So, what's your favorite?"
"Favorite what?" Kurt seemed to have moved on.
"Favorite song." Blaine urged.
"You're pretty self-obsessed." Kurt scoffed going back to eating his cupcake.
"I didn't mean it like that. I was just curious, it's always cool to know. I'm sorry, we can talk about something else." Blaine let his eyes fall to the table. He was already messing up with the boy he spent so long trying to get this moment with.
"Blaine, I'm just messing with you." It was Blaine's turn to blush. He rarely had a chance to talk to someone like this. It was either constant squealing and screeching or people bossing him around.
"Not Alone." Kurt added quietly. Blaine smiled, it was secretly his favorite too. It was the one song that he felt with every part of his being. His other songs had words but that one had soul.
"What's your last name Kurt?"
"Hummel." Kurt was nearly done with his cupcake already. Blaine assumed this was the only thing he had eaten since this morning and felt bad for cutting into his time. "But if we are getting to know each other it is best done over coffee. Do you take it black?" Kurt asked as he headed toward his own personal coffee pot.
Blaine stifled a giggle imagining the joke Sebastian would make if he were here. "Yeah that's fine."
Kurt put a mug of coffee in front of Blaine just a few seconds later. He picked it up and examined it. "The largest basket?"
"Yeah it's from Ohio."
"Oh cool. I'm from Ohio. Are you from there too?"
"Yep." Kurt was smiling.
"Where in Ohio."
"Lima. Hence the Lima Bean."
"I didn't even think of that. Lima is actually just a few minutes away from my home town and where I went to school."
"Yeah." Kurt was still smiling.
"Why do I feel like you know something I don't?"
"We actually competed against each other in show choir. A bunch of times."
"I don't remember you at all what choir were you with?"
"The New Directions."
"Wait. The New Directions?"
"Yeah. I was in the same choir as your best friend from NYADA."
"We never met though right? I don't think I could ever have forgotten you."
"No, we didn't meet then." Kurt smiled, the compliment hadn't gone unnoticed.
"You're telling me that Rachel freaking Berry has known you all this time and never wanted to mention this super cute friend of hers she has from high school."
"Count your blessings because I never hear the end of it about you." Kurt smiled at Blaine who sheepishly looked away, Rachel liked to brag, he was aware. "Speaking of which. I hear you are a great kisser and that apparently your face tastes awesome."
Blaine choked on the coffee he was sipping. That was the last thing he expected Kurt to say. He was also a little angry at Rachel for bringing that awkward time up to anybody.
"I was drunk, it was dumb."
"That seems to be a pattern."
It occurred to Blaine that if Kurt had known all this time he would have seen all the stories from the past few days. All the stupid shit Sebastian was putting him up to. He hated having to do it. But somehow knowing he was disappointing this near stranger made it a hundred times worse.
"Kurt. I like you. You are down to earth, funny, and absolutely stunning. I don't think it's any surprise why I come all the way from Manhattan every morning to get the same drink that is usually cold by the time I get to the studio anyway. But I am at a really weird point in my career right now."
"You don't have to explain yourself to me." Kurt shrugged.
"But I feel like I do." Blaine scooted to the edge of his chair, so he was closer to Kurt, who had his feet pulled up on his, with the mug rested on his knee.
"Why is that?"
"Kurt, I want to spend time with you, but I don't want to drag you into this shit hole of a world I live in."
"Shithole of a world? You're Blaine Anderson. You're a rockstar. You've seen how my job is, if you want shithole you've got it down there."
"But you're in charge."
"Guys can be divas too, Blaine." Kurt added jokingly.
"No, I'm serious I can make demands all I want but I am controlled by my manager, my PR director, and the CEO of my record label. I don't have any say."
"And they told you to throw up on the bouncer of a gay bar."
"No but they were the ones pouring the shots."
"As opposed to calling them? That was clever." Kurt smiled, and it made Blaine's heart melt. He always made subtle jokes like these and no one ever truly appreciated them.
"I'm just saying I would like to get to know you better. Not just stalking you in your place of employment. But I don't want to drag you straight into the crazy."
Kurt looked at a point far away, he was biting his lip and had his brow furrowed in concentration.
"I will give you an answer. But first can you do something for me?" He was still looking far away.
"Of course." Blaine followed Kurt's stare to the other side of the room, where a keyboard and a few guitars were set against the wall. "Oh, I see how it is."
"Like I could ever afford one of your concerts. But that's not why."
"Then why?"
"I want to see if you're really the person I think you are." Kurt reached a hand out and poked Blaine's chest. "The person that's in there. Not just the performer, but the man."
Blaine smiled and pushed his chair out from the table. He offered a hand to help Kurt up, which he gladly took. Blaine led him to one side of the piano bench then took a seat on the other. He smiled over at Kurt once before beginning to press the keys.
I've been alone. Surrounded by darkness. And I've seen how heartless the world can be.
Kurt sucked a breath in. He knew Blaine was good, he had heard him before. But you always wondered with studio records if there was editing involved. This was unedited Blaine Anderson and it was amazing. His voice fluctuated perfectly and there was a low groan that seemed to happen with every lyric. Like he was biting back tears as he sang.
Kurt turned so he could watch Blaine full on. This is not the man in the picture last night. Is he crying? It makes it better that he's crying. Kurt's stomach was squeezing itself in knots.
Blaine chanced a glance over at Kurt as he sang. With Kurt this close he was suddenly more aware of how throaty it all sounded. Oh God I'm still hungover I sound awful. Am I tearing up? Kurt's going to hate this whole thing. I've just ruined his favorite song. Don't meet your heroes, kids.
Baby you're not alone. Cuz you're here with me. And nothings ever gonna bring us down cuz nothing can keep me from loving you. And you know it's true. It don't matter what will come to be. Our love is all we need to make it through.
Blaine let everything fade out and he hung his head for a moment after to compose himself. As he stared down at his thighs trying to keep himself from crying, he felt a hand on the back of his neck. Kurt's fingers massaged it for a brief moment, before he stood and walked away.
I ruined everything. Blaine realized. He prepared himself for Kurt to kick him out the door. A minute later Kurt's footsteps were back, and he plopped back down on the piano bench with his back towards the keyboard. He set a card down on Blaine's lap. It was his business card with his cell phone number handwritten on it.
Blaine finally lifted his head to look into Kurt's eyes which were slightly glossed from the song.
"I'm not ready for crazy. But I suppose you shouldn't have to treck all the way to Brooklyn to talk to me." Kurt grinned, and Blaine debated pulling him into a hug. He knew he shouldn't, but he remembered what the homeless man had told him.
He inched closer on the bench and opened his arms. He nodded at Kurt to see if it was okay and Kurt nodded back. Blaine wrapped his arms slowly around him. He wanted to relish every moment he could holding Kurt. It was a climb to get here and he wanted the satisfaction of victory to last.
They held each other for a few minutes. The hug getting tighter as it progressed.
"Thank you. For the song. I really needed that."
"So did I." Blaine whispered back. "I should go."
They regretfully pulled apart from each other. They passed on some small talk as Blaine helped Kurt put the plates and mugs in the sink. Kurt walked Blaine down to the door that went straight to the sidewalk. He hurried up the stairs and watched Blaine walk away from his window.
"I need to call Mercedes."