CHAPTER 34
Kurt examined himself critically in the mirror for the 15th time and finally gave up. Blaine wouldn't budge on keeping their destination a secret, so he had no idea where they were going on their date this evening. He'd just have to be surprised. He hated surprises. Spraying his hair once more, he headed for the living room just in time to hear the knock at the door. Suddenly his nerves kicked in and he felt sort of sick to his stomach.
"Get ahold of yourself, Kurt, it's not like he's a stranger!" he chided himself quietly.
Pulling the door open, he found Blaine on the other side smiling widely, his hands held behind his back.
"Yes, Kurt, by all means, get ahold of yourself!" he teased Kurt with a big grin. Clearly not quiet enough, Kurt! Kurt blushed and dropped his eyes but Blaine raised his chin with a finger and smiled at him, lovingly.
"YOU look amazing!" he said, full of pride that Kurt would be on his arm tonight. "And I knew you would, so I um…I brought you…these." Blaine said, bringing his arms out and handing Kurt a huge bunch of flowers. Kurt was stunned. Nobody had ever brought him flowers, and he wasn't sure what to say other than 'thank you'. He was kind of shocked, but in a good way.
"Blaine! Oh my…oh my goodness! These are beautiful!" he exclaimed, examining the bouquet quickly, then with a little more intensity. Suddenly he was drawn to every flower in the bunch, taking it in, cataloging, and smiling. Blaine knew he'd done well.
"I know it's not your...um…typical flower arrangement, but I had a message I wanted to convey, and a little help from my mom on ….well….I can see that you already know." He grinned hugely as Kurt stared at the flowers as if he were going to break into tears of joy any moment. "Wanna put them in water or…?" Blaine prompted.
"Huh? OH! Yes…absolutely! I was….they're…amazing…really amazing, Blaine. Thank you…so much!" Kurt said, adding them to the vase he'd filled with room temperature water. He then pulled out his phone and took a picture of them, turned the vase and took another picture. Blaine wasn't sure why that struck him as odd.
"There's one I don't know…yet…but I will. By night's end, I'll know the reason for it." He smiled widely at Blaine.
"Which one?" Blaine asked, curiously. He didn't want his message to be missed.
"The white heather. I've seen purple heather, but not the white, and it's gorgeous…but I don't know what it means, yet. I'll find out!" Kurt said playfully and winked at Blaine.
"So you know the others?"
"Absolutely. Red asters for patience and drama. Daffodils for joy and new beginnings. Delphinium for boldness, fun and levity. Pink Hyacinth for sincerity and playfulness. Queen Anne's lace for sanctuary and haven. And yellow Ranunculus for…." He blushed and paused. "Ahem….moving on…you're too kind…"
"I'm duly impressed, Kurt!" Blaine grinned at him. "I hope none of them are…too much?"
"No….Not at all, Blaine, thank you. They're…amazing. And you're not so bad yourself." He smiled a shy smile at Blaine and blushed again.
"Well then, shall we, Mr. Hummel?"
"You're not going to tell me where we're going, are you?" Kurt asked for the 100th time.
"Nope, not until we get there, but I think it'll be pretty apparent by then since we'll probably get out of the cab at the door, ya know?" Blaine teased.
"Ok, then, lead on good sir! Oh….and Blaine….you look….just…wow. You clean up nicely." He smirked at Blaine, laughing.
Blaine held out his arm and Kurt took it, turning only to close and lock the door. A cab was waiting at the curb and off they went. The ride was actually pleasant, which wasn't something most anyone would ever say about a New York City cab ride. Perhaps, Kurt thought, it had everything to do with whom one was sharing a cab? He glanced over at Blaine and watched his face as he looked out the window on the opposite side of the car. God his profile is stunning….beautiful eyes, like golden honey one minute and beautiful mossy green mixed in the next. I think I could run my fingers through those amazing waves forever and not get sick of it. So soft…..that pulse point, right there, below his ear would be the perfect place to….
"Or not…." Blaine laughed.
"Huh?" Kurt said, snapping out of his revelry.
"I said, we're here, we should probably get out of the car at some point." Blaine laughed. He knew Kurt was staring…studying…and he was blushing, but he didn't care. They stepped out of the cab and Blaine paid the driver, much to Kurt's chagrin. "I believe, Mr. Hummel, that I requested your company for the evening, therefore, it's my treat." He laughed as Kurt huffed.
"Ok, where to?" Kurt asked on the sidewalk.
"Here…we're….um….here. Is that ok?" Blaine said.
"Very funny, Blaine. This is Aria's. You'd have had to make reservations back when you were in college to get us in. So where to, goofball!"
"I..um….well, when I was in college, this place wasn't open, however, there's this girl I met…" he began...
"Do NOT start our date by telling me that you were with a girl…." Kurt warned, grinning.
"NO! No…." Blaine snickered. "Let me start again. There's this GUY I know, Zayne, because he went to college with Cooper, my brother. Actually, Coop sort of adopted him since he didn't have any family even remotely close by. They're still really good friends, actually, and….well….I met Zayne's wife at their wedding years ago. She and I have remained friends as well. She's a sweetheart, really, and she said if I ever wanted an absolutely fabulous meal, I should come here…and I really wanted to go somewhere special tonight…so here we are?" he said, unsure.
"And this woman, how does she plan to get us in here?" Kurt laughed.
"Um….I suppose we could ask for her by name at the desk and see if they know her?" Blaine said uncertainly.
Kurt took a deep breath and figured he'd play along. Shaking his head and smiling at Blaine he motioned them toward the door, hoping this waitress or dishwasher or whatever knew what she was doing. He feared this would end badly and he didn't want Blaine to be embarrassed when they were told there was no way they'd get a table tonight. But, with his best air of regality, he followed Blaine inside prepared for the worst.
"Good evening, sir, how can I help you?" the maître de asked them formally.
"Two, for Anderson, please." Blaine said, simply. The man glanced down at the book in front of him skeptically.
"One minute, sir." The man said, and disappeared into the hallway behind him.
"Ok, Blaine, really, even McDonald's is ok, can we just…."
"BLAINE!" came a woman's high pitched squeal from the hallway. A short, dark haired woman with a thick accent came barreling down the hallway and engulfed Blaine in a hug, nearly knocking him over. Her surprise and elation at seeing him was no secret to anyone in the restaurant and she was making quite the scene. Dear God, who is this woman and why is she accosting my date at such a high volume?
"I'm so glad you came to see us!" she squealed again. "Come in, come in!" she said, grabbing his arm and leading him away.
"Oh! Wait…this is….this is my date for the evening, Kurt Hummel." Blaine said, finally able to breathe when the woman had let him out of the choking hug.
"It's a joy to meet you, Kurt! And welcome, anytime, really. A friend of the Anderson boys is always welcome here!" she said, hugging Kurt just as tightly. He enjoyed the way she rolled her r's when she said his name, like a purr. Kurrrrrrrt. He smiled.
"Kurt," Blaine began, giving him a silly grin, "This is my friend Aria." Before Kurt could be astounded or say a word a devastatingly handsome man came up behind Blaine, wrapped his arms around him and nearly picked him up from the ground in a bear hug.
"Blainey!" he almost shouted.
"Zayne….." Blaine wheezed out, still trying to breathe. "Need air, Zayne…." He said sarcastically.
The man all but dropped him but didn't remove his arms.
"Kurt….Zayne…Zayne…Kurt…" Blaine introduced them, rubbing his arms from having been accosted twice in as many minutes. They had drawn the attention of nearly every eye in the restaurant by now and Kurt was sure he was going to melt into the floor. He was not at all one to enjoy being on display….not anymore, anyway.
"Come, come…only the best table in the house for you and your guest, Blaine. Kurt I'm so glad you were able to come tonight. I hope you'll accept our invitation to come back any time. We'll find room, don't you worry. Just tell whoever is at the door to come find me!" Aria said, smiling widely.
"That's very kind of you, thank you." Kurt said, surprised. This was not a place you just 'showed up at' randomly and expected to even get in the door. "Although I fear I may start a riot if I did that!" he grinned.
"Oh pooh! You're practically family now that you're with Blaine!" she crowed. Kurt's eyes widened at the phrase "with Blaine" and Blaine didn't miss it. He bit his bottom lip to keep from smiling too widely and tried to hide his grin.
"Ok! You boys look over the menu…I'll get you whatever you want, even if it's not on there. Just tell me what you want, ok?" she said animatedly. "I'll be right back!" Aria said, prancing away.
Blaine pretended to be studying the menu, but he was smirking and Kurt knew it. Kurt was staring at him, smiling, waiting for him to look up, and Blaine was well aware of it. He kept his eyes down.
"Ok, you! You had me all worried on purpose! I'm pretty good at paybacks, Blaine, so you better be on your toes now!" he laughed.
"I'm duly worried, then, if it makes you feel any better. I just knew that if I'd told you we were coming here you would have completely freaked out about what to wear, when in reality, you could have slipped a Hefty bag over your head and been just as stunning as if you'd donned an Armani." Blaine said, every word dripping with sincerity. "Case in point, you look amazing this evening."
"Th-Thank you…" Kurt began, but his emotions started to choke him up a little. He took a drink from the water glass on the table and went back to looking over the menu. Every single thing sounded unbelievably amazing and he was having trouble choosing one dish. "What are you getting?" he asked Blaine.
"Not sure. I really thought I wanted a good steak, but they have really great grilled salmon that Cooper raves about. I don't know. What about you?"
"Well, I was thinking of a steak too, but if the Salmon is that good, then maybe I should try it?"
"How about I'll get the steak and you get the salmon and we'll share?" Blaine said, matter of factly.
"Um….o..ok." Kurt grinned, images of Lady and the Tramp flitting through his mind. Just then Aria breezed back in and set a bottle of wine down on their table as if asking for their permission.
"Can I interest you, boys?" she teased.
"Erm…Ari…a glass of iced tea or soda…or….." Blaine stuttered out. Kurt caught a glance at the bottle and nearly spilled his water. She was offering them a bottle of wine that was probably worth more than Kurt's Navigator back home. His eyes were as big as saucers. He did a barely-there head shake at Blaine and prayed to God that he would refuse it outright. Not that it wouldn't probably be like the nectar of the gods, but he was sure he didn't want Blaine to have to pay for that!
"Honey, it's opened already. Have a glass…on me." She smiled, and poured both of them a taste. Kurt's eyes couldn't have gotten any bigger and he was trying to maintain his air of calm. Blaine picked up the glass and swirled it, smelling it briefly, then took a sip. He held the drink in his mouth for a moment, swallowed, paused, then his mouth dropped open and he let out a barely audible moan of pleasure that shot straight to Kurt's groin. A shiver shot through him, head to toe. Blaine raised the glass and took another swig, again swirling it around in his mouth a moment before swallowing and he closed his eyes, humming in appreciation. Kurt was breathless.
"Ari, that's…that's the best thing I've ever tasted. Wow…thank you! Do you like it, Kurt?" he asked.
Kurt was still mesmerized by Blaine's complete and utter joy at what had passed over his lips. He was afraid to open his mouth for fear of what would come tumbling out. At this point he might vow his undying love or something equally as embarrassing! So, instead, he took a sip of the wine. And holy cow, was it good. He had a feeling, though, that one glass would be enough. He didn't want to be inebriated on his first real date with Blaine and this was clearly something he could get carried away with. It was, as he'd suspected, the nectar of the gods.
"So good…." Was all Kurt could mutter out before going back for a second drink.
"Wonderful!" Aria exclaimed, and then filled both of their glasses. Again, the tables around them were clearly wondering who this couple was seated next to them. Clearly they must be important to deserve such treatment, right? "Ok, boys, what can we make for you this evening?" she asked excitedly. They ordered quickly, handed their menus over and a smiling Aria hustled away.
"So….." Blaine said, smiling broadly at Kurt over the table.
"So…?" Kurt replied, smiling back just as much. "This is amazing, Blaine. Really, it is. Even if our dinner catches fire, they drop it on the way out and the waiter steps on it….it's already amazing."
"Of course it is, silly, you're here." Blaine smiled. Kurt blushed, and had a half-hearted thought that he'd probably be forever pink if he and Blaine ever lived together. They made small talk and observed everyone surrounding them. Kurt was highly amused at Blaine's story of how he and Cooper used to have to go to Country Club dinners with their parents. They'd argue over who hated going the most and make bets before they left to see who could go the longest without yawning. It didn't take them long to come up with something to occupy their time, though. They came up with a game, picking out someone dining nearby, and make up a story about their life. Blaine thought everyone was a secret agent and Cooper came up with the craziest scenarios that would make Blaine nearly double over laughing. Before long, they'd decided that the guy at the door was a spy and all the cooks in the kitchen were ninjas.
Being with Blaine was so easy, so uncomplicated. He was fun, playful and light-hearted, but at the same time smart, charming and grounded. He fit in here as if he was used to rubbing elbows with the rich and famous, but he didn't hesitate to goof off and play footsie with Kurt under the tablecloth. He was….he was amazing…and Kurt was falling fast.
Soon their food was set on the table before them and it looked so good they both cut into their dinner and took a bite before even considering the split they'd agreed upon.
"Good?" Blaine asked Kurt, mouth still half full.
"To die for" Kurt mumbled back, considering shoving more in before he's swallowed the previous bite. "Want some?" he managed to say around another forkful.
"Bite" Blaine said, opening his mouth like a fish and leaning over the table slightly. Kurt was momentarily confused and then realized that Blaine wanted him to feed him a bite…of his fish…from his fork….to his beautiful, soft, wet…mouth. Oh my. He raised the fork slowly and reached across the table offering it to Blaine, who took it and made those little murmuring moans Kurt was becoming so accustomed to.
"Seriously, Blaine, we can't eat together anymore." Kurt joked. "Or else we can only eat things you hate, because those little noises you make…." His hand flew to his mouth and he stopped speaking suddenly, realizing what he was about to blurt out. Damn this amazing food for addling his brain! Surely the superb wine wasn't helping either!
"Little noises? I make little noises when I eat, Kurt? What kind of little noises?" Blaine teased.
"Stop that!" Kurt hissed, giggling. He was blushing again.
Blaine took another bite of his steak and let his eyes roll back in his head, moaning softly at the delectable tenderness and flavor of the beef. He slid his tongue out and licked his lips and Kurt nearly fell off of his chair. He was getting light headed and he shivered visibly.
"Nope, I love the pink in your cheeks. Makes you even more beautiful…" Blaine began. "Holy hell, what is IN this wine?" he said, looking pseudo mortified, his eyes wide. Kurt was bubbling over with happiness. He didn't mind at all. At least they were both blurting out crazy things. He could think of a few more things he wouldn't mind hearing from Blaine, but the night was still young.
"So, Kurt, what is it that you do in our fair city?" Aria asked, magically appearing at their table once more. Oh God, how long had she been standing there?
"I…I'm uh…" he stuttered out, still a little shaken by the visions he was seeing of Blaine with those noises as background music. "I'm in fashion. Wow, it feels odd to say it outloud, but I'm a fashion designer." He smiled.
"Oh? So you wouldn't mind giving me a few hints and tips, then?" she grinned.
"Not at all." He said, giving her a good once-over. "However, I don't see that you have any problems on your own. That gown is truly splendid! Maybe, though, when the loft and the offices are finished you'll have to come by and look around. Perhaps designing a drop dead gorgeous dress for such a stunning lady would be good for my reputation, do you think?" he teased Aria.
"What? For me? You'd design something just for me?" she squealed. "Ok, I have a TON of clothes, and Zayne will tell you I'm not exaggerating, but to have an original? How fab would THAT be? And if it's just for me, it wouldn't have to be hemmed to within an inch of its life, either, like everything else I own! The pitfalls of being vertically challenged, I suppose." She laughed.
"It would be my honor to do it, if you'd let me. In fact, it'll be awhile before the loft and the offices are finished. Why don't you visit me and we'll pick something out…design an Aria original? I think it'll be great fun!" Kurt said with such enthusiasm that Blaine was just lighting up the place with his smile. Kurt was stunning. He was amazing, and adorable, and just plain perfect. The simple fact that he was sitting here on a date with him, plain old Blaine Anderson, well, it was too good to be true. Blaine didn't feel worthy.
"Blaine, I like this guy. You'll have to bring him around more often, do you hear me? Don't disappoint me. I miss seeing you! Although I REALLY don't miss that awful bachelor pad the boys lived in through college." She said, shuddering. "I still have nightmares…." They all laughed and Blaine agreed that Cooper and Zayne's apartment was less than healthy.
"So, you've cleaned your plates like good boys. I'm assuming that the food was to your liking, then?" She asked.
"Aria, this is the finest meal I've had in ages…in a really long time. It was superb, thank you." Blaine said.
"Agreed, perfectly cooked and delicious. I'd say I'll tell everyone I know about this place, but clearly you're not having an issue filling your reservation books!" Kurt laughed.
"Oh, you can still tell them, honey." She winked at Kurt. "Did you save room for dessert?"
"Oh Lord, no!" they both said in unison.
"That being said, I think we should open this table up for someone else, so hand over the bill and we'll be out of your hair." Blaine said.
"Oh no, Blaine. No Anderson pays for a meal in MY house! You insult me!" she said, looking horrified.
"Aria, I didn't come here for a free meal, I came to introduce you to Kurt and to…." He began.
"I'll tell you what. Play for me and we'll call it even?" she grinned.
"That's NOT 'even', Ari!" he argued. "You know I'm happy to play for you whenever, but seriously…"
"No, here and now. Play for me and our guests and the meal is on me. Please, Blaine?" she asked sweetly. He hung his head and gave her a "do I HAVE to?" look, and she smiled cheekily and nudged him up toward a piano on a small, raised stage at the very back of the restaurant. "Play something I haven't heard before? Something new…don't tell me you haven't been working on anything new, Blaine!"
Blaine gave Kurt a shrug and Kurt smiled, urging him to go up and play. "Go ahead….I'd like to hear something as well, and as your date, I'm asking nicely." Kurt grinned at him. Blaine muttered something about being ganged up on and stood, following Ari to the piano. She clicked on a microphone and softly spoke to the patrons of the establishment, telling them that they had a special guest with them this evening and she'd asked him to play something.
"I'm certain you'll fall in love with his voice the minute he sings, just as I did. You'll be hearing his name quite a bit in the future I think. Friends, please give a warm welcome to my dear friend, Blaine Anderson." The patrons clapped quietly and watched Blaine, waiting for the first strains of music. Blaine shouldn't be nervous. This is what he did, for crying out loud. But what had his stomach fluttering was the last minute decision to play Kurt's Song in public for the first time. He hoped Kurt wouldn't be upset.
At the last second, Kurt grabbed his phone and planned to record whatever Blaine played. He thought to send it to his dad and Carole so they could hear how amazing Blaine was. He was shocked, though, when Blaine spoke before he started to play.
"Thank you…" he said softly, playing around with a little melody on the keys. "This song kind of took over my life a little bit," he snickered. "I was sitting in a coffee shop at an ungodly early hour on a Sunday morning and suddenly, standing on the other side of a pane of glass, was the most stunning man I'd ever seen. There were no words exchanged at all, and in a matter of seconds, he was gone. I was so frustrated with myself for not having said anything to him, but I don't think, even now, that I could have moved from my chair I was so awestruck at the time. I don't know what you all believe in…whether it was the grace of God, karma, luck or the Greek Goddess of something or other, he was brought back into my life in the strangest circumstance. He helped me to finish this song, and at the time he had no idea I'd written it specifically for him. For you, Kurt…" he said, just as quietly, and began to play.
Aria glanced over at Kurt and saw that he had a rather stunned expression on his face. Clearly he hadn't expected Blaine to sing THIS song, but he was. She made her way over to the table and stood behind Kurt, her hands on his shoulders gently rubbing away the slight tension she felt there. Kurt relaxed and raised his right hand to grab her left on his shoulder. She found it completely endearing, and gave him a squeeze. She leaned down to Kurt's ear and spoke softly, but Kurt never took his eyes off of Blaine.
"He's completely enamored, you know?" she whispered.
"Oh, I don't….I don't know about that….we just…." Kurt stumbled through is whispered words.
"He is. I've known Blaine a long time…through many things that have happened in his life. I've been introduced to anyone he's been in any kind of relationship with for the past fifteen years or so. People come into your life and they occupy a place there. You….you, Kurt, I can see that you already occupy a place in his heart, not just his life or his apartment building." She smiled.
"I…I'm…." Kurt began, but couldn't make words leave his mouth. He was rather surprised…maybe even stunned, at the words Aria had spoken. He wondered if Blaine would be upset that she'd said such a thing. He wondered even more if her words were true. Was he that head over heels for Blaine? It had been but a few days, not even a full week yet, but the thought of Blaine not in his life was depressing. He knew there were a lot of things he needed to focus on in order to have a normal, healthy relationship with this amazing man, but what he didn't know was if he was strong enough to do it. Yet. He knew he wanted to try, though….that Blaine would be worth it.
Kurt sat there, listening to the soft, velvety sound of Blaine's voice. He caught other diners looking his way, some smiling, some unsure of what they saw and how they should feel about it. None of it bothered him in the least, for once. It was as if the only two people in the room were Blaine and himself. It was mesmerizing listening to him play….hearing words that the man had admittedly put together with only Kurt in mind. His heart warmed and he smirked, thinking of all the times he'd heard Blaine play the song, sing the words, and Kurt had no idea they were all for him. He'd fallen for a man he'd never seen based solely on the song he heard through the walls and windows. And wasn't that just something.
He felt Aria squeeze his shoulder again in reassurance and then she leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheek, saying "I'll leave you to figure out how you're feeling about him. Without a mirror, I doubt you can see that love-sick look on your face. Eventually it'll dawn on you. Be good to him, Kurt. He's a good man…one of the best." She said, and walked back through the tables toward Blaine.
The last notes of the song were playing and Kurt realized his head was tilted and he was grinning like a little kid with his first crush. People were clapping, and as Blaine thanked them and started to stand, so did the people in the restaurant, clearly hoping for another song. Blaine looked uncertain, but Aria gave him a nod and he sat back down, unsure, but heart still racing. It didn't matter who it was, for a musician, someone…anyone…cheering for your music was a thrill. He shot Kurt a questioning look, as if to say "is it ok with you?" and Kurt just gave him a nod and a wide, proud smile. This stunning, beautiful, talented man was here with him, singing for him, and telling the whole restaurant about it. Kurt felt unworthy, but immensely thankful.
A/N I know it's been awhile since I've updated, and for this I apologize. It's been a long, rough road this past month...Real life came crashing in with family things, health issues, and a crushing blow. I buried my daddy Friday. Forgive me for keeping you waiting for so long if you will. I'll attempt to get back into the swing of things!
I hope you're all well, and I want to thank all the new readers as well as the ones who have been here from the beginning. Thanks to Janina, Shay and Liz for your support these past weeks. It's truly appreciated. Hugs all around. You never know when someone's going to need it!