Chapter 5 – The Walk
Kurt almost dropped his keys, the voice so unexpected it startled him. Blaine was there. After not being there for weeks, Blaine was now waiting for him. With his heart beating wildly in his chest, Kurt turned around and looked across the parking lot. Blaine was straddling his bike, dressed in black as always, and fuck if he wasn't hotter sitting there than inside the diner.
Kurt didn't know how to feel about Blaine being there. He didn't like the game Blaine had been playing. But at the same time, wasn't this what he had wanted? A chance to spend more time with Blaine.
"Yes?" Kurt said as if Blaine was a stranger unexpectedly calling for his attention.
Blaine gestured with his head for Kurt to come over. Kurt hesitated. He was tempted, but was it the wise thing to do? If he went with Blaine, he would fall even more for him, but Blaine was unpredictable. And Kurt already had plans for his night. Not very elaborate plans, but still.
"Do you need a formal invitation?" Blaine asked when Kurt was too caught up thinking to answer.
His voice was smooth and slipped uninvited into Kurt's chest. Keep it cool.
"No," Kurt answered calmly, "but perhaps your intentions."
"My intentions?" Blaine laughed incredulously, but Kurt stood his ground and nodded. "I think you know my intentions," Blaine said then.
Yes, Kurt knew. He wanted it too, but there were so many reasons to say no. The question was, did his reasons matter? Couldn't he see this as just another night of pleasure? God knew he wanted it. But no, he really shouldn't… Blaine had too much control in this game and Kurt was already in too deep when he wasn't even sure he was the only guy who had Blaine's attention. He didn't need to fall even deeper.
Blaine got off his bike then, hung the helmet on the handlebar, and crossed the parking lot. Even his walk was sexy, how was that possible? Kurt's heart started beating fervently in his chest again. Resisting Blaine was so much easier when he was at a distance.
"I want to take you someplace new," Blaine said, stopping only a few feet from Kurt.
"I'm not sure it's a good idea. It's late and I-"
"Come on, I want to show you something." Blaine didn't let him finish, which was probably a good thing because Kurt's excuse wasn't any good.
"I've already seen it," Kurt said, managing to keep cool while images of a naked Blaine on the beach flashed through his mind.
"And you don't want to see it again?" Blaine smirked. Then his face shifted, and his eyes became soft. "Actually, I want to show you something else."
"What do you want to show me?" He shouldn't ask, shouldn't let on his interest and give Blaine an even bigger upper hand, but he was intrigued.
"Come with me and you'll see."
"I already have plans for tonight."
"Can it wait?" Blaine asked and took a step forward, standing so close Kurt could feel his presence on his skin. "I'd really like for you to come with me." There was something different in Blaine's voice, not the usual cooky, flirting tone. There was something earnest there. Something that resembled the guy who'd sat next to Kurt on a beach talking about books and constellations. "Please?"
There was no universe where Kurt could say no to the soft notes in Blaine's voice or the honest, pleading look in his eyes. Kurt had been mesmerized by the hazel in them already the first night, and every time since, and now was no different. He had no defense against that. "Okay," he breathed out in an almost whisper, because that's what being close to Blaine did to him.
Kurt followed Blaine to his bike and just like last time Blaine offered his helmet to Kurt. Straddling the bike, Kurt held on to Blaine, wondering if Blaine could feel how hard his heart was beating through the thin layers of his working shirt and Blaine's black t-shirt.
Exiting the parking lot, they headed south again but on different roads. Blaine navigated his bike with grace through the Friday night traffic. They passed downtown and continued south along the coast. Blaine sped up when the traffic thinned out and Kurt allowed himself to press closer to Blaine. He had fantasized about being back on Blaine's bike, about the thrill of the speed beneath him while safely holding on to Blaine. Reality was better than his fantasies and he loved every second of it.
Blaine slowed down at the outskirts of town, took an exit to the right and drove along paved streets in the direction of the ocean. Houses with well-kept gardens lined up along the streets. It was the epitome of a wealthy suburb, the kind you see in movies, but he couldn't tell which suburb it was. The air around them smelled of sprinklers watering newly cut front lawns and of well-trimmed rose bushes.
The houses became grander the closer they came to the ocean and Kurt became more and more astonished. He wondered where Blaine was taking him. If any of these houses were their destination. But Blaine didn't stop there, he continued to drive until there were no more houses on either side of the road. He drove until the landscape opened up and Kurt could spot a marina in front of them. Blaine slowed down and stopped at a designated parking space by the entrance of the marina.
The marina was lit up by a few streetlights, lights from the many boats laying in the water and from a few restaurants and bars that dotted the edge of the marina. It was a spectacular view, and Kurt took it in with awe, but it was also a very public place.
Kurt loosened his grip around Blaine's waist and removed the helmet. Blaine took it from him but made no effort to get off the bike. Kurt didn't either. He let his hands slide down to Blaine's thighs as he took in the surroundings. This wasn't the kind of place Kurt had expected Blaine to bring him to for their late-night rendezvous and he wondered how Blaine planned to execute his 'intentions' here.
"This place is beautiful," Kurt said when Blaine still made no effort to move or speak. The air smelled of salt water and seaweed mixed with petrol vapor from the motorcycle and stir-fried food from one or more of the restaurants.
"Just like you." Blaine's voice was quiet, almost inaudible, like the words were a thought that weren't meant to be spoken. Blaine didn't move, just sat there and looked out over the marina.
The words eased in under Kurt's skin and made goosebumps prickle his skin. Kurt's chest felt tight with the many emotions he felt for Blaine. This was the Blaine from the beach. This was the guy Kurt wanted to get to know better. He moved his hands a bit farther up Blaine's thighs, feeling his muscles tighten underneath the black jeans.
Blaine placed his hands on top of Kurt's, stopping them. "Let's take a walk."
The rejection stung a little, but Kurt didn't let it show. This wasn't the Blaine who gave blowjobs to strangers without asking for it in return, and even if Kurt wanted to feel Blaine's lips on him again, this Blaine intrigued him more. "Okay," he said and eased his hands from Blaine's legs.
They both got off the motorcycle and with Blaine leading the way they started to walk along the small waterfront boardwalk that led from one end of the marina to the other. Along the boardwalk several boat slips jutted out into the water, each with room for at least twenty boats. The boats varied in size and type, but most were on the luxury side of the scale. Where the marina ended, a pier stretched out into the water.
They walked by couples and groups of friends that also strolled along the boardwalk, people laughing and talking and enjoying their Friday night.
Blaine was, on the other hand, quiet where he walked beside Kurt. Kurt took in the place around him - the boats, the relaxed atmosphere, and the happy chatter from a restaurant's outdoor seating areas. This place was beautiful and mesmerizing, and oozed of money. But the silence between them soon became palpable.
"Where are we?" Kurt asked, just to say something. "Why did you bring me to this place? Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful, and I'm happy to be here with you, but I'm also a little curious."
"Me and my friends sometimes hang out here. There's a cool bar by the pier that serves nice beers," Blaine answered. He sounded somewhat relieved that Kurt had started the conversation.
"Ah, so you're taking me to a bar," Kurt concluded. "I must warn you, I'm not twenty one. Yet. I will be next year."
"Nope, we're not going to a bar."
"Are we going to meet your friends?" Kurt asked next. He couldn't decide if he was excited or intimidated by the idea of meeting Blaine's friends. He hardly knew Blaine and wanted a chance to get to know him better, but he would hardly get that chance if they hung out with Blaine's friends. On the other hand, Blaine might be more relaxed among his friends.
Blaine shook his head. "No."
"What are we doing here then?"
"You'll see," Blaine answered with a mysterious smile.
"You like this, huh? Keeping me on the edge, not knowing."
"Keeping you on the edge, yes," Blaine smirked, and Kurt remembered the feeling of being right there with Blaine's lips around him.
"So, is that what you plan on doing tonight?" Kurt asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Maybe…"
Kurt didn't know what to make of Blaine. One minute he was a flirt, the next he was soft and sweet, and then he changed back again. Kurt didn't know what to make of himself either and once again he asked himself if going with Blaine tonight was a smart decision. There were so many question marks around Blaine, so much he didn't know, but that was also what intrigued him.
"How long have you had your bike?" Kurt asked to keep the conversation going.
"It used to be my dad's, but it's been mine for the past four years. It's one of the few things I have left after my parents."
"Can I ask what happened to them?" Kurt wasn't sure Blaine would answer, but it was the second time he'd mentioned them and maybe he wanted to talk about it.
"It was a car accident," Blaine began. "They got hit by a drunk driver who got over on the wrong side of the road. He survived, my parents didn't."
"Oh God, I'm so sorry, Blaine." Kurt thought about his mom passing away all those years ago, how it still hurt sometimes.
Blaine shrugged, turned his face away from Kurt and looked out over the marina. It was dark by now and the lights from the boats and the streetlights on the boardwalk reflected in the still ocean water. "It's been four years, but I still get so mad thinking about it." There was an edge in Blaine's voice Kurt hadn't heard before.
"That's really awful, Blaine. I'm sorry I brought it up."
"No, don't be. I should probably talk about it more. I'm just not really good at that stuff."
Kurt felt for Blaine and reached out his hand and took Blaine's in his, lacing their fingers together. He wanted somehow to show Blaine that he was there for him. It felt like the right thing to do even if they barely knew each other, they had, after all, shared more intimate moments than this before.
Blaine turned back towards Kurt. His eyes a little watery in the corners from the tears he was fighting to hold back, but they still shone with gratitude. He squeezed Kurt's hand once before letting go and they continued down the boardwalk.
"I lost my mom when I was eight," Kurt said. "She was ill and we knew she was going to be taken from us, but I also get mad sometimes when I think about it. It seems so unfair that there was nothing I could do to stop it from happening, nothing I can do to bring her back."
"I'm sorry, Kurt."
"It's been many years now and I've learnt to accept it." It felt easy to share with Blaine about what happened to his mom.
"I don't think I will ever accept that someone decided to get in a car after drinking and then crashed into my parent's car, no matter how much time passes. I was seventeen when it happened and still lived at home. I didn't know what to do. I had to take care of everything while still trying to fathom that they were gone."
"Don't you have any siblings or relatives that helped you?"
"I have a brother but no other relatives. My brother, he doesn't live here. He came back for the funeral but then he left again. I haven't seen him since. The bank took the house and I had to sell most of our belongings to afford food and stuff. We weren't very rich, but we had each other and that was all that mattered to me and to them. It wasn't enough for my brother though. He wanted fame and fortune and left for LA as soon as he could."
"I'm glad you had loving parents, that's more important than money," Kurt said and thought of his own dad and the relationship they shared. He missed him now and regretted lying to him. Maybe he should just man up and tell him the truth even if his dad would be disappointed for a while. But Kurt also knew it would pass. "But it also makes the loss hurt all the more."
"I guess…" Blaine exhaled heavily, and Kurt could tell Blaine was hurting right now from the memories. "Tell me something about you. Something happy."
Kurt thought for a moment. He wanted to cheer Blaine up. "I love cheesecake."
"What?" Blaine said with a little incredulous laugh.
"I mean, what's not to love? The rich flavors, the soft texture, and the creamy filling. It just makes me happy."
"Cheesecake?" Blaine laughed.
"What? Have you tasted the cheesecake from that cute little shop near the university? It's simply divine," Kurt mused. "I think I might be their biggest customer. I'm gonna take you there someday and treat you to a slice. Your life will never be the same, I promise you."
It was silly, Kurt knew, but it made Blaine laugh and that was all that matters. Laughing was better than crying, even if it was laughing at Kurt's expense.
"Yeah? I'm looking forward to that." Blaine's smile was wide and his eyes warm.
"Good, next time then." Kurt said it like it was given that there would be a next time.
"Next time," Blaine agreed, still with that smile.
Kurt felt giddy inside. Next time was a promise Kurt intended to make sure Blaine kept. Next time could be tomorrow if tonight went as Kurt wanted.
Without warning, Blaine suddenly pulled Kurt into a dark spot between two streetlights, leaned forward and placed a kiss on Kurt's lips. It was so unexpected it took a second before Kurt understood what was happening, before he parted his lips to meet Blaine's tongue with his own. The kiss was fervent and eager on Blaine's part, his hands moving up to hold Kurt's face. Kurt tried to slow it down, sneaking his arms around Blaine's waist and stepping in closer into Blaine's space.
Blaine tasted like coffee and chewing gum, and his skin smelled like fresh air and cologne. He was sexy and hot, and Kurt felt dizzy from all of it. He was hard in an instant and hoped Blaine was taking him somewhere they could be alone. And that soon.
Then, just as suddenly as it started the kiss ended with Blaine abruptly taking a step back.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." Blaine looked around the marina before his eyes landed at his feet. "I don't know what got into me."
Kurt was out of breath and absolutely falling for the mysterious man in front of him. "D-don't be," he stuttered, trying to recompose himself. Trying to get his beating heart to slow down. "I liked it."
"Y-yeah?" Blaine asked, looking up. The long eyelashes and the uncertain look in Blaine's dark hazel eyes were so beautiful that it broke Kurt's heart, just a little.
"Yes." Wasn't it obvious? Couldn't Blaine hear the thunder in Kurt's chest?
"I liked it, too, blue-eyes," Blaine admitted quietly, looking down again. Kurt probably wouldn't have noticed the shy blush creeping across his cheeks if it weren't for the fact that it was utterly adorable.
Kurt couldn't help the little thrill that rushed through him with the realization that Blaine liked him too. At least liked kissing him, which in Kurt's world meant the same thing. "I like when you call me 'blue-eyes'," Kurt confessed. He should come up with a nickname of his own to call Blaine, but in the moment his mind was blank.
Blaine smiled softly and ran his fingers through Kurt's hair before letting his hand fall to his side. "It suits you."
Kurt refrained from commenting that of course it did, he had blue eyes, because Blaine probably meant something else.
"Come," Blaine said. "I still want to show you something."
Kurt followed Blaine to the end of the marina. Once there, Blaine guided him out to one of the boat slips. It was wooden and wobbly and had boats on each side. The smell of ocean became more intense the farther they walked down the slip and Kurt now worried that Blaine would ask him to go skinny dipping again when they reached the end of the slip. He didn't mind when they were on a secluded beach but here was something different. Here someone could, and probably would, discover them.
"I'm not sure I'm up for another late-night swim," Kurt said when they reached the end.
"Who said anything about going for a swim?" Blaine asked, barely containing a smirk. "It's forbidden to jump into the marina, it can be dangerous with all these boats. You never know when someone decides to take their baby out."
"What are we doing here then?" Kurt asked, slightly embarrassed for not realizing that of course you can't go swimming in a marina.
"We are claiming this boat," Blaine said and stepped on board a medium sized sailboat to the right. Kurt knew nothing about boats but could tell that this one was white and blue, had a seating area and what looked like a door leading to a cabin.
"We can't just claim someone's boat, Blaine." Kurt crossed his arms and stood firmly on the slip. He was willing to do a lot of things for Blaine but trespassing or stealing a boat wasn't one of those things.
"This isn't someone's boat. This is my boat." Blaine reached out a hand to Kurt. "Welcome to my home."
-x-x-x-
Notes: A kind of uneventful chapter, but things will get more intense in the next chapter!
