Candles

The last few days had served up a plethora of emotions for the two lovers. On more than one occasion those emotions had bubbled over, causing both of them to be vulnerable in front of one another. Thankfully, their profound trust for one another made moments like that easier.

The conversation with Garret was one of those moments. Blaine and Kurt didn't have to bring up the fact that the night of passion was a cathartic end to a very trying several days. As they lay in bed at the conclusion of their sexual encounter, they had both agreed it had been like reliving their first time. It was a moment neither of them would trade for anything. It made the dullness of their regular work routines much easier to endure.

The pings on Kurt's phone were relentless today. As he stood in front of the mirror at the Starlight, setting his hair and straightening his shirt, he heard the light-hearted beep from his pocket again. The last few indications had shown messages from Artie, recalling the enjoyable night they had at Callbacks on Sunday. Unfortunately, Kurt had been rather liberal with the alcohol and couldn't remember a lot of what occurred. His memory brought back fragments. Most of those fragments consisted of him and Blaine sitting on the piano, belting out Sweeney Todd at the top of their lungs, much to the chagrin of the congregation. Despite the embarrassing display, the night out on the town with their close friend was the distraction that Blaine and Kurt had needed. Artie had made sure to retell the entirety of the story, allowing him to relive the shame, since Monday morning.

This ping, however, was not a text message. As the screen came to life, Kurt was faced with yet another alert pertaining to the Nazi gang.

MEMBERS OF NAZI GANG SPOTTED IN BUSHWICK NEIGHBORHOOD AT INTERSECTION OF WILSON AND GATES

The adrenaline started pumping through his veins as he read the names of two streets within walking distance of their apartment. His eyes scanned the article for any useful information.

"...Witnesses claim that one or more individuals brandishing the die Stärke symbol on his arm was spotted in a crowd of party-goers near the intersection of Wilson and Gates. Members of the LGBTQ community in the Bushwick neighborhood are not advised to walk alone in this neighborhood. Police have increased patrols as an extra precaution…"

All he knew was that this was not what he needed on his mind right before heading out to the floor. It was sure to distract him for the rest of the night, knowing that he and Blaine would be in more danger on the way home. He would have to put on his best fake smile and push through. A feeling in his gut told him he was going to have the dreaded section one and he hated it. His gut usually proved to be right.

After clipping his name placard to his shirt, and a moment's meditation, he headed out the door to the serving floor. Sabrina held up the seating chart with a look of sympathy. She didn't have to say anything. He knew what that meant.

"I'm sorry," she mouthed to him. He just patted her on the back as he reached in for his customer ticket folder. This time Sabrina gave him a kiss of sympathy as he headed toward the front counter. At this particular moment, the bar was empty and Kurt saw it as a saving grace. He needed some mindless cleaning as a distraction from the information he had gleaned from the latest headline.

His phone buzzed from his pocket, giving him a momentary distraction. Thankfully, this alert was not for another disturbing headline, but a message from Blaine.

Peter came to visit the store again. Can you believe that he said Moulin Rouge is a reason to vomit? I can't believe it! He's dead to me.

The fact that Kurt could detect his boyfriend's sarcasm in a text was just testament to how well he knew him. With a smirk he responded,

Let him down easy. Tell him you can no longer be friends and then run away with me. *wink*

At the front of the restaurant, he saw his coworkers setting up the piano and the speakers. This was a signal that someone was going to show off their skills tonight. Sabrina had finished hooking up the microphone when his phone buzzed again,

Sounds romantic as hell. When do we leave?

How does 8PM sound?

It's a date. See you then.

Kurt's shift was beginning to take a more positive turn. It was almost as if Blaine could sense that the text messages would lighten him up. As if to send him a kiss of thanks, he placed a gentle smooch on the screen and returned it to his pocket.

Tonight was Hugh's night to take the stage. Currently, he was serenading the early dinner crowd with his unique rendition of an Abba classic. Kurt couldn't help but wiggle his hips back and froth and move the washcloth over the counter to the rhythm of "Mama Mia." When he looked up from his tedious task, he could see Hugh making eyes at an older woman sitting at a booth close to the stage. After he made the cute gesture of kissing her hand, she looked ready to swoon. Kurt chuckled to himself and continued tidying up his station.

"You have some moves, my friend."

Kurt had been so lost in the inane chore of deep cleaning, that he hadn't noticed his first patron approach the counter. Thankfully, it was a voice he recognized,

"Elias!" his response indicated pure elation as he turned toward his friend with his arms held out. They leaned over the counter and embraced each other. When Elias took his seat on one of the stools, he folded his arms in front of him and looked Kurt up and down. This made him feel slightly exposed as he shifted uncomfortably on his feet. He pretended to look away timidly,

"Why, Elias, are you undressing me with your eyes?" he chuckled. Elias raised an eyebrow and without skipping a beat responded,

"What if I said yes? Would I make Blaine jealous?"

"Elias, you are feisty tonight," he looked at the German with playfully wide eyes and then gave him a dance of his eyebrows, "I like it."

A collective laugh helped ease a little bit more of Kurt's tension. He noticed his shoulders relaxing and his grip on the edge of the counter loosened. Elias leaned on the edge of the counter, and folded his hands in a tepee shape.

"Kurt, I can't help but notice that something is upsetting you. Are you alright?"

A short pause and a heavy sigh confirmed this for Elias. Kurt turned to him and slouched over the counter, showing his fatigue.

"See? I told you that you were psychic. How is it that you always know?"

Elias shrugged, "Well, not to be rude, but you don't really try to hide it, my friend," his blue eyes sent messages of empathy to Kurt from behind his thin framed glasses. His brow knitted, hoping to get more information from Kurt. It never came, for he was clearly trying to change the subject,

"Alright, enough about me. Caesar salad and iced tea with lemon coming right up," as he began to scribble the order down on the guest ticket, Elias snickered,

"You must be psychic too, if you know my order."

Kurt playfully rolled his eyes as his arms went limp at his sides,

"You always order the same thing. It doesn't require much talent, just an okay memory, which I am surprised that is working well for me lately." Dropping his pen in his apron pocket and tearing the slip from his pad signaled to Elias that Kurt was about to disappear into the kitchen. Before Kurt could leave, Elias knocked on the the counter a couple of times to gain his attention,

"You will tell me what is on your mind when you come back to serve me my tea. That's an order."

Kurt wasn't sure if Elias was kidding with the sternness or if he was being sarcastic. He paused for a moment as he and Elias were caught in a staring competition. Unfortunately, Elias was not faltering and it was beginning to make him even more uncomfortable. To escape from this awkward hell, he turned around and disappeared through the swinging doors. Clipping the ticket on the line, he turned back to the door, hoping that this action would act as a control-alt-delete for what he had just experienced. When he locked eyes with his friend, thankfully he had a mirthful look on his face.

"What was that all about?" Kurt inquired. Elias just laughed and slapped his hand on the counter,

"I told you I was good at getting people to do what I want. Come, my friend, tell me what is on your mind," the German gestured at the seat next to him. Kurt hesitated for a moment, mostly because he didn't want to get caught neglecting his job. After scanning the counter and seeing that no other customers had taken a seat, he decided it was worth the risk.

The uncomfortable stool did not help the tension in his back as he leaned against the counter next to Elias. His friend watched him and waited patiently for him to talk.

"Blaine and I are just worried. There was another alert on my phone right before my shift. Apparently one of those Neo-Nazi bastards was spotted very close to our apartment," Kurt rubbed is hands together nervously, but continued, "And then, just the other day, our friend who works at a nearby coffee stand told us about a couple that was killed right across the street from his booth," Kurt was interrupted by the curious musings of the German beside him,

"Oh, you mean Ignacio?"

"Yeah," he mustered.

Kurt could still hear the sound of Hugh as he continued with this set of Abba hits. He was happy to have that as the soundtrack of this conversation, and he was even more grateful to have a confidant. Licking his lips, he turned to Elias and then paused suddenly. One thing felt out of place about what Elias had just said. He didn't remember disclosing the name of their favorite barista.

"Wait, how did you know that?"

"He is hard to miss, Kurt. Tall, lanky and bubbly fellow with a Puerto Rican accent?"

Kurt's face changed from confused and curious to slightly irritated. He shifted in his seat and shrugged at Elias, indicating that he demanded more of an explanation.

"I have bought coffee from him before. His coffee stand is not that far from this restaurant."

Kurt wasn't convinced by that,

"It's several blocks away. Kind of out of the way. Have you been following us?"

Elias shook his head and scoffed. He looked down at the floor and his scoff turned into a laugh. When his gaze met Kurt's once more, he could see a hint of distrust in his eyes.

"What if I said yes?"

"I would be creeped out. Seriously, Elias." Kurt didn't hesitate to respond to that.

A high-pitched ding from the kitchen saved Kurt from the discomfort of continuing this conversation. For once, he was happy to get up and go about his duties. He could feel Elias's eyes following him from the stool to the kitchen door. A quick glance at the food line showed the salad ready to be brought out to the table. Without much thought, he took the plate and walked out of the kitchen, placing the salad in front of Elias devoid of eye contact. Then, he robotically turned to the drink station and prepared the iced tea with lemon.

"Kurt, come on. I was joking. You understand, right?"

He continued to avoid contact with Elias as he responded,

"I just can't take it as that. With everything that's going on, and what my boyfriend and I experienced this last week, it's just not funny. Enjoy your salad."

Kurt spent the rest of his shift making an extraordinary effort to avoid any more conversation with Elias. For once, he was happy to serve the CEOs sitting at the bar with their mistresses and the self entitled jerks with a superiority complex. Anything beat the creepiness of a potential stalker. A gut wrenching feeling made him wonder if Elias's charisma was just his disturbing stalker practice for gaining Kurt's trust. By the time he brought him his third tea refill without so much as a smile, Elias took the hint. The bill was paid in silence and he left.

Eight o'clock couldn't come fast enough. When Kurt saw Blaine enter the diner, looking handsome as ever, his heart skipped a beat. He began to do the finishing touches of his end of shift chores with a bit more haste. They met eyes from across the restaurant, giving each other a smile of mutual understanding. Both of them were ready to get home and settled in for the night. Sabrina approached from the small door at the side of the counter and reached out for the rag Kurt was using to wipe it down. She took it from his hand,

"Go clock out. I'll finish up."

Kurt looked at her hopefully, "Really?"

She nodded, "Go be with your adorable man."

Kurt placed a gentle kiss on her cheek in a form of gratitude and, after running into the back room to grab his coat, hurried over to his boyfriend. They shared a tender kiss at the door as they clasped their hands together. Kurt opened the door and pulled Blaine with him as the cool evening breeze tickled their faces. Kurt moved in closer to Blaine and wrapped his arm around his waist. Sadly, their affectionate moment was interrupted,

"Kurt! Kurt, please!" he heard Elias's voice behind him and almost flinched. Blaine looked at him in confusion,

"What's wrong?" he whispered.

"We had a slight misunderstanding tonight." With that he turned to the man calling his name. Elias approached them with his arms out in front of him as a sign of good will.

"My friend, please don't be upset. I sincerely apologize if my joke was in poor taste. I honestly have not been following you and Blaine."

The look in Elias's eyes suggested sincerity and Kurt started to feel a bit guilty for being angry with him. He turned to Blaine and whispered in his ear a short explanation of the exchange that had occurred earlier. Blaine's feelings of distrust toward Elias were being reinforced by what had occurred. However, he wanted to try to give him another chance to prove himself. He nodded, showing he understood and tried to remedy the awkwardness,

"So, he goes to have coffee at the same stand, who cares?" Blaine whispered back.

This was the confirmation he needed. He had been too harsh on Elias and now he was feeling a pang of regret.

"I only wish the best for both of you and I hope you will forgive me."

"No, no, Elias. It's okay. I'm so sorry. I was just stressed out and nervous. Why don't I make it up to you. Would you like to have dinner with us at our place tomorrow?"

"That would be wonderful, my friend, but tomorrow I cannot."

Kurt slumped where he stood, showing his obvious disappointment. He stuck out his bottom lip in a pout. Interrupting his boyfriend's childish pursuits, Blaine offered an alternative,

"What about Friday? Say, 5ish?"

"Sounds like a plan. I am already very excited!"

After a quick exchange of information, including how to find the Anderson-Hummel apartment, the three of them shook hands and departed. Kurt was glad he and Blaine were able to turn the awkward exchange into something they could all look forward to. Everything that had been happening of late was just putting him on edge. Sadly, one of his friends had to be the victim of his sour mood.

The pair was comforted by the sound of the bustling crowds as they made their way home. The overall tone of the people who passed them by was positive and lively. Kurt pressed his fingers into Blaine's shoulder and pulled him closer to his body. Blaine answered by resting his head against his lover's neck.

At the end of the block, they could see that Ignacio's coffee stand was closed up for the night. This was not surprising, as most of the patrons canvassing the area were interested in drinks of an alcoholic persuasion. They would be sure to visit him the next morning, with the hope that he was more cheerful than their last meeting.

They continued forward, looking each other in the eye. Neither was worried about tripping because they knew this route like the back of their hands. It wasn't until Kurt stopped dead in his tracks as they came closer to the coffee stand that Blaine became aware of his surroundings. He followed Kurt's gaze to the outside wall of Ignacio's booth and nearly gasped.

Neither of them could believe what they were seeing. Sprayed across the wooden surface was the die Stärke symbol.