Day 20: Treat/Ice Skating
A/N: You'll have no trouble figuring out my source of inspiration for this one.
When Kurt landed a role on "From the Top," all he knew was that it was about a ragtag group of high school misfits who find their happiness and purpose in the school's wildly unpopular glee club. He was prepared for lots of singing, dancing, comedy, drama, and school-related antics.
He was not prepared for ice skating.
The popularity of the show over the past few seasons meant increased budgets, which meant more practical location shoots, such as the one he was about to film tonight: an episode in which Kurt's character goes skating in New York City's own Bryant Park with his ex-boyfriend. Apparently, no one bothered to check with Kurt to see if he could actually skate when the wrote the storyline, and it was too late to change things now.
"Isn't this a treat?" Blaine chattered excitedly as he sat next to Kurt on a bench and finished tying his skate laces. "I mean, skating in New York at Christmas – well, it's only November, but close enough. Come on, I can't wait!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet and heading for the rink entrance, turning back and looking expectantly at Kurt.
As if the anxiety of trying not to kill himself on skates wasn't bad enough, Kurt had to tamp down his nerves at the prospect of filming with Blaine again. He had hoped that the separation of their characters would give him the distance he needed to get over the massive crush he had developed on his handsome co-star. One look at Blaine in his buttoned-up overcoat and red scarf, with those warm hazel eyes and that movie-star-slick hair told Kurt that those hopes had been in vain.
Kurt bit his lip nervously. He could do this. With a deep breath, he rose to his feet and stepped forward on the rubber mat, wobbling precariously. He grabbed the wooden half-wall surrounding the ice rink as soon as he could, regaining his balance with as much dignity as he could muster.
"We should warm up," Blaine announced, stepping fearlessly onto the slippery surface. "Race you around the rink," he called out, already dashing along the edge before even finishing the sentence, easily mixing into the multitude of extras who were apparently warming up, as well.
"Yeah, no contest there," Kurt grumbled, forcing himself to cross the threshold onto the ice. Of course, Blaine could skate. Attractive, charming, sings like a dream – now Kurt could add "expert skater" to the list of reasons to adore him. Swell.
Blaine managed to make two full laps around the rink in the amount of time it took Kurt to travel about ten feet. Skidding to a stop, Blaine spun around to face him, who was still clinging to the wall for dear life. "Let me guess," he began, leaning against the wall and blocking Kurt's snail-like progress, "not much of a skater, are we?"
Kurt rolled his eyes in response, drawing a soft chuckle from his scene partner. "Come on," Blaine offered, peeling Kurt's hands from the wall and holding them firmly but gently in his own. "I'll show you. I'm sure you'll be a natural."
Without any further warning, Blaine started skating backwards, pulling Kurt along with him. There was the requisite stumbling on Kurt's part at first, but after a couple of laps, he began feeling more confident. He wasn't going to be attempting any jumps, but he felt less like he was about to fall on his rear at any second.
As usual, the shoot went on for hours. There were the expected starts and stops, last-minute changes, and on-the-spot instructions from the actual skating coach the show had hired for the evening. During breaks, Blaine was always at Kurt's side, giving him extra help and encouragement along the way, goofing around, and keeping Kurt's spirits up.
Eleven long hours later, when Kurt was absolutely certain he never wanted to hear "White Christmas" ever again, the blessed words, "That's a wrap!" were called. Kurt was overjoyed to be able to finally get off the ice and out of his skates. He and Blaine glided over to the entryway, stepping off the ice and returning to the bench they'd occupied nearly half a day earlier.
"So, I guess you'll be quitting to join the Olympic team now," Blaine teased, bumping Kurt's shoulder playfully.
Kurt laughed aloud, returning the shoulder bump in kind. He let out a sigh then, much to his own surprise. "Is it crazy to say I'm a little sad it's over?"
Blaine tilted his head to the side. "If so, then we're both crazy together, because I feel the same way," he said with a wistful grin.
Kurt cleared his throat, trying desperately not to get caught up in the eyes that were looking so deeply into his own. "I really don't know how to thank you, by the way. I never would have made it through the shoot without your help. If there's ever anything I can..."
"Go out with me," Blaine blurted, cutting Kurt off.
"Wh-what?" Kurt gasped.
Blaine reached for Kurt's hand, taking it in his own. "Go out with me…please?" he added, looking hopeful and nervous and completely gorgeous.
Kurt couldn't help the smile that formed on his lips as he thought that maybe Blaine had been right – getting to ice skate really was a treat.