The car ride was pretty normal after Rachel's inquiries about Kurt's love life. They stopped for lunch at a cute Italian place in Missouri, Rachel insisting because Finn had recommended it to them. It was nice and quaint, and Kurt's fettuccine was at least edible, and his appetizer salad light and crunchy. They picked at a sliver of cheesecake together, Kurt insisting that they were on vacation and could afford to splurge on their usually healthy diets.
They lost a little road time with their rest stops, but nonetheless were able to make it to northern Texas.
The farm was located remotely - they had to travel on a lengthy dirt road before they arrived to the rusty red sign, creaking in the slight breeze.
Rachel was driving now, and had to bump Kurt to wake him from his evening nap. She pulled around, the tires grinding the gravel, and stopped in front of a rather large cabin. Across its doorway was a sign embellished on the edges with mini horseshoes. It read: "Anderson Farm. Welcome friends!"
"Isn't it cute, Kurt?" Rachel asked, putting the car into park and turning off the ignition. She jumped out and swished her hips in attempts to unstick her dress from her bottom somewhat gracefully. She was still wearing the oversized sunglasses and just looked like a dragonfly doing some awkward mating call. Kurt had to chuckle as he stepped out and stretched his long legs.
"Finn?" Rachel called out.
"Just a second!" A voice from inside the cabin called. Shortly after Finn ducked out of the entrance and embraced Rachel. "Hey!" He exclaimed as she threw her arms around his neck, standing on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. Finn nodded to Kurt afterwards, "And little bro, how've you been?"
"Great, Finn. Thanks for having us," Kurt replied.
Rachel was beaming as Finn still had his hands on her small waist, taking her in. He hugged her tightly and Kurt heard them say how they've missed each other. That was one thing that Kurt missed...having someone to miss.
"Was the drive okay?" Finn asked.
Rachel immediately answered, "Oh yes! It was lots of fun with my best friend. Right Kurt?"
"Well disregarding our first conversation, I'd say it was pretty okay," Kurt answered, sticking his hands in his front pockets.
Rachel just rolled her eyes as Finn gave a confused look. "I'll tell you later," Rachel said and then whispered something into his ear.
Finn's eyes grew wide, "Oooh you mean my boss?"
"Rachel..." Kurt began.
"No no, man, he's totally cool. And I know like you're into dudes, and he is too, so you'd have that in common right? He's a really nice guy. I'm sure you'd er, find him...attractive?" Finn looked to Rachel for help and she nodded encouragingly. "Well at least what I've told Rachel, she thinks he's cute. I'm still the cutest though, right?"
Rachel giggled and said "Of course," kissing him.
Ugh, sometimes Rachel and Finn were just too adorable together for Kurt to keep himself together.
"Okay, lovebirds!" Kurt interrupted before he had to yell at them to get a room.
Finn broke their kiss and said bashfully, "Sorry, bro. But yeah you should give him a chance. He's a nice guy. His family owns this farm if you didn't tell. Anderson Farm." Finn gestured ungracefully to the sign behind him nailed to the wood.
"Right," Kurt nodded.
"So, uh, Kurt would you like a tour of the farm? Just in case you get back and I'm not hear. Feel free to explore too. The Andersons are really fine with anything. Just if you take a horse out always put him or her back. That's the only rule where you'll die if you don't follow it." Finn chuckled. "A horse was left out once years ago and was lost for a few days. The Andersons love their animals. They found her, but it scared Mrs. Anderson forever." Finn clapped his hands together and started down the steps, kicking up dust with his boots. "Let's show you your rooms first, hm?"
"Yes please," Kurt said, knowing that he would be the one carrying most of the luggage again.
Finn led them down a short trail to another, less large cabin. It was quaint and had another similar sign nailed above the door. This one read: "Warbler's Nest."
Finn caught Kurt looking at the sign and said, "Yeah, they all have names. Help's them keep track of everything. Anyways, here you are." He stepped aside holding the wooden door open for them.
It was a single room with a bathroom in the back. Two queen beds occupied either side, covered in unique quilts.
"Mrs. Anderson loves to sew. She's always occupying herself with her hands somehow," Finn explained.
Kurt ran his fingers over the embroidery. He traced a yellow bird, presumably a warbler, on a square. The yellow especially reminded him of his mother. She had this sweater of hers that was as yellow as the sun. Kurt always felt happiest when she would wear it. It was warm and soft and Kurt liked to pretend she was a momma bird, protecting her young. He smiled at the memory.
"It's lovely," Rachel said and Kurt hummed in agreement as he noticed music notes engraved in the headboard of the bed.
They deposited their belongings and Finn led them past other similar cabins, their shoes crunching on the dirt and stone beneath their feet. It was pleasantly cool outside, the sun beginning to set.
Kurt adjusted his necktie, and rolled up his sleeves, allowing the breeze to cool more of his skin. Inhaling, he smelled straw and freshly cut grass. The trio rounded the corner and Finn stepped ahead to introduce them to the giant red barn casting its shadow on the ground in front of them.
Finn led Rachel to the nearby pen where two horses were standing by the fence. "Feel free to go on in, Kurt, if you want," he said over his shoulder. He held Rachel's hand up to the elegant creature. It bowed its velvet head to her and she stroked it lovingly.
Kurt stepped into the barn, smelling the wood and the animals it housed. There was a faint smell of hay and new paint as well. On hooks near the entrance were numerous saddles, stirrups, rope, and reins, the leather looking brand new. Checkered and plaid blankets were sitting on hay bales near the wall, and they looked to be made out of thick wool. His boots made a light thump on the planks with each footfall. He greeted a chocolate brown horse in one of the first stalls, petting it lightly as it sighed. It seemed to breathe with Kurt as his mind slowed into the moment, creating a peaceful connection between man and animal. He gave it one final pat and kept walking.
Stopping, he heard faint...humming? Yes, it definitely was someone humming a tune, and it was coming from the back of the barn.
Slowing his steps, he rounded the corner to find a young man, appearing to be about his age tending to a midnight, ebony colored horse with snowy white hooves and ears.
He was a few inches shorter than Kurt, yet he clearly had more muscle in comparison to Kurt's slender figure. His red shirt was very light and fell about his frame perfectly, accentuating his strong back and tucked into his petite waist. A thick, brown belt hugged just below his hips, supporting his dark wash jeans. Kurt noticed his pristine cowboy boots, complete with bronze spurs.
But his outfit was not as impressive as his face. The man was so encompassed with his horse and his humming that he didn't even know Kurt was admiring his sturdy jawbone and olive complexion. His hair...that deserved its own recognition. Dark, wild curls, fell about his forehead, and the man wiped his brow with the sleeve of his shirt. Kurt noticed his sleeves were additionally rolled up to his elbows, exposing a portion of his muscled arms.
"There you go, Pavarotti." The man turned to place the brush back on the shelf behind the horse, his humming ceased.
Kurt suddenly became aware of his presence, but it was too late for him to leave.
The man turned to face Kurt and smiled. "Well how do ya do?" He uttered with an adorable Southern twang. He offered his hand, "My name's Blaine."
Finding his voice, "Kurt."
"You're Finn's brother right?"
"Y-yes. Yes I am. Kurt Hummel."
"Well it's nice to meet you Kurt Hummel. I'm Blaine Anderson."
"Oh! So this is your family farm?"
Blaine chuckled and said, "Guilty as charged."
"It's very nice. Very...homey." Homey? Really, Hummel?
Blaine chuckled his adorable laugh and simply beamed.
"And who is this?" Kurt asked, gesturing to the elegant animal behind him.
"This is my horse, Pavarotti. You can say hi if ya wanna."
Kurt nodded and stepped into the stall with Blaine. "Hello, handsome." He brushed the back of his hand across Pavarotti mane, stopping to brush his white ears.
"He likes you," Blaine said, touching Kurt on the arm and smiling.
After some time petting the horse Kurt asked, "So what song were you humming?"
Blaine just smiled bashfully, and Kurt saw him blush. "Oh...just...it's nothin'."
"Aw, come on. I love music and it sounded familiar. I won't laugh, I promise." Kurt looked at Blaine earnestly.
Blaine looked at Kurt for a moment before sighing in defeat. "...Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream.'"
Kurt giggled, "Really?"
"Hey, you said ya wouldn't laugh!" Blaine hit him playfully. Kurt noticed that Blaine was a very tactile person. But he wasn't complaining in the least bit. He could feel his skin still buzzing after the contact.
"Well come on, Blaine. It's Katy Perry."
"She's just as respectable of an artist as anyone else!" Blaine insisted. "Okay, by the end of you and Rachel's stay, I will have you in love with her."
Kurt and Blaine just looked at each other for a second and then burst out laughing.
"So do ya sing, Kurt?"
"Yeah I do, actually." Kurt resumed petting Pavarotti.
"Okay, well I'll have to hear ya sometime." Blaine grinned. Kurt just then also noticed how Blaine was very direct with what he wanted. And that his smile was freaking gorgeous and adorable and wow.
"Well if I'm gonna love Katy Perry, you'll have to sing one of her songs for me as well." Kurt nudged him with his elbow. Wait was he...flirting? Whatever Kurt was doing, it was coming off naturally to him. He hasn't felt this comfortable with a practically complete stranger in...forever.
"Then I suppose eventually we'll have to do a duet now won't we?" Blaine raised his eyebrows.
Kurt mulled this proposal over. "Mmm, perhaps."
Finn and Rachel cleared their throats as they emerged next to the stall smiling.
"I see you've already met Blaine, Kurt. My boss." Finn said.
"Aw, Finn. You know I don't like being called 'boss.' Makes me sound like my dad. My dad's the real boss 'round here."
After the introductions between Rachel and Blaine, all four of them shortly left the barn. Rachel winked at Kurt as they exited.
Oh dear. He, Blaine, was extremely cute indeed.