Author's Notes: Thanks again Tanya for beta-ing my new chapter. Here is Chapter Three! Enjoy!
"OK, so that guy is the real dad of that weird Zach kid, and that guy killed the other guy's wife and buried her in the toy chest? This show is messed up. I love it."
"Told you. But just you wait till we get to season four; that is when it gets really good."
It was nine o'clock on a Tuesday night, Rachel was still at West Side Story rehearsal and Kurt and Santana were about five hours into their Desperate Housewives marathon. Santana had finally given in to Kurt's persistent begging and had decided to watch one episode, but five hours later, here they were.
For what seemed like the hundredth time that evening, the closing credits filled the screen and the two roommates began to hum along to the theme tune.
"Season two?" Kurt asked.
"Season two," Santana confirmed.
Kurt nodded and got up to change the DVD while Santana went to the kitchen to get more drinks and refill the popcorn bowl.
As Kurt sat back down on the couch and took the can of soda Santana was offering him, he felt his phone buzz.
"Three guesses who that is," Santana smirked.
Kurt ignored her and opened the text, it was from Blaine:
coffee tomorrow? 12:30, usual place?
Kurt smiled and typed his reply:
sounds good
"I don't know why you two don't just make it official already," Santana sighed.
"There is nothing to make "official"," Kurt stated, "We're just friends. I don't see how that's so hard for you to understand."
"All I'm saying is, you seem to be spending a lot of time with the guy and it's obvious you like him, so why not just go there already."
"Sorry, talking time is over now," Kurt said, turning up the volume of the television.
Santana squinted at him suspiciously before turning to face the screen.
They were about twenty minutes into the second episode of season two when Rachel got back.
"Hey," she said, as she made her way over to the sitting room.
"Hey," Kurt and Santana said in unison, not taking their eyes off the screen.
"Have you guys been sitting here for the whole time I've been gone?"
"Yep," they replied, again in unison.
"How was rehearsal?" Kurt enquired.
"It was awesome, we-"
Santana paused the TV, "OK I can't concentrate with you two yapping. I sense this conversation is gonna last a while and I have an early shift tomorrow, so I think I'll turn in."
She made her way over to her bedroom, but when she reached the curtain she turned around quickly, "And Hummel, if you even think about carrying on that episode without me, you may find yourself without that awful smelling hair product you deem appropriate to load your hair with everyday. You got that?"
"Yes ma'am," Kurt responded.
"Good," she said, before disappearing behind the curtain.
Kurt turned back to Rachel, "You were saying?"
"Right, so it was awesome. The cast is looking really good and Tibideaux really knows how to put on a show - not that I'm surprised. But it's so different working with people who actually wanna be there, you know? Everyone's just super committed and well, like me. It's just really, really great."
"I'm glad to hear it," Kurt smiled, as he began gathering the bowls and mugs that he and Santana had managed to collect in the living room.
"You can ask me, Kurt. I know you're dying to," Rachel said, collecting up some empty soda cans and following him into the kitchen.
"Ask you what?"
She rolled her eyes, "About Blaine. I know you want to know if he's said anything about you."
"I'm not dying to know," he informed her, "But since you brought it up, it'd only be polite to answer your own question."
Rachel just rolled her eyes again, "Well, yes, he did ask about you. The first thing he asked was how you were actually. Which, considering how he only saw you yesterday, I think is kind of obsessive, but whatever."
Kurt smiled.
"So are you gonna tell me what's going on there or what?"
"There's nothing going on. I don't know why everyone keeps on insisting that there is."
"Kurt, come on," Rachel persisted. "I'm not an idiot, and I know people think that I'm rather self involved - which I am - but I'd have to be blind to miss seeing the feelings you blatantly have for the boy."
"Fine," Kurt sighed, putting the bowls and mugs down on the counter top, "I like him. A lot. I love spending time with him and just talking about… well anything, you know? It's great to be friends with someone who's like me - no offence. It feels like we've been friends for a really long time, and I feel like I can talk to him about anything - like how I can talk to you, but there's something else as well. I don't really know how I feel about the situation right now. I know that it's definitely not just some random hook up, there's something more. Something I can't quite explain. I don't know, I just don't want to ruin it by jumping in too soon with ideas of being "together" or anything, because he might not be interested in me in that way. I'm probably not making any sense, but yeah, that's what's going on."
Rachel just smiled at him.
"What?" Kurt enquired, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh nothing," Rachel said breezily, "I just… I've never seen you like this over a boy before."
"Like what?"
"Like… like stressed out and worried, and scared of the feelings you're having. It's wonderful!"
"OK, you've lost me. What part of the emotions "worried" and "scared" are wonderful to you, exactly?"
"It's just, you've never been this flustered over someone before. I mean, usually you don't let things like this faze you. But the fact that you're like this over Blaine means that this is going somewhere and these feelings are actually important. And also, I wouldn't worry about the whole "he might not feel the same way" thing, because if his constant asking about you is any indication, then I think he does feel the same way."
Kurt thought about this for a few seconds, "Well, I'm glad that my state of confusion and worry is appealing to you. But I don't know. Everything has just been so platonic between us, maybe I missed my chance and now we're only meant to be friends."
"Well you're not ever gonna know for sure if you spend your time deliberating these facts with me," Rachel stated wisely. "But, I'll say one more thing: who's to say he isn't having this very same conversation with his own roommate right this second?"
Kurt turned to the cupboards and began putting the Tupperware away, "Hmm yes, who's to say?" he murmured, but he wasn't very convinced.
The next day, Kurt finished his Physical Theatre class at 12:15 and then made his way to the coffee shop that was just outside of the NYADA campus. He and Blaine had been meeting there in a lot of their free periods over the past week.
When he entered the cafe, the door chimed and he immediately spotted Blaine - who was at their usual table next to the window.
"Hey," Blaine greeted him, as Kurt got closer.
"Hey."
"I ordered your usual for you. I hope that's OK," Blaine gestured towards the grande nonfat mocha that sat opposite him on the table.
Kurt took a seat, rather stunned, "You know my coffee order?" he enquired.
"Of course I do," Blaine replied. He seemed confused that Kurt would ask such a question.
Kurt tried to not to think anything of this. The two of them had been having coffee almost everyday recently, and Kurt always ordered the same thing. It was perfectly ordinary that Blaine would remember his coffee order. Blaine was ordering something for himself and so it was just a friendly gesture to order Kurt's usual, right?
Still, Kurt found himself replaying in his mind the conversation that he had had with Rachel the previous evening. Was Blaine just ordering him a coffee and asking about him like any friend would? Or was he trying to say something else?
All of these questions and scenarios were whizzing around in Kurt's mind as he sipped his mocha and eyed the boy who was sitting opposite him. Blaine was scribbling something down in a notebook and therefore did not notice Kurt gazing at him. Blaine really was - as Rachel had described him - "a dreamboat". Kurt wondered - and not for the first time - if Blaine was single. He'd not once mentioned that he was with anybody, and considering their close budding friendship, you'd think that the topic of romantic attachments would have come up in conversation. But Kurt found it a little shocking that someone like Blaine - who was living in New York City and attending the best musical theatre school in the country - was single.
"Sorry," Blaine said, finally looking up. "I just had to finish writing up the instructions to this assignment I got in my last class. I know it'll never get done if I don't write it down. Anyway, how was your class this morning?" he smiled, closed his notebook and took a sip of his coffee.
Kurt stared blankly at him for a moment as he was brought back to reality.
"What?…Oh… yeah… um.. fine. Class was fine. What about you?" He mentally kicked himself at the way he was stammering like an idiot. Speaking to Blaine was usually the easiest thing in the world. It was all Rachel's fault - putting ideas in his head.
Blaine eyed him suspiciously for a second before answering, "It was OK thanks. I got given the weirdest assignment ever though. Everyone has to put on a performance in a public place and video tape it before next week. The person who performs in the most obscure setting gets to choose the dance number for final fling," he explained.
"Wow, sounds fun." Kurt said, "Any idea where you're gonna do yours?"
"Not really. I've got a few ideas floating around but nothing that could be described as "obscure" yet," Blaine laughed.
"Hmm," Kurt wondered, "What about on the subway?"
"Nah, too safe. People sing on the subway all the time. I was thinking maybe The Gap?"
"Interesting," Kurt allowed, "I haven't heard that done before."
"My thoughts exactly," Blaine grinned.
The pair sipped their drinks in silence for a few moments before Blaine spoke again.
"Kurt, can I ask you a question?"
"Um, sure," Kurt responded.
The questions and scenarios were back and whizzing around in Kurt's head with a new ferocity as he pondered what Blaine could want to ask him.
"OK, well I was just wondering if maybe… I mean, I wanted to ask if maybe you-"
"Blaine?! Is that you?!"
Both boys started as they heard Blaine's name called from across the coffee shop.
Kurt turned to see a tall boy, with a pointed face, and wearing a smirk make his way towards their table.
"Sebastian?" Blaine exclaimed as he stood up and embraced the stranger in a big bear hug. "What are you doing here? I thought you were travelling!"
"I am. I am," the boy - Sebastian - replied, "You didn't think I'd miss out the greatest city in the world and the chance to see that look on your face, did you?" He chuckled.
Blaine laughed, "Well it's great to see you!"
"And you, Blaine Warbler. And in a coffee shop. No surprises there."
Blaine laughed again.
"Oh," Blaine said, suddenly remembering Kurt's presence, "Sebastian, this is Kurt Hummel. And Kurt - Sebastian Smythe - he went to Dalton too."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Kurt said, nodding towards the newcomer.
"And you." Sebastian answered, however, there was a certain hostility in his voice. He looked Kurt up and down suspiciously before turning back to Blaine.
"How long are you in the city?" Blaine wondered.
"Just a few days. But we've definitely got to have one night out on the town before I leave."
"Uh-oh. That doesn't sound good," Blaine joked.
"So, you in? Tomorrow night?" Sebastian asked.
"Sure, sure," Blaine smiled. He then turned to Kurt. "Hey, Kurt you should come too!"
Sebastian's smile faltered slightly.
"Oh," Kurt said, "No, that's alright. I wouldn't want to intrude on a Warbler reunion."
Sebastian seemed relieved by this answer.
"Nonsense," Blaine stated. "You've got to come along. It'll be fun."
Kurt glanced at Sebastian before responding, "Oh, OK sure. I mean, I don't think I'm doing anything."
Blaine smiled widely at Kurt, "Great!"
"Yeah, great," Sebastian echoed. But he didn't appear to share the same enthusiasm.
It was eight o'clock and Kurt and Rachel were sitting in the Spotlight Diner having dinner. Santana was supposed to be on a shift, but she kept coming over to their table to listen to Kurt's present dilemma.
"So then he was all "No Kurt, you've got to come blah blah blah", and that Sebastian guy just looked at me like I was something on the sole of his shoe. So just to spite him, I ended up telling them that I'd go along. And Blaine looked happy about it, but maybe he just didn't want to seem like he was ditching me. But of course he wouldn't be, because it's not like we're dating or anything. And if there's something going on with him and Sebastian - then fine. At least now, I know where I stand, and I can just move on. I mean, of course I'm not going to go. I don't want to be an awkward third wheel at their overdue reunion." Kurt took a long breath after finishing his explanation and took a bite of pizza.
"Ha!" Santana exclaimed, as she pretended yet again to take their order. "I knew you liked him. But I wouldn't take you for the jealous type, Hummel. Interesting."
Kurt just gave her a sour look as he chewed his pizza.
"Hang on, Kurt." Rachel said, "Do you know for sure that he's with this Sebastian guy? I mean, you said it yourself - Blaine never mentioned that he had a boyfriend. They could just be old school friends."
"I guess," Kurt admitted, "but they seemed pretty chummy. And besides, even if Blaine doesn't like Sebastian, Sebastian sure likes Blaine. He looked ready to fight me to the death, and all I was doing was having coffee with the guy."
"Who cares about the new warbler?" Santana remarked, "He'll be out of the picture in a few days anyway, plus-"
"Santana, table three!" someone called from across the diner.
"Coming, Gunther!" she screeched back. "Jeez. You'd think I was the only waitress in this place. But anyway Kurt, I think you should definitely go out with them tomorrow - check out the competition and see what's going on. From what I've heard, this new guy sounds like a real douche and Anderson would be an idiot to go out with him."
"Lopez! Am I going to have to cut your pay check in half?"
"Alright, alright. Yeah, table three. I got it." The brunette turned away from her roommates and made her way to another table; muttering darkly under her breath as she went.
"As much as I hate to agree with her," Rachel said, picking at the last of her fries. "I think she's right."
"Ugh fine," Kurt groaned. "But the minute things get awkward, you better be ready to ring me with a fake emergency."
"Deal," she smiled, before placing a french-fry in her mouth.
"Speaking of awkward," Kurt began, in an attempt to change the subject. "Would you call Finn back already!? He keeps calling me to ask how you are. All he wants to do is congratulate you on getting Maria. Why won't you return his calls?"
"Hmm, what?" Rachel mumbled, as she intently examined a napkin.
"Rachel. Don't play dumb," Kurt demanded, looking her in the eyes. "Why don't you wanna talk to him?"
She sighed and looked up to meet his gaze.
"It's not that I don't want to talk to him. I do. It's just… I have no idea where we stand with each other. Things have been super awkward since we broke up and I don't know, it's just easier to not have much communication at the moment."
"Well the only way you're gonna find out where you stand is if you actually talk to him. It's not like he wants to confess his undying love for you and serenade you through the phone. He just wants to know how you are."
"I know, I know. But that's just it - I feel like I'm finally doing well for myself, and I don't want to seem like I'm rubbing it in his face when he's still in Lima Ohio coaching glee club."
Kurt pondered this, "Well, from what I hear, he's not doing so bad for himself. According to Dad and Carole, he loves being at McKinley, and he's a lot happier than he was when he was in the army or chasing a football scholarship."
Rachel smiled to herself, "He is a born leader. If anyone can get those new kids ready for Nationals, it's Finn."
She was silent for a moment as she sipped her drink thoughtfully.
"OK, fine. I'll call him when we get back."
Kurt smiled; knowing his step-brother would be thrilled.
"But if I'm talking to Finn," Rachel warned, "You are not giving up on Blaine until you know for sure what's going on with him and the Dalton boy. Okay?"
"Okay."