WATC chapter 6
Kurt clocks up this current moment in time to be one of the most surreal moments that has ever occurred in his life. There's no other way to deal with it, really.
He's sitting in a secluded booth in a Michelin star, New York restaurant where the reservation list is probably fully booked for months on end; and Blaine Anderson, star of stage and screen, utterly gorgeous, Blaine Anderson, isspoon feeding him chocolate pudding.
They stare at each other, Blaine smiling and Kurt looking completely lost. He only allows Blaine to feed him two more spoonfuls before his head comes back into play and takes control. What is actually happening here?
There's a strange feeling in his gut, building and tingling and Kurt cannot blame it on the fact that it's just because he's ate too much. Even he is not that obtuse—not in this case.
Blaine takes a mouthful for himself before setting the spoon down on the edge of the dish. He picks up the wine bottle to find it practically empty and frowns. "Would you like me to order us some more wine? Coffee perhaps or a night cap?" He looks at Kurt eagerly.
Kurt still looks a little dumbfounded, lost in the bizarreness of this entire night. "Oh- um no, actually. Thank you, but no. I should- I should be leaving. I mean I have classes and work tomorrow so—"
An uncomfortable feeling washes over Kurt. He feels kind of inferior and childlike. Blaine Anderson is sitting opposite him offering wine and probably anything that Kurt would ask of him and here Kurt is rejecting him because he has school the next day.
Blaine looks a little disappointed but he nods agreeably anyway. "Oh of course, I understand. My car will be outside; I'm ready when you are."
"Don't we have to pay—"
"Yes I do have to pay; I'm not about stealing good food and wine, Kurt. You don't bite the hand that feeds you." He winks and Kurt rolls his eyes. "I've signed an open cheque, they'll bill me what they need to." He adds nonchalantly and stands from the table.
Just like that, huh? He really is the man who has the world at his feet. Yet here he…with me. Kurt doesn't have the energy to protest. He knows that there is no point offering up his measly twenty bucks that's folded up in his wallet.
While Kurt sits self doubting himself, Blaine has come over to his side of the booth and is hovering over him with a hand outstretched and a charming smile.
Obligingly, Kurt puts his hand in Blaine's and allows himself to be pulled up. Only, when he stands Blaine doesn't step back and Kurt finds himself once again exceptionally close to Mr Anderson.
Blaine's eyes are glossy, his smile warm and he's so close that his shallow breaths are reaching Kurt's ear and tickling the hairs on the nape of his neck. He smells like expensive cologne, wine and mint. A tantalising combination that Kurt momentarily wishes he could taste and touch. Whoa!
"Thank you, Kurt" Blaine murmurs huskily, "for having dinner with me, for listening to me, for understanding and for just being… you."
Kurt finds himself once again speechless. His breath whooshes out of him when he eventually does open his mouth to try and think of something to say.
Blaine parts his lips, tilts his head and for a split second, unknowingly, Kurt copies him. He blinks his eyes closed, leans in and—
"Shall we?" Blaine steps back. Kurt's hand is still firmly entwined with his, he tugs Kurt forward and tucks his hand into the crook of his elbow as he steps towards the curtain and pulls it open.
Kurt stumbles forward with him, startled. Was he really just going to kiss Blaine Anderson?
Was Blaine going to kiss me? Was I actually going to let him?
Once back in the limo, safe and unseen; the driver pulls off automatically without word from Blaine. A part of Kurt hopes that Blaine is taking him home. And part of him doesn't.
The journey back from the restaurant is quiet. The driver is listening to something classical upfront and Blaine pushes a button on a control pad on his armrest and the music begins to flow soothingly around them.
Blaine is sitting close to Kurt, their thighs brushing. He has a hand on his lap and Kurt can tell by the restlessness of his fingers and the bobbing of his knee that Blaine wants to pull Kurt's hand over into his also.
There's something unnerving and also very lovely about the atmosphere of the night and the vibes that Blaine is giving off. It's almost like he's nervous, like he needs to impress. Whatever for?
After a short while Kurt comes to the realization that Blaine is actually not about to say anything. It's very odd. Kurt has to know what's next. How is this going to end between them? Is Blaine satisfied now, has he got what he wanted from Kurt?
He licks his lips and slowly turns his head to glance at Blaine. Blaine's head is lowered, his eyes staring at the carpeted flooring of the limousine. He isn't oozing his trademark charm as usual. It's a little unsettling.
"So" Kurt finally manages on a rush of air. "I did what you asked; I took a chance on you like you said—"
"Did it pay off?" Blaine suddenly turns to him. His voice is a little high and squeaky and his irises are burning brightly, alight with hope and desire. It takes Kurt by surprise.
"Huh?"
"The chance that you took. Did it pay off? Was it what you expected?"
It was…more.
"I um- Blaine I don't know what you want me to say, this is all so surreal for me." Blaine nods once and looks away, staring off out of the window a little pensively. He glances back at Kurt cautiously, looking like he wants- needs to say something.
"What is it?" Kurt mumbles, eying Blaine curiously. Blaine shakes his head and turns away. Kurt straightens in his seat and folds his arms across his chest.
It's not long before Blaine turns to him again and goes against his better judgement and takes Kurt's hand tightly within both of his. His eyes are pleading, his voice soft, a little shaky but sincere enough. "Kurt, I- you don't want this, you're just a kid. I'm sorry that I ever tried to get involved with you. You don't deserve this. My life is insane."
Slowly, Kurt twists his body all of the way to face Blaine completely. His is face open and soft. His arms go lax and his hands feel heavy in Blaine's. Stupidly the only thing he can think to say is "I'm not a kid. I'm 21."
Blaine smiles— it's small and not as hearty as it usually is but it's there and it's the first time that he's smiled since getting back into the car. Kurt finds it oddly reassuring.
Kurt clears his throat. His head feels too heavy for his shoulders, his mind fuzzy, and his heart is beating fast.
He thinks about his life, his current circumstances and situation. He has a nice apartment, a roommate that he can't complain about. A job that he loves, classes that he's acing, in one of the best schools in the city—the city that he loves and worked so hard to get to.
Most young people his age would kill to be where he is right now and have what he has. So why does he still feel so…unaccomplished? Empty? Not quite right?
Thoughts come to him, pin-wheeling out of nowhere, fast and sudden. Words to match those thoughts and the feelings he's having form and build, and climb up his throat and sit on his tongue bravely.
"I- I think that this—whatever this is—is maybe exactly what I'm looking for."
Blaine stares at Kurt, unbelieving. His mouth a little ajar and the expression on his face is so hilarious and aghast that Kurt has to laugh despite the seriousness of the situation.
Eventually Blaine turns away and when he looks back not 5 seconds later he's grinning, closed lipped through one corner of his mouth. He closes one eye and gives Kurt the dorkiest look that has Kurt laughing all over again. "Really? You'll see me again? You'll let me call you, or text and you'll actually text back?" Blaine asks excitedly.
Kurt gulps down the question he's dying to ask. Why? Why do you want to?
Instead he grins, shrugs and then nods. He doesn't want to say goodbye to Blaine until he has at least spoken to Isabelle and got her side of the story. At least, that's what he's telling himself.
"What's one more chance gonna do, huh?" Kurt replies teasingly, with a flirtatious tone he didn't even know he possessed.
Blaine turns away laughing, Kurt's hand still held carefully against his own. He leans over Kurt and pushes the window button until the glass has come all the way down with a light hum.
Kurt smiles as the city is unveiled from behind the dark, tinted glass. New York is beautiful at night. All bright lights and fast paced movements from all areas.
Blaine laughs as the cool air rushes in and hits his face. He's like a dog hanging out of the window—loving life and Kurt half expects him to howl into the night like a victory call.
Except what Blaine does instead completely takes him by surprise.
"I'm the luckiest guy in the world!" Blaine shouts at the city as it passes by their fast moving vehicle. He pulls his head back in and beams at Kurt like he's just given Blaine the cure to cancer.
Kurt cannot do anything but gape at Blaine, astounded, and laugh breathily as he enjoys the rest of the ride of home.
The next morning, Kurt opens his bedroom doors and finds Tai standing in front of him; his face pale, eyes wide.
Kurt rubs the sleep out of his eyes and yawns and stretches. He scratches a hand through his already messy, bed-matted hair.
"Hey, Tai…you ok?" He croaks, trying to nudge Tai out of the way to get to the kitchen when the coffee machine will hopefully already be turned on.
Tai nods silently and slowly steps out of the way to reveal their front room.
Kurt blinks once, twice and rubs at his eyes again.
Blaine is sitting on their couch—dressed in an impeccable dove gray suit with a bouquet of red and yellow roses in his hand.
"Good morning, Kurt." He says brightly, standing when he notices Kurt gawking at him from across the room. "I was thinking breakfast then I'll drop you off on campus after. What do you say?"
A/N Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.