"Hello Blaine." Kurt said as he tied his new apron around his waist.
Quinn then realized that this must be the Kurt. The Kurt that Blaine was talking about the other day at church. Of course she didn't say anything because Kurt might get worried or freak out because Blaine talked about him with a couple friends and Quinn knows what's happened between them. So she kept her mouth shut, not wanting to make her new employee uncomfortable and start everything off on the wrong foot; plus that would be wrong to expose Blaine like that and she didn't want to cause drama night now because-oh, there was a customer.
The trio walked back into the front of the store when they heard the bell above the door chime that a customer had arrived.
"Welcome to Quinn's." Quinn and Blaine said in unison as Quinn stepped back into the kitchen to check inventory and she prayed that Kurt would have a great first day, Blaine wouldn't word-vomit to Kurt again about anything, and that things would work out.
"Hi." The customer responded nervously, focusing on all of the sweets in front of her, a little confused and possibly overwhelmed.
"That's the first thing you'll need to learn." Blaine whispered to Kurt. "Welcome to Quinn's' when a customer walks in is a must."
"Ok." Kurt meekly whispered.
"Just smile, be polite, and watch what I do for today." Blaine replied turning back to the customer, quickly turning his dapper charm on her.
Kurt watched Blaine. How he knew every kind of cupcake, brownie, chocolate covered marshmallow something, candy, ice cream, and every cookie that were in this quaint, little shop. He effortlessly eased around the small space behind the counter; climbing up the small latter to retrieve candy of the customer's choice from the very tall shelves on the back wall, selecting delicate and colorful cupcakes off of the equally colorful trays that they sat on, and weighing everything to figure out the customer's total for everything they were about to purchase.
Kurt also noticed throughout their shift that Blaine would often reach into his pocket for no reason. Just checking to see if something was there, Kurt figured. It seemed a little off to him, but then again, everything in his life was a little off.
Blaine gave Kurt as many smiles as he could, whenever their eyes met for a brief moment, but Kurt just looked away.
'Am I still mad at him?' Kurt thought when there was no one in the shop, mid-afternoon.
'Is he still mad at me?' Blaine whispered out loud without thinking. After he realized what he said, he looked to Kurt, hoping he didn't hear it. He did.
"Honestly Blaine, I don't know."
"Do you want to talk after our shift?"
"Welcome to Quinn's." Kurt exclaimed as cheerfully as he could when he spotted two customers enter the shop.
Kurt and Blaine served the tall, fairly thin man with a mohawk who was attached at the hip to a very curvy women with glasses.
"Whatcha got for us, boys?" Mohawk man said, setting both of the workers off guard.
"Well our turtle clusters are buy four get three free. Also our chunky monkey cupcakes are $2 each-nice and fresh." Blaine smoothly explained deal after deal, pointing to everything with such ease and class. Kurt was nearly mesmerized by it all-nearly.
The couple waited for Blaine to add their total together. "Even if they all suck." She said.
"Even if they all suck." He repeated and they shared a brief kiss. Kurt cringed. Not in disgust of this couple's choice of PDA, well that was annoying too, as usual, but he wanted something like that so badly, but that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.
Blaine walked up to the front door, locked it, turned the OPEN sign to CLOSED, and turning off most of the lights. Luckily Quinn left the kitchen lights on. Which calmed Kurt a little because he was a kind of afraid of the dark and he started to panic.
"So, do you want to-whoa, you alright there?" Blaine asked as he turned around back to Kurt and started to untie his apron behind his back.
"Yeah, I-I'm fine, just a little uh, well I-I wasn't expecting you to t-turn off the lights so q-quickly." He stammered.
"Oh, sorry, I just, uh-habit. Working mostly alone, didn't think to ask or warn you. Wait, are you afraid of the dark?" Blaine raised one of his perfectly triangular eyebrows in response.
"Uh, a little I guess." Kurt blushed "I just like to see where I am and I always feel like somebody is going to jump out and scare me or something."
"Well let's get out of the dark then." Blaine turned on a lamp with multiple green, purple and orange lights that lit up a corner of the wall-bench across the room.
"Alright, let's talk." Kurt said as he seated himself on the bench and Blaine pulled up a chair in front if him. Until now, with this dim light and being alone, Kurt had never really taken a good look at Blaine. Sure, he'd thought he was handsome or good-looking when they first met, but not like this, not this up close. His lightly tan skin was exquisite; his eyes were golden honey with a splash of green and almost copper; his dark brown hair, almost black, was gelled, not too much, but just enough to keep in place and still be curly; his silly triangle eyebrows were interesting, but that's what made him, him. Blaine Anderson was jaw-droppingly beautiful.
"Look, I want to apologize for everything from before." Blaine interrupted Kurt's trance. "I don't know what got into me, I just got on this tangent and the word-vomit kept coming and coming. I'm deeply sorry." Blaine rested his hand on Kurt's, which was resting on the small, round table that was next to them; covered in small pieces of broken glass, forming a unique mosaic. "I was rude, insensitive, inconsiderate, and disrespectful. In time, I hope you can forgive me. I'd really like to make it up to you in some way and help you if I can, with whatever I can."
"Well yes," Kurt moved his hand out from underneath Blaine, feeling slightly uncomfortable and continued, "You weren't the most considerate in that moment, but it's ok, neither was I. We all screw up, it wasn't your finest moment and it surely wasn't mine either. I was completely upset after everything and took it out on you. I'm sorry for yelling at you and causing a scene back there in the coffee shop. Calling you a hypocrite and all of that was crossing the line."
"Wow, I didn't think you'd let everything go that easy. And before you turn this all to blame yourself, don't. All of it was my fault, ok? You had every reason to yell at me-you had just lost your parents after all. " Kurt really liked how genuinely Blaine spoke every word to him, it felt so good.
"Ok."
"So what's the deal with you working here now?"
"Oh, well having no money, school and collage coming up, rent to pay for, food, and who knows what else, I am desperate for a job. Found an ad for this place and figured why not? I've been coming to this place since I was a kid. My mom would take me here if I was having a bad day or she just wanted to treat us. Brings back so many great memories. And it's where I met you, of course." Kurt smiled at him.
"Well if I haven't officially done so already, welcome aboard." Blaine held his right hand out and shook Kurt's hand with a smile.
Kurt sighed after letting go. Partially because he was still depressed and because he realized that he actually liked Blaine's hands and now they were gone. They were warm, strong, some-what soft, and reminded him that he had at least one person who was looking out for him. "I just can't believe everything that's happened to me lately, I'm not sure how much I can hang in there, I'll eventually slip." Suddenly Kurt was filled with harsh, melancholy emotions that came out of nowhere and he couldn't hold them in much longer.
"Hey, come here." Blaine sat next to Kurt and didn't expect him to do much other than maybe lean his head on his shoulder but that's why Kurt Hummel is full of surprises. He turned to the other man who was now next to him and leapt into his arms, clinging on for dear life.
Once the tears started falling down Kurt's cheeks, they didn't show any signs of slowing or stopping. Blaine tried shushing him, rubbing his back, whispering things like 'It's ok' 'I'm here' 'You're fine, Kurt' 'I'm not going anywhere' 'Let it out' and Kurt thought he heard him whisper 'You are so strong' but that was probably what his imagination wanted him to hear.
Blaine had never met someone so broken before. Never. Wait a minute, the ring! Blaine had Kurt's ring in his pocket and there it was, still in his pocket, and here Kurt was, practically on his lap, and he still hadn't returned it to him. What an idiot!
"Hey, Kurt?" Blaine asked once Kurt's tears had settled down a little. He pulled from their tight embrace and looked the broken man in the eyes and tear stained, red face. "I have something that might cheer you up a little." He couldn't believe he had almost forgotten! How could he forget this, this was one of the main reasons he wanted to get to see Kurt again.
Blaine reached into his uniform pants pocket and pulled out a silver ring and held it to Kurt.
He sat there, speechless and then he screamed after a few seconds. Blaine was scared that this wasn't the ring or he had ruined something important. "I found this on the table in The Lima Bean after you, uh, left. This is your ring, right?"
Another tear fell down Kurt's cheek and he attacked Blaine with another hug. 'The ring! He found it! Well, Blaine found it but at least it wasn't lost forever.' Kurt thought.
"Blaine," Kurt pulled from the hug and gently took the ring from Blaine's fingers, "you are my hero. I was devastated when I thought I had lost this forever! You are the best, thank you thank you thank you!"
"You're welcome. Hey, sorry, I'm curious, but who are B and E. Well at least that's what engraved into it." Blaine was hoping this wasn't something he wouldn't regret, having a big mouth.
"Oh, yeah. Well this ring was, was my dad's promise ring to my mom." Kurt started to cry again and Blaine put a hand on Kurt's shoulder blade as he began speaking again, silently urging him to continue. "I had been eyeing it since I can remember. My mom's fingers grew after she had me, never shrunk back I guess. Somehow it fit me so she gave it to me when I turned 18, knowing I would take good care of it. She told me that as long as I had that ring, I'd always be with her and dad. Then I lost them and this ring in one day. So thank from the bottom of my heart for finding this Blaine. It has more sentimental value than you can even imagine. Thank you!" Kurt wrapped his arms around Blaine's shoulders and neck once more and gave him a kiss on the cheek as he pulled back.
"You're welcome." He said with a smile.
Little did they know, Quinn was about to leave the shop when she saw Kurt and Blaine, sitting on the bench, hugging and-what was that? Kurt gave Blaine a kiss on the cheek! She whipped out her phone and sent Mercedes a text: We won't have to worry anymore about Blaine and his boy troubles anymore :D
Mercedes responded: Details! Details!
Quinn answered back with: I think I'll let Blaine fill you in everything, another time. And left the shop, not wanting to disturb Kurt and Blaine's moment.
Blaine pulled apart of their embrace and looked at his watch. "Oh wow, it's almost 9:30. Well, do you want a ride home?" He asked, being the dapper gentlemen that he is, asking to give Kurt a ride when he knows he doesn't have a car.
"That would be great, thank you." Kurt got up and stretched his arms over his head, letting out a sigh and looked back to Blaine who was starting at him. "What, enjoying the view?"
Blaine blushed and looked to the floor. "You, uh, ready to go?"
Kurt brushed off that almost flirty moment and followed Blaine out the back door to his car. Did Blaine just stare at him? Flirt with him, maybe? 'No, I'm not going to let a boy come into my life and leave, making everything worse than it already is, I can't do that-even if he is caring, contains great bakery skills, and not to mention drop dead gorgeous beyond belief!' Kurt hoped he really hadn't said any of that out loud and luckily he hadn't.
"So, where do you live?" He asked as they reached his car. Blaine drove the most amazing car ever-a light orange 1967 VW bus. Leave it to Blaine to get the most amazing, hipster, vintage car around.
"About a mile or so up the street, turn left at Taco Bell and it's in the apartment building on the right." Kurt didn't know streets very well, just places and things.
A million things were running through Kurt's mind in just those few minutes-Blaine was the first friend he had ever really had, first friend he had at his apartment, Blaine was comforting and holding him a few minutes ago, he caught him staring at him, and he almost felt like a brother taking care of him or a neighbor-a true friend.
Kurt walked into his apartment and immediately felt uncomfortable. "Uh, excuse the mess."
"Oh, that's ok, my place doesn't look too different."
"No, Blaine, this is mostly my parents' stuff. I don't know what to do with it all. It's just here, haunting me, reminding me every single day of what I've lost."
"Don't worry, we'll figure something out." Just then a clap of thunder hit over the building and the rain began to pour from the sky. The lights went out and Kurt threw himself into Blaine's arms.
"Hey, what's wrong? I'm not going anywhere." Blaine eased his arms around Kurt's shoulders as his were tightly wound around Blaine's waist.
"Sorry, I'm just really scared of the thunder." Kurt didn't know if he wanted to let go or remain just where he was.
"Go ahead Kurt, don't be afraid to let it out. I'll do whatever you want me to." Kurt was relieved that Blaine answered his question and he began sobbing once again and didn't show any signs of loosening his grip on the shorter man in front of him.
"Kurt, do you want to sit or something, this is getting a little painful?" Blaine's back was starting to ache and he pulled back to meet Kurt's once again wet, red eyes.
"Sure. I'm sorry for gluing myself to you, I just like to be held when I'm sad and you're the only person that might do that for me or even care."
"Which way is your room?"
"Down to the right, first room on the left." And with that, Blaine scooped Kurt up, bridal style and carried him to that room. Kurt snuggled against Blaine's chest, feeling slightly more at ease. The door was jammed at first, which made things a bit awkward and somewhat ruined the romantic moment, but Blaine did fairly well considering he was holding Kurt and dealing with a door jam at the same time. Kurt's room was littered with clothes and his bed was a mess. Blankets and more clothes everywhere. Was there anything else left in his closet or dresser?
Considering the power was still out and rain was gushing from above, the room was lit more then either of them expected-which was a relief for Kurt because he was a little afraid of the darkness.
Still holding a melancholy Kurt in his arms, Blaine did an excellent job maneuvering around the mess of the room. He laid Kurt down on his bed, walked around to the other side, and sat next to him.
"Still want to be held?" It may have been dark, but Blaine's eyes were big and shining so beautifully, Kurt almost forgot to answer the question.
"Please." He choked out and Blaine opened his arms to him once again. Thunder shook the building and Kurt whined and mumbled into Blaine's shirt.
"Shh, it's ok, Kurt, I'm not going anywhere whatever this storm is going to do, it's ok." Blaine rubbed his back and tried his best to sooth Kurt.
Kurt scooted over to him, set his head in the crook of Blaine's neck, leaned against his chest and Blaine's arms soon engulfed him in a warm embrace. "You don't even know how much I've missed this, someone holding me and letting me sulk. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"Shh, it's ok, Kurt, I'm not going anywhere, whatever this storm is going to do, it's ok." Blaine rubbed his back and tried his best to sooth Kurt.
"So, sorry, I'm curious, but why did you apply for Quinn's?"
"I have no money, no car, no job, high school is coming to a close and I have no chance with collage, or money for it. I'm all by myself in this apartment that I have to somehow pay rent for and I'm so scared Blaine. I have one person in my life that I am learning to trust, who is becoming my only friend, and I might have a chance at becoming close to. And you know who that is?" A fresh tear rolled down his cheek and hit Blaine's pink flannel jacket.
"Who?"
"You. Blaine, you are my only friend, the only person I talk to-ever. I have no one. I am the definition of a loner. So why do you want to hang around me? I know we are now co-workers, but you really don't need to be here right now-so why are you?"
"You want to know the truth?" Kurt nervously nodded, regretting asking him that question and possibly being too pushy. "Something inside of me completely broke when I saw the lost look in your eyes-there was no way you were walking out of there without trying to help you. I know you're not a believer in the same things I believe in, but I felt like God was yelling at me to talk to you."
"Wow. Look, I'm sorry for asking that."
"No, it's totally ok. Well this might even be a weirder question than yours, but, Kurt, can I sing to you?"
"You sing? Wow, please do, anything to get my mind off of this. No one has sung to me since I was a really little boy. I would absolutely love that, Blaine."
I've been alone, surrounded by darkness. I've seen how heartless the world can be.
I've seen you crying, felt like it's hopeless, I'll always do my best to make you see.
Baby, you're not alone, cuz you're here with me and nothing's ever gonna bring us down cuz nothing can keep me from loving you and you know it's true. It don't matter what'll come to be, our love is all we need to make it through.
Now I know it ain't easy, but it ain't hard trying. Every time I see you smiling and I feel you so close to me.
Just then Kurt looked up at Blaine, smiled like he actually felt happy and that the song was working and hugged Blaine as tight as he could because that's what the lyrics were telling him to do.
Tell me that baby, you're not alone, cuz you're here with me and nothing's gonna take us down cuz nothing can keep me from loving you and you know it's true. It don't matter what'll come to be out love is all we need to make it through.
I still have trouble, I trip and stumble trying to make sense of things sometime.s I look for reasons, but I don't need 'em all I need is to look in your eyes and I realize. Baby, you're not alone, cuz you're here with me and nothing's ever gonna bring us down cuz nothing can keep me from loving you and you know it's true. It don't matter what'll come to be, our love is all we need to make it through.
Kurt moved as close to Blaine as he possibly could and hugged him with all of his might. "Blaine, that was beautiful. I loved it, thank you."
Blaine kissed the top of Kurt's head "You're welcome. I'll sing to you anytime you want me to-except maybe work, I don't know. So how about I help you clean this place up?"
"The power's still out, we can't see anything."
"Got any flashlights? Candles?"
"Maybe in the kitchen, let's go look." They both got up from Kurt's bed and slowly wandered into the kitchen across the small apartment. After a minute of looking through messy drawers, cabinets, and closets, Kurt realized they were in the hall closet instead of the kitchen.
Blaine lit the candles and gave one large white one to Kurt, lighting another large one for himself. "Blow the candles out, looks like a solo tonight, I'm beginning to see the light." Blaine softly sang, lighting more candles. "Sorry, since now I know you like it when I sing-it's good to see you smile, Kurt."
"Thank you for giving me a reason to smile again, Blaine." He smiled again but it soon faded when another bolt of thunder hit and he jumped with fear.
"You alright?" Kurt nodded. "So shall we?" Blaine let down the matches moved into the living room.
"Thank you." Kurt said, setting his candle on the cluttered coffee table.
"Don't mention it."
For the next hour they worked mostly in silence except for the occasional 'Kurt, what should I do with these?' or 'Kurt, where do these go?' They sorted through magazines, kitchen dishes, cups and silverware, office supplies, dad's old newspapers, keys, wallets, umbrellas, old coats and so much more.
Kurt picked up an old, dusty looking book that he didn't ever remember having in his home. He opened it and found old family photos. He started tearing up as he found his parent's wedding photos, the day he was born and tons of pointless photos of their family almost two decades ago.
"Kurt, what's wrong?" Blaine asked, dropping what he was organizing and stood next to Kurt. "Is that you?" he asked, pointing to a picture of Kurt in one of his mother's dresses and red high heels when he was roughly two years old.
Kurt laughed through his tears, "Yeah, I had quiet the fashion sense even back then."
Just then, a slip of paper flew out from the book and landed face down on the tan colored carpet. Blaine reached down and picked it up off of the ground. "What's that?" Kurt asked.
Blaine looked at it and was shocked. It was the kindergarten through 5th grade Sunday School class picture from 2001 at Blaine's church. "I could ask you the same question." He handed the paper to Kurt, very confused. "I thought you hated church."
"I never said I hated church. I just didn't feel a connection with any of it. My family and I didn't get that into it to call ourselves Christians. I went there until I was in second grade. My family just stopped going, probably because everyone was finding out I was gay." Kurt shrugged.
"Well I want you to know that everyone at that church isn't perfect, but we've become a lot more excepting these past few years. I mean, my two guy best friends there are dating each other and one of them is in a wheelchair."
"Really?" Kurt was shocked. 'A crippled, gay couple that goes to church and believes in God? Anything else out of the ordinary between them-is the other one a superhero or a beanie baby hoarder?' Kurt thought to himself.
"Really. So where are you in this picture?" Kurt pointed to a kid in the second row, looking like he was trying to hide, become invisible with a smile that was far from happy. "That's you? You poor thing, you look so, so-"
"Somebody that no one wants to be friends with. Go ahead, don't be afraid to say it."
"I was going to say young even though you haven't changed. Adorable. Precious. Cute." Kurt smiled and Blaine returned it. "You surely look better than me." Blaine pointed to a curly haired kid in the row behind Kurt who was in mid sneeze.
"That's you? We went to the same Sunday School?"
"Apparently."
"I don't even remember you." They said in unison and blushed at how they were already finishing each other's sentences.
"Hey Kurt, I've got an idea." Then the lights in the apartment came on and Kurt was extremely relieved-the power was back! "Yes God, I've got an idea, thank you." Kurt laughed as Blaine loudly spoke to the ceiling. "Anyways, why don't we have a garage sale?"