'Now Blaine, can you lean down on Ellington's shoulder, no no like drape your arm ac- yeah like that. Brilliant, hold it there.' Brad snapped another 10 or so photo's as the two models stood awkwardly together, trying not to fall over.

Kurt stood back, watching as Blaine tried to adapt to this strange environment.

The other two models, Ellington and Caden were professionals. They'd been in the business for years and had no trouble with acting right on set, pulling the right faces and striking the correct poses.

Blaine however, he was grinning like a 5 year old at Christmas. All his nerves seemed to vanish and he was bounding about madly, almost singing along to the corny music that played over head. Brad kept having to scold him for smiling in the photo's, when he was meant to be acting smooth and sultry. He was getting on the other two models nerves but the rest of the crew found him very endearing, especially Kurt.

They got half way through the shoot when Blaine and the others were summoned out for hair and makeup alterations and touch ups, as well as outfit changes.

Kurt sent the two blonde women to deal with Ellington and Caden, and decided to steal Blaine away for himself.

He helped Blaine slip off his jacket and shirt, and out on his new outfit. They fell back into conversation, subtly complimenting each other as they moved around. Blaine was ranting about how amazing this all was, and how it was like a dream come true. He was really bubbling and Kurt found it quite difficult to keep up at times. He decided to just smile and nod like you would with a hyperactive toddler, but this seemed to keep Blaine happy enough as he kept on talking and laughing like it was the best day in the world.

Blaine was very happy, the shoot was great fun, he had a sexy new hair style, and he got to spend the day with Kurt freaking Hummel, and be paid for it. This was literally the most amazing thing that had ever happened. Compared to his anger and frustration after being fired this morning, everything seemed so much bigger and brighter. His emotions and actions were magnified and he just wanted to prove to himself (and maybe...maybe a porcelain skinned designer) how brilliant he really was.

Imagine the look on his Ex-managers face when he saw Blaine, in magazines and posters all over the city. Being a model, for Pavarotti designs. That'd show him! Boom, 10 points to Blaine.

Although, the only downside of the day would be that he had found a new mortal enemy, in the form of safety pins. The pesky little things kept stabbing him every time Kurt tried to thread them through the fabric, to keep it tight on Blaine's small frame, but Kurt, unlike the women, kept apologising profusely every time the cold metal struck Blaine's skin, so he decided to leave his annihilation of the metallic demons for another day.

Kurt sent him back on set a few minutes after he had placed the last pin into Blaine's jacket. He gave Blaine another squeeze to the shoulders and a whisper of confidence in the smaller mans ear before allowing Brad to steal him back to pose with the models.

xXx

After the main shoot finished, Kurt managed to persuade Brad to call Blaine back for several solo photo's in which Blaine was allowed to be hyperactive. Kurt felt they should do at least a few fun ones, just for the sake of it.

Besides, he had this gorgeous man on set, and it would just be a waste not to take as many shots as possible. (He may or may not be planning to take one home, just for business sake you see. Honestly, his intentions were purely professional.)

From the proofs that Kurt saw on Brad's camera, these shots looked amazing, so much life and energy in each one, Kurt was sure he could find a way to include at least one in his catalogue.

xXx

Once Blaine's individual performance was done, Kurt showed him back to the changing rooms and brought over his clothes he had been wearing when he arrived. They had been freshly pressed and still had the faint starchy smell lingering on the fabric.

Blaine changed back into his previous attire feeling a little put off when he looked in the mirror though. His clothes seemed so boring and dull compared to the fabulous ensemble he had been parading about in earlier.

He shook his head solemnly and headed out of the room, and was greeted by Mellissa, Kurt and one of the blonde women.

'Hey Blaine.' Called Kurt as Blaine walked down the hall to see the group.

'Blaine.' Mellissa said, nodding her head sweetly and smiling.

'Aww hello Hun. You were great out there' the blonde women added.

'Carla's right Blaine.' Kurt said, reaching out to hold onto Blaine's shoulder and give it a comforting squeeze (again) 'You really were superb, fabulous even. I think Ellington and Caden are going to have a run for their money.' The four of them laughed in mutual agreement.

'In fact you were so good..' Kurt hesitated a little, and Blaine saw a pang of worry cross the angelic man's face. 'We have a proposition for you.'

Blaine froze. His mind suck down into the gutter as he was reminded of those sleazy chat up lines they used in the movies, he pushed them to the back of his mind as very vivid images began to appear.

'Err...' The images...they were diminishing Blaine's IQ count by the second, and speech was a no go at the moment.

'Blaine' Kurt said, clutching at the man's shoulder so his nails bit at the dark material.

'I've asked the crew, and they agree with me. Would...would you like to join our team?'

Ok, his mind must still be stuck in fantasy realms, Kurt Hummel just said something so amazing and yet so unrealistic it couldn't be true. Blaine snapped his eyes shut and pinched his hip sharply.

He cursed under his breath as a shot of pain rang through his side. It didn't appear he was dreaming.

'-laine. Blaine?' he opened his eyes and saw the three colleagues standing together, still watching him.

'Are you being serious?' Blaine asked quickly, hoping he wasn't being a delusional freaky stalker fan and making this up in his head.

'That's what he asked me.' Mellissa hissed in Kurt's ear. 'Doesn't believe anything we people tell him.'

'Yes Blaine. We are entirely serious. You have proved you have the skills and the looks-' both men flushed slightly at this. '-to make it in this industry, besides, you seem a hell of a lot nicer than that jerk we had before. So what do you say? We have several publicity shots to do, and then a couple of runway shows around the country and of course the catalogue. We'll pay you well, and I mean if you're busy then-'

'Kurt. Are you kidding? Of COURSE I'll do it.' Blaine pulled on Kurt's arm that was still resting on his shoulder and tugged the man into a tight embrace. Kurt laughed into Blaine's hair and he nuzzled his nose into Kurt's chest.

'Thank you Kurt.' He said, when he finally pulled away. He kept hold of the man's hands and clutched them solemnly to his chest. 'You have no idea how much this means to me.'

Kurt nodded and just held Blaine's hands for a moment in a perfect, comfortable silence, like there was nobody else there but the two of them, that was, until Kurt's phone went off.

'Shit' he hissed, dragging his fingers from Blaine's and fumbling around in his pocket for his IPhone.

He found it quickly and held it up to his ear.

'Yes...no he said Yes...he said YES...I Know, right?.'

He held the phone from his head for a moment and whispered something to Mellissa, keeping his hand across the speaker. She nodded curtly and ushered him out of the room.

'Sorry.' She said briskly. 'Do you mind if we leave you two here a second, this call will take two minutes, just...could you wait?'

The Blonde, Carla, turned to Blaine who just shrugged.

'Sure' she replied, turning to Mellissa, who mouthed 'thank you' as she rushed out of the room after Kurt.

xXx

'So...' Carla said, sitting down in the chair opposite Kurt in the foyer end of the corridor, 'You and Kurtie...what's going on there' she gave him an innocent smile as flicked the hair from her face

'Umm...what do you mean?' Blaine replied, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

'Oh No no dear, I'm not trying to be rude... it's just...well..' now she was the one feeling awkward.

'well?'

'well...you call him Kurt right?'

Blaine nodded, his eyebrows knotting together as his forehead furrowed.

'Well...put it this way. It took me a month before I was allowed to call him Kurt,' she pointed to the direction the pair had recently come from.

' and it took Mel back there 3 weeks and she's like his best friend here, so seriously Hun... you must have done something pretty darn amazing because your calling each other with Christian names and you've known each other...what...6 hours?'

'But...he said everyone calls him Kurt?' Blaine said, clearly a little confused.

'They do NOW, well not Jonty the makeup artist, but we all know he's a little off in the head-...but think about it Hun. We've all been working with him for months if not years. He's a very quiet man when it comes to friendships. He's very hesitant about the whole thing, and it's taken you, a complete stranger, less than 10 minutes to get him ranting happily to you, whereas it's taken us weeks of being in a room with him every waking moment.'

Blaine opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by the insistent blonde.

'Don't deny your little conversation Hun, we heard you from outside- I totally agree with you about maroon by the way. But I think he like's you, you know. He saw your spark on set today. Kept telling me how perfect you were for the clothes.' She shuffled her chair a little closer to Blaine's and laid her hand on his knee, squeezing gently.

'Now I don't want to sound like a bossy pants here, but I really think you should try and talk to him a little more. You're coming on the mini tour with us, why not try and get to know him better. I think he could really open up to you, and he really needs to. It's not been the best year for him, and we only know the scraps, he blocks us off and hides his emotions really darn well...'

Blaine ran his fingers through his hair, not knowing what to make of this woman telling him all about his idol. It was so different to the image he had in his head. Kurt was...was so confident and put together,..

'And I've seen the way you look at him. I think you like him too. You certainly like his designs.' She said, giving his neck and scarf a small but playful prod.

'Make the most of this, you could befriend THE Kurt Hummel, and believe me, that is such an honour. He's such a wonderful person and he needs wonderful friends... like me, and hopefully, someday, like you' the pair smiled sweetly, as Blaine slipped back into thought land, trying to absorb all this woman had just said. Did this mean he had, like, friends consent or something?

He was about to as Carla to elaborate but Kurt and Mellissa chose this moment to storm back into the room, both beaming like Cheshire cats.

'Nice to see you two bonding.' Kurt joked as Carla withdrew her hand from Blaine's knee.

'I hate to break up the delicate moment but...we are going out for coffee now, so you two need to grab your coats- don't look so surprised Blaine you're my newest employee of course I'm treating you to coffee. Come on, up up up!' Kurt singsonged.

'Where are we going?' Blaine asked, as he stood up and reached for his coat that was draped across the back of his seat.

'I don't know yet. Surprise me.' He said as he practically danced over to the doors.

'Umm...' Carla started, after whispering frantically in Mel's ear. 'You two go this one alone. Mel and I have some...'

'Paper work.' Mel chimed in as Carla began to hesitate. 'We need to finish up the last batch on the range, and Carla's helping me because we all know I can't name fabrics for the life of me.'

'Well, I'm still up for coffee if you are Blaine?' Kurt said, spinning to face the man who was still struggling to get the sleeves of his coat on.

'Yeah, yeah it sounds great. I'm just sorry these two can't make it.'

'Yeah, are you two ladies sure you don't want to come?'

'We're fine Kurt. You boys go off and have fun, we'll collect out coffee debt some other time.'

'If you insist.' Kurt said, leaning over to swing the large glass door open. 'Then I must love you and leave you, come on Blaine, our drinks await.' And with that Kurt shot out of the door and onto the street.

'Thanks' Blaine hissed to Carla as he hurried after Kurt.

'Just think about what I said Hun.' She called after him. 'You two have potential.' And with that, Blaine slipped out the door, and down into the streets of New York.

xXx

Kurt followed Blaine down the crowded streets until they reached a bend in the road. Blaine turned down a smaller, less populated street and Kurt followed nervously. They continued down the lane for around 5 minutes before Blaine stopped in front of a small, dark looking building, with a creaky wooden sign above the door reading 'The Three Wishes-Coffee Shop'.

Blaine smiled as Kurt stared sceptically at the door. It was definitely not the sort of place Kurt would normally be seen in, but Blaine seemed so happy he couldn't refuse him. Besides, people knew his clothes, not him, so it's not like any one would recognise him.

Blaine saw the questioning look in Kurt's eyes and grabbed the other man's hand and squeezed it gently.

'It's great. Trust me. '

The funny thing was, Kurt did, he trusted Blaine completely, and so he let himself be dragged inside the coffee shop, and boy was he glad he did.

The inside of the building was so unbelievably different to the outside.

Mellow lighting and white wash walls gave the room a suave and sophisticated feel. The walkway to the counter was lined with small white lights and the floor appeared to be made of marble. Kurt surveyed the room in awe, eyeing up every individual chair and the pile of red bean bags that were positioned around a table in the corner.

His eyes were suddenly drawn to a stage on the far side of the room, where a drum kid and music stands were set up, along with a microphone. Coloured lights were twinkling above it, casting a phosphorescent glow across the instruments.

The people in the room stared as the door opened, but all turned back to their drinks at the site of the two, apparently ordinary men.

'Wow.' Kurt said, still gaping at the decor. 'just...wow.'

'Just wait until you try the coffee, it's to DIE for' Blaine said, pulling Kurt over to the counter, and almost forcing him down into one of the plush seats near the till.

Kurt relaxed into it as Blaine hurried over and summoned the barista who was counting the pennies in the tip jar.

'Steph.' Blaine called to the tall brunette. 'Hey Steph.'

The girl stopped her counting and raised her vision to spy Blaine.

'Blaine.' She shrieked, and ran round the counter to embrace him in a tight hug. A few people turned around at the sound, but quickly settled down again.

'What are you doing here? You haven't been in here for like three weeks, what happened , we thought you were dead,...or moved to Canada, but dead seemed more likely.'

Blaine laughed and span the girl around in his arms. 'I'm fine, I'm fine. See' He tapped her nose lightly and set her back down on the floor. 'Still alive.'

'Where were you?' She asked, tucking her freed hair back behind her ears and smoothing down her apron.

'You know out and about, I got a new job today.' He said, tucking his hands into his pockets nervously.

'Ooh B that's amazing. What is it?'

'Umm...'

'He's modelling.' Kurt called from the chair. 'For my company.'

Steph stared at Blaine questioningly; he just grinned shyly and nodded. She then turned to Kurt wide eyed and just blinked at the pair.

'Oh my God. Are you kidding me? Blaine you're so tiny, how the hell did you...what on earth are you doing modelling?'

'He stepped in last minute for my shoot today. My assistant scouted him, and let me tell you, your friend here is quite the performer, he gave the professionals a run for their money.'

Blaine flushed deeply as Kurt stood up.

'Kurt. Kurt Hummel, pleasure to meet you.' He said, extending an arm to the barista who was still gaping like a gold fish. If it was possible for her jaw to become any wider, it happened right then.

'Oh... sweet baby Jesus you're kidding me. You're Kurt Hummel, as in the Kurt Hummel the Pavarotti designer?'

'That's me.' Kurt said smiling.

The girl let out a small squeal and suddenly clutched at his hand, shaking it rather violently. 'Oh my God I love your work, seriously amazing I have like a closet full of your autumn collection. You're like my idol. I'm your biggest fan, well equal with Blaine but-'

'Steph' Blaine hissed, his cheeks turning an even darker red.

'Blaine.' She hissed back, finally releasing Kurt's hand. 'You never told me you knew KURT freaking HUMMEL.'

'I didn't. Not before today.'

'This is totally awesome. Oh my God, why are you in here. This place is like, a nowhere.'

'Blaine suggested it.' Kurt said, adjusting the scarf around his neck.

'Oh B I LOVE you. Er... Mr Hummel, can I get your autograph?' she asked, hurrying back behind the counter to grab a sheet of paper and a biro pen.

Kurt chuckled and accepted the pen, scrawling his name onto the centre of the page, along with a brief note.

Steph swooned a little as she was handed back her freshly signed sheet, and folded it gently before placing it to the top pocket of her jeans.

'Best. Day. Ever.' She sighed contently as she headed back behind the counter. 'You...wow B. This is amazing.'

Blaine laughed a little too now, and turned to face Kurt.

'What do you want to drink?' he asked, pulling his wallet from his pocket.

'Hmm, Grande non fat mocha for me please.' Kurt sat back down in his chair and allowed a small smirk to play across his face as Blaine ordered the pairs coffee and continued to chat with his excitable barista friend.

Blaine was a fan. Blaine was a FAN, of him. Kurt Hummel. This was too good to be true. This gorgeous piece of man admired him. Wow...that was just...brilliant.

Kurt was sure the smile on his face was horrifically goofy but at the moment, nothing seemed to matter, he sighed contentedly and waited for his coffee order.

xXx

A few minutes later Blaine arrived carrying two steaming glasses of the smooth brown liquid, he placed them down on the table and proceeded to slump into the chair opposite Kurt.

'Sorry about the wait.' He said, picking up his drink again and blowing across the foamy top. 'Steph wouldn't shut up, I think she has a minor obsession with you.

Kurt giggled and picked up his own drink, mimicking Blaine.

'So how do you know her then?' He asked gazing across the table at Blaine, not taking in the coffee.

'Oh...me and her go waaay back. Like to kindergarten.'

'Geez, that is a long time.' Kurt agreed.

'Yeah, well our mom's were friends so they used to set us up on play dates when we were little. She was pretty much my only friend throughout my childhood and up through middle school. When I found out I was gay, she was one of the only ones who accepted me. It was a little tough, but she was always there so... we made it through.' Blaine let out a shallow laugh, before looking to Kurt, who nodded, as if signalling for Blaine to continue.

'well, it sounds really silly now, but when we were in middle school... we "dated"' He held up his free hand and waved it about, indicating the ridiculousness of his statement.

'Not proper dated, just so the other kids wouldn't, I dunno, pick on me I guess. But yeah, eventually the others found out I was gay anyway, so that plan fell to shit, in the end, she couldn't stop them beating me up, so when it was time for high school, I transferred to the private system.'

Kurt nodded and took a dredge of his drink, smiling as the warm substance hit his tongue, it really was amazing.

'So...' Kurt said hesitantly 'You're gay then?'

'Yep that's me, gay as a...well I don't know...gay as a rainbow I guess. Is that the correct term? I thought the clothes were a dead giveaway anyway.'

Kurt laughed and set his drink down on the table.

'Not to be...awkward, but I wouldn't have pegged you as it.' Well, you pegged him as hot. What are the chances eh?

Now Blaine laughed, following Kurt's example and placing his drink down.

'Nah, not a lot of people do anymore, I guess, I keep myself to myself, don't let a lot of people get to know me well, not unless they seem genuinely nice and trustworthy. Otherwise you get hurt don't you? Besides, I tend to avoid shouting it to the world. Don't ask, don't tell sort of thing.'

Kurt nodded knowledgably. 'I here you. Same thing with me to be honest.'

'What the solitude or the gay thing?'

'Both.'

'Oh.' Blaine said, waggling his eyebrows. The pair looked at each other for a moment before bursting into streams of giggles.

Once they had settled down, Kurt brought his glass back up, and took another gulp.

'So Blaine, tell me a little more about you. Now that we have the err...basics out of the way.'

'Not much to tell if I'm honest. I'm not a very interesting person.' He said frankly.

'Come on there must be something. One itsy bitsy thing you can talk about. What are your hobbies, where are you from, how old are you, what's your favourite flavour jello? You know, that sort of stuff.'

Blaine chuckled and rubbed at his forehead with his finger tips.

'Okay...well...I'm 26, graduated NYU with a first in Music and drama. I love the arts, Broadway musicals, playing guitar, piano oh and singing. Love singing. I was lead singer for my schools glee club back in Ohio-'

'You're from Ohio?' Kurt asked, his cheeks paling.

'Yeah, near Westerville. I went to Dalton Academy. Our glee club was The Warblers. Those were the good days.' Blaine sighed

'You're kidding!' Kurt said, staring wide eyed at Blaine.

'No...why?' Blaine raised an eyebrow questioningly.

'I'm from Lima, I was in McKinley Highs glee club, New Directions, we were up against you in the 2011 regional show choir champion ships.'

Blaine leant forward in his seat.

'No. Freaking. Way.'

'What are the chances.'

'This is so weird. If only we were allowed to speak to the competition. I could have befriended THE Kurt Hummel.' Blaine said, showering Kurt with jazz hands.

Kurt laughed quietly and sipped slowly at his drink. As he lowered the brew from his lips, he looked up at Blaine's smiling face through a fan of dark lashes, and spoke so quietly it was almost a whisper.

'Who said we couldn't be friend's now?'

Blaine stopped abruptly and gazed at the beautiful man in front of him. A small smile broke back across his face and the atmosphere between them instantly changed from fun and quirky to calm and serious.

'No one.' Blaine whispered. 'No one said we couldn't Kurt. We could... and I'd love it if we could!'

Kurt's shy smile returned.

'Me too Blaine, Me too.'

TBC...