Timing is everything – Unknown

September

The sun has disappeared beyond the horizon of the ocean. In its place is the full moon, casting a diffused light on them, but not so bright as to dull the sky full of stars, glittering from above. The ocean's waves have calmed to gentle ripples as hands explore each other north of the equator. Blaine takes the fleshy part of Kurt's ear lobe between his teeth and gently nips it, causing a heady sensation to course through Kurt's body. Kurt has never felt more wanting or needy in his entire life. Blaine's hands wrap around Kurt and he whispers into his ear, "I'm never going to let you go."

At that very moment, Blaine is yanked from Kurt's arms by a force more powerful than him. The waves begin to swell as the tide goes out, and Kurt can feel himself being pulled away from the shore… and from Blaine. He looks for Blaine to tug him back into his arms, but he can only see two silhouetted men embracing. Kurt calls out to them, but they don't seem to see him, caught up as they are in each other.

They share a deep passionate kiss, and then, arm in arm, they float away.

The feeling that Kurt had only moments ago – in Blaine's arms, with Blaine's lips on him– is already fading in his memory. There's a small voice in his head that whispers, "Do what's right."

Kurt opens his eyes and feels incredibly sad, as if he's lost someone who really wasn't his in the first place. The dream is now a nightly occurrence, and the ending always remains the same – about doing what's right. Kurt doesn't know what that means. Doing what's right for himself? Blaine? Sam?

One thing he knows for sure is that he's not going to figure things out on his own. And no matter how stupid it might be to meet up with Blaine, he does want to know how Blaine feels about him. After all, Wes did advise that he should talk things over with Blaine and that it might work out in the end. Before he changes his mind, Kurt fires out a text.

Let's meet on the Sunday over Labor Day weekend. Send me the deets. K x


Days after Kurt texts Blaine, he feels a new kind of inner calm. Kurt now knows that he and Blaine are going to have the talk that they really need to have. It might not turn out the way he would like it, but at least he'll know where he stands. Then he can decide what he wants for himself in his life.

He notices a thick envelope on the kitchen counter and rolls his eyes when he sees it's from Elle Magazine. According to Wes, Smythe has been calling him every day, anxious for a decision. Wes has told him to stop bothering them for a few weeks, but obviously Sebastian hasn't got the hint. He rips open the envelope and dumps the contents on the counter. There are six black credit cards for top designer stores like Gucci, Armani, Burberry, and Hermes. The credit cards come with a handwritten note, Unlimited spending at your favorite stores, all for the taking, if you join Elle. – Sebastian.

Visions of the new Hermes scarf collection flash through his head, but he quickly snaps himself out of it. He's not pleased with the store credit cards. It feels wrong. It feels like Smythe is trying to buy him, which of course he is.

Kurt has a nagging feeling at the back of his mind that maybe he should tell Blaine about the Elle contract. In some respects, it doesn't really matter which company has offered him a contract. But Wes had told him that there's history between Blaine and Sebastian, and he doesn't want to get caught up in all that. If he comes clean to Blaine ahead of time, maybe he could work for Elle and keep Blaine in his life. Maybe he should play it by ear and hear what Blaine has to say about his feelings first. But that doesn't sound like much of a plan.

He's not sure what to do, so he picks up the phone to call the one person who always has his best interests at heart.

"Hey, son. I wasn't expecting a call from you today. What's up?"

"I'm not sure what to do, Dad." Kurt tells his father about the Vogue and Elle contracts that are on offer. He can hear his father's low whistle as he takes in the details.

"That's a lot of cash, Kurt. You've got that agent of yours, who I'm sure is advising you which offer is best for the modeling stuff. I take it there's more to it than just the salary?"

Kurt is always amazed how his father can get to the heart of the matter. "Yeah. No matter how many experts I have advising me on which contract to take, they don't really understand the other factors involved."

"And is one of these factors Blaine?"

"Elle magazine is headed up by Sebastian Smythe. Blaine and Sebastian have known each other for a long time – they even went to high school together with Wes."

"Wow, it's a small world, even in New York City."

"According to Wes, Sebastian and Blaine have been arch rivals since they met and that has only gotten worse with time. My offer from Elle is like Sebastian's personal vendetta against Blaine. I'm afraid that if I sign on with Elle, I'll lose all contact with Blaine."

"What's this Sebastian like?"

"In some ways, he's like Blaine – smart, ambitious and good at his job. But that's where the similarities stop. Blaine is sweet and caring; Sebastian is shrewd and devious. Blaine looks after people; Sebastian looks after number one. Blaine keeps his personal life private; Sebastian's wild lifestyle is all over the tabloids."

"Is he gay?"

"Yeah, Sebastian is gay."

"Does Blaine's history with Sebastian include, you know…"

"I don't know. Blaine has never mentioned Sebastian before, and Wes just explained that they're rivals."

"So what does Blaine say about all this?"

"I haven't told Blaine yet. He knows that I have another work offer, but he doesn't know with whom. The last time we really spoke, I made him tell me about Sam. That conversation left me even more confused than before. I've agreed to meet him next Sunday so he can – and I quote – 'tell me honestly about his feelings about things and me'. I'm not sure what that means at all."

"I think you need to hear Blaine out – really listen to what he says. And if he's going to be honest with you, maybe you should be honest with him."

"About the Elle contract?"

"About what's important to you."

"You're not going to tell me what to do, are you, Dad?" Kurt huffs.

"Nope. You're a man now, and you have to do what you think is right."


"You're what? You must be mad, Rach!"

"Look, Kurt, I've thought about it and I can't do Funny Girl forever. It's a lot of pressure to perform eight times a week, not to mention that it gets boring. Fox has offered to shoot a pilot for my very own TV show, and I would be crazy not to jump at the chance."

"If you quit Funny Girl now, you won't be able to work on Broadway ever again. Are you sure that's what you want?"

"We've talked about exploring different options since we graduated McKinley, and this one has come up for me. My agent has already told me that I don't have the face for a TV or film career. This is my chance to prove them all wrong. Don't tell me you wouldn't jump at the chance to have your own TV show."

"Maybe I would," Kurt grudgingly agrees. He thinks that it would give him an easy out of the work dilemma he's facing. "So when do you leave for California?"

"The filming starts in October, but I want to move as soon as I've packed my things - so I'll be moving out next week. The rent is paid through September, and you can keep or sell all the stuff here. You'll be okay finding an apartment on your own. I know of a cute place in Gramercy Park that's available to you for free."

"Nothing's for free, Rach. There's always a catch. I still have to decide where I'm going to work come the end of September. I'm going to be making a lot of money, no matter which magazine I choose to work for, so I'll have no problems finding a place at short notice."

Kurt gets up and gives Rachel a hug. "As long as you're happy, Rachel, I'm happy for you as well. I hope that you find what you're looking for in LA."


Blaine takes Tina's overnight bag from her when she exits the penthouse's elevator. "You really didn't need to come over tonight," Blaine grumbles.

"Oh, I think I did, Blainey Days," Tina retorts. "Did everything get delivered this week?"

"According to Amy, we've received everything. I'll hate to see my credit card bill when it arrives at the end of the month."

"It will all be worth it. Now pour me a glass of wine and we'll go through the plans for tomorrow with Kurt. I want to make sure you know exactly what you're doing."

"Calm down, woman! Give me some credit."

"Nuh-uh. Left to your own devices, you'll completely screw things up."

Blaine goes to the dining area cabinet and pours two glasses of Pinot Noir. He knows that Tina is here to boost his confidence, and it's probably what he needs right now – the night before he's going to put all his feelings on the line to Kurt. Blaine joins Tina in the living area and goes through the logistics for tomorrow with Kurt – timings, locations, transportation, and the all-important texts to keep Tina updated.

"And what music will you play?"

"I don't know. What do you suggest?"

Tina rolls her eyes and pulls out a memory stick from her handbag. "Marley Rose and I have come up with this playlist."

Blaine raises an eyebrow when he takes the stick from Tina. "You got Marley Rose involved in all this?"

"Look, Blaine. There are a lot of people who care about you and want you to be happy… with Kurt. You are meant to be, even if you silly boys won't admit it to each other. Now, tell me what happens if it rains tomorrow."

Blaine rolls his eyes. "We activate Plan B." As Blaine goes through the logistics of Plan B, he finds comfort in knowing that there is a plan and it's finally going to happen.

"You're not going to chicken out, are you? Because if you are, I'm going to resort to Plan C – locking you and Kurt in a room and not letting you out until you've had your talk. And I. Will. Do. It!"

Blaine knows that fierce expression on Tina's face – the one where she means business. He secretly thinks that Tina might be a bigger diva than Unique. "Nope, I'm not going to bottle out. It's all or nothing with Kurt after tomorrow."

"I'm sure it will be 'all' because Kurt is crazy for you. Now, let's go to the bedroom and see what outfits you have planned for tomorrow."


"I never knew that Governors Island even existed before and it's only minutes away," Kurt says as they board the ferry from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier.

There are plenty of seats available on the Sunday's first ferry, but they decide to stand near the rails on the outside deck to take in the views. Kurt gazes at the view of the island up ahead, while Blaine admires the view… next to him. Blaine can see Kurt's well-defined muscles in his tight-fitting Paul Smith printed shirt. The sleeves are perfectly rolled up to his elbows to create a more casual look. The shirt's first few buttons are open, and Blaine wants to tear off the cravat that is covering up the view of Kurt's creamy white skin. The red trousers Kurt is wearing are so tight that they look as if they are painted on his long legs, and the Cesario High Top Sneakers are fashionable but comfortable enough for the day.

"It reopened last May, fully renovated. Let's start with cycling around the island, while the weather is still cool. Then we can wander around the exhibits at the Arts Fair. Sounds good?" Blaine asks.

"Yeah, sounds like a plan," Kurt replies.

Before they know it, the ferry is docking at the Governors Island Pier. Once they disembark, Blaine immediately hires bikes for two hours from one of the nearby rental shops. They leisurely cycle along the tree-lined trails, stopping to take in the views of Lower Manhattan and the New York Harbor. After finishing the cycling circuit around the island, they stop at an outdoor cafe for a late morning coffee. On impulse, Blaine buys chocolate almond biscotti to share.

"I can't believe that there are two castles on such a small island."

"It was used by the Coast Guard from the Revolutionary War to the mid-1960s, when the island was turned over to New York to set up a park. The old barracks are now being used to house the Art Fair. Let's return the bikes and then check it out," Blaine suggests.

It's a short walk to Colonels' Row, which houses the Art Fair. Each of the 100 artists has a room in the converted barracks to exhibit their works. The buildings are structurally sound but dilapidated, with lots of flaking paint and exposed wooden beams.

"It feels like we're walking into a haunted house," Kurt remarks as they wander from first-floor living rooms to second-story bedrooms to attics with slanting ceilings.

Most of the art on view isn't very exciting in itself, as the artists are typically amateurs or students, so they quickly go through the exhibits. Blaine is relieved to see Kurt engage in discussion with some of the artists, as if he's enjoying himself.

"There's one more place I want to show you on the Island," Blaine says as they exit the last building in Colonels' Row.

They leisurely walk to Picnic Point at the southernmost part of the Island, and Kurt's mouth drops when he sees the large red hammocks scattered in the enormous grassy field. They claim one of the hammocks and Kurt immediately lies down, taking in the view of the Statue of Liberty in the harbor. Blaine stands still, considering where he should position himself on the hammock. Would Kurt think it's too forward if he lies next to him? It's probably more gentlemanly if he lies on the opposite end, but then he would have to worry about getting his feet in Kurt's face.

"Come on, Blaine. Lie down next to me. The view is awesome!"

Even though Blaine carefully sits down, when he lifts up his feet onto the hammock, his body slides into Kurt's. He tries to shift his weight away, but gives up when Kurt starts gently swaying the hammock with his right foot on the ground. Blaine closes his eyes, reveling in the feeling of Kurt's muscular body next to his. His heart sinks when he wonders if this is the last time they will be this physically close. What will Kurt's reaction be when he declares his love? Will they still be friends?

Blaine's thoughts are interrupted when he hears children hollering in the nearby playground. When he opens his eyes, he sees hundreds of picnickers staking their claim on a piece of the field. He sits up and sees even more people at the row of food trucks nearby, and when he glances at Kurt, he sees Kurt frowning.

"What's wrong, Kurt? Hungry?"

"I'm glad we came here early, because it's so crowded now. I'm not looking forward to waiting in those long lines at the food trucks. Besides, I really wanted to talk with you today, about, you know…"

"Well, it's a good thing I made other plans for lunch, then."

"You did?"

"I figured it would get busy on the Island, so I planned a lunch at my place. I hope you don't mind."

Kurt rolls his eyes and replies, "Sounds great. I guess Sam is away again this weekend, as usual?"

"Yeah, he's away, but it wouldn't matter one way or the other. Today is about you and me, and being honest with each other."


"I need to take a quick shower. You're welcome to use the guest bedroom to freshen up, Kurt. I've left out a towel and a fresh change of clothes, if you want them."

"Thanks. I'll take you up on that offer."

When Kurt disappears down the hall, Blaine quickly finds Amy, who's in the kitchen. She's got a large pot of water boiling and is making a dressing for the salad.

"Everything set?"

"Everything's under control, Blaine. Tina helped me set everything up this morning and I'll have lunch ready in half an hour. Now get out of here and get yourself spruced up!"

Blaine heads to his bedroom, where his outfit has been laid out on the bed, neatly pressed. He laughs when he sees that Amy has even polished his boat shoes. He enters the shower and closes his eyes as the warm water cascades over his head. His hands tremble as he pours out some body wash and works it into a lather along his body. He has never felt so vulnerable in his life. After lunch, he's going to lay it all on the line and say to Kurt, 'I'm in love with you'.

He mentally goes over his speech that he's practiced a hundred times over the past week. 'There's a moment… Looking for you forever… Watching you sing 'Blackbird'…. You move me, Kurt… Work is just an excuse…'

Blaine had really wanted to sing to Kurt – he's much better at conveying his feelings through song. However, Tina squashed that idea immediately and reminded him that serenading guys hadn't work out so well for him in the past. She only had to whisper the words 'Gap Attack' to convince Blaine to go with a speech.

After he dries off , he puts on the Tina-approved outfit - a white polo shirt, yellow cuffed-up chinos and his comfortable boat shoes. He carefully knots his favorite striped bowtie around his neck. Blaine finds that there's something comforting about wearing it – he feels more polished and confident. He works in a dab of hair gel so that his curls are loose, but not crazy. One look in the mirror and he knows he looks like a dork, but hopefully he'll be Kurt's dork by the end of the day.

"Wow, Blaine. You look like a buttercup!" Kurt exclaims when he enters the main living area.

Blaine's smile disappears and his confidence evaporates at the words. "Give me a moment. I'll go back and change."

"I meant that in a nice way, silly. I haven't seen you wear something like this since your 'Bowtie and Suspenders' days. It's a good look on you. I like it. Amy won't let me into the kitchen, but I can hear her cooking up a storm. Can I help set the table?"

"We're not eating here. Follow me."

Blaine leads Kurt out of the penthouse to the private elevator lobby. From here, he opens the door to the stairwell and guides Kurt up the stairs. He opens the door and smiles to himself when he can hear Kurt gasp.

Half of the rooftop is sectioned off by a row of potted trees. There are wicker chairs and a sectional with comfortable cushions under a wooden canopy. In the center hangs a Moroccan-style lantern, creating an interesting pattern of light. On one side, there is a bar area and a built-in barbeque for outdoor entertaining. A glass barrier surrounds the outer edge of the rooftop, affording views of Central Park and Manhattan. In the corner is a table, set for two, with candles burning. All around the rooftop area, there are twinkling white fairy lights in the trees and over the wooden canopy. The soft notes of jazz music fill the air.

"This is amazing, Blaine. I didn't realize you had rooftop access."

"A portion of the rooftop comes with the penthouse. To be honest, I don't use it that much."

"You really should have shown me this space sooner. Now I'm going to have to drag you out shopping again for some accessories and knick-knacks."

"Sounds perfect. I could really use your help. It's one of the last weekends of hot weather this year and I thought we could talk more freely here than any crowded fancy restaurant."

A pitcher of virgin mojitos is on the side table near the sectional sofa. Blaine pours their drinks as they sit in a comfortable silence, listening to the music. Amy arrives with their first course of cold vichyssoise and warm crusty bread rolls. It's followed by Maine lobster and a simple Caesar salad.

"Blaine, this is so delicious. Do you know it's the first time I've eaten lobster? I've been seriously missing out on the finer things in life."

"The lobster season in Maine is August, so this is the best time to have it. I'm still on a strict diet until the diva-off. Nobody wants to see a little tummy on me."

"Well, I think your little tummy was adorable."

Blaine wonders when Kurt saw his stomach. He then blushes, remembering that Kurt took off his trousers when he fell asleep during the foot massage. He cocks one eyebrow up and replies, "I don't think divas should have adorable tummies."

"So how do you feel about the diva-off? It's only six days away."

"I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be. I've been working really hard with Sam and Unique to get physically and mentally ready. Honestly, I can't wait until it's over."

"It's a shame that Sam is going to be away that weekend."

"It's okay with me. My brother is even coming to New York for the event. He arrives on Wednesday and plans to give me some pointers. I could really do with those."

"I remember that you told me that things will be clear after the diva-off. What did you mean by that?"

Blaine realizes that Kurt has given him the perfect segue into a discussion about Sam. But he doesn't feel ready to start the conversation - just yet. He wants to hold on to the comfortable time with Kurt, and he needs to get himself geared up. He hears the first notes of a song playing and know that he wants just one last chance to hold Kurt in his arms.

"I love this song. Can we have just one dance before we talk?"

Kurt softly smiles and stands up, taking Blaine's hand. Soon, they are slow dancing to the bluesy song.

Someday he'll come along
The man I love
And he'll be big and strong
The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best to make him stay

Kurt's hugs are pretty amazing, but dancing with him is another experience all together. Blaine feels right where he belongs - in Kurt's arms, swaying gently. Kurt pulls him a little bit closer, so they are dancing chest to chest. Blaine can't help but nuzzle Kurt's neck.

He'll look at me and smile
I'll understand
Then in a little while
He'll take my hand
And though it seems absurd
I know we both won't say a word

Blaine feels butterflies churning in his stomach as he listens to the lyrics. He shouldn't get his hopes up so much, but for once he can't control it. He desperately wants to sing along, but quickly remembers Tina's harsh words about no serenading. So instead, he lifts his head up to Kurt's ear and whispers, "You're really someone special." He can hear Kurt's breath hitch as if he's about to say something, but the moment is lost as Miss Ella sings the next verse.

He'll build a little home
That's meant for two
From which I'll never roam
Who would, would you
And so all else above
I'm dreaming of the man I love

When the song is over, the rooftop is silent. They stand holding each other tightly, as if their lives depended on it. Soon he can hear gentle sobbing and feel the wet tears going down Kurt's face. Blaine pulls himself away and takes a good look at Kurt. His eyes are red and watery, and he looks positively distraught.

"What's wrong, Kurt? I'm sorry if I did something..."

"Give me a minute." Kurt pulls away from him and walks over to the glass guard, looking out at the horizon.

Blaine closes his eyes and tries to calm himself down. All of Tina's and his detailed plans did not include Kurt crying before they even had the talk. Blaine is not sure whether he should go over and comfort Kurt or give him space. He feels like the situation is spiraling out of control and he doesn't know how to fix it. He looks over at Kurt, who is still as a statue. The sun is starting to set and the deep warm rays shining on Kurt's body make him look ethereal.

"I just can't," Kurt sobs as he turns around. He slowly walks to the sectional and signals Blaine to sit with him.

"I'm not sure what's going on, Kurt, but I hate to see you so upset. You've got to tell me what you mean," Blaine begs.

Kurt slowly nods and takes a deep breath. "Here we are, having a pretty perfect day together. And you are going to tell me about your feelings about things. I don't feel like I've been honest with you, and it will ruin everything."

"What haven't you been honest about?" Blaine asks.

"I know we agreed not to talk about work, and we've been very good about it so far. But I have to tell you that Elle Magazine has offered me a contract with a seven-digit salary."

Blaine feels blindsided by this bit of news. Blaine knows that Sebastian would do anything to bring him down, but to steal Kurt away from him so boldly? That's a new all-time low. Sebastian knows him all too well and had correctly guessed how he feels about Kurt. And in one clever move, Sebastian has the potential to steal Kurt away from him. The fact that Sebastian is also hurting Vogue is icing on the cake.

"You know Sebastian Smythe?" Blaine asks with a shaky voice.

"Well, not really. I've bumped into him a couple of times and we've spoken on the phone. Of course, I've heard of his reputation, partying and hooking up with a new guy each night. Wes told me that the three of you went to high school together and you're not on good terms with Sebastian."

"You might say that's an understatement. Wes doesn't know everything that happened back in high school. Sebastian has always been competitive with me and is set on destroying me now. I hate to ask this, but what are you planning to do?"

"I don't know. I get conflicting advice from everyone. I want to hear what you think."

"Are you asking me as Vogue's editor-in-chief or as your friend? The answers might be a little bit different."

"I'm asking you as my friend, as someone very special to me," Kurt confirms.

Blaine isn't sure what to say. He can't continue his plan to tell Kurt how he truly feels about him. It would only come off as a desperate measure to keep him at Vogue. However, he can't just roll over and let Sebastian take Kurt away from him.

"In such a short time, you've made a real mark as a super model and therefore, it's not surprising that Elle Magazine has offered you such a spectacular contract. I know Sebastian Smythe extremely well, and he has other motives for getting you to work for Elle."

"Is it about you?"

"Yeah, it's about me. Sebastian and I have a lot of back history that I don't want to get into. But I will say this – he's not going to stop at being your employer. He's going to pursue you until you are his."

"I can honestly say that I have no interest in a sleaze-bucket like Sebastian. He's not my type – I like men that are…. Umm… Have different qualities all together. What worries me the most is that you won't be my friend anymore if I join Elle Magazine."

"It's my turn to be honest, Kurt. I hate the thought of you joining Elle Magazine and spending time with Sebastian. Ultimately, I guess things would depend upon what motivates you to join Elle. This is really awkward to talk about because I can't wave a magic wand and conjure up a better deal out of my Vogue hat. Maybe you're right. We should wait and talk about feelings when the whole matter is settled."

"I thought as much," Kurt replies.

Blaine can't bear to look at Kurt and see his expression. He feels like he's said the honorable thing, but that doesn't make him feel better. He was so optimistic about things at the start of the day, and now he feels like his whole world is crumbling down. His body starts to shake and he can't seem to control it.

"I think we both need a hug right now." Kurt tugs him up from the couch and embraces him. Blaine almost starts sobbing with how right it feels. He needs Kurt in his life and is so scared to lose him.

"You'll still come to the diva-off? I don't know if I can do it without you there."

"Yeah, of course I will. I'm not giving up on you."


Amy pops out of the kitchen when she hears Blaine enter the penthouse. Her heart sinks when she sees that he's alone. His eyes are teary and his sadness is vibrating from every inch of his body. She pours him a bourbon and takes it over to the couch where he's sitting. Without a word, she returns to the kitchen and texts Tina.

May Day! May Day! Get here ASAP! I've already got the ice-cream.


Author's notes

Song that Blaine and Kurt dance to on the rooftop - 'The Man I Love' by George and Ira Gershwin. This song has been performed by many artists, but the version I had in mind is performed by Louie Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.

Thank you to Lilyvandersteen, the most fabulous beta ever, although all mistakes are mine. Come visit me a Tumblr (HKVoyage) for the story artwork and my thoughts when writing this chapter.

Next up: The diva-off at Fashion Night Out. You will like this chapter ;) ;)