Before We Meet
Chapter 11
When Blaine pulled up to the coffee shop, he parked the car but didn't get out right away. He turned to Kurt and took his hands in his own.
"I'm just really glad I met you, you know," Blaine said with a shy smile.
"Likewise," Kurt muttered out, his voice light and soft.
Blaine gave Kurt a smile, brought his hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it, sending Kurt into a fit of quiet giggles, his blush growing as Blaine kept peppering kisses on the back of his hand.
"Now then," Blaine started, opening his door. "Let's go get you caffeinated so I can hear more giggles."
Kurt couldn't help the small giggles that fell from his lips at Blaine's antics. It was still amazing how Blaine was the perfect combination of silly and smooth, his point only being proven by Blaine holding the door open as they entered the small shop.
They entered with an easy silence around them, Blaine hovering close to Kurt but not quite touching. They ordered their drinks, Blaine insisting on paying, and then took a table in the corner that mildly secluded them.
The comfortableness began to slip away from around them as they sipped their coffees and still didn't talk. Kurt could tell that Blaine was itching to say something, making the tension thick around them. Kurt didn't push it, knowing full well that if he said the wrong thing, things would get much more awkward, much more quickly. Silently, he locked eyes with Blaine as he took another sip of his hot mocha.
"I'm not going to be like other boyfriends, Kurt," Blaine finally said, an uneasy look etched into his eyes.
"I don't understand," Kurt said, a small frown appearing on his lips. Surely Blaine couldn't be breaking up with him…right?
Blaine reached out and grabbed Kurt's hands in his, squeezing tightly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I know you heard some of the… confrontation between my manager and I this morning."
Kurt nodded shyly at the memory.
"He has some good points that we really need to discuss."
Kurt swallowed, his mouth suddenly feeling very dry despite the coffee he had been drinking for the past few minutes.
"I have just started a new contract with this record label, and quite frankly, if they don't think I'm living up to my standards, they could drop me from it." Blaine's eyes looked at Kurt with a deep sadness etched in.
"What are these standards?" Kurt asked, his voice small.
"Single and straight, mostly." Blaine looked down.
"Oh," was all Kurt could say. His stomach fell. He's sure his face had paled even more than usual and his hand felt clammy, forcing him to take it back from Blaine's hold.
"But I just need to stick with them long enough to figure out a back up plan when they do drop me. I'm not ashamed of you, Kurt. I'm not ashamed of who I am or what we have. I don't care if they drop me, I just need to know I'll be able to pick up the pieces afterward." Blaine's voice was pleading. He clearly felt like he was losing Kurt already, evident by the way Blaine wrung his hands together in shame in his lap.
Kurt thought about this. Blaine was willing to be dropped from his label, the one thing guaranteeing him income, just to be with Kurt. This had to be the biggest sacrifice anyone had been willing to make for him in a long time. That meant something, and Kurt knew it did. He felt the urge to do whatever it took to keep Blaine, and there was nothing to stop him from acting upon that urge.
"If you're willing to make that sacrifice for me, I have to be willing to keep this a secret for you. We both work on it, we both gain from it in the end, right?" Kurt asked, his eyes still shining with sadness, but hope was beginning to push through.
Blaine looked back up, a smile tugging at his face, despite the sadness and worry in his eyes.
"Yes," he offered, his voice still small.
Kurt reached out and grabbed Blaine's hand again, squeezing slightly before running his thumb over Blaine's knuckles in encouragement.
"There's one more thing though," Blaine said, his eyes glued to the table, refusing to meet Kurt's eyes. "Touring is going to force me across the country away from you for long periods at a time." Blaine finally looked up to meet Kurt's glance. "I'm not going to be around constantly like I want to touch you and kiss you and hold you and watch movies and eat eggs that taste way better than they should and—"
Kurt put his finger to Blaine's lips to stop the nervous rambling.
"You aren't being forced. You want to do this, Blaine. You love how your music affects others, and more importantly, you love your fans. This isn't something that's bad. It's your job. Just like I'll be working at mine this summer, you'll be working at yours. This isn't the first long distance relationship in history, you know," Kurt finished, a smile playing at his lips. If this was all Blaine was nervous about, maybe this actually would be easier than he thought.
"I can't believe how lucky I am," Blaine said, his anxiety leaving him and his shoulders slumping in relief.
"Oh, please. If anyone's lucky, it's me. I have a famous musician for a boyfriend!" Kurt wished he could have swallowed the words back up as soon as they left his mouth. They hadn't discussed labels, and yet, here Kurt was, using words like boyfriend.
Blaine must have realized what he said as well, be cause his eyes grew wide, staring at Kurt and his lousy big mouth.
"Yes, you do," Blaine finally said, a laugh too loud for a coffee shop spilling out of his mouth. Blaine grabbed Kurt's hand again and kissed the back of it. "And I have the most adorable human being alive for a boyfriend, so I still win."
Kurt blushed, but rolled his eyes, a smile etched on his face. Boyfriend. Blaine was his boyfriend. Blaine was his gorgeous, talented, sweet-as-can-be boyfriend, and even though it may not be as conventional as he thought it would be, Kurt couldn't be more pleased with whatever force allowed them to be soul mates.
A/N: Hehehe, look who's back! Sorry about the wait! Wow I'm terrible at this whole "keeping up with responsibilities" thing. BUT! HERE IS A CHAPTER! No promises, but I think I'm definitely going to be getting back on track with getting chapters out for you guys. I know how I want this story to end, so now it should be easier to keep writing. Thanks for sticking with me! Let's have some fun with these boys, what do you say?