A/N: Okay so honestly this is mostly a filler chapter. But stuff happens! It's a little short, but I take what I can get when my muse is being skittish.
I want to thank everyone so much for getting this story above 100 alerts... such a huge milestone for me and the story.
Santana has become a big plot device, so I hope you guys don't mind that. I'm sticking to Klaine the most I can.
Read. Enjoy. Review... You know the drill.
Also, if you see any errant slashes (/ or /), that just means I missed them in my read-over. They're just to imply the use of italics so don't let it worry you. (I've learned I'm very fond of italics.)
-Song disclaimers at the bottom of the chapter.-
The bright lights hurt his eyes as Kurt took Blaine's hand and stepped out of the cab onto the slowly darkening New York City street. Whoever said chivalry is dead, obviously doesn't know Blaine Anderson.
"Are you okay, Kurt? You look a little dizzy," Blaine comments concernedly as he wraps a steady arm around Kurt's waist for just a second to give Kurt time to find his balance. Kurt almost whines aloud when the gentle touch is removed.
Kurt sends him a small smile in thanks. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just really bright at first, you know?"
Blaine nods. "Sorry. Santana tend to gravitate towards the flashy places."
Kurt laughs when he sees Santana already at the door to the club, waving them in while Brittany stands next to her. "She works fast," he comments jokingly.
"That she does," Blaine agrees. "Shall we?"
Kurt nods, resisting the urge to take Blaine's hand in his. This is not a date, he tells himself.
They walk past the disgruntled young adults still standing in the relatively long line (it nearly reaches the end of the block), shoulders nearly brushing from their close proximity. Kurt uses his resolve to keep his breathing calm in hopes of not giving away his inner feelings.
Santana grins at them when they approach, looking down at their unlaced hands with a quick frown. She keeps her thoughts to herself though (for once) and instead wordlessly leads them through the thick double doors and into the club's interior.
Once inside an onslaught of blinking lights, deafening music, and the dense scent of sweat hits Kurt's senses. He instinctively shifts closer to Blaine's side, not even realizing what he's done until Blaine tentatively wraps his fingers around Kurt's in a comforting squeeze. Kurt turns to look at him, into the nervous shifting eyes he's come to adore the color of, and waits until he has Blaine's gaze before mouthing, "Thank you." Blaine smiles and his fingers slide through Kurt's, almost possessively, and Kurt can't help but smile back.
They follow Santana's quickly moving form to the opposite side of the club where a long metal counter serves as the bar. Brittany is already comfortably seated on a chrome bar stool with Santana standing protectively beside her by the time they arrive.
"What'll it be?" asks the fairly handsome bartender. His chocolate brown hair falls boyishly over his dark blue eyes and Kurt thinks that if he weren't with Blaine right now, maybe this guy could have caught his interest.
"Four tequila shots, for starters," Santana replies. She then looks over her should at the two boys. "Appletini and Jack on the rocks?" she inquires with a knowing look in Blaine's direction.
"I don't drink," Kurt interjects quickly. He's had too many mishaps with alcohol in his lifetime and he most certainly does not want Blaine as a witness to another one.
"Come on, Hummel," Santana chastises gently. "That Appletini is screaming your name!"
"Santana," Blaine warns when he feels Kurt tense beside him.
Kurt turns to Blaine, with a curious look on his flawless features, and inquires, "Are you drinking?"
Blaine feels almost like this is a test of some sort. Will Kurt hate him if he says yes? Will Kurt think him less of a man if he says no? Will Kurt think Blaine only says no in an effort to stay on his good side? He can feel the anxiety creeping in, his hands starting to sweat as a multitude of possibilities run through his mind. He doesn't even know if he can speak right now, yet alone say the words Kurt wants to hear.
He's saved though when Kurt says, "Appletini it is. But I swear Satan, you better go light on the alcohol."
Blaine holds his breath. No one has ever called Santana a nickname so early after meeting her, especially without her verbal permission. Hell, even Blaine had to wait nearly a year before he could safely call her San with no repercussions.
Santana stares at Kurt motionlessly for a full three seconds that seems far longer to Blaine before her mouth splits into a one-sided smirk. "I knew I liked you for a reason," she directs at Kurt before turning back to the bartender and ordering the second half of their drinks. "Put the tab under Jesse St. James," she adds with a grin.
"You got it," the man behind the bar says before walking off to make their drinks.
"San," Blaine scolds halfheartedly. St. James is a well-off, smart-mouthed guy that lives in their building who enjoys giving Santana a hard time whenever they cross paths in the hallways or laundry room.
Santana merely flicks her hair back and shrugs, not feeling or looking sorry in the slightest. "He made his choices, Blainers," she reminds.
Kurt snorts. "I'm guessing this Jesse guy is none too bright if he thinks getting on Santana's bad side is a good idea."
Blaine nods and Santana sports that one-sided smirk again. "You're alright, Kurt," she says before grabbing her and Brittany's drinks and whisking the blonde away in the direction of the dance floor, leaving Kurt and Blaine standing alone at the bar.
Blaine, ever the gentleman, thanks the bartender and hands Kurt his Appletini before grabbing his own glass. Kurt takes it from him, feeling a flash of warmth as his fingers inevitably brush over Blaine's.
Blaine cocks his head in the direction of a miraculously unoccupied table (the club is unbelievably packed) and Kurt nods his assent, following wordlessly as Blaine leads the way.
Kurt scrunches his nose as they reach their destination. Not only is the black tablecloth completely tacky and made from polyester of all things, but there's also a handful of debris scattered over the tabletop. Blaine looks up from where he's already seated himself and takes in Kurt's look of disgust with a fond smile.
Before Kurt can even voice his displeasure, Blaine sweeps the tablecloth off of the table and wipes the revealed dark oak with a napkin he'd grabbed from a nearby server. He walks to Kurt, pulls out his chair for him, and smiles invitingly while the dumbstruck designer slowly takes his seat. (Again, chivalry is not dead when you're with Blaine Anderson.)
They sit in silence while sipping their drinks, letting the bass from the dub-step music blasting from the speakers throughout the club envelope them and pour through the soles of their shoes up into their veins. It's not Kurt's style really, but he can appreciate the beat if nothing else.
"So, I was wondering if I could ask you a question," Blaine divulges quietly, leaning forward onto his elbows as to be heard more easily.
Kurt copies his stance and responds, "Shoot." He can smell Blaine's cologne now, a light mist of sandalwood and mandarin (and somehow the scents work together). A sigh involuntarily escapes his lips.
"How do you do it?"
Kurt quirks a brow. "Do what exactly?"
"Look as marvelous as you do, speak with such eloquence, sit and stand with such poise, just... everything really."
Kurt waits for Blaine to laugh, to smile impishly, even to look away embarrassed from the words that just spilled from his mouth, but Blaine does none of those things. He simply looks at Kurt like he's the earth, the moon, and the stars all wrapped into one. He cocks his head to the side when Kurt simply stares in return. How does Blaine so easily say things like that?
"Because they're true," Blaine declares. Slowly Kurt realizes her said that last thought aloud. And... now he's blushing.
"I'm sorry. Am I too much? Should I just shut up and never talk again?" Blaine utters, obviously feeling horrible about making Kurt seem so uncomfortable.
"No, no," Kurt reassures. "I'm just... not used to compliments like that," he admits. He pauses, but decides to say what's in his mind. Blaine wouldn't judge him anyway. "Are you even real?"
Blaine laughs, loud and boisterous, before he remembers his surroundings and cuts himself short. "Sorry. That was just so corny."
Kurt laughs too, because yeah that kind of was ridiculous. "Says the guy streaming out flattery," Kurt counters.
Blaine shrugs. "Can't help the truth."
Suddenly the music in the background stops completely, dragging their attention away from each other and over to the DJ booth in the center of the stage. There they see none other than Santana, grinning out into the crowd with Brittany wrapped in her arms. (Blaine thinks he's never seen her smile so much, ever.)
"Alright," Santana exclaims into the microphone, the poor DJ looking on helplessly from the sidelines. "This next song is for two special lovebirds out there and I swear if you two don't get up and dance I will personally have you dismembered tonight when you go to bed." With that, a slow song spills into their ears, one they're both very familiar with for different reasons.
Kurt lowers his head to the table, his face flush. "Oh God."
Blaine reaches across the table and places his hands comfortingly on top of Kurt's. "She's a lot to handle, I know. But she really just wants the best for us. Besides, if we don't get up sometime soon, she will kill us in our sleep."
Kurt sighs resignedly, allowing Blaine to pull him to his feet and lead him out to the dance floor. Once they find a respectable spot, away from the people still grinding frantically despite the music change, they take up the position of a waltz. Blaine's hand on the small of Kurt's back, Kurt's on Blaine's compact but somehow broad shoulder. Their other hands intertwine between them, resting gently in the air.
As Blaine starts to sway, Kurt follows his lead, allowing himself to drown in the melody floating around them.
There's a calm surrender, to the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling wind, can be turned away
An enchanted moment, and it sees me through
It's enough for this restless warrior, just to be with you
And can you feel, the love, tonight
It is where we are
It's enough, for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel, the love, tonight
How it's laid to rest
It's enough, to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
There's a time for everyone, if they only learn
That the twisting kaleidoscope, moves us all in turn
There's a rhyme and reason, to the wild outdoors
When the heart of this star-crossed voyager, beats in time with yours
And can you feel, the love, tonight
It is where we are
It's enough, for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we got this far
And can you feel, the love, tonight
How it's laid to rest
It's enough, to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best
"Is it ironic that she picked a Disney song, or does she have some secret obsession I don't know about yet?" Kurt asks as the song slowly fades away.
"Probably a bit of both," Blaine replies, already feeling the loss of warmth when Kurt starts to move away.
Again, Santana's voice blares into the air. "Not so fast, Hummel. One more dance for Satan, and then you'll be on your own." Right as she finishes speaking, another soft song begins to play. Kurt groans when he recognizes it.
"Jo Bros? Really?"
Blaine pulls Kurt back into his arms. "Shh. Just dance with me."
If the heart is always searching,
Can you ever find a home?
I've been looking for that someone,
I'll never make it on my own.
Dreams can't take the place of loving you,
There's gotta be a million reasons why it's true.
When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.
Kurt can't tear his eyes away from Blaine's expressive hazel orbs. Would it be weird to drown in them, in the midst of all these strangers? And those lyrics... it's like Santana knew of his feelings and picked this song on purpose, hoping to push Kurt into taking action. Because all those words ring true where Blaine is concerned.
How long will I be waiting
To be with you again?
Gonna tell you that I love you,
In the best way that I can.
I can't take a day without you here,
You're the light that makes my darkness disappear.
When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.
Blaine slips his arms around Kurt's waist, watching vigilantly for any sign that he's making Kurt uncomfortable or moving too fast. Kurt merely slides his arms up and around Blaine's neck, leaning into him as they dance languidly. It's one of the best feelings Blaine has ever experienced, having Kurt so near that he can virtually feel his body heat through their clothes.
He wants to yell at Santana for interfering so blatantly, but he can't help feeling grateful towards her too. He wishes he could tell Kurt the truth, that he's falling in love with this perfect guy even so soon after meeting him in person. Kurt is everything Blaine always imagined he'd be: smart, witty, compassionate, beautiful inside and out.
Maybe he's moving too fast; maybe he hasn't even scratched the surface yet of the person that is Kurt Hummel. But that doesn't matter. He wants to know more, be more, do more, say more, whenever Kurt is around. He wants to attend every single one of Kurt's shows and applaud the loudest. He wants to be able to have the ability to see or talk to Kurt whenever he wants without the need for an excuse to spend more time with him.
And this song... well, it says it all.
More and more I start to realize,
I can reach my tomorrow,
I can hold my head up high,
And it's all because you're by my side.
So Blaine does what he never thought he'd do in a million years. He stares right into Kurt's eyes, channeling all the love and admiration he has for this man standing in his arms, and leans forward, closing the distance between them and leaving his lips hovering mere centimeters from Kurt's. He won't take this decision from him. He wants Kurt to close the remaining distance... or not, if he so chooses. Blaine really hopes Kurt kisses him though.
When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When I hold you in my arms,
I know that it's forever.
I just gotta let you know,
I never wanna let you go.
The look in Blaine's eyes as he leans forward is mesmerizing. Kurt can't look away despite the rush of the inner battle going on between his mind and his heart. He knows it's risky, stupid and naive, to think he and Blaine can have even a semblance of a normal romantic relationship. His heart is yearning for this, just one touch, one little peck. Kurt feels himself leaning forward subconsciously but doesn't stop himself. This is his chance.
When you look me in the eyes.
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.
The entire world around them quiets. Everything stands still except for two pounding hearts. It feels like years as Kurt slowly leans closer and closer, his mouth quivering with anticipation. He can feels Blaine's breath, sweet and mixed with the scent of whiskey, fan hotly over his lips. God, he wants to kiss him so badly. And he realizes he can, that Blaine is literally right there, waiting and willing.
And just as their lips are about to meet, the moment is ruined by a man staggering drunkenly right into Kurt's back, sending the lithe designer headfirst into Blaine's abdomen. The shove nearly sends them both falling to the floor, but Blaine holds his footing just at the last moment.
Blaine instantly circles his arms protectively around Kurt as to assist him in regaining his balance. He's never felt the need to hate anyone before, but right now the man standing before them and slurring an apology is unknowingly the first to invoke such an emotion. Blaine hates his glazed over eyes and his sweat stained outfit. He hates the man for ruining his perfect moment, his one true chance with Kurt. He glances over at Kurt and sees the disappointment in the blue-green eyes.
"It's fine," Kurt insists, as the man still stands spluttering apologies. Even in his inebriated state it seems he knows he interrupted something important.
The guy nods sheepishly and walks off, glancing back one last time with an apologetic look.
Kurt shakes his head and falls into the nearest chair without even looking. His eyes are glued to the floor and for a second Blaine wonders if Kurt regrets almost kissing him. But that can't be true. Why would Kurt have leaned in if he didn't want it just as much?
"I'm sorry I ruined our moment," Kurt whispers. Blaine just about misses the words, said so quietly in such a noisy environment, but he's become so attuned to Kurt in the last few minutes that he hears each word along with the dismay infused with them.
Blaine falls to his knees before him, resting a hand tenderly on Kurt's knee. "You didn't ruin anything. I thought it was perfect," he proclaims, adding slyly, "until the clumsy slob came along."
Kurt giggles just a tiny bit and Blaine basks in the fact that he could make Kurt feel even just that little bit better about the situation.
In that moment Santana approaches with a sad smile on her face. "Sorry to break up the love-fest, but Blainey has a mid-term in the morning and he'd kill me if I didn't remind him. Besides, I'm the one who has to deal with his crankiness in the morning, so I know best." She pauses, looks at Kurt with an impish grin. "Unless you'd like to take over my duties?" she suggests with a lewd waggle of her eyebrows.
Kurt lets out a laugh, ultimately grateful for Santana and her particular sense of humor. "I would, but, alas, I have things to take care of as well."
"That settles it then. Sorry Blanderson. Time to go."
Blaine rolls his eyes fondly at his roommate. "Don't I get a chance to say bye?" he requests with an over-dramatic pout added in for good measure.
"Make it quick." Santana steps away, leaving them with a semblance of privacy to say their farewells.
"It was great seeing you again, Kurt."
"Yeah, definitely. We should see each other again sometime," Kurt replies, the soon in his thoughts thoroughly implied.
"How about next weekend?"
Kurt shoulders slump in spite of Blaine's hopefulness. "Can't. Family dinner."
Blaine's shoulders droop and he nods. "I understand. Maybe some other time."
Kurt hates that look on Blaine's usually joyful face. So he does something he probably shouldn't have. "You should come." Seeing the look on Blaine's face, he quickly adds, "If you want."
Inside, Blaine is jumping up and down like a five year old on Christmas morning. Outside, he smiles a megawatt smile. "That would be great. I'd love to meet your dad and step-mom."
Kurt raises a brow curiously before saying, "Interviews?" to which Blaine nods guiltily. "That is so unfair! You know so much more about me than I know about you," Kurt complains teasingly.
"Well, we'll just have to change that, won't we?" Blaine murmurs with a secretive smile.
"NOW, Blaine. Or I'll leave without you," Santana shouts from the doorway. Blaine didn't even notice she'd gotten the far away already.
"Duty calls," he sighed. "But text me the time and the place. I'll be there."
Kurt promises to do so and the duo shares a quick hug before Blaine departs, leaving Kurt with Brittany as company.
"You two make a cute couple," Brittany points out as they walk toward the door to catch a ride home of their own.
Kurt thanks her as he pulls out his cell phone to call for his driver. Usually he's only needed for special events, but right now Kurt doesn't want to feel the unfamiliar eyes of a cabbie on him while he relishes his time with Blaine. They almost kissed!
"Thanks, Britt."
"And I call dibs of being fairy godmother to your future unicorn babies."
Kurt laughs but nods all the same. "I couldn't imagine it being anyone else."
A/N: THEY ALMOST KISSED FJDHFALKSJHDASD!
Songs used: "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" - Elton John and "When You Look Me in the Eyes" - Jonas Brothers
Both songs are ones I'm very attached to because I just really love the emotion in them.
ANYWAY, if you liked it or loved it or hated it or thought it was okay... if you thought something was missing or something was too much or something didn't fit right... please feel more than free to let me know. Feel obligated to, if that suits you. Oh, and just for the record, I'd really appreciate ANYTHING you have to say.
Next chapter: [[if all goes according to plan]] Blaine meets Kurt's family and also the scarring image of Burt with a shotgun.
See you guys next time! ((lessthanthree))