A/N: Thank you all so much for the support on this story! I've gotten quite a few guest reviews, so I'll just answer those really quickly before going on to the story.
Chrisch: Thank you for reviewing, first of all. And in answer to your question, I love that idea and I tried to incorporate it into the next few chapters.
Veronica: I'm not entirely sure if I've mentioned it yet or not (I'm sort of a scatterbrain) but just in case I haven't, in my mind Blaine is around 20 and Kurt is around 24. (I say around because I haven't decided on their birthdays yet.)
Blaine3Kurt: You're review made me smile and laugh a little, so thank you for that. I'm sorry for annoying you, but I also have to say they won't be kissing for another few chapters at least.
Lots of dialogue in this one. This was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be just because of some writer's block I couldn't get over. Sorry it took so long to get posted.
When you get to the song part, italics is Rachel and bold italics is Kurt.
"Are you sure you don't want me to pick you up at the airport?" Kurt asks for the fifth time. He should have known his father wouldn't change his mind.
"No, kiddo. Carole and I are just fine taking a cab to your place. You just worry about making the floors shine before I get there."
Kurt rolls his eyes even though no one's around to see. "Alright. When are you getting here again?"
"Around three, which gives you four hours."
"Right. I can't wait to see you," he admits. His father is one weak spot Kurt will gladly admit to.
"Same here, son. And you were saying we'll be hosting a guest?"
"Oh, yeah. Blaine. He's really excited to meet you guys." Which is really only half true seeing as Blaine is scared shitless after Brittany causally mentioned Burt's fondness for shotguns.
"He treating you right?"
Kurt feels his cheeks flush. "Dad. We're not together."
"Yet," Burt adds, making Kurt wonder if his father inherited a mother's ability to read minds. "You can deny it if you want, Kurt, but I know you."
"No comment."
"Mhmm, I thought so," Burt replies with a smug smile Kurt can feel through the line. "Just remember that you matter, okay?"
"I know, Dad."
"Good. See you soon then. Love you."
"Love you too Dad. Send my regards to Carole."
When Kurt hangs up the phone he has this intense urge to call Blaine. Just to talk to him, to hear his deep, musical laugh, to know what he's doing in that exact moment. Not creepy at all, Kurt thinks to himself.
After staring down at his phone for five full minutes, Kurt decides to throw caution to the wind and just call. It's going on noon so hopefully he's not interrupting anything.
He slides his finger down to hover over Blaine's name in his contacts list, hesitating just one more second before pressing down on the call button.
He waits impatiently as it rings, his heart pounding and his mind reminding him how stupid this is. He doesn't have any reason to be this nervous about a simple phone call, yet he is. And that tells him everything.
After the fourth dial tone, the call picks up with a shuffling noise followed by a breathless, "Hello?" The voice is the exact one Kurt's been dying to hear.
"Hey, Blaine. It's me."
"Oh, Kurt. Hi."
"Hi."
There's an awkward pause, followed by laughter.
"Wow, I thought we'd be past the awkward stage by now," Blaine laughs.
"Guess not," Kurt chuckles.
"Is something wrong?" The concern fills Blaine's voice so effortlessly that Kurt's torn between crying and smiling.
"No, everything's great. I just wanted to hear your voice, I guess."
"All you have to do is ask."
"Blaine, may I hear your voice?" Kurt bats his eyelashes for effect, using his sweet and innocent voice.
"What?" Kurt can't hold it in any longer and bursts with giggles. "I didn't mean literally, Kurt," Blaine admonished good-naturedly.
"I know. I just couldn't help myself."
"Has your dad arrived yet?"
"Not for a few more hours. Why? Are you nervous?"
"Um, yeah. He has a shotgun, Kurt."
"He's on a plane. They wouldn't let him bring it on board," Kurt points out logically. Maybe logic will speak to Blaine's frayed nerves.
"Maybe, but he still has one. Registered under his name. He could use it if he wanted to."
Kurt rolls his eyes and sighs. "I promise to not let any harm come to you."
"I'll hold you to that."
"You are still coming, right?" Kurt hates the fact that his voice is so small, so insecure.
"Of course," Blaine assures. "I would never drop out on you."
Kurt smiles despite knowing that promises like that don't last forever. "Good."
"Should I bring something?"
"Just you."
"You sure? Maybe a bottle of wine or something? I could have Santana pick it up."
"Wait... why would Santana have to pick it up?"
"Kurt, how old do you think I am?"
Kurt places his finger to his chin in his patented "thinking position" as he ponders back over their conversations. Never once had age been mentioned. Blaine's in college so he has to be at least 18 by normal standards, but he seems so much older than that. And they had gotten into that bar so easily that Kurt just assumed... "So, you're not 21?"
"Close, but not as of yet."
"But the bar -"
"Santana knows a guy."
"Then -"
"Yep, by a year."
"But -"
"Does that bother you?"
"No, no. Of course not. It's not like you're a decade younger than me or some other insane number."
"What is the number anyway?"
"Four."
"Which means you're 24?"
"That's correct."
"Wow."
"Wow what?"
"You're only 24 yet you're this huge fashion icon. You've got your whole life ahead of you and you've already been through so much. It's just... inspiring."
Kurt resists the blush rising on his cheeks. He doesn't know if it'll ever stop. "So you don't think I'm too old?"
"No! Of course not. Kurt, I think you're beautiful. Age is just a number anyway."
"You think I'm beautiful?"
"Um... yes?"
"Is that a question or a statement?"
"A... statement?"
"Blaine!"
"Yes, I think you're insanely attractive."
"Thank you."
"You must hear that all the time though," Blaine comments dismissively.
"Not as often as you'd think."
"No guys falling at your doorstep?" Blaine teases.
"Just you," Kurt returns. He doesn't really realize his words until there's no response from Blaine. "Oh shit. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that. Oh God. Please don't hate me."
"No, no. It's fine. You just caught me off guard."
"I am never going to forgive myself for that. I'm so sorry, Blaine. I never meant to make you uncomfortable. I'll just stop talking."
"Kurt, it's fine. Besides, you kind of have a point."
"What?"
"We almost kissed. Isn't that enough of a clue?"
"Oh, yeah. Right. Um..."
"Need me to let you go?" Blaine proffers graciously. Kurt has never felt more mortified. Should he be happy that Blaine can read him so well already after their limited amount of time together, or worried that Blaine can see right through him so easily? He's never experienced this with anyone but his dad before.
"Yeah. Sorry. See you later?"
"I'll be there at three, as promised. Bye, Kurt."
"Bye."
Kurt turns to glance at the clock mounted on his wall, thanking any deity in existence that there's still enough time left for him to clean up before his dad arrives. Finn should be coming in any minute with Rachel. He can have the two of them take care of the guest room while he focuses on getting the food ready. Burt is bound to be tired and hungry by the time he steps foot into the apartment.
After landing his first big check, Kurt decided to rent out a beautiful apartment overlooking Central Park. It cost a pretty penny each month, considering the size and location, but Kurt loved it too much to let it go. Besides, it felt so freeing compared to the place he used to share with Rachel in their earlier years.
As he bustles around the living room, stacking designs in orderly piles and dusting the coffee table, unbidden thoughts of Blaine enter his head. They almost kissed. They would have, if not for that drunk that ruined the moment. Did Kurt want to kiss Blaine? Yes, of course. But was he ready for that level of commitment with someone? Someone younger than him. Someone he hadn't know all that long. Someone who melted his heart with a simple smile.
Kurt shakes the thoughts from his mind when there's a loud knock on his front door, most likely Finn with Rachel hanging on his arm. When he opens the door, the sight that greets him is no surprise.
"Hey bro," Finn greets as he steps inside and moves right to flopping down on the couch, ruining Kurt's previous efforts of straightening out each cushion meticulously.
"Kurt, thank you for the invite." Rachel at least stops to give him a hug before rushing off after his step-brother.
He sighs, but he can't really argue the fact that he loves the both of them despite how annoying they are on a daily basis.
"Don't get too comfortable, Finnegan. I need you to go straighten out the guest room for Dad."
"Aww, but Kurt! I just got here!"
"Now, Finn. And take Rachel with you. Actually," Kurt added, "don't. She'll stay with me." He could just imagine how ridiculous the room would look with both Rachel and Finn's inputs. Plus, without Rachel around him, maybe Finn would feel more obligated to actually get something done.
Finn grumbles but obediently rises from the couch and slumps off in the direction of the guest room. Leaving Kurt alone with Rachel. Which means only one thing really: interrogation.
"You know, you never told me who you sneaked off to see that one time. With that ridiculous disguise of yours. As your manager, I deserve to know." Kurt ignores her, stepping around her and into the kitchen where he opens the refrigerator and takes out the ingredients needed for turkey burgers and baked fries. After everything that's been going on lately, Kurt wants to keep things simple. His dad will appreciate it, if nothing else.
"Is it a guy?" Rachel follows Kurt right into the kitchen, settling herself at the island on a bar stool. "It is! Of course! Why didn't I think of it before?"
"Rachel, shut up."
"Now I know it's a guy! Who is he? What's his name? Does he sing? Where does he work?"
"You can ask him yourself later on," Kurt replies.
"You've invited him to a family dinner?" Rachel exhales dramatically, pointing accusingly at Kurt. "This must be serious. Is it serious?"
"Maybe."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" She jumps off the counter, walking over to the stove and sliding the pan full of pre-cut potatoes into the oven while Kurt shapes the burger patties. "You know you can tell me anything, Kurtie."
"Because, I knew you would be like this," he emphasizes with a glare in her direction.
"I'm just happy for you, Kurt. You deserve the best in all aspects of life, romance included." As Kurt sets the patties on the griddle Rachel sidles up to him. "Is he good to you?"
Kurt hangs his head. "Why is everyone asking that? We're not even together."
"Yet."
His head turns of its own accord. "Have you been talking with my dad behind my back again?"
"No, of course not. I remember what you said the last time. Why do you ask?"
"Because that is exactly what he said when I told him about Blaine coming over for dinner tonight."
"So his name is Blaine? Blaine. Blaine. Hmm. I like it." Rachel's smile fades when Kurt continues to glare. "Sorry. I guess smart minds think alike."
Rachel twirls away when Kurt reaches out to swat her on the arm, laughing at the pout that emerges on Kurt's face. Looking around, she spots the object she's looking for: the radio. She turns it on, ignoring Kurt's protests, and tunes to the popular Top 40 station. This station actually plays a little bit of everything, not just the same ten songs on repeat all the time, so it's sort of become their favorite station. Just when the commercial ends, a familiar song begins to play.
"Kurt, sing with me!"
Today was a fairytale
You were the prince
I used to be a damsel in distress
You took me by the hand and you picked me up at six
Today was a fairytale
Today was a fairytale
"Kuuuuuuuuuuurttttttttttttttt."
"Fine, Rach. One verse."
Today was a fairytale
I wore a dress
You wore a dark grey t-shirt
You told me I was pretty
When I looked like a mess
Today was a fairytale
Time slows down
Whenever you're around
Can you feel this magic in the air?
It must have been the way you kissed me
Fell in love when I saw you standing there
It must have been the way
Today was a fairytale
It must have been the way
Today was a fairytale
Rachel smiles, motioning for the two of them to sing together.
Today was a fairytale
You've got a smile that takes me to another planet
Every move you make everything you say is right
Today was a fairytale
Today was a fairytale
All that I can say
Is now it's getting so much clearer
Nothing made sense until the time I saw your face
Today was a fairytale
Time slows down
Whenever you're around
Kurt let his voice fade away as Rachel took over the next verse.
But can you feel this magic in the air?
It must have been the way you kissed me
Fell in love when I saw you standing there
It must have been the way
Today was a fairytale
It must have been the way
Today was a fairytale
Kurt takes the next part, letting his wistful happiness of the moments he's shared with Blaine flow into his voice.
Time slows down
Whenever you're around
I can feel my heart
It's beating in my chest
Did you feel it?
I can't put this down
For the last two verses, they take turns singing lines to one another.
But can you feel this magic in the air?
It must have been the way you kissed me
Fell in love when I saw you standing there
It must have been the way
But can you feel this magic in the air?
It must have been the way you kissed me
Fell in love when I saw you standing there
It must have been the way
Today was a fairytale
It must have been the way
Today was a fairytale
Today was a fairytale
They smile and laugh as the song ends, Rachel abruptly turning the radio off when the next song starts. "I am not in the mood for Thrift Shop," she states.
A/N: Taking a page from Rhi's book, I'm going to start leaving some stories that I'm enjoying so you guys can have something to read in between chapters.
Right now I'm really in love with "Hounds of God" by darrkixie as well as "Unintended" by EvvieJo. The first is an awesome sci-fi/fantasy AU and the second is AU but in a more canon way (if that makes sense.)
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights at all to anything you recognize. Not the characters, not the song. All I own is my weird plot lines and the randomness that ensues.
Also, Glee is so unfair. I was crying just reading reaction fics from Shooting Star. Also, Seasons 5 and 6 confirmed! And Darren's summer tour! So much news...
It's been so long since I've last updated and I'm so sorry for anyone looking forward to the family dinner this chapter. I've been suffering through so block I'm pushing through so this will just have to keep you occupied for the next few days while I get the actual meeting written down.