Author note: Yes. I am back. It's not abandoned. It's just that my PC is very unstable and I am pretty sure it could die on me any second. And I kinda had to figure out where the next chapter would go. But here it is. As always, remember...reviews are love :)
"Okay, guys." Artie instructs. "Remember. This is your first meeting. You see each other. You gasp. You can't believe how beautiful the other person is. It's overwhelming, it's magnetic, it's magical. It's first love."
Blaine is currently standing behind the glass of an empty fish tank, which won't actually be filled until opening night, looking through it at Kurt, thinking about how Artie's speech seems a little too close to how it was when he first met Kurt and about how he won't have to act at all. Kurt however isn't looking at Blaine and still seems more or less impressed that Artie got an actual fish tank and went with the 1997 movie setup instead of a more classic old-school scenery. "I can't wait until there's actually water and fish in it, Blaine" he had exclaimed excitedly but Blaine hadn't answered, too overcome with the radiance of Kurt's beauty once his face lit up with that smile of his. God, he is so magnificent.
"You are intrigued. Who is this beautiful man on the other side of the glass?" Artie drones on and on, but Blaine doubts any of them are even listening. He knows both he and Kurt have seen this movie a million times and knows that scene like the back of their hands. They are moving in a perfect line on each side of the tank, staring at each other and he is not sure who starts it, but suddenly and just like in the movie they start leaning back and forth, pretending to make their reflections change shape and size. Naturally that effect won't actually be there until the water is added and even then the audience won't be close enough to see it, but they both seem intent on reenacting it anyway, just for the heck of it. It goes on for a while, then Kurt makes a sudden move closer to the glass, like Romeo did in the movie and Blaine without missing a beat giggles and jumps back, pretending to have been startled by it, just like Juliette did. Kurt smiles at his reaction and Blaine swallows hard. They are so in sync, it's scary. "Guys? What are you doing?" Artie's confused voice breaks though. "That wasn't scripted."
"Sorry, Artie." Kurt doesn't seem sorry at all. "I've always wanted to try that and I guess I kinda lured my Julian into it with me. Isn't that right, Blaine?" Kurt says as he walks around to Blaine's side of the tank. Blaine doesn't answer, again too overcome, this time with something Kurt said. 'My Julian.' Then his brain just takes it and runs with it before he can stop it. Did he just call me his Julian. Romeo's Julian or Kurt's Julian? Does it mean something? Was he flirting? Is he trying to send me a hint? I would much rather be Kurt's Blaine. No, snap out of it. He is looking at you, waiting for you to answer.
"Ehh ummm...sure?" He says breathlessly, a red tint coating his cheeks – and damn it, why can't he be more articulate? Kurt is never gonna leave his probably perfect fiance for someone who can't even speak in full sentences. He is acting like a fourteen year old school girl with a crush, blushing and over-thinking everything - not like a guy in his twenties. Get it together, Anderson.
"Alright." Artie sighs. "I think that is enough for today. Why don't we break for a late dinner." Cheers are heard coming from the dark rows below the scene and it startles Blaine for a second. Oh right, the rest of the cast is still here...aaaaandddd they just saw Kurt and I do the fish tank dance. Greeeeeat.
"That was fun." Kurt says as they walk out. "I totally forgot the cast was still here though."
"Me too." Blaine smiles, relieved that he wasn't the only one caught up in the moment.
"So." Kurt says. "Where do you wanna eat?" Blaine stops dead in his tracks. Is he asking me to dinner? Apparently he is, because when Blaine looks his way, Kurt is just standing there looking like what he said was the most simple thing in the world. Like it wasn't a big deal to him. Maybe is isn't, Blaine thinks and he feels his appetite vanishing as his stomach drops. Still, he accepts. He would never turn down dinner with Kurt.
"Um." Blaine starts. "I know this cosy diner on 88 2nd Avenue." Blaine doesn't notice how Kurt goes pale all of a sudden. "It's great, the food is not half bad and they have these singing waiters who performs for you - they're actually quite talented."
"No!" Kurt says, a little too quick and a little too loud and Blaine jumps. "Um. I mean...I don't feel like diner food. Gotta watch my figure." He continues, but Blaine thinks he looks a little flustered. He doesn't get it and decides to let it slide, even if Kurt is acting a bit...weird.
"There is nothing wrong with your figure." Is what comes out of his mouth instead and he would have face-palmed if Kurt wasn't standing right there, staring at him with an unreadable expression on his face. Blaine has to save this situation fast. "Errr, I mean...it wouldn't hurt anything if you gained a few pounds." And now it's Blaine's turn to pale.
"You calling me skinny?" Kurt raises an eyebrow. "Not enough muscle on me or something?" And Blaine is too panicky to recognize the teasing tone. No no no no, this is not going well. "No! I didn't mean...no! Of course not, you're perfect just the way you are." Great, Anderson. Just shut up. Like, right now! Beside him Kurt is blushing a lovely pink that probably matches the flaming red that is most likely covering Blaine's entire face right now. Is it hot out here or is it just me? It is Kurt who collects himself first.
"Relax, I was joking Blaine. But thank you." The pink is still there, faintly...Blaine notices. "How about we go to a restaurant instead. I feel like eating real food." And he can tell Kurt is trying to sound casual about it, but the way he's acting kinda shy and can't look Blaine in the eye makes Blaine feel like he's being asked out on a date. No! Not a date. Don't go there.
"Sure." He stutters out. "I could go for a steak."
"Great. It's settled then." Kurt smiles. "I know a nice place just a couple blocks from here. They have amazing chicken salads and the prices are not too steep."
They grab their coats and walk out of the theater side by side. As they begin the trek it's silent, it's not uncomfortable silence though. It's peaceful, but soon they are back to talking like old friends, laughing together - and they are walking so close that sometimes their hands brush – it feels almost like Kurt is doing it on purpose, but that surely has to be Blaine's imagination. Still - every time it happens all Blaine can think about is grabbing it and holding Kurt's hand. But of course, he doesn't, because Kurt's hand is not his to hold. Which becomes even more painfully obvious when as they make a turn, Kurt's engagement ring catches on the fabric of Blaine's coat and gets stuck.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Blaine says and doesn't look at the ring as Kurt tries to untangle himself. Instead he averts his eyes to the sky, trying to blink away the sudden onslaught of tears threatening to break through. He only just manages.
"Not your fault." Kurt says and to Blaine he sounds almost sad.
The walk is silent again after that, but this time there's a bit of awkwardness and Blaine hates it. How long have they walked anyway? He's been so caught up with Kurt that time has slipped away from him and he is just about to ask him how far it is when Kurt points to a place about 10 feet in front of them. "Revenir á la Nature" it says on the sign and Blaine remembers enough high school French to know it means "To get back to Nature." Underneath the first sign is a smaller one that says "Cafe and Restaurant."
"That's the place." Kurt says. And when they get closer Blaine can tell its a little bistro with light green walls, dark wooden floors with matching dark brown chairs that each have cute little dark green cushions on them. One of the walls are covered in a lovely forest wallpaper and big stunning framed pictures of different nature photographs covers the rest; woods, waterfalls, mountains, oceans and wild animals as far as the eye can see. There is even a built in medium fish tank underneath the counter and in one corner Blaine spots a stone sculpture with running water – the sound reminds him of a gurgling stream. The lighting is dimmed and intimate. It's a unique place and calm - which is unusual for fast paced New York. Blaine sees why Kurt likes it, he does too. They even have outdoor seating and Blaine can imagine sitting out there on a hot summer day, enjoying a good meal. Not tonight though, it's too cold for that.
He is brought back to the present by Kurt grabbing his arm and leading him to the counter. And Blaine's arm tingles, even after Kurt lets go. "I hope you like French food?" Kurt smiles as he rings the little bell on the table and Blaine just nods. Then a sweet looking older lady with graying blonde hair steps out to greet them. She looks to be in her mid fifties, by Blaine's estimate.
"Kurt!" She says in a French accent and walks around the counter to give him a hug. "Good to see you again." Blaine watches as Kurt hugs the woman back.
"I always come back, don't I Sally?" There's fondness in Kurt's voice and for a moment Blaine is jealous that it's not directed at him.
"Sure sure," Sally says. "But it seems like the visits become further and further apart."
"I'm a busy man. You know this."
"All work and no play makes Kurt a dull boy." Sally says cheekily.
"Yeah yeah." Kurt laughs and Blaine is brought back to the first moment he heard it, years ago, on a magic carpet ride in the sky. And okay, he needs to lay off the Disney movies for a while if thoughts like those are popping up randomly.
"All I am saying is, if you have to eat, might as well do it here." She smirks.
"You just want my money." Kurt smirks back.
"True, you caught me." They both laugh and only then seem to remember Blaine is standing right next to them. "Who is your friend?" Sally asks and Kurt quickly finds his manners.
"Oh, I am so sorry. Sally, this is Blaine, my..." he pauses for a second and Blaine holds his breath, then Kurt settles on... "Co-worker." Disappointment fills Blaine, he thought for sure that he had at least advanced to the friend stage by now. "Blaine, this is Sally. The owner of this place."
"So nice to meet you." Blaine says and extends his hand. "It's a great place you got here."
"Oh, I like this one. I can tell he was brought up well." Sally says while smirking at Kurt, who blushes. Blaine doesn't see because he is too focused on shaking her hand. "And thank you, young man. But just you wait until you taste the food."
"I'm looking forward to it." Blaine smiles and decides he really likes this woman.
"Good. Let me show you to your seats." She grabs a couple menu's from the counter and they follow her to a secluded area without other customers around to disturb them. Of course...with Blaine being the gentleman he is, he can't help but hold out the chair for Kurt, who manages a stuttered "thank you" and once again Blaine misses the little look exchange between Sally and Kurt as he does so.
The woman lights the tiny candle on the table before she leaves them to it and once again Blaine feels very much like he is on a date. His palms are sweaty and he wipes them on his jeans. Not a date, he reminds himself again as he picks up the menu.
"I think I will definitely go with the chicken salad I mentioned." Kurt says after a while of browsing. "What about you?"
"The Buttermilk and coriander steak with salad looks good."
"Nice choice." Kurt says, then snaps his fingers, making Sally come running and Blaine cringes. He really hates when people do that to the waiters. Sally didn't seem bothered by it though and Kurt doesn't notice his disapproval as he is busy listing their orders. Another time, another place, Blaine thinks.
"So. This is a cool place." Blaine says conversationally.
"Yeah, I saw you were quite taken with it." Kurt smiles. "I love it too, I kinda feel like I'm in the middle of nature and not a big bustling city when I come here, it's relaxing."
"I agree. So, how do you know Sally?" Blaine asks, curiosity getting the better at him, she doesn't seem like a person who moves in Kurt's circles.
"Well. Sally likes to get to know her regulars and I used to be a regular."
"Used to?" Blaine inquires.
"Yeah, when I just moved here, I found this place by pure coincidence. I was seeking refuge from a freak thunderstorm and stumbled in here. I loved it right away and it quickly became my hideout for studying when the loft got too crowded." Kurt then points to a table in the far corner. "Right there was where I did all my homework. I've burned a lot of midnight oil here." Kurt sighs then and Blaine hears a lot of nostalgia in his voice. It's clear that Kurt misses this place and it pains Blaine, because he wants Kurt to have everything he desires. He picked up on something else as well in that comment though.
"You live in a loft?"
"Again, used to. I don't anymore. Now I live in a 3 bedroom apartment with..." Kurt hesitates before continuing... "My boyfri...I mean, fiance." He corrects himself, glancing down at his ring. Blaine's heart stings.
"Oh." He can't really think of anything else to say and luckily he is saved from doing so, because Sally is back with their food. They thank her and dig in and Blaine is impressed.
"Oh wow. This is amazing."
"Told ya." They both jump as Sally pops up behind them with their drinks. "Here you go." She winks at Blaine before walking away again.
"Jesus." Blaine grabs his heart.
"Yeah, quite the ninja, that one." Kurt says looking a bit amused. "You get used to it."
"You're not used to it, I saw you jump." Blaine accuses teasingly.
"That doesn't count, I haven't been here in a while, so I am out of practice." Kurt defends, teasing back.
"Excuses, excuses." Blaine tsk's and Kurt laughs. It's just the best sound in the world, even better when Blaine is the reason for it. "We should come here again then, I mean...to get used to her."
"Yes, we should." Kurt is staring intensely at him again and Blaine can't help but stare back.
"Great." He says looking down at his dish to take another bite. "It's a date." Another slip of the tongue. Damn it. He needs to get that under control. He really hopes Kurt won't take it the wrong way, it's just a figure of speech. Totally, that's all it is. Not a date.
When Kurt doesn't say anything, he dares look up and is met with a look so intense, that he can't look away. He holds Kurt's swirling greenish gaze steadily while breathing heavily and it feels very much like what happened on the stage when they saw each other for the first time - he wonders if the same would happen if they didn't have a table between them right now. Five seconds go by, then eight, then... "It's a date." Kurt agrees, then looks back down to his dinner and the tension breaks. What the hell was that?!
They finish their dinner like nothing just happened and Blaine can't help but think they do that too often. He wants to ask Kurt straight up what it all means, he wants answers to questions he has had for years, but he lacks the courage to ask them. He doesn't wanna scare Kurt away or make it too awkward to work together. Maybe after the show is done, he will get his answers, but not now.
"So where do you live?" Kurt asks out of the blue.
"I have a 2 bedroom apartment with two other guys."
"Two bedrooms, but three people?" Kurt points out. "That's crowded, are one of you sleeping on the couch or are two of you like...together?" Is he fishing for my dating status? Blaine wonders.
"I have my own room. Nick and Jeff are together though."
"Ah." Kurt nods like he has suddenly realized something. Blaine finds it weird how he doesn't ask more about his friends, it's almost like Kurt seems to already know them. So he elaborates himself.
"We call them Niff. They have been together since high school and are disgustingly cute."
"That's nice. Who is we?"
"Just another buddy of mine. He doesn't live there, but he hangs out there all the time anyway."
"Someone special?" Kurt asks, not meeting his eye and again Blaine can tell Kurt is going for casual but not actually succeeding. It's confusing. Kurt is engaged, why does he have any interest in my dating life?
"God no." Blaine cringes at the thought of being romantically involved with Sebastian. "I mean, we used to hook up, he was my first actually, but all that was and ever will be, is sex. Nothing else. It hasn't happened in a while anyway and probably won't happen again. Lately he has seemed smitten with someone else. Which is actually quite unusual for Seb." That makes Kurt take notice.
"Seb? What kind of name is that?"
"It's short for Sebastian." Kurt pauses at that and Blaine doesn't understand why. "He's a bit of an ass, until you really get to know him. Then he is fiercely loyal." Blaine smiles, Seb is more than meets the eye and he was glad he took the time to read his book, instead of just judging by his cover. He continues. "Granted, he is blunt in his honesty, but at least you can always be sure he will tell you the truth and that is pretty rare in people these days, most people just tell you what they think you want to hear. Not Seb. Unfortunately he doesn't let a lot of people see his true self."
Kurt just watches him talk, looking like a man who is putting a puzzle together in his head while not quite seeing the full picture. His brows scrunches, then he shakes his head and Blaine wonders what that is all about.
"Hmm. He seems like a complicated person." Kurt says.
"Not really, I think." Blaine says. "But I must admit, that for a romantic like me, he does have a strange view on relationships. Sex without feelings, that's his thing. Hooks up a lot."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I have a friend like that too." Kurt says. "He is all pro free love and all that, insanely gorgeous too, it seems everyone always falls head over heels for him and lets just say he takes plenty advantage of that."
"Everyone?" Blaine prods, feeling his jealousy flare. Kurt must pick up on his tone, because he is quick to put Blaine's suspicions to rest.
"Gosh, no. Not me, Blaine." Kurt actually seems to find the concept hilarious which puts Blaine at ease. "Unlike you I don't sleep with my friends." It's not accusatory. "Elliott and I have never hooked up and never will." Somewhere in the back of Blaine's mind something tingles at the mention of the name Elliott, but he can't pin it down.
"I see." Blaine says. "It's probably a good policy actually. Otherwise those relationships can easily get messy if you're not on the same page."
"That's true." Kurt says. "If you venture into the friends with benefits situation, you really need to be sure where you stand with each other."
"Yeah." Blaine agrees. "And let me assure you, Sebastian is always up front with everyone he is with. He actually has this ridiculous line he always uses."
"Oh? Do tell."
"I don't wanna say. It really doesn't paint my friend in the best light."
"Oh come on, you can't mention something like that and then not share." Kurt pouts and Blaine caves.
"OK, but promise not to laugh."
"I promise, cross my heart, hope to die." Kurt actually makes the hand gesture and Blaine laughs.
"How old are you? Ten?"
"Just spill it, Blaine." Kurt sticks his tongue out at him. "And put me out of my misery, what does you friend say? The suspense is killing me."
"Fine fine. Drama queen." Blaine smiles and Kurt smiles back. "Okay, so whenever he approaches a guy, he lays his less than honorable intentions on the line and then he finishes with: "Just don't fall in love with me and we're good." Blaine rolls his eyes, but fondly. "Can you believe that?" Silence. Well, at least he is not laughing, Blaine thinks.
When he looks back at Kurt though, the man has gone ghost white and his mouth is hanging slightly open. Blaine instantly becomes worried. Kurt seems frozen until he manages to close his mouth and whisper something under his breath that Blaine can't make out. "Hey, Kurt. You okay?"
"You're 'Sex on a stick'." That's all that comes from Kurt's lips, five small words as he keep staring at Blaine like he is in shock - and okay, what he just said is both really disturbing, kinda hot and not helpful - all at once.
"Excuse me. What?" Blaine blinks.
"I have to go." Kurt says and he abruptly gets up to put on his jacket while Blaine just continues to gape like a fish. "This will pay for my half." Kurt throws some money on the table and turns to leave.
"Kurt, wait!" Blaine stands up too and walks after him. "What's going on?" Kurt doesn't answer, just continues to head for the door. He storms past Sally who looks as confused as Blaine feels. "Kurt!?" He tries to grab Kurt's arm gently to stop him, but the other man just pulls away, although he does give Blaine enough respect to turn around and say: "I'll see you tomorrow at the theater. Thanks for dinner. I had a lovely time." Then he is out the door, leaving Blaine standing there alone with all the other guests and Sally staring at him. Slowly he turns around and walks back to the table to grab his things and the money Kurt left behind.
"What did you do?" Sally asks when he walks up to pay, she seems stunned. "I have never seen him act like that." Blaine sighs, he is just as much in the dark as her. "I really wish I knew. Honestly, Blaine feels clueless.
What on Earth did I say?