Chapter 6

Kurt deliberately arrived late to the bar in Manhattan that evening, Blaine having already started his set at the piano. The lights were dim and although the bar looked seedy on the outside, not such a young place after all, Kurt instantly felt warm and a sense of belonging there, as he entered. A mixture of all ages were dotted around the bar as well as sitting at the round tables watching Blaine, fascinated and transfixed and Kurt smiled at the thought that Blaine had this affect on most people he sang to.

Although the lights were dim, there were low lights just above Blaine and the piano causing it to give the impression he was aglow and alive, with everything else feeling deadened. Blaine kept looking up and around at the people at the bar, obviously hoping to catch Kurt in the audience but Kurt managed to slip into a seat at the back with his new drink from the bar, as Blaine continued to sing.

He was singing 'Someday' from the Disney classic Hunchback of Notre Dame and Kurt could only smile that someone would sing a Disney song in a bar in Manhattan without being laughed at or mocked. Kurt looked around at the people watching and there were only a few talking to their friends next to them, most were entranced by Blaine's soft voice. You could tell he really believed in what he was singing and there was such a sadness to his voice that he almost seemed to be singing just for himself.

After a few songs his eyes eventually alighted on Kurt at the back of the bar, near his line of vision and he smiled warmly that Kurt had shown up. Kurt instantly worried that his appearance here would signify something important, that he was agreeing to a decision or a question that was asked without thought for the consequences. Blaine was speaking, and Kurt could only settle more in his seat and watch and listen, hoping he could get out of this situation unscathed.

"This is a new song on my set list, just for you," Blaine was saying and he smiled warmly as the crowd whooped in appreciation. "This song has kind of become important to me in the last day or so and I think all important songs need to be sung. Well here goes." Blaine finished speaking and started playing and he seemed to get so lost in the keys and the magic they were setting out before him, he almost looked like he didn't want to sing, but sing he did as Kurt watched on.

There's a still in the street outside your window
You're keeping secrets on your pillow.
Let me inside, no cause for alarm
I promise tonight not do no harm
I promise ya, babe, I won't do ya no harm

Blaine had been looking at his fingers as he played, lost in the music but he looked up as he promised in the lyrics, looked directly at Kurt and seemed to search his eyes without giving his own emotion away. Kurt was transfixed.

And we're caught within the crossfire
Of heaven and hell
And we're searchin' for shelter

Lay your body down
Lay your body down
Lay your body down

Blaine looked at Kurt, a small smile playing on his lips as he thought of laying Kurt's body down next to him where they could suffer together, forget the storm outside and just stay.

Watching you dress as you turn down the lights
I forget all about the storm outside
Dark clouds roll their way over town
Heartache and pain came a-pouring down
Like hail, sleet and rain, yeah, they're handing it out

And we're caught within the crossfire
Of heaven and hell
And we're searchin' for shelter

Lay your body down
Lay your body down
Lay your body down

Tell the devil that he can go back from where he came
His fiery arrows drew their beat in vain
And when the hardest part is over, we'll be here
And our dreams will break the boundaries of our fear
The boundaries of our fear

Lay your body down
Lay your body down
Lay your body down

Blaine had returned his gaze to his fingers, safe and comfortable below him, not wanting to give too much away as he sat under scrutiny. He wanted Kurt, knew he would feel safe there but Kurt wasn't alone and they both had baggage. Without singing another song that revealed so much about himself, Blaine continued his set, returning to a popular classic. Blaine usually enjoyed performing but tonight he felt like he was a specimen under the microscope and he needed to meet someone in the middle.

As Blaine finished his set, he wandered to the bar to get a drink and suddenly felt a gentle squeeze of his elbow, forcing him to turn around to see Kurt's blue eyes, searching him still and begging for something, anything silently.

"Kurt," Blaine said, trying to sound happy but failing, "Glad you came."

"We need to talk," Kurt whispered, so quietly that Blaine could only lip read and understand in the hustle and chat of the people around him. Blaine nodded and slipped away, following Kurt who seemed more confident.

The rain really had started to pour as they had been hidden away in the bar and Kurt and Blaine pulled their collars up against the drops hitting their faces from the side. Kurt hailed a cab nearby and Blaine silently followed and sat next to him in the back. Nothing was said as Kurt directed the driver to Blaine's hotel and although Blaine was surprised he said nothing, the song he had sung almost coming back to haunt him now as the rain continued to pour. It seemed to almost attack the windscreen as they drove through the streets of New York and the wipers were madly working to clear the way.

Kurt paid the driver and they ran into the safety and warmth of the hotel. Blaine moved forward, overtaking Kurt so he could lead the way to his room. Not a word was said.

They stood in the elevator, the droplets of water still running down their faces and dropping into the spaces below. Blaine only glanced at Kurt a few times to see his jaw set and his eyes moving rapidly and he could only wonder what had him so worried. Once they were on the correct floor, they entered the hotel room, Kurt following slowly behind him, the moment of confidence and surety seemingly gone. Blaine removed his coat and shoes, indicating to Kurt to do the same and he apologised for the mess of strewn clothes and hastily unpacked toiletries from earlier. His suitcase from his apartment with Sebastian was half emptied and it was clear he had gotten ready earlier in a hurry. Kurt visibly relaxed after sighing deeply and laying the back of his head against the door behind him, as Blaine sat on the edge of the bed. Kurt seemed happy there was some distance.

"I don't know what's happening Kurt," Blaine whispered, "Are you worried about something? Why do we need to talk here?" Blaine looked around, nervous that the walls would suddenly cave in, cause them to make decisions they would regret.

"I don't know Blaine," he said, as he opened his eyes and he noticed Blaine's face, still wet from the rain but a new colour could be seen just under his eye, barely noticeable to others. He walked over to Blaine and stood before him and simply stroked his cheek tenderly, his expression softening.

"Look what he did to you," Kurt whispered. Blaine blushed, embarrassed.

"I know, I didn't notice it until I was getting ready to go. It's only a slight bruise," he said, trying to shrug his shoulders. Kurt continued to stroke his cheek and as he looked at the bruise and Blaine's warm eyes in the brightly lit room, he found himself sinking lower so his lips met Blaine's in such a sweet kiss that Blaine gasped and closed his eyes. He felt himself being gently lowered to the bed beneath him and Kurt hovered over, his mouth never leaving Blaine's lips. They parted so Blaine could move higher up the bed, his head resting on the pillow at the top and Kurt laid down next to him.

"Lay your body down," he whispered, smiling and Blaine smiled back as they shifted so they were facing each other, lying on their sides. Still in wet clothes that were sticking tightly to chests and arms, they began to remove the offending items, not caring where they landed on the carpet beside the bed. Kurt started stroking Blaine's arms in small circles, bringing warmth back to the cold skin and a murmur of pleasure escaped Blaine's lips as he did the same, causing Kurt to close his eyes. Blaine lowered his lips over his collarbone, his shoulder and neck to warm particularly cold areas and Kurt realised he hadn't felt this in a while, gently appreciated and adored for simple reasons. He felt himself warming up as Blaine got closer, sucking at a particular spot under his ear and he sighed in easy pleasure.

"Oh god, that feels so good…" Kurt murmured, as he clasped Blaine's back, started to stroke his cold tight muscles there and Blaine became quicker and moved impossibly closer so his wet jeans were rubbed painfully over Kurt's thigh, causing a hiss to escape Kurt.

"I think these need to be removed," Kurt simply said.

"Are you sure?" Blaine asked, worried that that would be crossing a boundary and Kurt laughed with no real humour.

"I think we've passed the line Blaine. I know what I'm doing." He stood to remove his tight jeans and underwear as Blaine watched, mesmerised.

"So gorgeous," he whispered as he looked, so amazed that this guy wanted this, wanted him.

"You're turn," Kurt said, smiling and jumping on the bed to remove the offending clothes that were still attached to Blaine's legs. As they got under the covers, Kurt still stroking over Blaine's chest and arms, Blaine nuzzled the warm area between Kurt's neck and shoulder and breathed hotly, causing Kurt to shiver.

"You're so beautiful Kurt, I've wanted to do this for a while," he said, placing his lips, open-mouthed over those sweet places.

"I think I need… I want…" Kurt said, starting to mutter, unsure what he wanted, never knowing what he needed.

"What do you need?" Blaine whispered, "What can I give you?"

"Anything," Kurt gasped, as Blaine kissed his cheek and jaw, finding his way to his soft lips and sucking there.

Kurt could feel the heat rise between them, ever closer and already hard he could feel Blaine's cock line perfectly with his in this position and he tentatively pressed forward, causing Blaine to moan in pleasure. Always wanting Kurt to decide, always allowing the decision to be made by someone else.

"Oh god Kurt just there…." as his noises got louder and he rutted closer, causing Kurt to moan and buck in want too. He needed release, needed to feel something that wasn't pain and he could forget.

They continued their rhythm for a while, hands ever touching, lips ever kissing as heat engulfed them, under the covers and they could forget the rain outside. They were safe, they were set apart and no one knew. Kurt had never felt so wanted, never felt his skin tingle in quite this way before. He didn't dare think of Dave as he felt himself go higher with Blaine, always on the edge of something perfect and he wouldn't consider the consequences. He knew they were always in between and however amazing it felt to ride and buck against Blaine it wasn't perfect because they weren't perfect, they made mistakes but this could be just enough to allow the world outside to flit away.

They were rutting frantically now, moans loud in the quiet hotel room and Kurt's eyes scrunched shut against the images in front of his eyes, knowing what he was doing and how he was feeling. He looked up at Blaine once as he got closer to the edge and the sadness in Blaine's eyes, the knowledge that Kurt was a cheater, nearly caused his heart to break but he carried on, the feeling of power within him intoxicating and heady, making him desperate for Blaine.

"Oh fuck Kurt, I'm gonna…." Blaine almost screamed his name and Kurt gasped as he came against him, Blaine following a few seconds later. They lay there tangled in each other for quite a while as breathing returned to normal and come was allowed to dry between them.

Kurt gingerly removed his arms from around Blaine and lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, fully aware of what he had just done. Blaine lay on his side, peering at Kurt cautiously, almost afraid to break the silence. They were no longer in the crossfire, a decision had been made after all and it was bittersweet.