Chapter 2

Blaine could hear the yells growing in volume from where he sat on the couch watching television, a cup of herbal tea in hand. He couldn't make out the words just yet, but he recognized the voice at once as Kurt's, and he did not sound happy.

“…and now I'm the one who has to deal with his mistakes? No way, let's just see what Marcia says on Monday when-“ but the sound of the door slamming cut off the rest of his rant.

You can't go over there, Blaine thought to himself. They hardly knew each other after all. Kurt had talked with Blaine for a while the previous day, easily discussing music and his favorite movies, as well as having a seemingly endless supply of hilarious stories about his catty colleagues.

Over the course of the conversation, Blaine had realized that this was a man that he could be friends with, thriving on Kurt's snark that barely hid the obvious passion for his work and for his friends. But they were still purely acquaintances. Kurt had left Blaine's apartment later that afternoon after telling him in no uncertain terms that if he needed any heavy lifting done, he shouldn't hesitate to find him next door, but that was just Kurt being polite; neighborly courtesy. Blaine couldn't explain why he felt the need to go next door and console him after a slightly heated phone call.

Blaine leant further back against the sofa, before he huffed and grabbed another pillow to reduce the strain on his back. He resolutely turned his eyes back to the screen. It must be his pregnancy hormones again, making him care about everything too much. Better avoid any TV shows with anything as moving as a kitten. He'd be bawling in no time.

It was an hour later that Blaine was interrupted from his mindless watching by a knock on the door. He quickly moved to the door, and pulled it open. Kurt was standing there with a slightly uncomfortable look on his face, tension in every line of his body.

“Um, I don't know if you're interested, but I baked some cookies. Do you maybe want to…” he trailed off, moving his gaze to the floor.

Blaine immediately stepped out into the hall and shut the door behind him. “That sounds great,” he said enthusiastically, moving towards Kurt's apartment where the door was still standing open behind him.

Kurt's apartment was almost identical to Blaine's, but it was clear that Kurt knew how to decorate more than Blaine could ever hope to. Kurt directed him to a beautiful wooden table just off the kitchen, and Blaine sat down while Kurt moved to get the cookies. He set down a plate in front of Blaine before moving off to get some milk, and Blaine knew at once that Kurt had been busy. There were at least three different types of cookies in front of him, and he could see another batch in the oven. Trying desperately not to get distracted by the heavenly smell wafting through the apartment, Blaine allowed his head to rest on both hands, and said, “So, you're a stress baker?”

“What?” Kurt said, immediately straightening up from where he had set down the milk on the table.

“Well, I think from the fact that the whole building could hear your phone call earlier, and you managed to turn your apartment into a bakery in about an hour, I think I can safely say you're a stress baker.” At Kurt's incredulous look, Blaine smirked. Then he gestured to the seat next to him. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Kurt sat down opposite him with a sigh, and immediately started up a story about an aggravating coworker, waving his hands around in pure frustration as he spoke.

“So, not only do I have to get the correct fabric over the weekend, but Craig told everyone in the office that I told him to get the wrong ones, so it's my fault! No way am I letting him blame this on me. On Monday when my boss asks about this, I'm hanging him out to dry, no qualms whatsoever.”

Blaine smiled at his vehemence, and clapped his hands together. “He sounds like a jerk to me.” Kurt nodded forcefully, as Blaine continued, “What you need is to veg out tonight. Let go of some of that stress.” Kurt gave him a small smile, and Blaine got to his feet. “What we're going to do is take those cookies out the oven,” he gestured behind Kurt to the kitchen, and Kurt immediately jumped to his feet with a yelp to save the forgotten cookies. When Kurt had seen that the cookies were okay, Blaine continued. “We're going to grab a plate, and watch your favorite movie. It will make this day seem much better. Trust me, it's tried and tested.” When Kurt offered his acquiescence, Blaine gave him a big grin, and grabbed the plate of chocolate chip cookies out of Kurt's hands, and made his way over to the couch.

He waited until Kurt had put on his movie and came to join Blaine on the other end of the couch. “Don't judge me,” Kurt said in a huffy voice as the menu started playing and a romantic musical title appeared on the screen.

“Judge you? I love this movie!” Blaine squealed excitedly. “Don't judge me when I start crying at the end.”

Kurt's face broke into a huge smile and he turned to press play.

A few minutes into the movie, Blaine picked up a cookie from the plate and took a bite.

It was still warm from the oven, and the chocolate chips were still gooey as they spread over his tongue. It contrasted with the slight crunch of the cookie where it had started to cool on the outside. Oh my god, this cookie. He took another big bite. The sweetness of the cookie was incredible, not overpowering, but enough to know that it was a treat. He took and even bigger bite. Happiness, that was what cookies were.

His little bubble of heaven was invaded then, by a small giggle. He looked over and saw Kurt looking over at him with a wide smile covering his face.

“What?” Blaine asked.

“You're moaning,” Kurt replied, and Blaine could still hear the suppressed laughter in his voice. “You are actually moaning over my cookies. I have never gotten that reaction before. It must be good.

Blaine felt heat rush into his cheeks at the words, but added defensively, “I'm pregnant. I have cravings okay? I've realized over the last couple of months that I never truly appreciated food until now. And these happen to be really good, so…”

Kurt grinned. “Let me try one.” And he leaned over to try and grab a cookie off the plate. Blaine could still feel the blush on his face, but he tried to lift the cookies out of Kurt's reach all the same.

“No way, you're not getting them now.” He said, voice full of false bravado. “They're really good; I'm having them all now.” Kurt sat back for just a second, raised a single eyebrow, and Blaine immediately knew this was a mistake. Blaine shrieked as Kurt scrambled over him to reach for the plate. When it became clear that this plan was not going to work, Kurt sat back again with a look of determination. He brought a hand to Blaine's side, and started ticking him for all he was worth. Blaine immediately knew he was done. He admitted defeat, shaking with laughter.

“Okay, okay!” He yelled. “Fine, you can have one!”

“Thank you!” Kurt said, smiling his victory.

Blaine offered Kurt the plate, and then picked up another cookie for himself as they settled back on the couch.

As Kurt returned his attention to the movie, Blaine regarded him fondly. He seemed happier already.

Blaine turned back to the screen, lifting his cookie to his lips. When he bit into it he gave an exaggerated moan of pleasure, and Kurt dissolved into a fresh peal of laughter.