Chapter 4

Kurt found himself at Blaine's kitchen table earlier than usual that weekend; without work to distract him, he realized how badly he had come to depend on Blaine's company lately. They were engaged in a conversation about the exact merits of bow ties, of which they were surprisingly mostly in agreement, when there was a knock on the door.

“One second,” Blaine said to Kurt as he got up to open the door.

There was a sound of surprise from Blaine, and then a call of “Blaine! You ready, man?”

Then a much higher voice said, “You didn't forget did you?”

“Um, well…. No, of course no-”

Then the man's voice was speaking again, “Oh, he totally did. Now he's not in the right frame of mind to go shopping, Tina, we'll just have to spend the day here, oh no.”

Kurt heard the sound of people entering the apartment, and caught sight of a very good looking blond man walking past the table where Kurt was sitting, who stopped at the sight of him.

Then a girl in a green dress walked up behind him saying, “Sam, you don't need mental preparation for shopping; at least, I don't… Oh!” She too stopped short at the sight of Kurt at the table.

Kurt took the initiative, “Hi, I'm Kurt. I live next door.”

Sam immediately moved forward to offer an outstretched hand. “I'm Sam, Blaine's best friend.”

Then the girl, Tina, stepped forward, “And I'm Tina, Blaine's actual best friend.”

Sam rolled his eyes behind her back, but otherwise made no retort.

Blaine was standing back watching the scene with a small smile on his face, as if he'd seen it a million times, but by the look in his face, the sentiment obviously meant something to him.

“We were planning on going shopping today,” Blaine offered, after Tina had moved back once more. “Tina has a date tomorrow, and she was going to help me pick out some maternity clothes. Apparently I underestimated just how quickly this little guy grows.” His hand came to rest on his stomach, and Sam jumped at the opportunity to stall.

“Yeah, but Blaine's not ready,” Sam ignored Blaine's obvious protest. “And we just met Kurt, Tina, it would be rude to leave now just for clothes!” He made a quick grab and sat down in Blaine's recently abandoned seat. “So, Kurt, what do you do?”

Kurt smiled impishly as he said, “I'm in fashion.”

Sam made a defeated noise and dropped his head on the table, while Kurt, Blaine, and Tina laughed. Kurt could just hear Sam's mumbled words, “Fashion; fashion at every turn!”  

“How about I make us lunch first, and then we can head up to do some shopping?” Blaine suggested. Then he turned to Kurt with an imploring look. “Kurt, please stay.”

Kurt was a little surprised at being included in Blaine's day with his friends, but jumped at the opportunity to spend more time with Blaine. The thought of returning to his empty apartment was jarring after his morning of carefree laughter with Blaine.

He smiled at Blaine's eager expression, “Of course.”

“So, Blaine,” Sam said, turning around to look over at Blaine, who was still standing in the entrance. “How's my godchild?”

Blaine rolled his eyes as he walked forward to lean against the kitchen counter. “You're not the godfather, Sam.”

Sam didn't look even remotely surprised at this statement, and Kurt got the distinct impression that they had had this conversation before.

“You say that now,” Sam said, his enthusiasm not faltering at all, “but just wait. I'd be a really great godfather, Blaine.” Then he continued in a vaguely Irish sounding accent, “I'll make you an offer you can't refuse.”

Blaine rolled his eyes at the terrible impression but let out a laugh all the same, “Oh my god, Sam, no. You know my brother is going to be godfather.”

“And you and I both know that's not actually going to happen. Cooper raising your child in the case of your untimely demise? Why would you do that to your child, Blaine? Don't you love it at all?” Sam flicked his hair back when Blaine made no response but to share an exasperated look with Tina. “You'll come around.”

“Anyway,” Blaine said, and Kurt could see he was trying very hard not to roll his eyes, “How are things with you, Tina?”   

Kurt sat back and watched the friends catch up, allowing himself to enjoy seeing Blaine in this new environment. He seemed to be a mediating factor between Tina and Sam, who were both seemingly vying for his attention at every turn. Suddenly Kurt could clearly see just how good of a parent Blaine was going to be one day.

He had zoned out, his mind conjuring up images of Blaine in the future, when the conversation was turned back to him.

“So, Kurt, are you seeing anyone right now?” Tina asked, her eyes traveling from Kurt's gaze to Blaine, who was still lounging against the cupboards.

Kurt quickly averted his eyes, turning to face Tina and trying not to look flustered. “Um, no, not right now. I was seeing a guy a little while ago, but it wasn't anything serious.”

“Why'd you break up?” Tina asked, her attention on him becoming even more focused.

“Tina, you can't just ask-” Sam started, but Tina cut him off.

“Yeah right, ‘cause you're the king of subtlety,” she said quickly, not even taking her gaze off Kurt.

Kurt debated telling her it was none of her business, but he could see Blaine trying to hide his interest. “He wasn't ready for a serious relationship, and I wanted to start settling down.”

“Oh, rough, man,” Sam said, his gaze flicking to Blaine in turn. “But you're on the lookout now?”

“Not really,” Kurt offered. “I'm kind of a romantic; like if it's meant to be, I'll find him. I'm not going to rush my feelings for someone I'm not one hundred percent sure on.”

“I think that's the best idea,” Blaine offered. “Otherwise you end up thinking you're on the same page, when really you just made it all up in your head.” He gave a self-depreciating wave of a hand, and added, “Learn from me, my friends.”  

They laughed, but Sam kept his eyes on Kurt. “You know, there are guys out there who want to settle down and aren't just up for a good time.” He extended a hand towards Blaine, and said, “Just look at Blaine, here. He's serious commitment material.”

“Oh yeah,” Blaine said, putting a hand to his stomach where it was stretching out his shirt. “I mean, with this bump I'm a real catch,” he said, chuckling as he made his way towards the fridge to start lunch.

“I dunno,” Kurt said, his words coming without thought. “For guys like me that don't have the gene, you being able to have kids makes you really special.”

Blaine turned around to look at Kurt as the words caught up to him and his face filled with color. 

“Yeah,” he said, smiling at Kurt. “Thanks.”

Kurt was too busy returning the smile to catch the hopeful looks that Sam and Tina were sharing.