“Holy fuck, Blaine! That was so good.” Kurt moaned as he savoured his last bite of the spicy jambalaya, putting his empty bowl down on the coffee table and wishing that he'd worn jeans that weren't quite so snug around the waist. He grabbed his beer, the cold liquid a perfect compliment to the meal.

Blaine smiled and picked up their empty bowls, and headed over to the kitchenette. He came back with three more bottles of beer. “I also made strawberry shortcake, but we can eat that a little later.”

Snagging one of the bottles of beer from him, Tina smiled broadly. “You are good at cleaning, and now you are good at cooking too? Marry me and be my house husband.” 

“100% gay, honey.” Blaine laughed, looking pleased at their compliments of his cooking. He'd invited them for dinner after having a particularly lucrative day of busking down at Fisherman's Wharf the day before. 

“Tina, you'd think after being married and divorced by twenty-four, you'd be a little hesitant suggesting marriage even in jest.” Kurt smiled over at his friend.

She laughed. “Well, it was definitely in jest. Unless you have good abs, Blaine. I can't resist good abs.” 

Blaine had had a couple beers too, and jumping up, he pulled up his shirt, revealing a very nicely defined chest. Dropping back down on the sofa, he laughed as Tina playfully grabbed at him. 

“Down, girl, down. I wouldn't have flashed you if I thought you'd get all handsy like this.” Blaine batted lightly at her arms.

“We got to get you dating again, Tina, obviously. Find you some nice straight men. And no checking out their abs until at least the fourth date.” Kurt kicked off his shoes, and rested his feet on the coffee table. After such a good meal and a couple beers, he was feeling quite relaxed. Blaine had some mellow jazz standards playing in the background, and candles flickered hypnotically in glass holders all around the apartment, giving the simple apartment a much warmer feel. 

Tina shrugged. “I guess I'm ready to give it a go, again. My hours aren't as long at the café anymore.” 

“I'm going to keep an eye out for another guy with Chang as a last name. I loved it when your name was Tina Cohen-Chang-Chang.” Kurt smirked over at her, knowing she hated it when he called her that.

Tina giggled at him. “I never even went by that when I was married to Mike. I just went by Tina Chang.”

Taking his guitar out of his case, Blaine shut off the music and sat back down on the sofa. He was in the habit of casually strumming, playing with different melodies, whenever he was relaxing at home. “So, how did you meet Mike, if you don't mind me asking?” 

Shaking her head, Tina tucked a foot under her other knee. “He was my first real boyfriend in high school. He graduated the year before me, and we split up. But we got back together a couple years later. We should have known better than to get married so young, but it least it ended pretty amicably.” 

Kurt shifted in his chair, saying softly, “Not everyone has that good a run with their first boyfriend.”

Blaine caught the look that Tina gave Kurt at that comment, but couldn't interpret it. Must be something from their long history together. “I know what you mean. Mine was a really shy guy. It was so difficult to have a conversation with him, we'd usually just end up making out instead. That was nice for awhile, but it only lasted a couple weeks before I got bored of him.” 

“How old were you then?” Tina asked with a smile.

Strumming lightly on the guitar, Blaine thought for a minute. “Around eighth grade, I think. So fourteen years old. I had such a crush on him before I got to know him.”

Tina gave him a playful slap. “That sounds familiar.” 

Blaine glared at her, but she'd had a few too many beers to keep her mouth shut. “Oh Blaine, Kurt knew you had a big crush on him back then. You weren't exactly subtle when you were staring at him while waiting in line for your coffee.” 

Blushing, Blaine looked down at his guitar. “Oh god. This is embarrassing.” He looked up at Kurt, who didn't look too concerned about it while he sipped his beer. They had gotten to know each other as friends since those strange early days. “But you were such a mystery, Kurt. I got so curious about you.” 

Kurt scoffed. “What is so mysterious about little ol' me?” 

“It was mostly the way no matter what time I came in, you were always sitting in the café, so deeply immersed in your big books. And you didn't really look the part of a typical college student. It made me wonder what your story was.” Blaine was happy to have a chance to ask about this. He was still curious about it.

Shrugging, Kurt said dismissively, “I just like reading.” 

“Come on, Kurt. It's more than that.” Tina said to him, and then shifted to face Blaine. “What he's not saying is that when we first opened, we couldn't afford other staff. So, he was there everyday at 6:00am, ready to jump in to help me at the café if the line got long. I was trying to handle it on my own, so I would tell him to sit down when it wasn't busy. He was working long hours in the store, and I didn't want him overdoing it. But no matter how much I told him I could handle it, he kept showing up. Even though he was exhausted, he would just grab a book and sit in the café, pretending like he was there to just read.” 

“And you did the same thing for me, Tina. You'd work a full shift at the café, and then crash on the sofa in the office, just in case it got busy in the store and I needed you.” Kurt smiled over at his friend, his affection for Tina so clear on his face. 

Tina returned the warm look, and turned back to Blaine. “Eventually, we could afford some more staff, but Kurt was in the habit of coming in early and reading by then.” 

“But why all the heavy topics, like French history and Greek mythology? Why not Tom Clancy spy novels?” Blaine turned to Kurt, really wanting an answer to the question that had plagued him since the beginning.

Kurt looked over at Tina for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He sighed. “My father had some heart problems, and my college fund ended up going to cover the medical bills. I wanted to be around to keep him from overdoing it anyways, helping him out in the shop. But I always missed it, and was a little jealous of all my friends who were leaving Lima and going to get their educations. Years later, when I was half-asleep in the café, I happened to glom on to a copy of Collaspe. It was so interesting, that it really sparked my interest in learning again. From that book, I got into reading about Vikings and other ancient cultures, and it spread from there.” 

Blaine nodded. “You taught yourself French when you were just a kid. I'm not surprised you were comfortable teaching yourself on all those other topics just from books.” 

“Oh Kurt, we're all friends here. Isn't a big part of you doing all this reading now is because you still have a bit of a chip on your shoulder from ‘He Who Must Not Be Named'?” Tina was looking at Kurt steadily. 

Kurt nodded slowly. “OK, I admit it's probably a factor, even though it's stupid that it's still affecting me now.” He looked over at Blaine. “I, um….. my first boyfriend was at Dalton. He was in the closet, but I was so into him, I didn't care. I fell for him hard, not knowing enough to protect myself. Turns out he was a total asshole, and was always subtly putting me down for not being from a wealthy family like all the other boys there. And he'd mock me for struggling with my homework when I'd been at crappy public schools my whole life, making me feel stupid.”

Tina slammed her empty beer bottle onto the coffee table. “He did a total mindfuck on you, Kurt! He was supposed to be your boyfriend, and he took pleasure in grinding you down. And you were already at Dalton to get away from the crap you were dealing with at McKinley.” She got up, and sat on the arm of Kurt's chair, pulling him into a hug. 

Getting up, Blaine cleared away the beer bottles, giving them a bit of quiet time to themselves. That had gotten pretty intense. He made a big pot of tea, and carried over slices of the strawberry shortcake to the coffee table. 

By the time he sat back down on the sofa, they had returned to their earlier positions.

Kurt let out a little laugh. “Well, that sure got weird. Sorry about that, Blaine.” He reached for one of the desserts.

Pouring out three mugs of tea, Blaine left them there so they could add their own milk and sugar. He cradled his mug, taking a small sip. “It's OK. I was the one asking all the questions.”

For the next few minutes, they were quiet, eating their dessert and drinking their tea. Blaine took their dirty plates and left them in the sink.

Picking up his guitar, he started strumming and singing softly. He'd deliberately slowed the tempo of the song to about half the regular speed, making it sound quite sad and mournful.  “Well, my heart knows me better than I know myself…So Im gonna let it do all the talking…”

Tina joined in, with a good soprano. Blaine looked up, smiling, and let the tempo increase up to the regular speed. By the time they got to the chorus, Kurt was joining in, and they were all belting it out. Again, Blaine was thankful that nobody was in the building this time of day and they could be as loud as they wanted.

----
A few days later, Kurt was sorting the romance section, making sure the steamiest men on the covers were facing out, and the more mundane books had just the spine showing. He knew what moved books after running the business for the last year. He was giggling at the sillier titles, like Dark Desires After Dusk, Confessions of a Scoundrel, and The Love Bum.

Taking a break from the café, Tina walked over and watched as Kurt rearranged the books. Occasionally, she would pick up a book and read the back, laughing at the descriptions. 

Kurt looked over at her. “So, who was that guy I saw you with the other day?” 

“What guy?” She suddenly seemed really busy, replacing a paperback between two other books. 

Kurt leaned towards her until he caught her eye. “The guy in the suit that you were flirting with.” 

She looked down, but Kurt could detect a bit of a blush. “He was cute, wasn't he? Do you really think he was flirting with me?” 

“Well, I was working on my side of the store, but every time I looked over, you two were both leaning towards each other. The body language totally gave it away.” Kurt smiled. It was good seeing his friend like this. “Who is he?” 

Tina shrugged. “Blaine's lawyer. We just chatted while he was waiting for Blaine to show up.” 

Nodding, Kurt gave her a little smirk. “Well, if you ask nice, Blaine could always arrange to meet with his lawyer here. And to be a bit late again.” 

___

Later on, Blaine showed up and chatted with Tina for a while before sitting down at a table with a coffee. He pulled out his laptop, and seemed intent on his work on it. 

Kurt was walking around the store, chatting with the customers, but his eyes kept being drawn back to Blaine. Was it that he was wearing some new clothes? Those jeans looked incredible on him. Or was it that as his hair got longer, it got curlier and Kurt really wanted to bury his fingers into it? 

After about twenty minutes passed, Kurt ended up sliding into the other seat at Blaine's table. “Hey, Blaine.” 

Blaine glanced up, smiling. “Hey Kurt. Just came over here because your Wi-Fi is faster than the old man connection at Tom's.”

“How are things going at Tom's these days?” 

“Pretty good. He keeps me busy.” Blaine seemed a little preoccupied, so Kurt left him to it. 

Going over to the café counter, Kurt walked behind it to pour himself a cup of coffee. 

“I'm adding that to your tab, Kurt.” Tina hugged him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder.

Turning his head, Kurt kissed her cheek. “It must be at least a thousand cups of coffee by now… shit, that tab would be around three grand.” 

Tina squeezed him tight before letting go. “Yup, and I know where you live. So, what's happening between you and Blaine lately?” 

Kurt sat down on a stool, sipping his coffee. “Happening? Nothing. We're just friends.” 

Scoffing, Tina took the other stool. “You know how you bugged me about flirting with the lawyer? Well, your body language with Blaine was just as flirty as that just now.” 

“Oh please. We barely exchanged two sentences.” 

Tina's gaze held Kurt's. “But you were staring at him since he came in the door.”

Kurt blushed, much to Tina's amusement. “OK, maybe there is something going on. I'm really confused.” 

“You two obviously like each other. He's had a crush on you forever. Why not just go for it?” Tina nudged Kurt's shoulder.

Kurt sighed. “This whole situation is so fucked up. He's rich, and I'm not into him. And now he's suspended from work, under federal investigation and barely has two cents to rub together, and I can't keep my eyes off him.”

Tina smirked. “Maybe you're just into bad boys.” 

“Or bums.” Kurt laughed, and hopped off the stool to go help a customer in his area.

___

At the end of his shift, Kurt went to the back office to grab his coat and messenger bag. 

Blaine had asked him earlier if he could borrow the office as a private place to Skype with his brother, and Kurt had allowed him to. But that was quite a while ago, so Kurt went into the back room cautiously, not sure what he'd find.

Blaine was still in the office, but his laptop was closed. He was leaning forward, bracing his face against his hands. 

Sitting down on the couch next to him, Kurt laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Hey, Blaine. Are you doing OK?”

Blaine nodded, and shifted to be sitting straight on the sofa. He looked over at Kurt, his eyes dark and sad. “We had a good, long talk. Got a lot of stuff out in the open, actually. But it's alright, overall.” 

Looking him over, Kurt could tell Blaine was putting a good face on all of it. To be going through all this with his family so far away must be hell for him. 

Kurt wrapped his arms around Blaine, pulling him into a hug, running his hand up and down his back soothingly. Blaine sighed against him, shifting closer. Kurt was happy to be there for him; giving him the comfort he so obviously needed right now. 

But after a couple minutes, things seemed to feel different for Kurt. It was like he was becoming more aware of Blaine, like his nerve endings were waking up and firing. Like all his senses were clicking on. Suddenly, he was aware of a light scent; his shampoo, his soap or maybe it was just Blaine. Aware of the warmth of Blaine's body pressing against him. Aware of the sound of Blaine's breathing so close to his ear.

Kurt pulled back slowly, looking down at Blaine's face, so near to his own. Blaine opened his eyes, and Kurt felt drawn into them. Those thick, dark eyelashes, the rich hazel-green color, the warmth of them. 

“Kurt, “ Blaine said softly. He leaned closer, Kurt leaned closer. Then his lips were warm and soft against Blaine's. It felt so good. Kurt opened his mouth, deepening the kiss.

Blaines arms wrapped around Kurt, relaxing into his body, wanting more. Slowly, Blaine shifted on the sofa, leaning back, and Kurt followed him, not wanting to lose contact. They were lost in their kisses. Blaine was lying lengthwise on the couch, with Kurt lying along Blaine's side. His hands were on Kurt's lower back, kneading his fingers against him. Kurt had a hand pushed into Blaine's hair, clenching into the curls.

Kurt kissed down Blaine's neck, and he was tilting his face away, giving Kurt better access. His breathing was a little fast, and the hands on Kurt's lower back were now doing more of a tugging motion, like he wanted Kurt to shift more of his body onto Blaine's. 

Then suddenly Blaine froze. 

It jarred Kurt out of the sensual fog he was in, and he looked up. Mandy was standing in the doorway, looking uncomfortable.  Oh Crap. 

“Ah, Kurt…. I don't mean to interrupt anything, but…” Mandy said, hesitantly. 

Kurt pushed himself up, getting off the sofa. “It's OK.” He gave Blaine a small apologetic smile, and then encouraged Mandy to start walking, giving Blaine some privacy. “What's going on?”

“It's just got really busy in the store, and that guy who brings in all the good books showed up also. I noticed you were still here, and thought you'd like to deal with him.” Her expression was apologetic.

Nodding, Kurt held the backroom door open for her to pass through, and followed her. “You did the right thing, Mandy. It's all OK.” 

He walked quickly over to the seller, reviewing the books he'd brought in, while Mandy handled the other customers in the shop. But the whole time, his mind was still reeling from what had happened back in the office.

When things had quieted down, he went back there again, but Blaine had left. Hmmm… should he text Blaine something?

Um….. thanks for all the kissing.

You are really hot. Get over to my place, now! Ok, that was mostly his libido talking.

Same time, same place, tomorrow?

Kurt had no idea what to say. Blaine came by the store to do his work in the café fairly often. Next time, Kurt would pull him aside and try to see how he felt about all this. 

---

-Disclaimer: I own nothing.

-A/N:

-Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond.

-‘Black Horse and the Cherry Tree' by KT Tunstall - video here.