New Year’s Eve, Blaine was at home, making himself a chicken pot pie. He might have lived in the greatest city in the world, especially on New Year’s Eve, but Blaine preferred to stay in. It wasn’t that he disliked the holiday, quite the opposite; in fact Blaine appreciated the beginning of a new year. He knew that there were all sorts of new years; each birthday, anniversary, holiday, and notable event marked the beginning of a new year, to be remembered in the future. That fact didn’t deter his enjoyment of the day. No, it was the crowds that flocked to the city to ring in the New Year; they were loud, drunk, and messy. Blaine preferred to stay home and celebrate his own way. Which was why he was so shocked to hear the knocking on his door just as he was sitting down to eat.

He grumbled as he opened the door to see Sara wearing an obnoxiously bright paper hat with 2013 sticking out from springs on the top. Everything was covered in glitter, and shedding all over her face and hair. She blew a noisemaker in his face and shouted, “Happy New Year!”

“Its not midnight yet.” Blaine turned around and walked back to his dinner, assuming that she would follow and close the door behind her.

“Blaine,” Sara whined, grabbing him by the shoulders, “Come on, be happy, it’s a new beginning, just like marigolds.”

Blaine laughed, “Marigolds mean pain or grief, you are thinking of daffodils.” Blaine sighed, thinking of the secondary meaning of the flower, and then of Kurt.

Wes walked through his open apartment door, “Sara, leave Grumpy pants alone. He just needs a little convincing. Come on, you know you want to go to Battery Park with us.” Wes said turning to Blaine.

“I really don’t. Its not that I dislike New Year’s Eve, it’s more that I hate crowds. And tonight is the night when everyone flocks upon the city.”

“Oh, come on, Blaine. What are you going to do? Sit here by yourself, drink a bottle of wine all alone and watch Dick Clark?”

“I think Dick Clark died and it is now hosted by Ryan Seacrest.”

Wes sighed, “Come with us, Blaine. I promise it will be fun, and not too crowded. Everyone goes to Times Square. If you hate it, you can leave before midnight.”

Blaine sighed, knowing they won. “Fine. Just let me wrap up my dinner and grab a power bar.”

Together the three of them walked to the subway and then crammed into the car with all of the drunk people heading to Times Square or other parties to ring in the New Year. They transferred to the 1, and took it all the way down to the park, the crowd thinning out dramatically as they got closer to their destination.

It was cold in the park, a breeze coming up off the harbor. Blaine pulled his scarf tighter around his neck, and wished he had brought a hat with him. When they found a nice spot to relax, not too close to anyone else, Sara opened her giant purse and pulled out a thermos of hot chocolate spiked with Bailey’s.

“This is why I love you, honey,” Wes said.

Sara shook her head, “Yes, you love me because I get you drunk with chocolate.”

Blaine laughed, and noticed a familiar-looking head standing not too far from them. The man turned and lit up as soon as he recognized Blaine, waving before pulling the other man with him.

“Blaine! I wasn’t expecting to see you here!” Kurt pulled Blaine off the bench and into a tight hug. As soon as Kurt released him, Troy clapped him on the back.

“How was your holiday?” Blaine asked.

“It was great, we went to see Troy’s family in Iowa,” Kurt answered. “How was yours?”

Blaine smiled, “It was nice. I went to see my brother, Cooper, in LA. It was nice to get away for a few days, but of course it’s also always nice to come home again.”

Both Troy and Kurt nodded. Then Sara loudly cleared her throat behind Blaine. “Oh, I’m sorry, how rude of me. This is Wes, who you’ve met, and his beautiful wife, Sara. This is Kurt and Troy.”

She extended her hand for both of them to shake. “Nice to meet you, Blaine has told me so much about you both. All good.”

They fell into easy conversation, discussing movies and TV and nothing. When the topic shifted to Broadway, Kurt professed his love for Wicked and excitement over going to see Once in a few weeks.

“What is your favorite show, Blaine? Everyone else has shared?”

“I, uh… I’ve never actually been to a show on Broadway.”

“What!?!” Kurt exclaimed, “How is it possible for someone to live in New York as long as you have and be interested in musical theater and never have been to Broadway?”

“I don’t know. I always wanted to go, but when I first moved to the city, I couldn’t afford the ticket prices, and then once my shop got busy I guess I just forgot.” Blaine shrugged.

Everyone else continued talking about Broadway, leaving Blaine to watch them. He could hardly keep his eyes off of Kurt, the way he got excited about theatre, just like fashion. The way that Troy kept his arm securely around Kurt’s shoulder, both men looking extremely happy. They just looked so good together, Blaine could feel his chest tightening, he couldn’t be here much longer. He stood abruptly, muttering something about wanting to beat the rush home and having to open the shop early in the morning.

Kurt reached out and grabbed Blaine’s wrist before he could get too far, “Don’t go yet. It’s almost midnight. Stay for the fireworks.”

Blaine was powerless to say no. He nodded and suggested they move closer to the shore to better see the show. When they got over to the railing, Sara wrapped her arms around Blaine, kissing his cheek and saying, “I’m glad you are here.”

Blaine kissed her back and moved so she was standing in the circle of Wes’ arms. To his other side, Kurt was standing in almost the exact same position in Troy’s arms. Blaine smiled, 2018 might not have been his year romantically, but it had been an enormously successful year at Floriography, and he was already booking weddings out into the spring. He hoped that 2019 would bring both successes in his shop and in his love life.

The fireworks started a few minutes before midnight, with the large finale happening just as the clock turned over into the New Year. On either side of him, the couples were kissing. Blaine continued to look over the harbor until he felt hands pulling at him. He turned to see Kurt pulling him into a hug. Blaine wrapped his arms around Kurt holding him close.

“Happy New Year, Blaine.” Kurt whispered pressing a warm kiss to the skin beneath his ear and holding him just a little bit tighter. It felt intimate, too intimate for friends. Before he knew it, Kurt was pulling back and he was getting hugs from Troy, Wes, and a big sloppy kiss from Sara.

Blaine walked all the way back to his apartment, not wanting to fight with public transit, the smile never leaving his face the entire two and a half hour trip.

***
“Floriography, how can I help you?” Blaine answered the phone.

“Hi. Blaine?”

“Yes, speaking.”

“This is Troy, Kurt’s husband.”

“Oh, Hi Troy, how are you?”

“Good, how are you?”

“I’m good.”

There was silence on the other end, Blaine tried to keep the slightly exasperated tone out of his voice when eventually Blaine said, “What do you want, Troy?”

“Right, sorry. I was calling to see if you would be interested in accompanying Kurt for me. See, I had a last minute business meeting come up, and I am going to be in Seattle. Kurt has two tickets to see Once on Thursday night, and I know he won’t go alone. So I was wondering if you’d accompany him.”

“I… uh, sure. I’ll go with him.”

“Ok, great. Thanks. I owe you one. I’ll have Kurt call you with the details.”

“Ok.”

“Great, thank you so much, man. You are awesome.”

“Yeah. Talk to you later.”

Blaine hung up the phone; that had to be one of the strangest phone calls he’d ever had.

***
When Blaine agreed to go see a Broadway show with Kurt, he didn’t realize he had agreed to go on Valentines Day. Blaine was incredibly busy, never having a moment to stop from when he opened at 9am until he kicked the last customer out at 7:20pm and needed to head over to meet Kurt. The fact that it was Valentine’s Day meant that naturally it was impossible to get a dinner reservation anywhere in the city, unless you were Kurt Hummel–one of the best-known up-and-coming fashion designer in the city. Which meant they had after-theater reservations at Sardis.

Kurt had offered to pick Blaine up and go to the show together, but Blaine couldn’t do it. That would make it a real date, a date-date on Valentine’s Day, no way. Kurt was married, to a slightly off but very nice man. The entire subway ride to the theater Blaine had to keep reminding himself that he was not going on a date with Kurt, but just hanging out, as friends. But the entire evening felt like it was a date. Blaine considered bringing a single lavender rose for Kurt, but put it back in the tub just before closing his shop, changing his mind. Bring him a flower was too clich�, and would really make it a date.

Blaine got to the theater before Kurt, so he just hovered outside, trying to stay far enough away from the entrance to not be in the way but close enough so that he could see Kurt when he arrived. He wished he had the tickets, so he could go inside and wait, but Blaine had turned down Kurt’s offer to stop by the shop and drop off his tickets.

Blaine spotted Kurt hurrying down the street towards him, wearing a charcoal gray pea coat and a thick dark blue scarf. Blaine waved as Kurt got closer and his face burst into a huge smile. Kurt pulled Blaine into a rib-crushing hug as soon as he was close enough.

“Thanks for coming out with me tonight. I know its Valentine’s Day. Troy and I were supposed to make this our date night.” Kurt said stepping back.

“I’m sorry he couldn’t be here with you. I’m sure you’d rather be with him,” Blaine picked at a loose thread in his jacket that wasn’t really there.

“I’m not so sure about that. I get to be the one to pop your Broadway cherry, and on Valentine’s Day, I think that makes me pretty lucky.” Kurt smirked, “Come on, let’s get inside and take our coats to the check.”

When they finally got to the front of the line for the coat check, Blaine’s mouth fell open involuntarily when Kurt shrugged off his pea coat and thick winter scarf. He was impeccably dressed, wearing skintight jeans, a white button up, purple tie, black pinstripe vest with a purple pocket square in the pocket. Blaine felt horribly under dressed, he was wearing dark denim and a black button up and his favorite black, white, and red-stripped bowtie.

Kurt reached up and gently adjusted Blaine’s bowtie, “You look great tonight.”

“So do you.” Blaine smiled.

They walked to their seats in silence, looking puzzled at the line of patrons on the stage. A quick search in the Playbill led them to the answer: The show’s prop bar was a fully functioning bar and audience members could purchase drinks before and during intermission. They decided to get in the short and quick moving line. Blaine got a glass of merlot and Kurt a chardonnay; when Kurt tried to pay, Blaine batted his hand away and put a twenty down on the bar, leading Kurt back to their seats.

They sat down in their seats, waiting for the show to start. Kurt was sipping his wine and reading the Playbill. Blaine was too excited so he was just tapping his foot and taking in the entire theater.

The lights flicked off and on and Blaine’s face was full of child-like wonder. Not because there was a fire-breathing dragon above the stage or a giant chandelier crashing down, but because he was finally here, he was finally seeing a Broadway show, after he had dreamed about it for so long.

The opening chords sounded from stage, and the lights came up. Blaine was so excited he could hardly sit still, he was a little like a five-year-old, but he took a deep breath and settled in to enjoy the show. He was blown away by the cast. He couldn’t believe that the entire cast were not only triple threats, but were also professional musicians. They were quadruple threats. They were all so talented.

The entire show, Blaine had an eerie feeling of familiarity to the musical, the characters seemed like echoes of his own life. He could see bits of himself in the down-trodden guitar-playing vacuum repairman. And shadows of Wes, Sara, and of course Kurt in the girl who changes his mind. He was so lost in thought and absorbing the musical that he didn’t realize it was intermission until Kurt’s hand was on his thigh and was saying in his ear, “Blaine!”

Blaine blinked, muttering sorry as he stood and got out of the way of the people going up to the on-stage bar or the lobby. When he sat back down, Kurt asked him, “Are you enjoying it?”

“Wha… yeah, I am. I never thought it would be so consuming. I was just completely engrossed in the story and music, I forgot I was in a theater.”

Kurt rested his hand on Blaine’s shoulder and squeezed gently, “That’s precisely why I love the theater. I also love when I have seen the actors in other musicals.”

Blaine raised his eyebrow in question at Kurt. “I’ve seen the male lead in Spamalot and the woman who plays piano in That Face.”

“Wow. That is amazing. I can’t believe the entire cast is the orchestra. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“I know. I’ve been excited to see this show since it won Best Musical at the Tony’s last year.”

Part way through the second act, Kurt reached over and tangled his fingers with Blaine’s squeezing and giving him a small smile. Blaine forgot that he wasn’t seeing the musical with his boyfriend, but rather someone who was just his friend and he was hopelessly in love with. Blaine rubbed his thumb back and forth across Kurt’s knuckles; they sat that way for the rest of the show.

After the show, they walked the short distance to the restaurant in a companionable silence. Blaine was still in awe from the performance. He was blown away by the entire musical. Blaine noticed that Kurt kept sneaking glances at him when he thought he wasn’t looking.

Eventually Blaine asked, a smile creeping into his voice, “What?”

“Nothing, just… you look really nice tonight.”

“You said that already.”

Kurt blushed faintly, “I… uh… I…”

Blaine bumped his arm, laughing. “You look great tonight too.” He refrained from adding, You always look great to me.

They reached the restaurant and were led to their seat, on the second floor, right in the window. They had a perfect view of both the street and the people walking by and the entire restaurant. It might have been the best table in the house. Blaine didn’t want to know how many strings Kurt pulled to get this table.

The waiter took the napkins off the table and placed them over both Kurt and Blaine’s laps, then opened the menus for them. Blaine breathed out a small, “Wow”.

Kurt smiled, “Is this your first time going to Sardi’s?”

“Believe it or not, I have lived in New York for seven years and I have never been to a Broadway show or Sardi’s. I always wanted to, but never had someone I wanted to go with.”

“Well, I’m happy to go with you. I love Broadway, and Sardi’s is my favorite restaurant in New York. It might be corny to say that, but I just love the atmosphere and the food is delicious.”

“So what do you recommend, then?” Blaine gestured to the menu.

“I always go for one of the Sardi’s Traditions they are good, classics that taste amazing. But really, you can’t go wrong with anything; just save room for dessert. The tiramisu is to die for.”

Blaine nodded going back to reading his menu. The decided to get a bottle of wine to share, an Argentinian Malbec, Blaine’s pick, which was amazing. It was Blaine’s favorite kind of wine, because it was fruity and yet still tasted like a red wine. Kurt decided to have the Grilled Chicken Club, while Blaine went with the Cannelloni au Gratin.

Kurt took a sip of his wine before asking, “I have to ask. You said you sang in high school, and that you always wanted to perform. Why didn’t you?”

Blaine tried to hide the flicker of sadness that he knew passed over his eyes, it always did when he thought about his potential career in performing that he never pursued. “I was the lead singer for The Warblers, the a capella show choir at my school; we took second place at Nationals my senior year.”

“That is fantastic, congratulations. We actually won my senior year.”

Blaine chuckles, “Thanks. No one has congratulated me on that in such a long time. Anyway, after graduation, I was going to go to NYU for theater and performance. But when my dad found out about my plan, he said that he would only pay for me to get a degree that would be useful and not one that ‘would only get me a job playing in the subway’.” Blaine ended the sentence in an impersonation of his father.

“So you gave up your dream because your father threatened to cut you off. That is horrible.”

“That’s Richard Anderson. I looked in to getting student loans, but with my parent’s income, I could only get very small loans that would never cover tuition and the cost of living. So I was sorta stuck.” Blaine took a sip of wine before continuing. “My freshman year, I took music and some theater classes, I was in plays. I was planning on doing both, getting a degree in business and minoring in theater, or maybe getting a double major.”

Blaine paused, taking a long drink of his wine, “And then I got too involved in my classes to do much outside of them, and eventually it was graduation and I hadn’t sung in public in nearly three years.

“Dad wanted me to get a position in his company, work my way up from a middle manager position and eventually take over his job of CFO. Which was the last thing I wanted to do. I looked at my business degree and I just wanted to cry. I had given up the one thing I really loved.

“I was visiting my grandma and she gave me the idea to open the shop. She was talking about how her husband would always give her flowers that had meanings, and I was curious. She showed me an old book that listed nearly a hundred different flowers and plants. So I ran with it. I researched flowers, I found a job working at another shop, perfecting arrangements and working out which colors work well together. Then a year and a half ago I opened my shop and I haven’t looked back. I found my passion.”

Kurt had been listening the entire time Blaine was talking, nodding along and sipping his wine. “That is one hell of a story, I’m impressed.”

Blaine shrugged, “I like what I do, and I’m pretty good at it. But tell me more about what you do. Tell me about the up-and-coming designer I’m sharing a table with.”

His smile shifted to a smirk. Kurt smiled back, “It’s not as interesting as your story, trust me. But I have one question first. Why did you never go see a show on Broadway?”

Blaine bit his lip, thinking before answering, “I guess I thought it would hurt too much. Watching someone else achieve my dreams. Which is stupid, but…” He trailed off.

“I understand completely. I actually thought it would feel that way the first time I went to a show, but instead it just made me love and appreciate my talents more.”

“Alright, now tell me your story.”

Kurt sat up straighter in his chair, “Ok, I also wanted to go into musical theater, but I figured out that there weren’t too many roles for countertenors, who were a little bit feminine and had a love of high kicks. I decided that fashion was more of my calling. I went to Parson’s and was lucky enough to get an internship with McQueen. I had one of my designs, well a scarf that I designed, shown at Fashion Week, and it made a splash. It was a fluke really, the scarf that was supposed to go down the runway ripped just minutes before the model had to walk.” Kurt took a sip of his wine, “I guess I just got lucky.”

“Do you really believe that?” Noticing Kurt’s confused look, Blaine added, “That the reason you are so successful is a fluke?”

“I know I work hard, but yeah. It was a silly mistake, which I no longer remember, that caused my design to be shown.”

“I don’t know, Kurt. Maybe it was fate, or destiny, or, Karma or whatever you want to call it that got your work shown that day. I guess, I just think that everything happens for a reason, and really we do get what we deserve, in one way or another.”

Kurt was feeling argumentative, “So you deserved to have to give up your dream?”

“I don’t know. I guess, I had to give it up so I could do this…” Just then the waiter brought their meals and Blaine added softly, hoping that Kurt wouldn’t hear him, “so I could meet you.”

“Call it fate or a fluke, but either way, I’m really glad to have met you too.” Kurt added and Blaine blushed faintly, digging in to his supper.

After they finished their meals and shared a tiramisu, Blaine insisted on paying for dinner, but Kurt slipped the waiter his credit card before he had even brought the bill. Blaine just glared at him while he finished the rest of his wine, emptying the bottle.

“Tell me, Blaine. What do you do for fun on a night out?”

Blaine had a sly look when he said, “How about I lead the way to a secret spot.”

Kurt laughed, “Lead away.”

Blaine led them on a slightly round about way to get to the small bar about two blocks from his shop. When Blaine stopped at the door, Kurt shot him what could only be described as a bitch glare.

It was a small, pretty run down bar. It was also in a basement, and the fact that there was ice covering the steps didn’t help one bit. After carefully making it into the bar, Kurt stopped in his track when he realized what was happening on the small stage. There was a drag queen singing an absurd rendition of “Call Me, Maybe”. Next to her were three very buff men singing back up. Kurt’s had shot up to cover his mouth when he realized that he was staring with his mouth open. When they finished, they left the stage with a flourish of fabric and skin and the DJ invited a very drunk girl up to the stage.

Blaine led Kurt to the bar saying, “They make the best martinis, well that don’t cost $20.”

Kurt was facing the stage, cringing at the girl butchering an Adele song. He nodded to Blaine, who ordered two drinks.

They found a table and sat down, sipping their martinis. Eventually Kurt asked, “Do you want to sing something?”

Blaine smirked “Yeah, I do.”

“I’ll grab a book.” Kurt walked over to the DJ and got the song book. When he returned, they flipped through the book, laughing at some of the selections and trying to agree on something. Blaine kept suggesting classic lounge and blues songs, Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Dean Martin. Kurt, on the other hand, was all about pop, but turned down Blaine’s suggestion of singing Katy Perry. Eventually they agreed on a Fergie song. A group of drunk guys got up and sang a ridiculous version of Britney Spears’ “Womanizer” and then the queen got up again and sang “I Kissed a Girl” but changed the lyrics to “but I didn’t like it”; earning roaring cheers from the crowd.

Finally they were called up to the stage. Blaine grabbed the microphone, and it just felt right in his hand. He felt like he was 17 again, singing lead for the Warblers. Kurt left his microphone in the stand, and tried to hide behind it. Blaine took the first verse:

The smell of your skin lingers on me now
You're probably on your flight back to your home town
I need some shelter of my own protection baby
To be with myself and center, clarity
Peace, Serenity

Kurt sung the beginning of the chorus. The longer he sang the more comfortable he was. Eventually Kurt was swaying back and forth with the microphone in the stand.

I hope you know, I hope you know
That this has nothing to do with you
It's personal, myself and I
We've got some straightenin' out to do

Blaine joined in on the second half of the chorus. He moved so that he was standing right next to Kurt, almost touching him, and singing directly at Kurt, ignoring the audience completely.

And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry

Their voices blend perfectly together. Kurt was momentarily surprised when Blaine gestured to him to take the next verse, and missed the first word.

…path that I'm walking
I must go alone
I must take the baby steps 'til I'm full grown, full grown
Fairytales don't always have a happy ending, do they?
And I foresee the dark ahead if I stay

Kurt looked over at Blaine as he sang the last two lines. Blaine wasn’t sure what the expression was, it looked like a mixture of sadness and determination, with something smoldering underneath, lust maybe. But it couldn’t be, could it? Blaine would give anything to know what Kurt was thinking as he sang.

Kurt took the first half of the bridge.

Like the little school mate in the school yard
We'll play jacks and Uno cards
I'll be your best friend and you'll be my Valentine

Blaine joined him, and Kurt reached out his hand, Blaine naturally took it. They fit together perfectly, Kurt’s soft long fingers in stark contrast to Blaine’s callused, short fingers. Blaine looked over at Kurt as he sang, and saw that Kurt was looking right back at him, Blaine squeezed his hand before turning back to face the audience.

Yes you can hold my hand if you want to
'Cause I want to hold yours too
We'll be playmates and lovers and share our secret worlds
But it's time for me to go home
It's getting late, dark outside
I need to be with myself and center, clarity
Peace, Serenity

By the time they sang the final chorus, the entire crowd was singing along and the drag queen is dancing with one of the girls. Blaine had to resist the urge to twirl Kurt around at the end, instead he kept their hands linked as they took a bow and walked off the stage.

When they got back to their table, they were brought a bunch of shots from the other bar patrons.

“I guess we were pretty good,” Blaine joked.

“Pretty good! Blaine, you were phenomenal! You really could have been a huge star. God, Blaine. We should do another one!”

Blaine picked up one of the shots and throws it back before answering, “I think I only have one in me tonight.”

Kurt nodded, turning away before doing the three shots left on the table. They stayed for two more songs, before Kurt started to get a little aggressive and loud in his comments. Blaine led them out the door and in the direction of his shop and Kurt’s apartment. The three shots plus had already gone to Kurt’s head, making him unsteady on his feet and talkative. Blaine wrapped his hand around Kurt’s waist to keep him steady.

As they reach the front of Floriography, Kurt stopped and leaned against the door. “Which one do you like?”

Blaine looked slight surprised and very confused by Kurt’s question. He had been babbling about the horrible outfits in the bar and how terrible everyone sang. He was having a hard time following Kurt’s train of thought, “What?”

Kurt gestured toward the shop, “You’ve got every kind in there, which one would you want a bouquet of?”

“I guess… I like dahlias. I love the symmetry of the pedals. They are just regal and dignified.”

Kurt nodded, “What do Tulips mean?”

“They mean fame, or love. Unless it is a red one, those are declaration of love; and yellow ones are hopeless love.” Blaine took a deep breath, “There used to be tulips that were striped, they were hybrids, but they all died out. They were said to be the most beautiful flowers in the world.” Blaine looked up into Kurt’s eyes, his hand reaching out to touch him before falling to his side, “Those meant ‘beautiful eyes’.”

Kurt closed the distance between them, reaching out to caress Blaine’s cheek, but missing slightly and ended up caressing his ear. “Do you remember the first time we met? You gave me a flower, a lavender rose. What do they mean, Blaine?”

Kurt’s hand settled to cup Blaine’s cheek, Blaine leaned into Kurt’s touch, he whispered, “Love at first sight.”

Suddenly, Kurt surged forward, his lips meeting Blaine’s in an awkward and rough kiss. Blaine pulled back slightly to adjust and Kurt pulled him back, his arms moving around Blaine’s back to hold him close. Blaine ran his tongue along Kurt’s lips and they parted. Kurt tipped his head to the left, deepening the kiss and stroking his tongue along Blaine’s. Blaine moved his hands to Kurt’s hair, and gently rand the soft strands at the base of his neck through his fingers.

Blaine was the first to pull back, as he did, Kurt leaned in and rested his forehead against Blaine’s. Kurt sighed and just stood there for a minute breathing Blaine in. Blaine was afraid to move, he didn’t want this moment to end, he was too happy in Kurt’s arms. But he knew he had to, he didn’t want to be the reason that Kurt and Troy’s marriage ended.

Blaine finally pulled back saying, “We need to stop.”

Kurt blinked twice slowly before nodding his head. He only moved one hand, keeping one firmly on Blaine’s back, leading him away from the shop in the direction of his house. Blaine walked Kurt all the way to his apartment, fighting the urge to kiss him again, before he turned to go home himself.

***
It was the middle of March before Blaine saw Kurt again. Its not that they haven’t texted each other, because they had an almost daily text conversation. They both agreed that after the Valentines kiss they needed to take some time apart, not see each other and just go back to being friends. Blaine worked like he did every day and went home alone every evening. But he looked forward to the nightly texts with Kurt, chatting about their days and the crazy they see on the subway. It was always innocent and never about their relationship with each other.

Which is why Kurt’s text was so surprising, it was simple, and was really just friendly, but a part of Blaine’s mind said ‘but it could mean so much more’.

Kurt: Would you want to get lunch on Friday?

Blaine: Sure that sounds great. Where were you thinking?

Kurt: I’ll stop by your shop at 12:30 and we can go together.

Blaine: See you then

Kurt was of course, right on time on Friday. Blaine closed up the shop for a short lunch break, leaving a sign saying that he would be back at 1:30pm, just incase his afternoon order stopped by early to pick it up. “Where are we going?”

“Just follow me. We’re going to my favorite caf�. Which I never realized is only five blocks from your shop.”

When they arrived at Greenwich Kitchen, Blaine stopped and looked at Kurt, surprised that Kurt had picked his favorite caf� in New York. In a city full of coffee shops and cafes, they both liked the same one, yet had never run into each other there. They placed their orders, Blaine insisting on paying for both Kurt’s and his meal. They found a small quiet table in the corner where they could talk. It wasn’t very loud in the caf�, it was just people on their laptops typing and small groups enjoying lunch together.

The conversation was pleasant and flowed easily throughout the meal. It wasn’t until they were both done eating that Blaine finally said, “I don’t exactly know how to phrase this, but I missed seeing you the last month.”

“Blaine…”

“I don’t want to be forward or assume anything. I just, I miss being your friend. And I’m sorry for how the… da…” Blaine had to stop himself from saying ‘date’ clearing his throat hoping that Kurt didn’t notice his slip, “evening ended on Valentine’s Day, that wasn’t fair to you.”

“Blaine,” Kurt interrupted him a second time, “I missed seeing you too. And you aren’t the one who kissed me; I kissed you first. You didn’t force me to do anything I didn’t want to do. I still do.”

Blaine was speechless, he hadn’t considered the possibility of Kurt wanting to kiss him. The last part was said under his breath and almost into his coffee mug, but Blaine saw the words in Kurt’s eyes. Kurt wanted to kiss him, it wasn’t just because he was drunk, it wasn’t just because Blaine wanted him to, it was because Kurt wanted to kiss Blaine. Kurt wanted to kiss Blaine

“I do think we need some guidelines though.”

Blaine nodded, “Agreed. So no kissing.”

“Except on special occasions, holidays, birthdays, New Year’s.”

Blaine nodded. “What about hugs?”

Kurt smiled, “Hugs are welcome, encouraged even.”

Blaine returned his smile as Kurt explained. “And weekly dates with ‘the girls’ are mandatory.”

“Dates with the girls?” Blaine asked.

“Rachel, Mercedes, and I go out for martini’s on Wednesdays at Simone’s.”

“Mandatory?” Blaine asks with a hint of a smile and joke in his voice.

“Well, I guess you don’t have to come, but Rachel and Mercedes really want to get to know you better, and they have both invited you many times. I just… never asked.”

“No, it sounds fun. I’ll be there as quickly as I can close the shop.”

***
Blaine was running late to meet everyone for martinis. He figured it couldn’t hurt, since he was running late, to make sure that he has a flower head for everyone. When he arrived, he pushed through the crowds, carefully so that he didn’t get a drink spilled on his mustard yellow pants or crush the flowers. When he finally found their table, Kurt was explaining something and gesturing with his hands. Blaine slipped into the seat, almost unnoticed. Mercedes nodded at him before turning back toward Kurt to hear the rest of the story.

When he finished, Blaine said hello and got up to give everyone a hug and their flower. Blaine grabbed a pink rose for Mercedes grace. He gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She blushed and thanked him. Sitting next to her was Kurt. He got a red rose and yellow rose, because together they mean ‘happiness and excitement’, which accurately summed up how Blaine was feeling tonight. He was happy to be friends with Kurt, to be able to spend time with him. Blaine would ultimately be happy just being friends with Kurt, he just felt a connection to him, a pull from his core towards Kurt. Blaine gave Kurt a tight hug to go with the two flowers and Kurt returned the hug equally as strongly and whispered thanks in his ear.

The last flower, a yellow rose, was for Rachel. Blaine gave her a hug and moved to give her a kiss on the cheek. Just as he did, she moved her head and their lips ended up meeting. Blaine froze, he wasn’t sure what to do, pulling back too soon would be very rude, but he also really didn’t want to be kissing Rachel. She moved her hands to his shoulders and deepened the kiss, holding him close. As soon as her tongue was licking at his lips, Blaine pulled away, making sure there was enough distance between them.

Before she had a chance to say anything, Blaine started, “Rachel, yellow roses mean friendship.”

He was trying to be subtle, to tell her to back off, but without being rude to Kurt’s best friend.

She laughed and said, “Oops, sorry.”

Blaine returned to his seat and placed his drink order with the waitress who had been standing awkwardly by. He wondered how much of that she had seen and what she thought was going on. As soon as she left the table, Kurt was on his feet, casting a seething glare Rachel’s direction and quietly stomping off towards the bathroom.

Blaine looked to Mercedes for help, she just shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head in the direction of the bathrooms. Blaine excused himself and as quickly as possible made his way behind Kurt. Blaine found him leaning against the sinks in the Men’s bathroom, water running and staring into the mirror.

“Kurt,” Blaine questioned cautiously, “Is everything ok?”

“Just peachy.”

“You stormed off, I didn’t mean to upset you, I just want to make sure you’re ok.”

“I’m fine, you can go back to Rachel now.”

Blaine hesitated a second before reaching out and setting his hand on Kurt’s back. “You know that was an accident, right?”

“It didn’t look like one.” Kurt looked at Blaine in the mirror now; Blaine could see the tear streaks and red eyes.

Blaine sighed, “I tried to kiss her on the cheek, but she turned her head at the exact wrong moment. Then I guess she thought I meant to kiss her lips and held me there. Believe me, Kurt, kissing Rachel is the last thing I wanted to do tonight. Well…”

Kurt understood the joke and smiled slightly. He turned around so he can face Blaine while saying, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have run off like that. God, I’m so stupid.”

Blaine rested both of his hands on Kurt’s shoulders, “Hey, no. You’re not. But do you want to tell me what’s going on? I get the feeling that this isn’t just about me.”

“Very perceptive.” Kurt had an impassive mask over his eyes. Blaine braced himself, because whatever Kurt was about to say was something that hurt him a lot. “Back when Troy and I were first dating, Rachel was convinced that he was just pretending to be with me to get with her. Stupid, I know, considering he is gay and she is decidedly not a man. Anyway, one night I had a party at my place and they were both there. She had a little bit too much to drink and Troy was still trying to impress my friends, so he just went along with it. Well, I left the room and when I came back maybe 10 minutes later, they were on the couch making out, and both half undressed.

I kicked them both out of my apartment. Rachel and I nearly ended our nine-year friendship and Troy and I broke up for a couple of weeks. It was the worst feeling. And watching Rachel kiss you, it was like I was reliving that moment all over again.”

Kurt’s head slumped forward and Blaine pulled him in to an awkward hug, holding him close and comforting him as best he could. “I’m so sorry that happened to you. I would never intentionally hurt you like that. If I’d known…”

Kurt looked up and Blaine used his thumbs to wipe the tears from his cheeks. Blaine leaned forward, against his better judgment, and kissed Kurt. Blaine could hear the surprised noise Kurt made before he deepened the kiss. Kurt opened his mouth and licked along Blaine’s lips until Blaine opened his mouth and Kurt’s tongue was stroking his own. Blaine tilted his head to the side, deepening the kiss more. Their hands wrapped around each of their backs and pulled their bodies flush together, Kurt moaned softly at the contact.

The kiss was dirty, passionate, hard, fast, and the somewhat forbidden nature of it making it all the more hot. Before long, Blaine was rutting into Kurt’s hip, his hard cock brushing against him. Blaine could feel Kurt’s hard length against his leg, all it took was one thrust before Kurt realized what they were doing and stepped back. Blaine reached forward to follow him; he opened his eyes when he didn’t easily find Kurt.

Blaine raised his eyebrows in question, to which Kurt responded, “We can’t do this here.”

Blaine nodded and adjusted himself in his tight pants. Before leaving the bathroom, Kurt leaned in for a long chaste kiss.

Blaine was the first one out of the bathroom, and just outside the door, Kurt rested his hand on Blaine’s ass and said, “These pants look really hot on you.” He turned around and smiled brightly back at Kurt.

When they got back to the table, Mercedes and Rachel had cornered one of the waiters, who looked like he desperately wants to escape, or maybe cut his ears off. He can finally make his escape when Rachel shifts her attention back to Kurt saying, “I’m sorry.”

Kurt brushed her off, instead asking Mercedes about the new gig she had coming up. The conversation flowed smoothly, everyone talking and laughing. But Blaine noticed that Rachel kept glancing between him and Kurt and trying to ask a non-verbal question. He could only imagine what she wanted to ask. She finally got her chance when they left the bar, linking her arm through Kurt’s and leading him down the street. Despite the fact that they were walking quite a few feet in front of him, Rachel was loud when sober and only gets louder the more she drinks, so Blaine could hear her asking “What was that, are you ok?” and “Is there something between you and Blaine?” He can’t make out Kurt’s answer, but can imagine what Kurt might be saying and it makes his heart pang slightly to know that Kurt doesn’t think that what they are doing, is something.

Blaine turned towards his apartment a couple of blocks early; he needed to be alone.

***
Blaine was on the phone talking to one of his suppliers when Kurt walked in. Blaine wasn’t expecting him, it had been less than 24 hours since they last saw each other since you last kissed Blaine’s brain supplies unhelpfully. Blaine waved Kurt in as he finished up on the phone, making sure he has all the flowers he needed for the two weddings over the weekend. Of course he had two Bridezillas with matching Momzillas to deal with this weekend, demanding fresh, locally NYC grown, organic flowers for their weddings, despite the fact that they were getting married in March. He was reasonably convinced that the two brides were best friends and were just trying to fuck with him.

“Thanks Lauren. You are a lifesaver. I’ll see you first thing on Saturday.” Blaine put down the phone and turned to see Kurt standing, looking uncomfortable, in his doorway.

“Hey, Kurt! How are you?”

“I’m… fine. Can we talk?”

“Sure, what’s up?” Blaine was trying to keep the conversation casual, and trying to look like he wasn’t panicking, but underneath, he was really worried about what Kurt was about to say.

“It might be easier if we went into the back room to talk, if that’s all right. Otherwise I can come back another time, or just talk to you later. It’s not really that Important. I can just…”

Blaine cut Kurt off saying, “Kurt! It’s fine. Just flip the sign to say closed.”

Blaine walked back into his prep room and Kurt followed shortly behind him, “Sorry its messy back here, I was taking inventory and trying to figure out how to do the flowers for the weddings this weekend.”

Kurt nodded, taking in the mess of flowers and ribbon across the table. There was a small piece of ribbon near where he was standing; he picked it up, rubbing it between his fingers.

Blaine watched him carefully. He almost didn’t look like the Kurt Blaine knew. He seemed nervous and unsure, two words he had never used to describe Kurt; never thought he would ever use to describe him. Blaine waited, not wanting to rush him, but also becoming more nervous by the minute as he waited for Kurt to say something.

After a long silence, Kurt finally started speaking, “I… Blaine, I am so glad that I met you. You are one of my best friends, I enjoy spending time with you and it just feels natural. Like I’ve known you forever, when it has been barely a year, and even then, not really. It felt easy the first time I met you, when you were first explaining what the flowers mean before my wedding.”

“Ok.” Blaine wasn’t sure where the conversation was going, but he wasn’t exactly sure he wanted to know. “Why do I feel like there is a ‘but’ coming?”

“But,” Kurt smiled sadly at Blaine, “We can’t do this any more. I can’t do this anymore. I am hurting Troy. He’s my husband, Blaine. Fuck, I’m married. I can’t…”

Blaine nodded, he knew. What they had been doing under the guise of friendship was more than, well than any friendship he’d ever had. Hell, it was more than most of his romantic relationships.

“Ok. What do you need me to do?”

Kurt paused, looking in Blaine’s eyes, “I… nothing. You’ve done nothing wrong, you’ve been perfect Blaine. Its me that needs to change.” Kurt sighed.

Blaine could only nod. Kurt took a step towards Blaine, slowly moving into his personal space. With every step Kurt took, Blaine stepped back a half step, and before long he was backed up against the table. Kurt moved into his personal space, cupping his cheek in his palm. Kurt looked down and then up into Blaine’s eyes.

Blaine wasn’t sure what Kurt was doing, but he seemed to be making a decision. Without warning, Kurt pressed forward, crashing his lips onto Blaine’s own, eliciting a surprised gasp. Kurt licked into Blaine’s open mouth, stroking Blaine’s tongue with his own. Kurt’s arms had wrapped around Blaine’s back, holding him in place. Blaine moved his hands up to rest on Kurt’s shoulders, kissing him back just as fiercely.

Before long, Blaine’s brain clicked back in and realized what he was doing. He gently pushed Kurt back. Kurt’s arms were still holding Blaine close, Blaine asked, “What are we doing?”

Kurt didn’t waver, he held Blaine’s eyes saying, “I’m doing what I should have done a long time ago. I’m falling for you. I have been dreaming about kissing you for months. Please.”

“What about Troy?”

Kurt sighed, “He’s not the one I’m in love with. I’m in love with you, Blaine.”

Blaine is sure he looks ridiculous, his mouth gaping at Kurt’s confession. He has to consciously tell his mouth to close. He looks into Kurt’s eyes for a long minute before saying, “I think I’ve been in love with you since the first time you came into my shop. Kurt…”

Kurt cuts Blaine off with a searing kiss, framing his face with both of his hands. Blaine pulls Kurt in between his legs, holding him as close as physically possible. Kurt moved his kisses across Blaine’s cheek and down his jaw to his neck, kissing down the long column right along his vein, pausing to gently nip at a spot just above Blaine’s shoulder. Blaine let out a low moan, his head falling to Kurt’s neck, exposing more skin for Kurt. He continued to nip and suck at Blaine’s skin, until Blaine was sure there was going to be a giant red hickey there all afternoon.

Blaine’s fingers work their way under Kurt’s sweater and shirt to the skin at the small of his back. Gasping at the feel of warm soft skin combined with Kurt’s mouth on his neck. He gasped, “Kurt. Kiss me.”

He smirks, “I thought I was.”

Blaine could only whimper as Kurt’s mouth found his again. He put everything he had in the kiss, every feeling he’d ever had for Kurt that he couldn’t express otherwise was in that kiss. Kurt’s hands deftly undid Blaine’s bowtie and started unbuttoning his shirt. As soon as it was undone, Kurt’s hands were running across Blaine’s chest, caressing the warm skin. Blaine slides his hands downward, under the waistband of Kurt’s pants, discovering he was not wearing anything underneath.

Blaine broke the kiss to say, “Oh god. You’re not wearing underwear.”

“Nope,” Kurt rubbed his fingers over one of Blaine’s nipples, “Not if I don’t want visible lines in these pants.” Kurt pushed Blaine’s shirt off his shoulders and Blaine removed his hands just long enough for Kurt to remove his shirt. He started kissing and licking down Blaine’s chest.

Blaine shifted his hands back into Kurt’s pants, running a single finger over his hole, which caused Kurt’s hips to thrust forward, his hard cock bumping against Blaine’s hip. Blaine repeated the motion, meeting Kurt’s hips halfway, slotting them together so their dicks rubbed together. Kurt moaned, “Oh, god.”

Its all the encouragement Blaine needed to continue the motion, getting them both worked up. Kurt was no longer kissing at his chest, instead he was just leaning against Blaine, panting. After the next thrust Kurt said, “Need… more…unh.”

Blaine couldn’t agree more, he moved his hands from Kurt’s pants, unbuttoning them, while Kurt worked on taking off his shirt and sweater. Blaine tries to take Kurt’s pants off over his shoes, causing Kurt to slap him slightly on the shoulder and say, “Shoes.”

Blaine looked down and paused just long enough for Kurt to kick off his shoes before he removed his pants. As soon as Kurt was naked, Blaine pulls him back into a kiss, holding him close, hands running in a long line from his shoulders to his ass.

Kurt broke the kiss saying, as his hands started on the button of Blaine’s jeans, “You’re wearing entirely too many clothes.”

In a matter of seconds Blaine had removed his shoes and pants, then his lips were on Kurt’s, kissing him and slotting their bodies together. Their hips moved together, creating delicious friction, but not enough. Kurt was the first one to say as much.

“Condoms? Lube?” Blaine asked, but it came out more of a moan than actual words. Somehow Kurt understood and shook his head sadly.

“Fuck, ok.” Blaine said as he spun them around so Kurt was leaning against the table. Blaine lifted him up slightly so he was propped on the edge. Blaine began to lay him down as Kurt scooted further up on the table, kissing the entire time. They scoot up until Kurt was lying almost entirely on the table, and Blaine was covering him.

Blaine moved to lick one of Kurt’s nipples and Kurt’s hands wandered and caressed Blaine’s ass. Before long, they were thrusting together, and Kurt moved his hand to encircle their cocks, sliding his hand over them both. Their rhythm shifted, slower, less frantic, trying to make every second last. Kurt rolled them over on top of some orange lilies, the flowers crushing under their combined weight.

“Oh shit,” Kurt said, “We’re crushing your flowers.”

“Don’t care. Want you,” was all Blaine managed, as Kurt quickened the pace of his hand.

Blaine threw his head back, getting poked in the head with rose thorns, “Ow.”

Kurt looked up into Blaine’s face his hand stilling, “Ow?”

“I… rose thorn… Don’t stop.” Blaine babbled incoherently. He was so close.

Kurt kissed him and sped up his hand and before long, they were both coming, seconds apart. Kurt collapsed on top of Blaine, kissing him chastely and rolling slightly to the side, snuggled in to Blaine’s side. Blaine held him close, running his hand down Kurt’s back as far as he could reach.

Kurt ran his fingers through the mostly dried mess of come and sweat on Blaine’s stomach. He whispered, “God, you are so beautiful.”

Blaine smiled and kissed the top of Kurt’s head, “You’re not bad looking yourself.”

“We should get cleaned up,” Kurt leaned up to kiss Blaine’s mouth one more time.

Blaine’s arms tightened around Kurt, “Not yet. Basking.”

Kurt’s laugh was light and happy as he settled back down on Blaine. Blaine’s heart melted just a little at the sound. Blaine could feel Kurt reaching around behind himself.

Kurt grabbed one of the flowers stuck to his ass and pulled it out and brought it up to look at it. As soon as Blaine saw it, he started laughing. Kurt asked, “What?”

Between gasps of laughter, Blaine managed to splutter, “It’s an… orange lily.”

Kurt turned the crushed flower around in his hand. “Yeah…”

“It means desire or passion.” Blaine broke into an even bigger fit of laughter and Kurt joined him once it hit him.

It took a while, but eventually Kurt regained enough composure to ask, “You mean, we just had sex on a bed of flowers, that mean desire or passion.”

Blaine nodded, laughing. Kurt dropped his head on to Blaine’s chest and shook it slightly. They snuggled closer, enjoying the closeness. Blaine was just about asleep when he heard the chimes at the front door go off. He startled awake and whispered to Kurt, “Did you lock the door?”

Kurt looked over his shoulder to the door to the back room, nodding then adding, “I forgot to lock the front door though.”

“If we are silent, maybe they will just leave.” Blaine whispered. Kurt nodded; cursing whichever power thought it was wise to send someone to interrupt them at that exact moment.

“Hello,” the voice coming from the front of the shop was familiar, and it took Blaine a minute to place it, Troy.

“Blaine? Are you in the back?”

Kurt had now placed the voice. “Fuck!” he exclaimed in a whisper and flung himself off of Blaine, grabbing his pants and throwing Blaine’s towards him.

“Yeah, I am. Just a second though.” Blaine called up to the front, hoping his voice sounded close to normal.

Blaine dressed as quickly as possible, forgoing putting the bowtie back on and pushed a panicking Kurt down into his desk chair saying, “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

Blaine went out to the front and said, “What do you want, Troy?”

Troy looked slightly puzzled at Blaine, “I wanted to buy flowers. For Kurt. He’s seemed a bit off lately, and I thought they might cheer him up a bit.”

“Sure.” Blaine swallowed heavily, concentrating on keeping his voice as normal as possible, “What were you thinking?”

“You know what Kurt likes.” Blaine blinked at him, not trusting himself to say anything. Troy continued, “Dahlias. He likes dahlias.”

Blaine nodded, heading over to the bucket of flowers, pulling a large handful out. He arranged them with vines of ivy dependence. As Blaine was arranging them, he wasn’t sure who he wanted Kurt to depend on, but he could only selfishly hope that it would be him and not Troy. He handed the bouquet over.

“How much?”

“Uh… Twenty-five.” Blaine really wanted Troy to leave. He knew this had to be torture for Kurt, who could probably hear every word in the back room.

“Do you want to come over for dinner sometime? Maybe this weekend?” Troy asked.

“I can’t. I have two weddings this weekend. Actually I need to get back to it. I’ll see you around.”

“Yeah, see you later.” Troy walked out of the shop, and Blaine locked the front door behind him. As quick as he could, he returned to the back room. Kurt was pacing back and forth along the back wall, the crushed orange lily in his hand. Kurt was shaking his head as he paced, it looked like he might be whispering to himself. Blaine walked over and stopped him with hands on his shoulders. Kurt looked Blaine in the eye before shaking his head again and trying to turn out of Blaine’s grip.

Blaine managed to hold him still and said, “Stop. Talk to me. Please.”

This managed to at least bring Kurt back into the present, it seems to calm him down slightly. Blaine would take whatever he can get, he needed to talk to Kurt, figure out what he’s thinking and where they go from here.

“What are you thinking?”

“I can’t do this. I don’t think I can tell Troy that I’m not as in love with him as I am with you. I can’t hurt him, he loves me, with his whole heart. He gave it to me, and I can’t be the one to break it.”

“What about your own heart? Who is protecting yours?”

Kurt looked at Blaine, clearly this was something he hadn’t considered. “It… doesn’t matter.”

Blaine was saddened by Kurt even considering the thought that his heart didn’t matter, that his heart was less important than Troy’s. It also made Blaine’s heart swell, because the man he was in love with, cared so much for someone else that he would live in pain to protect the one he loved.

“Kurt.” Blaine started, pausing after just one word, making sure every word was the right one so his message is clear, “That’s not even a little bit true, your heart matters. It matters to me, and I can tell it matters to you, because of how sad you look right now. I’m saying this, not as the man who is in love with you, but as your friend. You need to do what is right for you, what makes your heart soar. If being with Troy will do that, then that is what you need to do. If not being with him will make you happy, then you should end it. If being with me is what will make you happy, then I would be honored to be the one to protect your heart, as long as you’ll let me.

“But please don’t make your decision because it will hurt me, or hurt Troy. I care about you too much for that.” Blaine took Kurt’s hand in the middle of his speech, and was holding them on Kurt’s heart.

There were tears welling in Kurt’s eyes and Blaine pulled him into a hug. Blaine could feel the dampness from Kurt’s tears soaking into his shirt, and the thought of him crying made his heart ache.

Kurt pulled out of the hug and said, “I need to go back to Troy. I…can’t bear hurting him. I love him enough to know that.”

Blaine nodded, “What do you want me to do?”

“Nothing. Just be your completely adorable and loveable self.” Kurt pressed a chaste kiss to Blaine’s lips and started to walk towards the door. Blaine followed him out into the front room “I don’t regret it, any of it. I meant every word I said, I still do. Goodbye, Blaine.”

Blaine stood frozen in place as he watched Kurt walk out of his shop, turning back as he shut the door behind him, smiling sadly and giving a small wave.