CHAPTER 3 – Hook, Line and Sinker.

Brightness and warmth crossed through Kurt’s closed eyelids and he woke up feeling stiff and uncomfortable. He opened his eyes slightly against the sunlight that streamed through the window in front of him, and his first thought was that he had not only missed his first sunset, but the first sunrise as well. He was sitting cross legged on the floorboards, where he must have fallen back to sleep while waiting for the sun to come up. It was something that happened occasionally in yoga class, not that he liked to admit it. His was still hunched over and he straightened his back, rolling the stiffness out of his shoulders and neck. Something fell to the ground and at the same time a weight was lifted and he saw that a blanket must have been placed over him at some point during the night. He looked around immediately for Blaine to thank him, but the lighthouse keeper was nowhere in sight, the lamps already been put out. Kurt stood up and yawned as he stretched out his limbs. He took the blanket in hand and made his way down the tower stairs to find Blaine and return it with his thanks.

Kurt was on his way to check the Kitchen and dining area for his host when he heard soft snores coming from a door that was open slightly when he passed it in the hallway. Peering in he saw it was definitely Blaine’s room, Blaine fast asleep on top of his bed and still fully clothed. He was on his stomach, lying diagonally as if he had barely made it to the bed before sleep had taken him. Kurt looked down at the blanket in his hand before laying it carefully over Blaine’s form. He then retreated quietly, closing the door softly behind him.

Blaine opened his eyes and waited for the blurriness to leave his vision before checking his watch. It was 10am, and he was kicking himself mentally for not hearing his alarm go off at 8. He was supposed to make his guest breakfast, and despite the fact it meant only catching two or so hours of sleep he couldn’t very well let his guest go hungry. He quickly changed his clothes, not wanting to give it away that he had slept yet again in his clothes...

It was then that he noticed the blanket, still spread across the bed with one corner turned up from where he had climbed out from under it. It was the same one he had placed over Kurt’s shoulders. Just great…he thought to himself. Not only will Kurt think he doesn’t care enough to feed his paying guest but he now knows he’s a slob as well. He looked around his well-lived room with a sigh. It could have been worse; at least he didn’t have any underwear on the floor.

Blaine was in less than a chipper mood as he made his way down the hall toward the kitchen. Walking past Kurt’s room he saw the door wide open and that it was empty. The bed was made tidily and not so much as a sock poked out of a drawer to make him feel better about his own habits. The smell of cooking hit him the moment he entered the dining area and a wave of guilt washed over him. He hated o think how hungry Kurt must be by that point. He braced himself for the fashion designer’s wrath.

“Good Morning. I hope you like pancakes. ” Came the bright and cheery greeting. Blaine blinked his eyes in surprise.

“Uh, yeah…” Blaine spoke automatically, before his brain kicked in and took in the pile of pancakes Kurt was setting on the table, topped with some kind of fruit. “I mean…what? Y-you cooked me breakfast?”

“Well of course. You don’t mind do you? I didn’t want to wake you to ask how to use the wood oven but I got there in the end. It’s a slower heat than I am used to but perfect for cooking pancakes without burning them. I really should have brought my crepe iron so we could have authentic French crepes but I had enough stuff to bring as it was…”

“Of course I don’t mind! I’m just sorry I wasn’t awake to make you breakfast. I set my alarm but I mustn’t have heard it… I’m sorry Mr Hummel.”  Blaine was feeling guiltier by the second.

“It’s Kurt. Even my father doesn’t like to be called Mr Hummel. And really Blaine? You planned to stay up all night doing your job and then skip sleep to make me breakfast? I assure you I am fully capable of getting my own food and I do not expect you to live without sleep while I am here. If you still think you haven’t done enough you can do the dishes. Now, eat before it gets cold.”

Blaine wanted to argue but thought better of it at the look in Kurt’s eyes. He sat down. “What about your own breakfast?” He asked, picking up a fork.

“I already ate.” Kurt replied simply.

Blaine took a mouthful, surprised by how light and fluffy the pancakes were and they went well with the fruit on top. He remarked on it. “This is amazing, how did you get the fruit? I don’t keep anything canned.”

“You have apple trees outside, Blaine. I also found some wild blackberry growing not too far down the island. Took a while to stew them together and it took me even longer to find sugar seeing as you keep it in a coffee tin” he gave Blaine a sidelong glance “but the end result isn’t too bad if I do say so myself. Honestly, for someone who lives off the land you should have been able to guess that much.”

Blaine gave a half smile at the remark. He was hardly the most adventurous cook and had basically been living off cabbage and potatoes for the last couple of years. Kurt may not have realized it but something as simple as stewed fruit was a delicacy for Blaine.

Blaine was nearly finished his plate when Kurt spoke again.

“I’m sorry but I used the last of the eggs I found in your pantry. I would get some more but I don’t know how exactly. I asked the chickens but they directed me to the library and I found nothing there.”

“The library?”

“They kept saying ‘book book book’.”

Blaine choked on the piece of pancake he was in the middle of chewing and Kurt handed him a glass of water, amused.

“That was a terrible joke.” Blaine moaned teary eyed; his voice hoarse from the coughing fit he had barely recovered from. Kurt smiled smugly, having achieved the desired effect.

“I would like to know more about living off the land, actually. And see how you live out here. Do you mind if I tag along with you today?” Kurt asked hopefully.

“Not at all.” Blaine smiled back at him, his breathing and voice normalizing once more. “We can start by asking some chickens where they keep their eggs.”

After Breakfast Blaine led Kurt out to the garden and showed him a few spots he knew the chickens laid their eggs. A couple of the spots were empty, but they managed to collect 5 eggs from various spots around the lighthouse. They were about to go back inside when Blaine suddenly stopped and placed a hand lightly on Kurt’s arm.

“Listen.”

Kurt did so. Not far off a chicken was clucking excitedly. He looked curiously at Blaine. “What is it? Is she all right?”

Blaine chuckled lightly. “Of course she is all right. She’s just really pleased with herself.” Kurt continued to give him a strange look so he elaborated. “She’s laid an egg and is saying just how good a job she did of it.”

“You actually speak chicken?”

Blaine’s golden eyes crinkled. “If we’re careful about looking for her we’ll find her nesting spot. Let’s go.”

Finding the spot was a simple matter, and the chicken pecked at the dust they disturbed with their feet as Blaine gestured at Kurt to pick up the egg. It was warm to the touch and much cleaner than the other eggs they had collected that morning. He cradled it in his palm as the egg cooled to the same temperature as his hands. He smiled at Blaine in wonderment.

“You look as pleased with yourself as that chicken did.” Blaine teased. Kurt gave him a glare, before it turned back to a smile and he walked back up to the lighthouse.

Blaine lagged a little behind Kurt, who was nowhere to be seen when he got inside. He placed the five eggs he carried in the pantry before seeking him out. They did have a fishing date after all. Well, not a date he told himself sternly. Kurt was a paying customer after all.

He found Kurt in his room, stretched on his stomach across the bed, his feet dangling in the air and bent over a sketchbook, staring intently at the egg he had just collected. He would then draw a couple of lines on his book and stare at the egg once more. Blaine was fascinated watching him. He looked down at the bedside table and saw another sketchbook there labelled ‘final drafts’. He picked it up in his hands, flicking through the designs. Some he liked - others not so much. Then he came to the latest design in the book, and stopped still.

At this point Kurt had finally realized he wasn’t alone in the room. He sat up hurriedly, his eyes wide as he saw what was in Blaine’s hands.

“What are you doing looking through my sketchbook…?”

Blaine looked up from the book to see an infuriated looking Kurt. “I-I’m sorry… I just came in to ask if we were still on for fishing but you were concentrating and I saw your design book and wanted to see what it is you do and…I saw this.” He turned the page in question towards Kurt. It was a finalized sketch of the design based on Blaine’s eyes, with a detailed sketch of the eyes in question heading the page. He didn’t need to ask whose eyes they were, as the words ‘Subject - Blaine Anderson’ written below them in Kurt’s tidy handwriting. “You’re a great artist.” Blaine laughed awkwardly.

“You weren’t meant to see that.” Kurt blushed, taking the book back from Blaine.

“But, why not? I’m flattered.” Blaine insisted. It was true, he was. “You like my eyes enough to base a design off them?” It wasn’t really a question.

“And am regretting it now.” Kurt retorted, but the edge to his voice was gone. He was more relieved that Blaine wasn’t weirded out. “…You don’t think it’s creepy?”

“Why would I find it creepy? You’re a designer, aren’t you? You find inspiration from the world around you. I’ll admit I am a little embarrassed but pleased at the same time. Shouldn’t I be?”

Kurt sighed. “I had a bad experience with a model once. He had this look that I was obsessed with and designed clothes around him. He was straight and thought I was trying to seduce him… I wasn’t at all I swear.” Kurt didn’t know why he was suddenly defending himself.

Blaine smiled reassuringly at him. “Well, I don’t think anything of the sort. I was more worried after yesterday that you might think I was being too forward with you. I assure you that wasn’t my intention at all.”

“But you are gay?” Kurt couldn’t help but ask.

“I am definitely gay.” Blaine laughed. “So I get it, I really do. Now, are we going fishing?” He held his hand out to Kurt, who took it and stood up from the bed.

“Okay, but I think I should get this egg to the kitchen first.”

Blaine laughed as Kurt’s look of excitement turned to dismay as he finished fishing up an old boot instead of the large fish he was sure he had on the end of his line.

“We’re on a motorboat out in the middle of the ocean. How the heck did I manage to find a smelly old boot out here!?” He unlatched the boot and threw it back in disgust.

“At least it wasn’t seaweed this time.” Blaine offered. Kurt snorted.

“I used to play Neopets as a kid but I never thought fishing up nothing but seaweed and old boots was actually a real thing…” Kurt looked down at the bottom of the boat where Blaine’s catches lay, the eyes of the fish glistening the way only freshly caught fish did. They were of a good size, and Kurt’s competitive streak was starting to beat at his ego. He baited his hook once more and cast the line. It wasn’t long before he felt a twinge and he reeled it back in eagerly, Blaine cheering him on.

“Pity.” Blaine commented, a slight trace of mirth in his voice. The hook had been emptied of its bait without the offending fish becoming hooked and Kurt was more frustrated than ever.

“I swear I will catch something before we…” Kurt’s words were cut off as the boat lurched suddenly, nearly knocking them both off their feet. Something was on Blaine’s line and whatever it was it was strong.

“My god I think I’ve hooked a marlin!” Blaine exclaimed in surprise. He immediately started trying to reel the line in. Kurt’s face went white. He didn’t know much about fishing but he knew that there was no way Blaine would be able to land something that big in such a tiny boat. The thin line they were using looked ready to snap at any moment. He picked up the knife they had been using to gut the fish.

“Don’t you think we should cut the line? That thing’s going to drag us out to the middle of the Atlantic.”

Blaine seemed to realize that at the same time, the thrill he first experienced when he realized he had something big on his line replaced with the reality that this could be dangerous. He was about to take the knife from Kurt when there was an almighty yelp and Blaine was pulled bodily from the boat, rod and all. Kurt had managed to grab hold of Blaine’s sleeve just in time, but Blaine was now in the water, his arm outstretched as he clung desperately to the rod. He used all his strength to get the rod in reaching distance for Kurt, who quickly took the shaft in hand and cut the line in one swift motion.

There was a moment’s calm.

“Ah, Kurt…” Blaine whispered hoarsely “Could you help me back up? The water is freezing.”

Kurt took Blaine by both shoulders and hauled him back into the boat. They both collapsed in a heap on the bottom and began to laugh uncontrollably.

“Hey Blaine.” Kurt managed to get out between giggles. “You know our bet?”

“Mm…” Blaine was having a little more trouble finding his voice and scrambling up from where he had fallen sprawled across Kurt.

“I caught you so I win.”

“I’m not a fish.”

“No, you look more like a drowned puppy. Let’s go back now and get you dry.” Kurt turned to start up the motor, glad that land was still visible in the distance. “And Blaine?”

“Yes, Kurt?”

“I really enjoyed fishing with you.”

Kurt had gone back to his room to tidy up a bit while Blaine had a shower. The dark haired man had been near shivering by the time they reached the lighthouse but he assured Kurt he would be fine.

Kurt was soon bored with being alone in the whitewashed room and decided he would climb the tower while he waited. He stepped out his door just as Blaine was walking out the bathroom door and into the hall. He wore nothing but a towel wrapped low about his waist and was much surprised to see Kurt standing there.

“Ah, Kurt um…sorry. Still not used to having company I guess…I left my clothes in my room.” He smiled apologetically, his dark wet curls still dripping slightly. “Are you going up to the top? I’ll meet you there in five and then we can go and check the crab pots, all right?”

Kurt nodded, only half listening. He was a little distracted by the powerful looking muscles that formed his host’s arms and torso, leading down to a tight stomach with just the right amount of softness… Kurt shook his head and kept his eyes focused dead ahead as he walked past Blaine. “Sure… See you…up there.”

Their trip to the crab pots was uneventful and they came back with two crabs. Adding that to the fish Blaine had caught earlier their dinner fare was to be somewhat richer than the night before. Kurt had convinced Blaine to let him cook, a decision the man didn’t regret as everything was cooked to perfection with flavours he didn’t even know his kitchen could produce.  He was a little unsure of the mushy orange stuff, however. Even more so once Kurt explained what it was. The only part of the crab he wanted to be eating was the meat.

After dinner Kurt followed Blaine up to the top of the tower so Kurt could finally see his first Laiste Island sunset. The lamps had already been lit by Blaine as Kurt made their meal and it was warm and cosy up in the hexagonal room. Once the sun was fully set Blaine dragged out a second beanbag from somewhere and they sat down together, each with their own evening projects. Kurt his designs and Blaine with a new book Cooper had given him to read. They sat in comfortable silence for an hour or so, when…

“I swear if this girl doesn’t shut up about her inner goddess I am going to throw this book all the way to Canada.”

Kurt’s eyes widened before he looked down at the cover of the book Blaine was reading and sliding dramatically off his bean bag. “Anderson… Are you reading 50 Shades of Grey!?” He laughed.

“You’ve read it?”

“No, my old roommate tried making me read it and I refused on principle. Obviously you don’t have the same concerns.”

“Oh, so it’s a well-known book then? Coop threw it at me when he was here a couple of days ago. He said I might find it ‘helpful’. If he meant what I think he did by that comment it’s not working. I may be alone out on a rock but this is definitely not masturbation material.”

Kurt’s eyes began to water as he buried his face in his hands. “It’s getting a bit hot in here…I think it’s the lamps.”

Blaine smiled apologetically, but was no longer scared of frightening his guest off like he had been the day before. Something had changed, and he was feeling more comfortable about being himself around another human being than he had in a long time. Kurt smiled back as Blaine demonstratively closed the offending book and slid it across the room.

“So…what’s it like living in New York?”