Aug. 28, 2013, 9:54 p.m.
Hearts We Hid Up Our Sleeves: Busy
E - Words: 2,567 - Last Updated: Aug 28, 2013 Story: Complete - Chapters: 27/27 - Created: Jun 08, 2013 - Updated: Aug 28, 2013 164 0 0 0 2
The next few weeks go by in a steady blur as Kurt gets more and more responsibility for when he takes over as Quinn gets bigger and bigger, although she is still technically in charge. Quinn is spending most time at the office with her feet up on her couch dictating to alternately Kurt and Ava as they type. She is milking her pregnancy, and everyone knows it- she is perfectly capable of working still, and most women continue for a few months yet- but still, they let her have her way. She doesn't have her baby's father around, she needs the company. But in spending all his time at work with Quinn, Kurt hardly sees Blaine at all during work hours. He knows that the rewards will far outweigh the costs in the end, but he feels bad about it every time he turns down an invitation from his boyfriend.
For Blaine, he can't help but feel more and more like Kurt is slipping away from him, moving on to bigger and better things. He whistles in his office to fill the silence, but he can't fill the Kurt shaped void that his absence creates. Even through the few lunch dates they can scrape together weekly Kurt talks about his new job, the excitement, the amazing people, and Blaine listens intently. He accepts the quick pecks, but he can't help but mourn for the times before the big job handover, when they had could have more lengthy kisses before parting ways. Kurt doesn't have the time for it- for him- anymore. He is too tired after work for dinner dates, has his weekends filled with more exciting opportunities and people to meet, and Blaine is left alone.
His friends notice the hit, and when Kurt turns down the usual Friday night drinks, Sebastian and Santana cancel with their significant others too, leaving it to just the three of them. Blaine stops counting how many drinks he's had, Sebastian matches him drink for drink, and Santana stops after two so she can be sensible enough when Blaine inevitably breaks down.
Exactly as predicted, Blaine ends up curled up on the couch, his head on Santana's shoulder and tears running down his face. "You'll find my boob is comfier, B," Santana offers, rubbing his back soothingly.
"I'm fine," Blaine says, hugging his friend a little tighter, "I just miss him. You're the closest cuddly thing. Sorry."
"Hey, it's okay. But you're blowing this a little bit out of proportion, yeah? You haven't broken up, and you sure as hell aren't going to, because it's blatantly obvious how goddamn much you two love each other. He's just busy, but he's still yours."
"I just don't want him to leave me behind when he fills in this new position."
"Blaine, you're going to be working in the same place every day. You aren't losing him." Sebastian says, slumped on the other couch.
"But that's what it feels like. I've barely seen him for a few weeks."
"Just wait. He'll settle into the rhythm and then you'll have so much catching up to do," Santana says.
"Thank you," Blaine mumbles.
"Didn't you have lunch together today?" Sebastian points out.
"Yeah, but I couldn't get a word in. And he's so excited, it's really fucking endearing, and that doesn't help how much I miss him."
"He just needs your support right now, yeah? Now, do you want another drink, B?" Santana asks. Blaine shakes his head, though he is still leaning against Santana and can't actually do it with ease.
"No thanks. I'm drunk enough already."
"You are such a lightweight," she says, rolling her eyes fondly. Sebastian mutters something unintelligible and then heads towards the bathroom. Santana tries to stand up but is pulled back in place by Blaine, who settles down against her boob, just as she had suggested.
To: Kurt Hummel (K.Hummel@creative.detoiles.com)
From: Blaine Anderson (B.Anderson@admin.detoiles.com)
Subject: I have an admin account?
Friday, February 9th, 11:16AM
Your computer is on even though you aren't here, and as soon as I send this it's going to make the noise to alert you as to this email's existence. I really hope you read it at some point, because I miss you. I miss you a lot.
I know I could just go down the hall and burst into Quinn's office and have my way with you, but that would be weird and unprofessional and we would probably both get fired, which is the last thing that I want to do when you're so close to this promotion.
Valentine's Day is on Wednesday. Our anniversary is TOMORROW. I know, it feels like it was only just our last one, but I guess that's our fault for celebrating monthly. Okay, my fault. But we are both to blame for it being weeks since we've actually seen each other for more than twenty stolen minutes. Which is why I'm not even going to tiptoe around it: put a block in your calendar for me now, come over to my place on Wednesday, and let me take care of you in your exhaustion. Disney movies and snuggles, nothing too crazy. Deal?
Lots of love,
Blaine xoxo
***
To: Blaine (B.Anderson@admin.detoiles.com)
From: Kurt (K.Hummel@creative.detoiles.com)
Subject: Yes, you idiot
Friday, February 9th, 11:54AM
Blaine,
I'm so sorry that I've been neglecting you. I literally have about three minutes now to reply to this, and then I'll be back on crazy business. I miss you so so so so much, but I can't help all this. Does it feel as stupid to you as it does to me that we are like, two offices away from one another right now and it feels like we're doing long distance?
You're right, that's not a good plan, and Quinn would go crazy. But, I will go on my lunch break in twenty minutes, if I'm lucky. I'm going to bargain myself an hour, and I think Ava can cover my ass if Quinn changes her mind or something. I intend on spending that whole hour with you, okay? So order a pizza to get here by, um, 12:21? Go down and collect it from the lobby, it's the easiest way to do it. I'll be in your office (OUR office. Sorry sorry sorry) at 12:24. That's when my lunch should be scheduled. We're going to have a picnic on the floor and the whole hour is yours.
Wednesday is yours, too. Get rid of Santana, things are going to get a little bit crazier than that. But yes, please, Disney and snuggles sounds amazing.
Love,
Kurt xxxxxxxxxxx
Kurt throws open the office door and immediately crosses the room to Blaine, wrapping his arms around him tightly. "Hi, Blaine," Kurt whispers, still holding tightly to make sure that Blaine won't go anywhere. He needs the reassurance of his presence.
"Hey, Kurt," Blaine replies, mumbling into Kurt's shoulder.
"One hour. We have one hour."
"I've missed you."
"I've missed me, too." Kurt pulls back from Blaine to cup his cheek and kiss him. It takes a few minutes for them to break away from each other properly, and then they sit on the floor as promised and eat the pizza Blaine had bought for them.
"So what's been going on with you?" Kurt asks.
"Nothing exciting, I've spent a lot of time with Sebastian again, gone to work, gone home. It's... lonely, without you around, but I've been okay," Blaine retells, knowing that he has to voice his upset as soon as he can otherwise it would never happen.
"I'm so, so sorry, B. Do I talk about myself too much? I do, don't I?" Blaine chuckles.
"A little. But I don't mind. I've never expected anything else from you."
"Blaine Anderson, did you just call me a self-centred bitch?" Kurt says with mock offence.
"Maybe, but I love you all the same," Blaine says, batting his eyelashes teasingly at him. Kurt leans over and kisses him.
"I love you too," Kurt affirms, after they break apart again. They seem to be making an effort to keep their lips in constant contact, and neither has any desire to make their kisses quick.
"I know."
"Good, you need to know that. Because this might not be the only time work gets like this. In the future- after we've moved in together, gotten married, whatever- work might get like this, where the only time we spend together is the hours we're asleep. And you need to never, ever doubt that I love you. For the meantime, though, when we don't get that, I just hope these lunchtimes are enough."
"It's better than nothing." Blaine can't help but feel as though he would take snuggling up next to Kurt pretty well.
The lunch hour passes by far too quickly and Kurt ends up lingering for an extra few minutes while they kiss goodbye, holding very little back as they are pleased that they have any opportunity to even share such simple affection.
Blaine A. I miss you already.
Kurt H. Of course you do. I'm just wonderful like that.
Blaine A. I love you. Wednesday is too far away.
Kurt H. I'll sleep in your bed tonight, if it will make you happy.
Blaine A. What's happening in the morning?
Kurt H. I'm thinking French toast.
Blaine A. No meeting?
Kurt H. No meeting.
Blaine A. Deal. Deal deal deal.
As promised, Kurt stays at Blaine's house that night, although he waits until after the usual drinking party is over to turn up to the apartment. Blaine can hardly mind when it means that he gets to cuddle Kurt to sleep, and his exhaustion makes him snore softly, which Blaine finds positively adorable. He traces patterns up and down Kurt's arm as he spoons into his chest, falling asleep almost as soon as his head hits the pillow.
On Wednesday Kurt manages to finish work by half past five and puts a pile of fresh papers onto Ava's desk. She looks up at him and rolls her eyes. "More?" She asks with an emphatic sigh.
"More. I'm going home now, be sure to kick Quinn out by six. She's a pregnant woman and she needs to go home and rest some time," Kurt replies.
"It's her first Valentine's without Daniel. She is going to try to stay here all night. It's not like she can even get drunk."
"Last week she made me let her watch me as I drank half a bottle of wine in her office, so she could drink vicariously through me. Be warned, the other half is probably still there waiting for you." Ava laughs, shaking her head slightly.
"It's alright, it's not like I have anything better to do. No boyfriend here... but you, on the other hand, absolutely deserve to go home with your gorgeous soulmate of a lover and get laid."
"Have you been talking to Santana?"
"Who?" Ava says blankly.
"Never mind. Have a good evening, Ava," Kurt says, and then turns to leave work, finally, walking briskly to the elevators.
"You too, Kurt!" Ava responds, barely managing to get the words out before Kurt is long gone. He smiles to her over his shoulder and she shakes her head, mumbling something down at the stack of papers in front of her.
Blaine's heart skips as he hears the intercom go off, alerting him of Kurt's arrival, and gives himself a moment to revel in the feeling while Kurt makes his way up. He opens the door after composing himself for a moment when Kurt knocks, and is greeted with a smile and a kiss. "I considered going the candlelit dinner route," Blaine says, not dropping his hands from Kurt's hips, "but I wasn't sure you would be able to stay awake long enough for that, in the weird lighting and all. So I got take out."
Kurt kisses him again. "Thank you," he mumbles against Blaine's lips. Kurt settles down on the couch and starts eating right away, finding himself starving, and Blaine puts on a Disney movie as promised and joins him. "You know this movie by heart, don't you?" Kurt teases as Blaine softly sings along with the opening number.
"Not quite. But Hercules is one of my favourites, and I'm getting there," Blaine reasons.
"Ah, so you're using me for practice."
"Something like that." When they finish eating Kurt curls against Blaine, who runs his fingers through his hair, stroking his head gently. Kurt sighs contently. "You can go to sleep, if you want. I won't mind," Blaine says, pressing a kiss to Kurt's head.
"Mm, I know," Kurt replies, "but I want to have actual time to spend with you, without me sleeping."
"What do you want to do instead? We don't have to watch Hercules."
"This is fine."
"You're cuddly when you're tired," Blaine notes.
"I know. I don't see you complaining."
"That's true." Kurt snuggles into Blaine closer as though it is possible and Blaine tightens his arm around him. Kurt turns his focus back to the movie and they watch in silence until it gets towards the end and Kurt can't keep quiet any longer.
"...Blaine?" he says.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think Disney is silly? I mean, 'you can do great things when you're in love,' that's a little cheesy... and they only went on one date and Hercules just throws away his life's dream to stay with Meg."
"I'd turn down Mount Olympus for you, too," Blaine says.
"But you aren't denying your lifelong dream to be with me, are you?"
"My lifelong dream has always been to be with you, to have a soulmate like this," Blaine says, and it isn't a lie. His photography wasn't his lifelong dream, and he wasn't giving it up, anyway. They aren't really a fair comparison to make to Megara and Hercules.
"But like... Meg sold her soul for a boy who then ran off with another girl. And then Hercules became a true hero, etcetera, etcetera, and then he gave up his heroism, because of a girl. It doesn't really put much faith into not being co-dependent, does it?" Kurt says.
"Wouldn't you sell your soul for me?" Blaine says, mocking offence, "I'm hurt."
"You wouldn't know what to do with yourself if you lived without me. Look how you've lasted these last couple of weeks with me being busy. It doesn't bode well."
"Okay, that's a good point. You win."
"But we haven't only been on one date. We've been together a bit longer than that."
"Just a bit," Blaine says, though he knows three months isn't as long as it feels.
"So why didn't Hercules accept his godly status, mister Disney-pro?" Kurt asks.
"Because he didn't need to. His lifelong dream wasn't to be a hero, but to belong. And he belonged with Meg." Kurt pauses for a moment to consider it.
"I think we're overanalysing a kids' movie."
"Indeed we are."
"So," Kurt says, standing up and pulling Blaine up with him. He lifts the bottom of Blaine's t-shirt slightly, "Did they give you a name to go along with all those rippling pectorals?" Blaine laughs as he leans in to kiss Kurt, and feels perfectly glad that he had been given a boyfriend who is as happy watching Disney movies and cuddling as he is.