Jan. 20, 2013, 10:20 a.m.
Shop 'Til You Fall: Chapter 10 - Not Just Coffee
T - Words: 2,082 - Last Updated: Jan 20, 2013 Story: Complete - Chapters: 12/12 - Created: Jan 20, 2013 - Updated: Jan 20, 2013 324 0 0 0 0
Disclaimer: I don't own Glee.
Both boys were busy with school so the week flew by. Kurt texted Blaine a picture of himself in his "Le Jazz Hot" outfit (which Blaine promptly emailed to himself so he could print it out and frame for his room). Blaine emailed Kurt his grandma's recipes for some healthy soups that would be good for Burt to eat during his recovery.
They agreed to meet up at Below Grounds on Sunday for their first official date so Kurt could spend Saturday working in his dad's shop, helping the other guys do some car maintenance and balance the books while his dad stayed home and rested. Blaine spent his Saturday at Easton working for his mom to earn some extra gas money for the drive the next day. He people watched and tried to come up with the perfect outfit to impress his boyfriend, or at least not look like a slob.
The next day, the boys agreed to each other outside of Below Grounds at 11:30 so they could walk in together. Kurt did get there first this time and was leaning against the outside of the building, texting Mercedes while he waited for his boyfriend. She was the only person besides his dad who knew about Blaine and he intended to keep it that way for the time being, even though she was bursting at the seams to tell the other glee members that her boy was officially off the market. Kurt was laughing at one of her texts when he heard someone clear their throat. He looked up to find Blaine walking toward him.
Damn.
"Someone looks extra handsome today. Got a hot date later, Anderson?," teased Kurt, who smiled as his boyfriend blushed. Blaine was wearing perfectly fitted jeans, boat shoes and a snug red polo shirt. His hair was loose and curling again, having grown out a bit over the past month.
Blaine's face matched his shirt as he leaned in and gave Kurt a hug. He whispered earnestly in Kurt's ear, "The hottest, but not later" It was Kurt's turn to blush as they separated. Blaine beamed when he noticed what Kurt was wearing. "That's a lovely brooch you have on, sir. You look flawless, as per usual. I'm just trying my best to keep up." Kurt was in ripped jeans, a plain white long-sleeve t and a form fitting black vest. Attached to his lapel was the Hippo brooch, which he gently straightened while Blaine smiled.
As they walked into Below Grounds, Kurt squeezed Blaine's hand and told him, "I liked you when you wore cargo shorts, you know, but your efforts are greatly appreciated. You really do look great, Blaine."
They stood in line together, hand in hand, and eased into small talk about their drive into town. After they ordered, Blaine insisted on paying and Kurt let him (after putting up a small fight). He agreed, but only after Blaine said he could treat on their next date.
They settled down into a booth in the corner of the shop where they could have some privacy. Their feet found each other under the table and tangled naturally as the boys sipped their drinks and chatted about anything and everything. Conversation came easy to them as they settled into their new relationship. It was one thing to talk over the phone and send flirty texts, but it was another to be able to look your boyfriend in the eye and watch him smile over something you said.
They were both chuckling as Blaine finished telling Kurt a story about his new friend Wes. "A gavel, Kurt. He has a gavel. And he named her Lola. LOLA! It's taking a lot of personal restraint not to burst out into Copacabana every time I see him." Animated hazel eyes were lost in blue and Kurt knew Blaine wasn't being facetious even though the story was really quite silly. Blaine's sincerity was overwhelming and it momentarily caught Kurt by surprise. No one had ever looked at him like that before and Kurt suddenly stopped laughing and gaped at his boyfriend. Blaine's gut reaction was that he did something wrong or that something was on his face. "What? I'm sorry! Am I talking too much? Should I not have brought up Barry Manilow? Is there something on my face?" Blaine brought his hand up to his face and wiped furiously around the edges of his mouth.
Kurt dropped his eyes to the table and shook his head. This was his life. He was on a date with someone he liked and who liked him back. His boyfriend. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Hey." Kurt looked up when he felt Blaine slide a hand into one of his that were resting on the table. "You okay?" Blaine's eyebrows were furrowed in concern.
Kurt offered a small smile and nodded while he found the words, "Yeah. I'm okay. I just – it's just, I've never had a boyfriend before so I don't know what I should be doing…"
Blaine exhaled through his nose and his shoulders slumped out of relief. He rubbed a thumb over Kurt's knuckles, "You shouldn't be doing anything but be yourself." That sentiment earned Blaine a set of quickly reddening ears from his boyfriend that encouraged Blaine to press on. "Look, you know I don't know what I'm doing either, Kurt. But we'll figure it out together, okay?"
A bigger smile crept across Kurt's face and was met with an equally happy face from Blaine.
They finished their coffees and decided to leave their cars in the parking lot and walk around to find somewhere they could eat lunch. Both turned their noses at fast food (though Kurt was pretty sure Blaine was only saying no because Blaine thought that's what Kurt wanted), but when they approached Godfather's Pizza, Kurt dragged his boyfriend through the front door because nobody could turn down freshly prepared pizza.
After they ordered, Blaine pulled out his wallet again. Kurt reminded him that he was supposed to pay, but Blaine quickly remarked how that was on their next date. Pizza was just part two of their current date.
They sat at the counter with their piping hot slices of pizza and Diet Cokes. Blaine poured a thick coating of Parmesan cheese on the top of his pizza while Kurt dabbed at his with a stack of napkins, soaking up the glistening grease. Blaine just shook his head. "It's bad for you, Blaine. Plus, I'm not running the risk of getting grease on this shirt. It'll never come out," Kurt commented matter-of-factly.
As they silently munched on their pizza, Blaine couldn't help but glance at Kurt. He still couldn't believe that he'd only met him a couple of months ago. He sighed in contentment; Blaine was happy. After swallowing his last piece of crust and wiping the crumbs and grease away from his mouth, Blaine asked Kurt if they could go to the park where they went the week before. Kurt nodded as he took a final sip of his soda. The boys hopped off of their stools, threw away their trash and took turns washing their hands in the men's room.
At the park, they walked for a bit side-by-side; so close that their shoulders constantly knocked into each other and knuckles brushed as their hands dangled close between them. They strolled in comfortable silence as they made their way to the bench from the week before.
"Is it too early to think of this as 'our spot'?," Blaine asked as they sat down.
Kurt just laughed and asked, "Oh, and not your mom's kiosk?"
"Okay, so we have two spots." They both chuckled and turned to sit facing each other, sitting cross-legged on the bench. "So, what's on your agenda this week? I have rehearsal or fencing practice until 5:00 every night, so depending on your schedule, we'll have to move our phone calls until a little later, if that's okay."
"Ummmmm," Kurt lazily traced patterns on Blaine's arm. "That actually works out great because I have musical rehearsal until 6 every night and then we premiere on Friday and have a few shows next weekend."
"But you guys just picked out the show last week!"
"Yeah, but luckily most of us had already seen Rocky Horror so we knew the songs already. It's just all the blocking and acting that some people need help with." Kurt shrugged – last minute performances were normal with his glee club.
Blaine slid his hand into Kurt's and brought it behind their legs and against the back of the bench so that no passersby could see them holding hands. "Can I, uh… can I come see your show?"
Kurt blushed. "Really? You want to drive two hours to see what's likely going to be a train wreck?"
"Are you going to be in that train wreck?," Blaine asked.
"Yeeeeeeees."
Blaine squeezed Kurt's hand. "Well then there's your answer." Kurt scrunched up his nose and smiled at his boyfriend. "And then I'm going to take you out after the show to celebrate your epic stage prowess."
Kurt blushed as Blaine chuckled at his embarrassed boyfriend. They locked eyes, but then Kurt's darted down to Blaine's lips. Each boy began breathing heavy and licked their lips as they started to lean in toward each other. Slowly their faces moved closer and closer. Just as they were about to close the gap between their lips, a group of joggers ran by and startled the boys. They jerked back into upright positions, mindful that they were in a public place and not somewhere where they could safely share their first kiss. The both blushed hard as they shifted around on the bench, disappointed they were interrupted, but encouraged that they were on the same page about the next step in their relationship.
A buzzing sound made itself heard from Blaine's pocket. He fumbled for his phone and pulled it out to see that he had a text from his dad asking him to pick up a gallon of milk on his way home.
"It's like the world is plotting against us right now," Blaine muttered as he shoved his phone back in his pocket and looked apologetically at Kurt.
Kurt sighed, "I know. But I should actually be getting home soon, too. Make sure my dad is doing okay and everything."
They got up from the bench and walked back to their cars together. Because there were other people in the parking lot, they gave each other a quick hug with a longing look, promising that they would talk to each other later that night.
.
During musical rehearsal after school on Tuesday, Kurt texted Blaine a picture of himself in his Rocky Horror costume. Blaine was in his glee club's practice and almost fell out of his chair when he saw his boyfriend dressed in full costume and makeup as Riff Raff. "Oh my god," slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself.
TWACK! Wes slammed his gavel against the table. "Is there something you'd like to share with the group, Warbler Blaine?"
Blaine's face flushed red as the rest of the group turned and looked at him. "Um, nope. No, I'm good." He flashed an apologetic smile and the Warblers turned back around to discuss potential songs they should consider for Sectionals.
Later that night when all his homework was finished and he had showered, Blaine curled up on his bed and called Kurt, who picked up on the second ring. "THAT WASN'T FAIR!"
"Why hello to you too, Blaine."
Blaine rolled around on his bed like a petulant child, "Ku-ur-urt. You can't just text me a picture like that during rehearsal. I got in trouble. Wes slammed Lola onto the table with righteous fury!"
"Oh did he? I hope it was consensual…" Blaine's eyebrows shot up at Kurt's remark then chuckled as Kurt tried to backtrack. "Oh my god, I can't believe I just said that. Sorry!"
"Now look who's apologizing! You're blushing right now, aren't you?," Blaine asked.
"Maybe…"
"You're so cute when you blush."
"You're so cute all the time."