FRIDAY - PART II

While standing in line at the coffee shop, Kurt looked around at the other patrons. He immediately felt something was off until he realized that they were back at the scene of their epic miscommunication from the day before.

“Blaine,” Kurt whispered to the boy standing next to him who himself was busy eyeballing rows of fresh pastries.

Never taking his gaze off the muffins, Blaine raised his eyebrows. “Hmm?” he asked, blindly sliding a hand into Kurt’s and giving it a loving squeeze.

Kurt looked around again, feeling like people were staring at them even though they weren’t. “Blaine, can we get our coffee to go? Maybe head over to the drama building early or something?”

Sensing Kurt was uncomfortable, Blaine turned to look Kurt in the eye. He could tell something was wrong, but didn’t know what. “Of course.”

When it was time to place their order, Blaine requested drinks for himself, Kurt and Cooper and then asked for chocolate chip, banana nut and cranberry muffins all to go. He never once let go of Kurt’s hand, even though that meant he had to dig his credit card out of his wallet by placing it on the counter and jiggling the card out of its slot.

Kurt grabbed the bag of muffins, Blaine took the tray of coffees and hand-in-hand they left the coffee shop. Blaine looked over at Kurt, wanting to know why Kurt didn’t want to stay but not knowing if he should ask. They walked a little more before Blaine realized that he should ask Kurt because they were boyfriends and a boyfriend would ask to see if he could help in any way.

“Kurt,” Blaine said softly as they kept walking toward the drama building. “Kurt, are you all right?”

The younger boy looked down at their joined hands. “We fought in there yesterday,” he said sadly. “Or rather, I yelled at you in there and then stormed out. I couldn’t be in there today. I just want to be with you,” he finished quietly.

Blaine brought their hands up to his lips so he could kiss the back of Kurt’s hand. The rest of their walk was silent.

By time they got to the auditorium, there was still about an hour before class started. They sat down on the stage near the piano where Kurt opened the bag of muffins and Blaine handed the other boy his coffee. He then started to giggle, causing Kurt to look over him with raised eyebrows.

“Coop’s coffee is going to be so cold and gross by time he gets here,” Blaine said through chuckles. “Oh well, it’s the thought that counts, right?”

“You two are really close, aren’t you?” Kurt asked, hoping to find out even more about the boy he was completely smitten with.

Blaine nodded as he swallowed a sip of coffee. “We are now. I mean, it’s not like we didn’t get along when I was little – I know he loved me and I worshipped him – but he was away at college for a lot of the rough years, ya know? I never blamed him for not being there, but I know he felt bad.” Blaine turned his to-go cup in his hand. “He called me everyday when I was in the hospital and sent me youtube clips he thought would make me laugh.” He chuckled at the memories. “He’s the best big brother, though. Like, he picks on me, obviously, but I know it’s out of love.” They both took sips of their drinks. “What about you? You have a stepbrother, right?”

It was Kurt’s turn to nod. “Yep, Finn. My dad married his mom when we were both juniors. We’re just about as different as it gets, but I love him.”

“That’s cool,” Blaine commented. He then thought about what Kurt said and wondered if he had more family. “Um, what about your mom? Did she remarry too?”

Blaine instantly felt guilty for asking when he saw Kurt’s shoulders slump a bit. “My mom died when I was eight. Um, she had cancer. Breast cancer. And Finn’s dad, he died when Finn was barely two.”

Setting down his coffee cup, Blaine scooted over next to Kurt and wrapped his hands around the other boy’s. “Kurt, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Kurt gave Blaine a half smile. “I know. And it’s okay, really. I loved my mom and I still love her. But I love Carole too. Carole’s my step-mom,” Kurt clarified. “If I can’t have my real mom, she is honestly the next best thing. And she’s going to love you.” Kurt’s cheeks instantly flushed. “Oh my god, that was too fast, wasn’t it?”

Blaine laughed. “Kurt,” he choked out between guffaws. “Kurt, we’ve been moving too fast all week.” He reached over to cup Kurt’s cheek in his hand before leaning over and placing a chaste kiss on his lips. “I’m ready to accept that that’s just how we are with some things.” Kurt scrunched his nose and looked at the stage floor. “And I’m sure I’m going to love Carole. And you’re dad. And my parents are going to love you,” he stated matter-of-factly as Kurt looked up with him in awe. “I know Coop already does.” He shrugged. “Let’s face it, we’re kind of adorable.”

Kurt playfully shoved Blaine. “You are so full of yourself, Devon.”

Blaine grinned, “Oh, it is on, Hummel.” Blaine put one hand on either side of Kurt’s folded legs and leaned in toward Kurt’s face. Though there was a look of confrontation in Blaine’s eyes, Kurt could tell that it was entirely in jest. Kurt quickly closed the gap between their mouths and they each pressed into each other, playfully battling for dominance over the other’s lips.

Both boys were smiling like giddy school children by time they pulled apart. Blaine settled back into a seated position and grabbed the chocolate chip muffin. He broke the top off and set it aside, then tore the bottom part in two before handing Kurt half.

Kurt giggled, “That is exactly how I eat my muffins too. Save –”

“-the top for last,” Blaine finished, talking through a mouthful of muffin. He shook his head, “I’m so glad I met you, Kurt. And that is a horrific understatement, but… I’m just so happy right now.”

“I am too.”

They ate their muffin in a comfortable silence. Blaine then split the top part in half and gave a piece to Kurt. The younger boy smiled and thanked Blaine, unbelievably full of joy in the moment.

Blaine finished eating before Kurt did, so he hopped up onto his feet before eventually sitting down on the piano bench. While Kurt chewed his last couple bites of muffin, Blaine began playing some scales on the piano as a warm up before moving onto a few measures each of several different classical pieces. Kurt wiped his hands on a napkin before standing up and moving behind Blaine. He draped his arms around Blaine’s shoulders and crossed them over his chest as he leaned in and whispered, “My, you’re good at this.” He kissed Blaine on the top of his head. “Maybe you should think about a career in professional piano playing.”

Chuckling, Blaine launched into a spirited rendition of chopsticks, causing Kurt to laugh. He finished with a flourish and Kurt applauded, cheering for the great Devon Anderson. “Bravo, good sir. Bravo.”

Blaine gave a half bow from his seated position on the piano bench before asking Kurt to sit with him. “Please?”

Kurt was happy to oblige as he settled down onto the bench and wiggled closer to Blaine. He was surprised how quick he was to have so much physical contact with the older boy. This was just all so new for him, but somehow each touch and every kiss felt so right.

Blaine continued messing around on the piano, tapping out fractured bits of classical music mixed in with some jazz. He played quietly for a few moments, knowing Kurt was watching his fingers move across the keys. Playing the piano was something he did for other people, but it was still a very private thing for him to do by and for himself. It was a way to get tension out, or work through his feelings. It could be calming or loud – all it took was varying pressure on the ivories or a key change to reflect what was going on inside his head or his heart.

His hands stilled, the last notes sustaining themselves in the quiet of the auditorium for as long as they could. “Can I play for you? Like, sing something for you - I mean, to you? ” Blaine’s voice was soft when he asked, afraid his question would come out of his mouth as loud as his heart felt like it was beating in his chest.

Kurt’s cheeks warmed as he tried to suppress a huge grin at Blaine’s adorable rambling. He could tell Blaine was a little nervous for asking, even though there was no need to worry. Kurt was extremely curious, having never heard Blaine sing before. “Please. I would really like that.”

It was Blaine’s turn to blush as his fingers started moving across the keys again. “Okay, so this is probably going to be really cheesy, but I thought it would be easier to get out what I wanted to say in a song instead of me just rambling...” He paused to chuckle at himself, “Which I guess is what I’m totally doing right now, but…” Blaine turned to look Kurt in the eye, “but this is for you. I wish I could write you something like this, but just know that I really do mean every word.”

Blaine tapped out the introduction to Elton John’s “Your Song” and Kurt’s heart started racing, knowing exactly what words he was about to hear. However, his heart just about stopped when Blaine started to sing. The pianist’s voice started softly, but Kurt knew it was the most beautiful sound he ever heard after the first couple words were uttered. The lyrics dripped from his lips like honey and it took a lot of willpower for Kurt not to lean over and suck on the source.

Kurt listened to Blaine sing, enchanted to his core. This was probably the most romantic moment in his young life and he was scared that if he moved, he would wake up from this perfect dream.

So excuse me forgetting but these things I do

You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue

Anyway the thing is what I really mean

Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen

At those words, Blaine locked eyes with Kurt, face beet red but hazel eyes determined and sincere. His eyebrows moved as he sang, leading Kurt to know that these weren’t just lyrics to a song, but an honest and earnest admission from one boy to another.

Blaine finished the song a little shaky, though proud of himself for sharing what he was feeling with Kurt and hoping he wasn’t making a complete fool of himself.

And you can tell everybody this is your song

It may be quite simple but now that it's done

I hope you don't mind

I hope you don't mind that I put down in words

How wonderful life is while you're in the world

Instead of playing the final little piano part, Blaine’s fingers just stopped moving. His eyes were glassy and his voice was just on the verge of breaking. He shifted on the bench and turned his body toward Kurt, taking the younger boy’s hands in his own.

“Blaine,” Kurt said softly. “That was… that was…” He was almost at a loss for words because his heart was so full. He was overwhelmed with feelings for Blaine as well as knowing this other boy legitimately cared for him.

“Too much?” Blaine supplied his own words for Kurt, terrified that he took it too far with the song. He genuinely was falling for Kurt, but knew that as fast as their relationship was progressing, it was still far too early to use the “L” word with regard to each other. But, he was forever grateful that Kurt was in his life now and hoped that he would be for as long as humanly possible. He knew that was a lot to hope, especially since they only knew each other a few days, but he had never felt this way before.

Kurt smiled and leaned forward, kissing Blaine gently on the cheek. “That was perfect,” he whispered into the pianist’s ear. “Thank you.”

A crooked smile quickly sprouted across Blaine’s face, pleased that Kurt was happy with his song.

The older boy swung his legs around the piano bench and tugged on Kurt’s hand, to get him to stand up also. They walked the short distance back to where their coffees and muffins were sitting on the stage floor and sat back down. This time, Kurt grabbed the banana nut muffin and split it exactly how Blaine did earlier, wordlessly handing Blaine half of the bottom part.

“So, what are you going to talk about in class, Mr. Anderson?” Kurt asked through a bite of muffin.

Blaine shrugged as he chewed. He swallowed before responding, “I really don’t know. I mean, I guess I’ll introduce myself and give a little history about my background and stuff, but I really don’t know why Coop wanted me to talk to a bunch of actors.” He added quickly, “No offense.”

Kurt shook his head. “None taken.” He put the rest of his muffin bottom in his mouth and cocked his head while he chewed, wheels obviously turning as he swallowed. “I think I get it now, though. Now that I know you.” Blaine looked at him, confused. “Like, on Monday, after your brother gave me the ticket to your concert I kind of asked him the same thing. But getting to know you and seeing you on stage last night - you’re a performer. You just use notes to tell your story instead of words.” Kurt shrugged as if it were the most obvious answer to give.

“Huh.” Blaine thought about what Kurt said and realized he was right.

“Can I… ask you something?” Kurt was hesitant even before he asked what he really wanted to know. Blaine looked over at Kurt and nodded. “How are you going to introduce yourself to the class?”

Blaine’s eyebrows furrowed as if the answer was already obvious. “As Devon Anderson. Why?” He saw Kurt’s shoulders slump a little, which made him instantly put a hand on the other boy’s leg for reassurance, even though he didn’t know why Kurt looked momentarily distraught. “Kurt, why?”

Kurt shook his head, “I guess I just still don’t get why you told me your name was Blaine. I mean, I know it’s not, but I can’t bring myself to call you Devon…”

“Kurt, hey, no.” Blaine felt bad. He still felt awful for not telling Kurt who he really was from the start, but it hurt seeing Kurt confused over something that was obviously his fault. “Kurt, my family and friends all call me Blaine. It’s what I feel most comfortable being called. I mean, I know my name is Devon and that’s what I go by professionally, but the truth is… that name is not me.” He realized he wasn’t making any sense when Kurt still had a puzzled look on his face. “Oh, god, I’m not explaining myself very well.” He sighed before starting again. “I’ve gone by Blaine since I was a little kid. Devon was a family name and that’s how I got stuck with that, but Blaine is what I always went by, at least until I hit high school. As soon as my piano playing took off toward a career, my manager told me to go by Devon for branding purposes. I hate that I sound like a product, but that’s what I am to my label. But my parents still call me Blaine and you know Coop does. I… I told you my name was Blaine when we first met because I instantly felt comfortable around you. I can’t explain it, but it was already like you were f- ,” he stopped himself before quietly finishing his thought, “Family.” He dared himself to look up from the floor and into Kurt’s eyes. “I’m sorry I lied to you.”

Blinking through tears that he willed not to fall, Kurt said sadly, “We still don’t know that much about each other, do we?”

That question broke Blaine’s heart, but somehow still empowered him to have faith in them instead of taking the easy way out. “No, we don’t,” he admitted. “But we have as long as we want to figure that out, if that’s something you still want.”

Kurt nodded and the two boys joined hands, waves of reassurance settling over them with that small amount of physical contact.

“Ugh. What did I tell you two about flaunting your disgustingly cute speed dating in my face?” Blaine and Kurt looked up to see Cooper walking toward them. The oldest Anderson knew he was butting in on something private, but his class was going to start in a few minutes and he wanted to give them some time to collect themselves before the other students arrived.

“Shut up, Coop,” Blaine said, tossing the cranberry muffin at his brother.

“Thanks, little brother,” Cooper said as he caught the muffin and held it up like a prize. He ripped off the top and promptly shoved half of it in his mouth. Both the younger boys scrunched their noses at him at his barbaric and improper way to eat a muffin. “You ready?”

Blaine looked over at Kurt and nodded, “Yeah.”

Cooper looked at the two boys and saw their hands were still together. “So,” he said motioning between the two of them with the hand that was holding the other part of his muffin’s top. “What’s the verdict on this?”

“This,” Blaine answered his brother, “is officially go for launch.” He looked over at Kurt and smiled, earning one in return from his boyfriend. “We’re going to make this work, distance be damned.”

“Good,” Cooper replied. “That’s the correct answer.” He grinned like an idiot as he popped the other half of the muffin top in his mouth.

Kurt looked up at his teacher and squinted his eyes. “Why are you so happy and smug about all this?”

Cooper shrugged. “You guys are just so friggin’ adorable and you’re both easy as hell to tease. God, I am going to have a field day because I have dirt on both of you.” Kurt raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, you too, Hummel. Don’t think I forgot what you said when the class had to share their most embarrassing stories.” Kurt’s eyebrows shot up as Blaine looked over at Kurt, instantly wanting to know what his brother was talking about. “Oh don’t worry, Kurt. B here has got some real doozies from when he was in his grade school’s production of Schoolhouse Rock.”

Blaine’s mouth dropped open as he whipped his head back toward his brother. “You wouldn’t!”

“Oh, I would,” Cooper threatened as he waggled his eyebrows. He then turned to Kurt and stage whispered, “See me after class next week, Kurt. You’ll piss yourself.” Blaine’s mouth instantly shut and his face turned bright red. “Oops, did I say ‘piss yourself’? I could also have said ‘trip over an untied shoelace and knock over the little girl standing in front of you on stage’.” Blaine squeezed tighter to Kurt’s hand. “See, Kurt, Blainers here was a bit of a mess. But you’ll find that out soon enough.”

“Cooper!” Blaine nearly shouted at his brother, wholly embarrassed.

“Sorry, B,” Cooper said without the slightest hint of remorse. “I just love it so much when you blush. I think Kurt does too.” He winked at his little brother, taking complete joy out of seeing him squirm.

“Yeah, and you’re going to love it when your acting class finds out about your Transformers 4 audition tape,” Blaine muttered under his breath so only Kurt could hear. A burst of laughter escaped from Kurt’s mouth, causing Cooper to lean in to try and hear what his brother said, but he was too late.

“What was that, B?” Cooper asked, thinking that he missed something important.

Blaine took a deep breath and looked up at his brother, “Oh nothing, Coop. Just apologizing to Kurt that I wasn’t an only child.” He gave Cooper a forced smile, determined not to let his brother get the best of him because he had his own stories to use as blackmail.

Kurt leaned over and whispered in his boyfriend’s ear, “You’ll need to show me that tape.” He pulled back and both boys smiled and gazed adoringly into each other’s eyes. For a fraction of a second, they forget that Cooper was standing over them, watching them.

“I’m fucked, aren’t I?” Cooper asked.

The two boys nodded in unison as Cooper’s other students slowly began filing into the auditorium’s stage door.