“So, let me get this straight. You guys made it to Nationals and the competition was thrown because two of your main singers kissed on stage?” Blaine is asking, eyes wide.

“I can’t believe you didn’t see the video. It had like twenty thousand hits on youtube!” Kurt laughs, shaking his head. Looking back at it now, it’s freaking hilarious. When it happened, not so much. Especially after Santana’s freak out. Kurt was certain she was going to tear Rachel apart.

Blaine laughs as he takes another bite out of his burger. When he swallows and takes a drink of his water he speaks up. “At least you guys made it to Nationals. After we lost at Regionals, we went back to performing for old folks’ homes.”

Kurt laughs but cringes. “Wow, I’m sorry.”

Blaine shrugs. “They were rather enthusiastic. Sometimes more so than the audiences at the competitions.”

Kurt almost snorts in laughter at the thought. “So, music therapy, huh?” he asks, switching the subject.

Blaine nods. “It’s kind of like an agreement I made with my father,” he explains considering he didn’t go into detail over text message. “He wanted me to make a lot of money. Ever since I was a kid, he and my mother told me I needed to become a lawyer or a doctor.” Kurt almost frowns at Blaine’s words. What kind of parent decides their child’s future like that, giving them little room for options? Kurt says nothing on the matter, though. He doesn’t want to overstep any lines. “I wanted to focus on something a little more…artistic, I guess. When I mentioned going into a field that didn’t involve medicine or law, my dad told me it was completely unacceptable.” He shrugs. “So, my senior year of high school, we came to an agreement. One that would make both of us happy. So…music therapy it was.”

“Is it what you really wanna do?” Kurt finds himself asking gently.

Blaine smiles across the table at him. “It is. And I’m not just saying that because of my father. I mean, I get to do what I love and I’m helping people.”

Kurt feels his heart melt again.

“What about you?” Blaine asks. “Why fashion design?”

Kurt arches an eyebrow as he motions to the clothes he’s wearing. “Are you really asking me that, Blaine? Really?”

Blaine holds his hands up in defense, laughing.

Kurt smiles softly. “My reason isn’t as…well, complicated as yours. I’ve just always loved fashion ever since I was a kid. It’s such a great way to express yourself. It really makes a statement.” Kurt’s almost sure Blaine’s eyes sparkle when he watches him talk over lunch.

Kurt knows that eventually, though, they have to part ways and Kurt doesn’t want to think about that moment because he loves spending time with Blaine. Kurt is about to ask what his plans for the rest of the day when Blaine’s phone rings. He politely excuses himself and answers the call. Kurt lowers his eyes to his meal, picking at it silently, trying not to eavesdrop but it’s so difficult when Blaine is sitting right there.

“Yeah, I got off of work an hour ago…I’m having lunch with a friend.”

Kurt smiles into his salad.

“I know. Of course, I didn’t forget.”

Kurt takes another bite of his salad chewing quietly.

“Definitely. I’ll see you tonight, honey.”

Kurt nearly drops his fork. A pet name. That must mean--

“Sorry,” Blaine says with a laugh as he slips his phone into his pocket. “Girlfriend--”

Kurt suddenly loses his appetite.

“--We’re supposed to go out for dinner tonight and she’s just making sure I haven’t forgotten.” He rolls his eyes with a smile. “You know how women can get sometimes.”

“Yeah,” Kurt said a little too quickly. “I mean, no. I wouldn’t know in that way--” words are flowing out and he can’t stop himself “--considering I’ve never had a girlfriend--” it’s unnecessary information, but Kurt is so frustrated. Not at Blaine. Of course, not Blaine. Just at himself for falling for a straight guy, again. “--since I’m gay.”

“Oh,” Blaine says suddenly, eyes a little wide. Shocked and embarrassed. “Sorry. I mean. I didn’t want to assume anything.”

“It’s ok,” Kurt said with a laugh that he hopes doesn’t sound forced. “It’s not like I try to hide it or anything. Don’t worry about it.” He grabs his bag from where it’s settled by his feet and slings it over his shoulder. “You work tomorrow right?” he asks as Blaine stares up at him, eyes a little sad and confused. He nods at Kurt’s question.

“Great. Maybe I’ll see you then. Have fun on your date,” he offers with a gentle smile.

Kurt gathers his tray of food and hears a soft, “Thanks. Bye, Kurt…” from Blaine behind him and it takes everything within him to bite back the frustrated tears trying to force themselves out of his eyes.

o~o~o~o

“I can’t believe I was so stupid,” Kurt says softly into the phone. Rachel coos at him from the other end of the line.

“I’m sorry, Kurt,” she says softly. “It happens. At least you didn’t let too close to him?” she tries and Kurt sighs at her attempt to comfort him.

“I guess,” Kurt mutters. “He just. I don’t know, Rachel. He was just so sweet and friendly. I thought that maybe, just maybe he might have been flirting with me.”

“Sure sounded like it from what you’ve told me.”

“So it wasn’t all in my head?” Kurt asks hopefully.

“Not completely,” Rachel replies, voice soft. “Maybe he’s in denial,” she says. “Maybe it’s destiny, Kurt. You were sent to him to show him the truth. The gay truth. Maybe it’s your job to pull him out of the closet with your powers of seduction.”

“Oh my god, Rachel. Stop talking,” Kurt groans into the phone. “You’re so ridiculous. And can we please stop talking about Blaine? I’m trying to get over this hopeless crush on him.”

“Fine,” Rachel sighs.

Before Kurt can say anything, he hears a beep signaling an incoming call. Kurt’s eyebrows pull together as he mutters a, “Hold on.” and pulls the phone away from his ear to look at the screen. His stomach drops.

“Oh my god,” he says into the phone. “He’s calling me.”

“Who? Blaine? Ohmygod, I told you!” Rachel nearly shouts. “He’s calling you to tell you that he’s suddenly questioning his sexuality and he needs your help!”

“Shut up,” Kurt says. “I’ll call you back.”

“Alright,” Rachel chirps before Kurt presses his finger against the answer button, half expecting Blaine to tell him that he’s accidentally dialed the wrong number.

“Hello?” Kurt says carefully.

He can almost hear the relief in Blaine’s voice. “Kurt, hi.”

Kurt really hates how beautiful his name sounds on Blaine’s tongue. “Hey. What’s up?” Kurt says, trying to sound casual even though his heart is about to leap out of his chest.

“I just--I wanted to apologize. For this afternoon, I mean. You seemed a little…upset, I guess.”

Kurt bites down on his bottom lip. Shit. Why did he always have to wear his stupid emotions on his sleeve? He really, really needs to work on that.

“I don’t want you to think I have a problem with you being gay or anything,” Blaine continues. “I just really want to make that very clear.”

“Thank you,” Kurt says quietly. “It’s ok.”

They both go quiet for a few seconds, the silence uncomfortable. Kurt bites his lip as he picks at the string on his bed sheets.

“Sorry, I wasn’t interrupting something, was I?” Blaine asks suddenly.

Kurt shouldn’t want to cling to this phone call like this. He needs to let Blaine go. Blaine is straight and there is no way in hell they can be friends. Not when Kurt has feelings for him.

“I was just working on some homework,” Kurt says glancing over at his desk with the homework he decided to neglect when Rachel called him earlier.

“I should probably let you go, then,” Blaine says and Kurt closes his eyes at Blaine’s word choice. He nods even though Blaine can’t see him.

“I’ll see you around,” Kurt says. “Goodnight, Blaine.”

That night, Kurt doesn’t call Rachel back and he doesn’t go back to his homework. He lays in bed, curled up on his side, phone off. He can’t keep Blaine off of his mind. He also can’t help but wonder why the hell Blaine was so concerned about calling Kurt to apologize. Why did it matter so much? Kurt was barely his friend. Kurt bites down on his bottom lip. Why is Blaine so perfect and sweet? He hasn’t even been directly rejected by Blaine, yet it hurts so much knowing that he’s taken. By a girl at that.

Kurt feels like a criminal that night when he turns off the lights and pulls the sheets over his body. He hates the way he can’t stop thinking about Blaine and his pretty mouth. He can’t help but wonder what his lips would taste like. Kurt shouldn’t be thinking this way, but he hates Blaine’s girlfriend. He doesn’t even know her but he hates her because she has Blaine and he doesn’t.

The following week, Blaine asks Kurt if he wants to have lunch again. Kurt is hesitant, but he agrees. Is it possible to want to push someone away while simultaneously wanting to pull them closer? Because that’s exactly how Kurt feels about Blaine right now.

After lunch they decide to have some ice cream, taking a seat outside by a bench near the large glass windows. They don’t exchange many words, simply gazing out the window, watching people walking by bundled up in their scarves and coats.

At one point, Kurt looks over at Blaine who, in turn, looks at Kurt and smiles. Kurt’s eyes go down to his mouth. Right below his lip is a bit of chocolate ice cream. Kurt laughs softly.

“Um, you’ve got something on your--” Kurt points to his own mouth.

“Oh,” Blaine says suddenly, sticking out his tongue to get at the ice cream. He gets it on the first try, but Kurt is suddenly mesmerized by Blaine’s pink tongue. “Is it still there?” he asks.

Kurt nods.

Blaine sticks his tongue out again and Kurt is trying to figure out if it’s sexy or just adorable. He can’t stop looking at the way it darts out past his lips. And he can’t stop himself when suddenly, he wonders what it would feel like to have that tongue on his neck. Or maybe his stomach. Or in his mouth.

“Still?” Blaine asks, snapping Kurt out of his trance.

“No,” Kurt says suddenly. “You got it.” He turns his face to look out the window, licking at his ice cream, trying not to smile.