And today the music was extra inspirational. He was headed somewhere important.

He knew he and Kurt were going to wait a day to go back to Coffee Time. But when he woke up that morning, a lingering youthful dream still whispering in his mind, he was struck by something. A something that felt a lot like –
I should help him.

There was just something about that boy, that Martin guy. There was a soft desperation in his eyes that Blaine remembered haunting his days of growing up. Always, there was that nagging ache. And he had wished back then that someone would just… appear. And help him. So that was what he was going to do for Martin. Maybe it was a little random and possibly really weird, and when did Blaine become such a stalker, but it was a deed that needed to be done. Maybe he could make some things right, give a little guidance. Martin looked like the kind of person who needed it…

His phone rang.

He nearly tripped in front of a cab trying to pull it out of his damn pocket.

“Hello!?”

“Blaine. It’s Wes. I am disappointed in you.”

Well shit.

Blaine resisted the sigh that was tugging at his vocal chords and instead tugged at the edge of his button up. Once again he found himself stopping by a buildings doorway, steeling himself for a conversation he was probably going to regret taking part in.

“What have I done to let you down today Wes?”

“Well you spoke to Trent a few days ago, correct?” He did not give Blaine a breath to respond. “He told me some things Blaine. Things about that guy, Kurt, and I honestly feel betrayed.”

He chuckled. Just a little bit. Because his friends were the most ridiculous in the world.

“We’ve texted for a day and a night, met the first time because I stalked him, officially hung out once, texted the whole night after. And he was there that night at my gig thingy.”

He could just hear something in the background that sounded a lot like a fist mimicking a gavel.

“I know all that Blaine, because Trent told me. And you, sir, did not.”

“Would you have been interested?”

Wes’ reply sounded genuinely shocked. Scandalised even.

“Blaine you mock me! Of course I would have been interested I’m your manager and mentor, your friend –“

“Since when were you my mentor?”

“Who taught you how to use gel hair and regretted it almost every day since?”

“I can’t argue with that.”

“Precisely. Now lis-“

“Wes I appreciate you, but I have to go. I have sage wisdom to spread.”

“Wisdom. Right. Sure. And interrupting is rather rude of a Warbler Blaine-“

“Bye Wes!”

Even though he was left feeling vaguely cruel and somewhat accosted, Blaine was still hit with an idea. And it did piss him off slightly that he was left owing Wes another thing. But fondly so.

--

The path to Coffee Time was nearly empty, which surprised him somewhat. He was so used now to pushing with practiced elbows, politely smiling at whomever he bumped into, dancing past the young hopefuls with aspirations too big for their hearts to hold. He always knew those when he saw them, yet more reminders of who he used to be. Now, he was a slight variation, a slightly older hopeful. Still small, still dreaming.

And currently fast approaching a door that made his heart beat louder, wondering if maybe Kurt had caved to… But when that door was open and that tiny bell was barely sounding, it was just a smattering of goths chanting in a corner and an old lady with a surprisingly funky handbag.

There behind the counter, was Martin. Alone. Bored. And also slightly downtrodden. His plan, was to be to Martin what Wes believed himself to be to Blaine – A mentor… of sorts.

Don’t be creepy Blaine. You can do this. You can help this sadass. That was mean, I take that back. Sorry Martin. Just order your coffee… Maybe the lucky bowtie would have been a good idea –

“Hey I know you. You’re here all the time. That dude who flirted with Vi even though you’re…gay? Right? I am being offensive-?”

Blaine snorted. The young employee had in seconds burnt through recognition then hard distaste, confusion and worried doubt. He was like a sparkler burning way too fast. Like him. So much so that Blaine was sure he would flip his shit under the pressure of a strangers invasion.

Maybe it would be best for him to just order his coffee.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s absolutely fine, not even a little offensive. Also true.”

At least there were no more bug eyes of terror staring at him.

“Okay, okay well cool. “

“Medium drip please.”

“Sure. Is uh, your boyfriend here?”

What? What. How was it possible for his own eyes to do that? How? Seriously.

“It’s not like that we’re not boyfriends no we’re just friends newly friends actually why? Um.”

It was, apparently, Martins turn to snort, and it just embarrassed Blaine further. And wait a second –

“Sorry, I was just – it really seemed like you two –“

Something leapt in Blaines chest, an overeager frog, bouncing around with a giddy idiocy, because this guy could see whatever Kurt had made him feel, and did Kurt feel it too? But –

“Anyway, coffees almost done so just give it a second…”

He was wearing stripes. Stripes, Blaines long-time love. Stripes.

Now Blaine had to help him.

“You know what you should do Martin, you should sit with me.”

“Excuse me?”

He wasn’t being rude, just confused. And Blaine couldn’t help himself, letting his wise old coot fa�ade take over.

“Yeah. It’s not busy, I’m not a predator, come sit with me and we’ll talk important shit.”

So wise.

--
“Um. I don’t really know you.”

That could be easily dealt with.

“Hello I am Blaine Anderson and I am here to help.”

The young worker in front of him just nodded in apparent defeat, no longer bothering to be cautious. And for that Blaine was grateful, because in order to meddle in someones life you had to wear down their caution. And that usually took a certain level of confidence. That Blaine did not exactly have. Fake it till you make it.

--

“So what you’re saying is… there is nothing going on between you and Violet?”

“Yeah.”

“And you’re lying?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.”

A half hour of vaguely interrogative chatter had evidently gotten them nowhere. Except now he had a blurry outline of some parts of their story. And already, he was bursting to share it with Kurt. What was Kurt wearing that day anyway-

“Listen, uh, Blaine. I don’t… there is something. Going on.“

Yes. Fantastic. Kurt would be pleased. And Blaine had to stop thinking about him… So he leaned forward in his chair.

“Martin I’d like to be your friend. And as your friend, I think maybe you should talk to her.”

Blaine did not see this being the moment that Martin flipped his shit. But it totally was.

“I’m sorry but no, because I – I mean no and I don’t even know how I would – How could I just – She’s so - Shes Violet!”

It was absolutely imperative that Blaine did not laugh. So in the place of laugher he choked on his coffee, utterly terrified at the vision behind Martin.

There, glowering through the glass, pointing at the boy in front of him violently, was Wes.

“You should think about it. Talking is good. Bye.”

--

“Wesley!”

“You and I both know that is not my name Blaine.”

“Wesley-“

“Or would you prefer I call you by a false name too? Like Blaineabous -”

“Wesley-“

“I hope you like your new name Blainabous, the name of a cruel betrayer of mentors-“

“Wesley you are not my mentor-“

“Hair gel, Blaineabous, seriously how could you simply – “

“You only get to use that once a week, you know this –“

“Ah but you know Wesley is not my name, yet you still call me that –“

“ Wesley Wesley Wesley Wesley -“

“-after you abandon me to flirt with extremely young looking men with bad dye jobs –“

“That wasn’t Kurt you idiot-“

“Blaine how much have you not told me?! How many are there?!”

“One-“

“Oh really? Maybe I should just call Trent, as you seem to tell him everything these days –“

“Are you kidding me-?”

“No Blaine, I am not kidding you. Hello? Trent -“

“Trent he’s being a stupid jerk-“

“Oh how articulated of you Blaineabous-“

“For the love of all that is good in the world –“

“Trent, I want to slap him. How many boys does our fair Blaine have on the go? Because –“

“Wes!”

“Oh so now you use my name –“

“Would you both just shut up?!”

Blaine had not seen that coming. They were on a bench, a ways away from Coffee Time, after Blaines spectacular dive out of the door and down the street, hurtling away from a huffing Wes. And now, it would seem, the third member of their batshit trio had arrived. And oh, he had cookies.

Trent in all his bountiful glory stood before the two of them, staring them down as though they were his silent children. Which they sort of were.

“You are both acting incredibly immature.”

They bowed their heads and hummed, the appropriate response to a scolding of the sassy variety.

“So disappointed in you both… Wes, I do not give you Blaines most likely location so you could… whatever you were fighting about. And Blaine, we know not to use Wesley to his face. I’m assuming that you did.”

“Yeah, I did…”

“I apologise for abusing the information provided.”

Trent grinned and sat himself beside Wes, handing them a cookie each like treats for well-behaved pets. It had always been like that. The three of them, two overexcited and one calming the storm. Best friends. A real trio. Even if there were some things they still kept from each other… they knew who they could turn to.

The sun was burning the tree above them, trickling past the leaves and falling onto the tips of their hair. A breeze with all the force of a kitten batted at their faces. It was calm. Quite the Sunday.

“I’m still hurt Blainabous.”

“Would you like me to call a Warblers meeting next time?”

“I would love that Blaine.”

“Hug it out?”

“No.”

“You’re both sad.”

“Rude Trent.”

“Whatever you meanie.”

--

Should he call? Or text? Or wait semi patiently which of course meant with no patience whatsoever? It’s just that he had so much to tell Kurt, about Violet and Martin and just his day in general –

Well. That was new.

Blaine hadn’t… felt… that in a long time. Not for someone who wasn’t his best friend (yet), and even with Wes and Trent he could usually wait. But this, this was a bursting urge to talk and hear that velvety high voice talk back. Which was weird. And Blaine started laughing, loudly and needlessly, because the entire thing was weird but oh god so perfect. He could see it, in his childish imagination, two men dancing and singing. Holding hands places because they could, teasing each other, kissing in doorways as a goodbye. Never saying it…

The sharp ringing of his phone on the couch snapped him back to the TV in front of him and he grabbed for it.

“Kurt! Hey, I have so much to tell you – wait um whats up?”

Deep breathing was a method of chilling the hell out that was assigned to him by Wes, in a more articulate fashion. Of course. But it was incredibly difficult when he could hear a breathless huff of laughter on the other end.

“Hey Blaine, I was just um – calling to say hi.”

It was pathetic. But yes because Kurt had called him first to say hi which meant he was thinking of him and - grow up Blaine, and focus.

“So. What did you have to tell me?”

--

Kurt looked stunning. He wasn’t even sure what it was, the sunlight behind him, the tight red jeans, the happy smile lines by his eyes. He was just stunning. Blaine had to take a second as Kurt approached, to not think any indecent thoughts, to prepare himself.

“Hey there you. Whats this fabulous knowledge that you couldn’t share over the phone?”

It wasn’t that he couldn’t. He just wanted to see Kurts face. And maybe hear him squeal again… So adorable… so attractive…

“Well. I was walking around earlier and happened to pass Coffee Time. So I went in and – oh we were right, by the way, Violet wasn’t there – and wound up talking to Martin.”

Kurt had taken a seat demurely beside him on the bench, Central Park alive around them, and stared raptly at Blaine as he spoke. And there were nerves in his stomach, and ease, all at once.

“And? What did he say? Oh did they kiss?!”

Blaine sighed.

“No, they did not. But…”

It was astonishing. Kurt had deflated and then reanimated himself in a second.

“I have a few… pieces. Of their story.”

“Oh my god do tell.”

His grin was matched by Kurts enthusiastic expression, a cherubic glow of innocent excitement.

“Okay well, apparently they met at Coffee Time. It was their first day of work there, the only employees of Martins grandparents, who own the place I think. Anyway. It was just them, oh wait and some dude called Sebastian but he quit because Martin wasn’t gay, and um… God, I’m sorry –“

But Kurt just giggled and waved it off, leaning closer and Blaine could smell something like cinnamon and man and beauty –

“Um – so. Yeah, they sort of worked their way to friendship and it was just that. Except I could tell that Martin was infatuated already, it was the way he told the story. And then one day, something huge went down and I don’t know what.”

“Oh, drama, mystery, intrigue…”

“Mhm, and then when whatever happened was over Martin didn’t have the balls to kiss her or something I don’t know.”

“Lame.”

"I know."

“Wait – Sebastian… Smythe?”

“Martin said he looked like a meercat…”

“He totally does, I know him!”

At that moment, Blaines heart leapt to his throat in an entirely bad way. Because what if meercats were Kurts favourite animal, and this Sebastian – obviously gay – was more than just someone he knew? But Kurt didn’t seem the type to run holding hands with men who weren’t his boyfriend… Kurt seemed so honest. So good… it was in his eyes.

“He’s engaged to my friend Chandler.”

Relief flooded through his body like a sugar high.

“Cool, whens the wedding?”

He hoped it didn’t leak into his voice. But the grin on his face may have given him away.

“In about a month and two weeks, Chandler is so excited. Sebastian on the other hand, total ice king.”

Blaine raised his eyebrow. Ice king?

“Ice king, huh? Doesn’t sound like marriage material.”

“Oh well he’s like that to everyone but Chandler. I’m still not sure how he broke that jackass down but I’m glad he did. He gets a little nicer every day.”

The word jackass sounded inexplicably delicious coming from Kurt…

Focus.

“They really are adorable those two, so cute. Chandler is Sebastians opposite in almost every way it’s like they complete each other.”

Oh he could just watch Kurt enthuse on his friends for hours, the way his eyes lit up and his smile stole Blaines heart, the way his nose crinkled with joy…

Blaine needed to know him.

He needed to find a way to see this all the time, to know how to make that face appear again and that giggle sound in his ears.

He needed to at least be friends with Kurt, and ignore the way his touch on his wrist again made it feel like they were soulmates.

“Oh Blaine you should see them, so precious.”

Not as precious as the man who spoke of them. There was no doubt in Blaines mind.

“So, how do you know them both?”

He just wanted to keep Kurt talking.

“Oh well when I first started at NYADA –“

Blaines eyes were spending much too much time bugging out of his skull lately. NYADA? Oh god. Oh god…

“I met him when he was thinking about leaving the school, and yeah we did sort of try a spark but whatever… it was never really there. At least not for me.”

It was a tad difficult, to remind himself that jealousy was a huge turn off for most people, and that he should not be jealous at all, and he barely knew Kurt. Whatever. Kurt never really felt the spark… and there was a flare of hope again.

“Anyway, Sebastian ran into us mid ‘let’s just call this off’ in a bakery somewhere. And Chandler just sort of… kept bumping into him. And now they’re getting married and Sebastian hates me.”

He laughed then, a little snort of a laugh that shot Blaine in the heart like a lovely bullet, sweet and fond. But still. Something in that burning blue was slightly iced, a little shard of defence. Blaine wondered how he knew Sebastian hated him… Besides from his own jealousy.

“Anyway. I have to go, I have some people to see and some designs to draw and then proceed to scrap.”

“Designs?”

What he meant was, “You’re leaving?” but he was not about to look even more pathetic than he already did. Because it was as Kurt stood, stretching his limbs like a well groomed feline and checking his watch, that Blaine realised that his hand was resting on the back of the bench and he was leaning on it, gazing at Kurt with a look akin to that of a school boy infatuated. He might as well have been.

“Bye Blaine.”

God his voice was so soft, and his smile was so gentle…

“Bye… Kurt.”

Yeah, he needed to know him.

He needed him.