“Oh good, you're here.” Kurt says softly as Blaine settles down onto the couch beside him, tucking his legs up and pats at his lap and makes soft sounds with his lips to get Jester's attention.

Jester had been sprawled along the arm of the couch behind Kurt's shoulders, with his head tucked carefully into Kurt's neck- it was pretty darn adorable actually. When Blaine had entered the living room Jester had clocked him, and his favourite claw friendly t-shirt that Blaine was wearing.

“Mmm?” Blaine scratches at the base of Jes's spine as he crawls over to him, smirking when he stretches out and pushes his soft little paws into Blaine's clothed stomach.

Blaine arches his neck out to the side, his head leaning in and cheek jutting out towards Kurt's space where he's sitting crossed-legged against the arm of the opposite end of couch, with his phone in hand.

Kurt rolls his eyes, tutting fondly and leans into give Blaine his kiss that he knows he's waiting for, ruffling his hair as he pushes him away again afterwards.

“So I've been thinking and I wanted to talk to you about um, well about our work load, how much crazy, impossibly busier we seem to be getting-”

“Hey, hey, hey.” Blaine reaches out and taps at his shoulder like an annoying little kid, and then points to the direction of the time display on Kurt's phone. “It's Eight-oh-four PM. No work talk. I'm clocked out and so should you be.” He says seriously but Kurt knows that his little smirk is there just waiting to reveal itself.

The condo is warm tonight -it should be, it's August- but it's a nice warm. The air-con is kicking in comfortably and the inside air's temperature mixed with the soft cool touch of Blaine's hands pressing against any stretch of Kurt's bare skin he can get to, is a welcoming feeling most nights.

Tonight they're both wearing similar pairs of shorts and tank tops, for reasons 30% temperature based and 70% just purely wanting to tease each other, with the views of short hems riding up hairy thighs and strained muscles and spatters of armpit and chest hair peeking out of thin knit sleeveless tops.

Undressing a man, deftly undoing his tie and shirt buttons with your fingers and slipping your hands over his shoulders with his shirt is sexy hell. But there is also something about placing your palms firm on your lover's taught abdomen, feeling his heart pump behind his ribcage as you glide his vest up and off grasping at his chest and arms as you go.

-That's the reason for their choice of clothing. They're not fooling anybody.  

Blaine curls his bare feet under Kurt's thighs, the cool pads of his toes against the thin fabric of his sleep shorts providing a playful distraction.

“Put your phone away.” He says with a grin.

“I know, I know dear.” Kurt sighs with a smile, slipping his phone carefully down onto the floor and allowing his cheek to be pinched when he sits back up.

“Now tell me what you were thinking about our work load, honey.” Blaine says, his eyes simmering, toes continuing to curl and knead against his Kurt's legs, as Jester does the same to Blaine's stomach, both of them making themselves comfortable. 

Blaine is in a lovely but playful fettle tonight, relaxed and carefree- the signs of him happily distressing from a hot and hectic but manageable summer.

The summer so far has mostly consisted of many hard working yet refreshingly fun public outings and events. That tends to happen during the warmer, brighter seasons in the ‘showbiz' world. -More public-based styles of work where everyone comes out and meets and drinks and dances, and then hides away again behind a computer screen during the colder, darker months.

Kurt is still helping behind the scenes with Jen and is finding this whole aspect of the judging role he'd took on last year rather uplifting. He's glad that she was chosen as the winner, and had secretly been routing for her all along, when maybe nobody else at that point was.

Everybody loves an underdog, and Kurt himself being able to relate with her on other levels, has found himself rather taken with her. And Blaine too.

The first time that Jen had properly met and spent time with Blaine- after the show had finished and she and Kurt were getting to know one another- it had been during a quiet informal lunch meeting at a small bistro.

Blaine had been out busy running some errands, his usual duties and then the little added extras he'd started taking on with Andre, when Kurt had sent him a text asking him to join them if he was free.

From the moment Blaine had sat down at their table, sliding into a seat beside Kurt and chastely kissed his knuckles, Jen had pretty much melted into a puddle right there on her chair. Already being a shy, quiet personality and having to get used to working with THE Kurt Hummel was enough, but after an hour or so of Blaine unknowingly charming the pants off of her, its a wonder how she'd ever get that blush on her lily-white skin to cool down.

Of course a similar thing had happened when Kurt had gone with Blaine along to the studio one day, and had met with a couple of the kids who had been coming in to play for Blaine and Andre to help create and develop an idea of theirs. One of them, a performing arts student who volunteers at a special designer clothes drive on weekends, had practically hyperventilated when Blaine had introduced Kurt to them.

Both Kurt and Blaine's profiles- both as individuals and together- had risen quite substantially over the Summer. With show and tells here and there, signings, auctions, parties (lot's of parties) premiers, meeting upon meetings- you name it, they'd done it.

With those things, of course, also came the public awareness, the cameras, the questions- the usual. But with time and patience the boys had became stronger than ever, tightening their little unit and proving that they can overcome any difficulties- not an easy task, but they can definitely do it.

They can show that they can be efficient, reliant, responsible, and very successful co-workers, as well lovers, as well as best friends. They can do it with or without cameras in their faces, and headlines printed all around about them.

Sometimes they may choose to hold hands in public, sometimes they may choose not to, they may flirt and tease and at other times may seem distant. But what's important is that they can do it, and they choose to do it together.    

A particular fond memory of Blaine's had been one quiet Saturday morning, spent lazily in bed enjoying breakfast, enjoying each other, and only tumbling out of bed just before noon to shower, change in to some loose fitting clothing and continue where they left off, only this time downstairs on the couch in front of the TV.

Too wrapped up in their leisurely little bubble, Kurt had forgotten all about a short phone-in radio interview in which he'd agreed to for a local station running a program to help kick start off a fashion-forward charitable campaign somewhere in the city.

While struggling under Blaine's hold on him, with Blaine's lips and morning stubble-he'd decided not to shave (cause it's Saturday)- attached to his neck, Kurt had wiggled out and off and had thrown himself at his ringing phone on the coffee table, cursing and straightening himself out as Blaine playfully tugged at his shorts pockets on his ass, and Jester whined from somewhere in the background.

Blaine remembers sitting beside Kurt on the couch, with the phone turned to loud speaker on the coffee table in front of them, and their hands joined between them pressed to their thighs. Silently laughing into his hand at some of the more whimsical questions, and the way his heart hammered in his chest, gasping as Kurt was asked a question about Blaine and had answered with- ‘Oh he's right here, I'll ask him.'   

There had been over night stays, and short trips away over the summer too, some sponsored, some business with no play, and some all play entirely. There was also that one weekend in July- the weekend that is still some what of a sore spot and is rarely spoken of- when Blaine had spent two days and one night away working in some exclusive studio in Montreal, with Andre and a team of highly successful know-how's.

That had certainly been an experience. Witnessing a pure Kurt tantrum, not out of anger or spite and not even aimed at Blaine, but just because he was sad and already missing Blaine before he'd even left. Hanging off of Blaine's body pathetically, whining that he didn't want to sleep alone in bed that night, or try and figure out the coffee machine the next morning after Blaine had fiddled with the settings to match to Kurt's preferences.

The reunion had been fucking fantastic though.   

Planned and also some spontaneous visits to and from Ohio had been arranged with their families over the summer period, all of them surprisingly nice and refreshingly better than the last.

Things are really coming along with their families now. Of course everything from the past isn't just swept under the rug and instantly forgotten, but old wounds are healing, bridges are mending, trust is building and time is spent lovingly together, getting to know one another again, and that is the best that anyone can ask for. 

There had also been that rather memorable trip to LA for Cooper's birthday. The Anderson's had been away on a Mediterranean cruise, completely forgetting the fact that it was their eldest son's birthday, and out of sympathy Kurt had arranged for he and Blaine to go and see him.

Cooper had been his usual self, loud, a little overbearing and annoying but undeniably also delightful. He'd made sure that their weekend had been spent safe and secure in his apartment, with take-outs and home delivery liquor orders, music and laughs, a lot of laughs.

Kurt had found himself rather taken with the way Cooper had really shown an interest- not just boasting or bragging or begging for a job- but actually asking questions, talking and involving himself with his and Blaine's work.

He was finally the brother and the man that Kurt had wanted for Blaine all along. He was certainly proving himself.

It had all been a little of an eye opener to Kurt, in a positive way, and with his current lifestyle and Blaine's looming career busting at the seams, the thought of maybe investing in some more help with the company- help from people who he cared about and could trust- had popped in to his head, one too many times.

Speaking of which-

“Well,” Kurt starts, turning to face Blaine completely on the couch, stretching his legs out to rest his feet in Blaine's lap, so that they're pretty much mirroring each other's positions. “I was thinking, that maybe we ought to start thinking about branching out…”

Blaine continues to watch him, his face open and receptive, though clearly not picking up on what Kurt is saying. “Hiring some new employee's.” Kurt adds in offering of explanation.

“Oh,” Blaine's whole face transforms with understanding. “Oh, ok yeah, so you want me to start looking at potential applicants, set up some interviews for you or something?” He fusses with his t-shirt a little under Jester's little sleeping body. It's plain to see he's a little uncomfortable, his features maybe turning a little melancholy,  “Um, maybe Carole could help again? I honestly don't really know what help I'd be to you with that process-” He's talking as if he's incompetent, not needed or unwanted. Kurt sets out to remedy that.

“Blaine?” Kurt curls upwards and inwards towards him, placing his hands on his knees, smiling a little whilst he searches his face. Jester lifts his face in his annoyance, sleepily looking to see what all of the fuss is about. “I was thinking that we could do it together, maybe hire you an assistant, or somebody to work for and with us both.”

“Oh, oh. Um, really?” Blaine looks down, scratches behind Jester's ears, looking for something to do and somewhere to divert his eyes. A faint blush is growing on his cheeks, his iris's swirling with colour and deep recognition.

“Yes, really.” Kurt smiles, shuffling forward, knees bumping until Jes hisses at him in warning. “You um, you joked about it, about having your own assistant a while ago-”

“Yeah, I joked about it, joked about my brother-”

“Well would that be such a bad idea?” Blaine gapes back at him incredulously and Kurt tries not to grin too broadly at him, he obviously needs to get his head around this. “Cooper's been wanting to work for me ever since he found out about you, and no matter how much of an ass he can be I know that I can trust him, with me and the business and you of course. With us.”

Blaine tips his head, shaking it and smiling fondly, like Kurt is the most special person. Hell, Kurt is the most special person.

“You've really thought about this huh?”

Kurt just smiles a little sheepishly, shrugging his shoulders. “He'll get more exposure and recognition, practically a pretty large foot through the door to the right direction for him and-”

“-And he'll look after you,” Blaine finishes, nodding seriously, and then his eyes light up as she starts grinning. “He'll go bat-shit about this you know, will be forever grateful and in your debt.” He looks pointedly at Kurt, eyes dancing with mischief.

“No debt to pay here. God knows why, but I've got faith in him about this, I think he'll prove his worth.” Kurt grins, and then adds. “Hiring him would be my way of saying thanks-”

“Huh, what thanks?”

“Yes. A thank you for actually being a really cool guy, he hooked you up with Andre after all. He's always been respectable of us and genuinely nice if not a little forward. Things are finally lifting off for you, you're only gonna get busier, we both are, I guess…” He trails off quietly.

“Because you won't have me around as much any more?” Blaine finishes for him, guessing and filling in the gap. Kurt nods, not quite trusting his voice or what words may escape. They've done this, had this conversation in many similar variations many times, but it never really gets any easier.

Blaine makes a face, the classic ‘ah I see' face.

“Kurt,” Blaine takes both of Kurt's hands in his. “You do know that I'll always be here for you, I'm not going anywhere. We may have to get used to working without each other at times, and with other people, like we talked about, but I'm right here with you.” Blaine tugs at their joined hands for emphasis and then loosens his grip and presses a single finger to Kurt's chest, firmly to his heart. “Always right here, nowhere else.”

After everything they've been through, everything that they've said and done and all of the moments shared, this is probably the most intimate, most scariest moment between them ever.

Kurt -feeling bold- lifts Blaine's finger up to his mouth, presses a warm soft kiss to the center of his palm then places it right back over his heart, nodding and smiling through slight watery eyes.

Blaine leans in and kisses Kurt so tenderly, cups his face with his free hand so softly like he's made of the most fragile china and just kisses him, deep and long and slow, his whole soul pouring into it.

“Kurt?” He whispers against his lips. Kurt's eye lashes flutter open, revealing his eyes, deep green and aqua blue, glazed and bright. “He won't- Cooper wont have to live here with us will he?”

Kurt laughs, loud and high and keeps laughing until he's almost breathless until Blaine holds him still, grinning at him with soft eyes.

“What do I keep telling you? There is only ONE Anderson for me. One man. And that other one, that older one, is not even getting the pass code to the elevator. He'll be working here by invitation only.” Blaine giggles at him. “Or maybe I'll get him a new office somewhere.”

Blaine's smile is so bright and infectious, Kurt practically leaps on top of him, all arms and legs, spread out on the couch. He kisses him all over, like he's desperate, like he can't get enough, only feeling a little guilty as Jester grumbles and eventually hops down and away from them- stalking off to the kitchen.

“This place,” Kurt whispers, gesturing all around them and between them. “Is just for us. It's always just me and you.”

“There'll always be a next right?” Blaine breathes, his voice hushed and rough, staring up at Kurt with eyes so big and round, brightly coloured with a deep dark intensity.

“Yeah. Always.”

*

“So, enlighten me.” Santana says, as she slinks down into a chair by Kurt's desk.

Blaine is on a ‘studio' day today, in fact he's currently on extended day number three of studio time, but Kurt doesn't mind, he's eventually learned coping methods and strategies when Blaine has to work overtime.

There isn't a lot on this week anyway.

The fall weather outside is treacherous and because of that Kurt has pretty much been finding excuses here, there and everywhere, all week to stay cooped up inside.

The remnants of the celebrations from Columbus Day are still lingering around the blustery streets of the city and as Santana bustles into the office, Kurt can smell the cool, fresh scent of October rain and wind on her skin and clothes.   

She's dressed in an impeccable dove grey slim fitting pants suit, a black blouse peeking out underneath and sky high patent leather black heels strapped to her feet. Her hair is swept up on top of her head- all business looking- and she's got her game face on, complete with blood orange matte lipstick.

“What exactly does being on your PR team entail?” She grins, wide and bright, dark eyes dancing, she's clearly happy.

Kurt smirks at her. “You know what it means, don't be an ass Santana, you've pretty much been doing that job for me for years anyways, only now I'm making it official, if-if you- you'd like-”

Santana throws her hands up in the air joyously. “Yes, I'd like. Lady H, I'd like that very much. Thank you.” Her voice quietens and tone softens. Kurt regards her carefully from across the desk.

”You're- you're one of my oldest and closest friends San, my-my best friend. I couldn't have anyone else working so closely with me, to be in charge of that kind of stuff. I've never wanted that before, I've always been independent with regards to that side of things-”

“I know you have.” She smiles gently.

“But now, I think, for Blaine's sake as well as mine that this is a good choice, having a publicist or whatever you want to call yourself. I trust you, I know you'll look after me-us, it will be great, I think… hopefully.”

They both smirk a little at each other. Both so tight, complex, compact characters yet still so soft around the edges, and warm on the inside. It's no wonder that they're such good friends, they just get each other. They're one and the same.  

“I think you're being smart. Wise as always doll face.”

Kurt smirks at her. “And you can take out of this opportunity what you want Santana, if it's not working then it's not working and we go back to normal. Ok?”

Santana salutes him. “Gotcha Captain. But I gots to know… does this mean that you need a new house keeper now? I heard the Berry's just finished her Broadway run?” She sing-songs teasingly.

Kurt picks up a crumpled piece of paper from his desk and throws it at her in a little crinkly ball, smirking as it bops off of her shoulder lightly and down to the floor.

He will always appreciate and respect Santana in ways that she will probably never even know.

“Now,” He says, his face a mask of seriousness and concentration, “Your first call of duty is to help me set a little something up.”

Santana leans inwards over the desk, hands clasped together in front of her, lips pressed together. She just needs a pair of glasses on her face then she'll be every nerd's wet dream.

“Ooh do tell, is this about this thing you were talking about hiring Blaine's hot older brother-”

“You have a girlfriend.”

“He's still hot, I can still say that.” Santana shrugs and Kurt sighs.

“Yes it is. Kind of. I'm still to set up a meeting with him about it, and really talk things through. His use will be as much for Blaine as it will mine, but in terms of showing face I'm still going to make it look like there's an interview process, you know, make it look legit and stuff like he was chosen and not just thought of-”

Santana leans back in her chair, nodding dramatically. “Yup, yup. See, smart, I told you. This is why you get the big bucks.”

“Shut up,” he laughs. “So we're going to hire out that office space again, the one I used to hire Blaine with Carole-”

“Ok. Done.” She claps her hands together.

Kurt considers her for a moment and then visibly starts to flail, his fingers coming up to loosen the knot of his tie and pale eyes going wide and bulging out.

“But um, but this time,” He clears his throat, “It's going to be a little different, I guess-”

“Because Blaine and I and maybe Carole will be there this time? Like a panel, like on The Voice?” She asks, her voice rising with excitement, body titling forward on her chair.

“Actually no,” Kurt explains, welcoming the small smirk to his lips to help ease the tension. “No, you or Carole won't be needed. Not even Blaine, well not at first. But eventually yes, he'll pretty vital actually.”

He clears his throat again, a visible wash of pale white panic spreading over his face as he drops his gaze and tries to gain focus elsewhere.

“Kurt?” Santana whispers, loud enough for him to snap his eyes and attention back up at her, her bright white teeth gleaming visibly under a diamond smile.

 “That's where you come in.” He says decidedly, gathering his wits and his courage, squaring his shoulders and smacking his game face on. “We're going to need to go shopping.”

Just then a loud patter of rain drops hits the back office window with some force of speed, a howling gale following their drip-drop pattern with blowing leaves and street dust.

They both look to the window, Kurt's face drops.

Silently Santana stands from her chair and steps over to him, reaching over into his personal space and clicking on his computer.

“Oh honey, here's where auntie Tana, teaches you the wonders of online shopping.” 

*      

“Hey you, boy am I glad to see your face.” Blaine laughs breathlessly, his face as pretty as a picture, lighting up the little dull recording room as he looks up at Kurt standing in the doorway.

Kurt leans against the door frame, strong arms crossed over each other, as he looks around the little studio. Andre waves at him from a behind a glass window on the far side and points to the phone he's holding up to his ear.

Kurt wiggles his fingers with a smile and then walks further into the room, closing the door behind him.

Blaine is stretched out on a reclining office chair, his legs up and balanced against the operating desk in front of him. If it weren't for the fact that there are people milling around outside the studio, and if Andre wasn't on the other side of a transparent wall- then Kurt would happily straddle those legs.

What he does do, what he can do, is lean down and place a quick kiss to Blaine's forehead, smiling at his closed eyes and smushed up face. Blaine's eyes spring back open when Kurt pulls back and settles himself on the edge of the desk next to Blaine's crossed ankles.

Studio Blaine is hot as hell, with hand-fussed wayward curls- just a dash of gel left-, his night before stubble taking over his jaw line, a tight fitting t-shirt smudged with whatever takeout he had for lunch, and a pair of loose washed out blue jeans with a gorgeous ankle gap showing off a pair of white canvas boat shoes.

It's not that Blaine doesn't look hot in his office suits, of course he does, but it's refreshing getting to see all of these different looks. It keeps Kurt on his toes and gives him plenty of mental images to keep him running with until they're entwined in bed together again on a night time.

Blaine continues smiling brightly at Kurt, as if he's literally his own personal ray of sunshine, who's just waltzed up in here to brighten up his day. But even Kurt can see that he looks, beat and worn out.  

“Hard day?” Kurt asks softly, reaching forward to brush some curls out of Blaine's eyes. He scrunches his face in a look of empathy, when Blaine nods pathetically with a pet lip. He's had one of those too. Fabrics and colours that won't match, budgets and dates that won't meet. A confirmation of something pretty big.

That's why he decided to take a late afternoon breather and drop by here in the end. Even though they're well rehearsed and equipped in spending some time apart now during the week, it's still like a breath of fresh air to get to see each other for a short amount of time. Like their own personal branded bursts of rejuvenation.

“Yup. Hard. Long. Tiring. Certainly not boring by any means, but yeah-” Blaine draws out a long breath and then points to the window behind them where distant muffled sounds of Andre's phone conversation can be heard. “Andre's trying to get us a start date as we speak, it's just tedious, nerve wracking you know.”

Kurt hums and nods, knowing that feeling only too well, but then his face lights up. “Wait you said date? You've been given a start date for the thing?”

Blaine grins and holds up both of his hands, crossing both first and second fingers.

Blaine and Andre have spent the past months rallying a team of people all exceptionally talented in their own right and willing to help create and become part of a small production company.

Andre has already expressed his desires at wanting Blaine to sign on with him and become official partners- it's not something that Blaine has objected to- but he has never been one to hang on to somebody else's coat tails, and Andre thankfully gets that.

The production company will start off small, recording bits of this and that in the studio but Blaine has dreams that it will expand to the stage. He's hoping to get everybody and anybody of all ages and backgrounds involved.

The motto for this new project is simply Courage and Blaine will encourage anybody to try and go for what they want. Much like Kurt had encouraged him, and how he had encouraged Kurt in other ways.

Kurt grins back copying Blaine with only one hand, his other hand strangely stuck behind his back. Blaine tilts his head in curiosity.

“Not that I don't love the fact that you're here right now, and believe me you're exactly what I need, but why are you here, everything ok?” He asks, bringing his legs down from the desk and leaning forward to rest a hand on Kurt's knee.

Kurt pulls his other hand out from behind his back and with it pulls out a small pale red and ivy green bouquet.

“Kurt, for me? They're beautiful!” Blaine exclaims, that gorgeous smile meeting his eyes. 

Kurt nods, reaching out to hand them to him. “No, they're for Andre.” He says, rolling his eyes fondly. “They're winter Roses…or something.”

“Thank you.” Blaine says, clutching at the bouquet and smelling the pale tips of the petals. “Thank you so much, but why-what for?”

“Do I need a reason?” Kurt counters, smirking mischievously. But before Blaine can remark back with something no doubt sarcastic and humorous, Kurt shrugs with a smile and says. “Honestly, no reason, just wanted to swing by and see you, say hey-”

“Hey-” Blaine grins burying his nose into the bouquet again. Kurt grins back, blows out a quick deep breath and then-

“Oh, and also to tell you that I've spoken to Cooper…again. Officially we're good to go, and he's still going to come and interview for us, you know just for appearances sake.”

Blaine smiles even wider. “That's Great. When?”

“Um, the week before we break for Christmas? So like three weeks time?” Kurt swallows, voice rising a pitch minutely higher. “Saturday was a better day for him. So, you'll be free?”

Blaine nods, already taking his phone out of his pocket to set himself a reminder of the date. “Yup. Adding it to your schedule too.”

Just then a loud triumphant shout comes from behind the glass and Andre is leaping and calling out joyously, holding up two thumbs at Blaine.

Any residual nerves or doubts that were still hovering below the surface dissipate as Blaine launches up, howling with delight and dragging Kurt into his arms, close and tight.

“Yes,” he whispers into Kurt's neck. “Yes, we did it honey, we did it.”

Kurt smiles and tingles all over with excitement and anticipation.