There's an envelope waiting for Blaine on his desk when he gets down there early one weekday morning. It's not his birthday until next month so he knows that it's not for that, the envelope is small and scarlet red and his name is scrawled across the front in a familiar cursive font, he knows what this is.

He splits open the seal and slides the card out, grinning at the cute little kitten giving large cartoon like heart eyes to a puppy dog. Blaine opens the card up and reads the words ‘Be my valentine' inside and underneath that familiar scrawl is there once again.

From your secret admirer… x

He grins harder and tucks the card into his desk drawer, he hears quiet footsteps and the subtle creak of floorboards behind him. He leans over to switch his screen monitor on, “Secret admirer huh?”

“What's that?” Kurt's words behind him are soft and quiet, his tone simple and teasing. Blaine rolls his eyes, unable to contain his smirk as his computer boots up and he logs into his work profile.

“I have a secret admirer, apparently.” There's more soft sounds of gentle footfalls and then a warm breath, minty fresh blows around the sensitive shell of his ear, his nostrils are filled with a familiar scent of shampoo and soap and cologne, and there's a gentle pressure, a warm presence against his back, slightly towering.

“Oh, he's a lucky guy.” Blaine slowly turns on the spot as two arms frame him from either side, bracing against the edge of his desk. Blaine resists the urge to lean in and take Kurt's lips between his own and kiss the smirk off of his face.

“He is?” Kurt nods, his nose gently brushing alongside Blaine's, his eyes positively alight. It's early, their first real plans for the day is a small store opening, and isn't scheduled until later in the morning, followed by a fitting for their suits for the upcoming premier in a month or so. There isn't much to catch up on around the office, and Kurt seems to be in a brave, playful mood. Blaine will milk it for all that its worth.

“I'd say so, yes.” Blaine smiles, his heart thumping, he can't peel his eyes away from Kurt's lips, they're rounded and plump and pink and just there. He clears his throat.

“Do um, do you think that he has a secret admirer too? Do you think I have competition?” Kurt's eyes flash playfully, his face flooding with surprise at Blaine's brazenness, but Kurt is nothing if not victorious, he'll seldom back down, not at this stage in their ‘relationship' if Blaine could be so foolish as to call it that.

“Oh no, I don't think anyone would be brave enough to ever try and compete with you, it would be madness.” He drawls, eye lids and long lashes fluttering innocently. Blaine smirks and raises his arms to bend around and rest against Kurt's shoulders, as his hands and fingers entwine around his neck, drawing him down and closer to Blaine's.

“I'm glad you think so.” He whispers as Kurt's lips finally mould against his, swallowing his breathless gasp. Things have certainly developed in the past month, bravery has a took turn for the downright daring and whether it be work hours or not, if its just the two of them in the private confines of the condo when Kurt is sure there will be no surprise visits, he's been finding it harder and harder to keep away from Blaine.

Blaine closes his eyes as his body melds and fits perfectly against Kurt's and their lips brush against each others over and over. The slight fuzz of Kurt's jaw rubs against Blaine's freshly shaven skin, it feels almost too pleasurable and Kurt moans high and breathy and delicious into Blaine's mouth. The buzzer system out in the main hall sounds, alerting them that somebody is downstairs wanting access to the elevator to come up. Blaine smirks as Kurt pulls back startled, eyes wide, cheeks tinged pink and his lips slack and kiss swollen.

Blaine watches with a sly grin as Kurt strides off out of the office whilst running a hand through his hair, he can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees the delivery guy on the other end of the small TV screen with a big bouquet of flowers, of yellows and reds waiting for him.

*

“A little birdie tells me that it's your birthday this weekend.” Kurt says as Blaine comes back into the office, two cups of coffee in his hands, and a packet of cookies under one arm.

“That little birdie would be correct.” Blaine leans forward to place one of the cups down in front of Kurt on his desk and lets the foil packet slip from under his bicep. “Would that little birdie also be known as your employee personal record database by any chance?” He teases as he brings his own cup up to his lips.

Kurt glances away from his screen, up to Blaine and smirks, he tears open the corner of the cookie packet and pulls one out, “That would be correct.” He volleys back in mock tone, before biting into the crumbling chocolate buttery base.

Blaine smiles and sits down in his seat on the other side of Kurt's desk, “I strongly fail to believe how that is fair, I had no way of knowing about your birthday until Santana suddenly announced impromptu drinks and our hangovers the next working day were ones to go down in history.”

Kurt smirks rather smugly, “Yes well if I'd had it my way, we wouldn't have done anything at all, there's no way of stopping that girl, she's like a freaking Latina ninja with psychic powers I swear.” Blaine chuckles, he rubs his finger around the edge of his coffee mug, a little lost in thought.

“Well I'm still a little mad that I couldn't give you anything-”

“Oh you give me plenty, don't worry, I don't need anything else.” Their eyes catch over the rim of the piping hot mugs, and there's a moment there, a moment of reverent silence. A moment when one look can speak volumes, and when Blaine actually feels like he can see deep into Kurt's soul from the window of his eyes. Blaine swallows hard, momentary unable to pull words up from his throat.          

“So,” Kurt decides to do the hard work for him, something rather noble and makes Blaine's heart pound in his chest even harder. “Getting back to your birthday, what are your plans? Should we make reservations? Or we could do something here, maybe ask Sam and Santana if they wanted to join, um you know maybe, or just whatever?”

“Oh,” Blaine straightens in his seat, dark eyebrows almost shooting up to his hairline. A warmth spreads through his chest, causing his heart to tighten and pound again, his eyes soften as he looks at Kurt, clearly flustered and bewildered with his own words and sentiment. “I um,” He fumbles, placing his cup down and fidgets with a nearby stapler on the desktop, “That sounds awesome, I'd love to, um thank you, but I, well I didn't know that you'd want to do something and well my mom has made me promise to visit with them, they bought me a ticket for my birthday, I don't think they'll let me out of this one, this time.” He shrugs and his face falls as Kurt visibly deflates on the other side of his desk.

Damn. Of course there are a million and one other things he'd rather do on his birthday weekend then spend it with his family, and Kurt actually suggesting to celebrate together would be number fucking one. But no matter how much he wants that, wants to be with Kurt and his new friends, he can't let his family down. No matter how many times he may have felt let down by them in the past, he made a promise, and he hasn't seen them in so long, he owes this to them, even if it's just this once.  

“Oh of course, yes, of course you'll be going back to Ohio-”

“LA actually, um my parents, they actually enjoyed themselves when they spent Christmas with Cooper, so they suggested that I meet them out there.”

“Oh great, yeah that sounds nice-”

“Yeah, well it's my weekend off, so I'll be heading out there on Friday afternoon, of course I'll wait until we're done here-”

“Oh Blaine don't be so silly, we have nothing much planned, nothing that cant be postponed, it's your birthday, take Friday off, get out there and have some fun, get some heat.”

“You could come?” Blaine doesn't know where it comes from, the words are building up and the question is out before he has any control over the situation. Introducing Kurt to his parents and Cooper could be one of the most embarrassing and awful experiences ever, what would he even say, ‘This is Kurt, my boss, and sort of best friend, and we mess around and I'm crazy about him, but nobody knows.' Yeah it was a downright stupid thing to suggest, but still and for no good or understandable reason, hope floods his chest. The idea of it all, whatever the hell that may be, blooms brightly within him.  

He dares a glance at Kurt, expecting to be shot down with some excuse, fully prepared for someway of turning him down, something that would be perfectly reasonable of course, but all he finds when he peers into those glasz like orbs, is a look of deep genuine consideration.

Kurt purses his lips, even a finger tip raising to rest against them, whilst he appears lost in thought. Blaine is quiet, silently pleading, his chest thumping as he watches the man in front of him. Kurt's features and expressions waver and mix in a variety of different ways over the next few seconds, he's truly thinking this one over, it must mean more to him than ever imaginable if he's needing to take the time to think it through. But once again that internal battle that he always seems to have with himself comes into play and when his head finally pulls back up to level with Blaine's, his eyes are downcast and clouded, brows furrowed.

“Um, no, thank you, but no, I um I can't.” Blaine tries not to let the deflation appear too obvious, his shoulders sag lightly in defeat and he picks up his mug, eyes peering into the dark rich liquid just to give himself something to do. He could question Kurt's reasoning, he could try to fight him and persuade him otherwise. Kurt seems to like that, when Blaine challenges him and makes him rethink, makes him look at things in a different way. But not on this, Blaine decides to nobly back down from this one, knowing that it probably won't do any good, come on why would Kurt want to spend time with his family, of course he doesn't want to come, maybe Kurt would like the little break away from Blaine.

Blaine shakes himself out his thoughts before he starts jumping to ridiculous conclusions and finally looks back up at Kurt.

“Oh yes, of course, um that's fine, of course you cant come, sorry I don't know why I-”

“Blaine.” Kurt reaches out and folds his hand over Blaine's, his fingers squeezing against his skin, cutting him off with a soft gasp of breath. Kurt leans forward over the desk, tugging Blaine closer. “I just, it's, I can't, it wouldn't be right, not yet. We'll do something when you get back ok, just you and me.” His voice is quiet but dripping with promise, his eyes glowing with sincerity, everything about Kurt in this moment is utterly whole and sincere and Blaine holds his words, he'll keep them safe and locked down until he returns.

You and me. He and Kurt.

*

“Boy oh boy, look at those curls huh, who in the world is special enough to pry you away from your beloved hair gel.” Cooper ruffles his hand into Blaine's hair as he walks past and slumps down onto the couch beside him, causing the cushions to bump up and down.

Blaine bats his hand away and nudges his shoulder into his brother's, “Hey Coop.” He tries to sound dejected, but he can't contain his smirk and the slight lilt to his tone. His older brother may be somewhat of an ass at times, and especially more so over the years when they were younger but he loves him all the same and always revels in the way he feels like a boy again in his presence.

“Hey squirt, good to see you,” Cooper gives him his diamond smile, the one that is the reason why he is constantly hired for short ad's and small modelling shoots, it may not be big bucks but it's work, and in LA, he's obviously doing something right.

“You guys get here from the airport ok?” Cooper looks across his small open plan apartment where their parents are over in the kitchen, his mother trying to work out how to switch on the coffee machine and his father just looking like he's getting in the way mostly.

Their father, a short man with black hair which could be called slightly receding, peers over the counter top at his two sons. Blaine has obviously definitely inherited his mother's native genetics and also her personality, whilst his brother has taken his chiselled appearance from his father who could have been a model back in his younger days, but accountancy obviously seemed more fun to him. Cooper's personality however, is something that he has developed from nobody but himself.

“Oh yeah son, fine, at least the cab driver wasn't as crazy as the time we visited Blaine over in Queens-”

“Oh yeah,” Cooper interrupts, voice booming with an arm stretching out behind his brother's shoulders. “Speaking of that, where the hell is your Queens apartment baby bro, you're living in Manhattan now?” Blaine blows out a steadying breath, readying himself for this conversation. He nods slowly, glancing over to the kitchen where his dad is looking disinterested and his mom is busy peering into Cooper's kitchen's cupboards. Oh man, he so should have stayed back in New York with Kurt.

“Um yeah, I uh I live with my boss, I'm a personal assistant, now.”

“Oh wow, that's…different but cool,” Cooper turns in his seat, his long legs knocking into Blaine's uncomfortably, his face a wide smiling mask of enthusiasm. “Is she hot? Not like you'd care but-”

Blaine's tries not to laugh, Cooper although a lot of years older than Blaine is like a child, and laughing would only encourage him. He glances over to the kitchenette where his father is now sitting at the table and his mother is frowning at whatever she has found in Cooper's fridge. The pair of them oblivious to the current conversation, why do they even care about visiting with their sons if they're not going to at least act interested.

“Um,” Blaine switches back to his brother, “Well he's a guy-”

“Oh, well then you would care if he's hot or not. Is he?” Cooper waggles his eyebrows and Blaine feels a blush creep up his neck.

“Oh have you not seen him in those magazines Cooper, what's his name again Blaine? Kip, Kirk, Kirk Humden-”

“Woah woah woah, Kurt Hummel? The designer Kurt Hummel? You work for him, you're living with him?” Blaine can only sit silently, as his brother continues to swat at his knee, his jaw hanging open incredulously. His mom never listens ninety percent of the time, but this, this, she listens to and remembers and decides to pipe up.

Blaine stills Cooper's hand trying to swipe at him, “I-yes, yes Kurt is my boss and-”

Cooper punches his shoulder as he tries to face away from him, “No freaking way, Blaine, why have you not hooked us up?”

“I-wait what?”

“Put us in contact, Blaine that guy has like a thousand connections, he could get me a job, he could hire me, I could model for him-” And Blaine thought that inviting Kurt this weekend was an appropriate thing to do. Blaine turns and faces his brother once more, keeping his arms pinned to his sides with his hands.

“Cooper calm yourself, I can't do that, I can't jeopardize my job, and honestly I wouldn't know where to start, but if Kurt ever asks me for any recommendations or if I know anybody who would be interested in working for him in some shape of form, then you're first on my list, how about that?” Cooper listens to his brother, nodding his head slowly with wide eyes, and then he starts grinning and claps his hands together, obviously easily placated.

“That's what I'm talking about, that's why we're brothers.” Blaine just smiles tightly and nods, his mother wanders over with a tray of mugs and a glass coffee jar and his father mutters something in the background about biscuits and possibly something about designers. She places two cups in front of the boys on the coffee table, filling them up and wanders away again.

Blaine is just about to lift his coffee to his lips, when Cooper suddenly snaps his fingers in his direct line vision, causing Blaine to startle and almost drop his cup, murmuring a juicy curse under his breath. “That's it, it's him isn't, Kurt's the reason why you didn't come see us for Christmas, he's why your not wearing hair gel?” Cooper swipes his fingers through Blaine's hair before he's abruptly pushed away.

Cooper holds his hands up in mock defence as Blaine rolls his eyes, “Hey he's a hot guy, I get it, I can totally see why we never hear from you anymore.” Blaine shakes his head and stands to join his parents at the table with his coffee. “Hey Blaine?” Blaine turns his head back to his brother, hoping that something different or most importantly sensible is going to come from his mouth.

“Yes Cooper?”

“What did he get you for your birthday? Was it awesome? Can you sell it on EBay, I would totally sell that shit on EBay.” Blaine spins back around in his seat, shaking his head and looking down into his coffee. Birthday weekend or not, this may just be the longest weekend of his life, with his ass-hat brother and mostly disinterested parents, but the truth of the matter is, they're family, and whether they show it in the best ways or not, his family love him, and Blaine can't help but grin a little.

*

Blaine wakes up on an unfamiliar mattress under his back, he stretches his arms above his head and wrinkles his toes which peak out from under the to light duvet, his shoulders crack and the muscles in his lower back ache. His skin feels too warm, sweaty and moist dressed in a cotton button down shirt and loose trousers, he groans at the feel of the clingy fabric wrapped too hot and tight around his body, he can't remember the last time he wore PJ's to bed, and actually kept them on, all night. He has a certain somebody to mostly thank for that.

A delicious familiar ache starts to swirl around deep and low in his stomach, as his mind starts to provide some useful images and memories to help accompany his morning…situation. He moves a hand slowly under the covers, fingers inching towards the waistline of his PJ pants just as he eventually cracks his eyes open. He almost jumps right out of his skin with an unmanly gasp and a shriek, his hand flying out of his pants with a harsh snap back against his skin, if he wasn't already lying down, he'd swear he would have fallen right down onto his ass.

He remembers now, he's in LA for the weekend, staying in Cooper's apartment with his parents. He's lying on an air mattress on Cooper's bedroom floor, and Cooper is currently towering above him by his feet, holding out a muffin with a lit candle sticking out of the top and an almighty grin plastered on his face. Oh yes and it's his birthday.

Cooper cooks breakfast for everyone later that morning and they sit at the table to enjoy it altogether, civilised and surprisingly family like. Blaine opens his birthday cards and giggles at the humorous drawings and limericks, he already has his gift from his mom and dad, his return ticket, and doesn't expect much else. His family are wealthy, they're not hard done by, but they just don't express themselves through gifts, especially not now there are no children in the family. He unwraps a bottle of Jack Daniels from Cooper with a mischievous grin and quirk of an eyebrow and his father tells him about a website with the best rates for stocks and shares, as if it's the best thing Blaine will ever hear, Blaine nods along using his best acting skills. When everything is cleaned and tidied away his mother sets about baking a birthday cake, asking their father to head to the corner store to pick up some ingredients and Cooper offers to take Blaine out on to the beach and show him some sights.

They're strolling along the beach, barefoot with the warm grains covering and sliding between their toes, with a rather large ice cream cone each and dark shades perched on their noses. The early afternoon sun, even while still early in the year is boring down hot and bright, it washes over Blaine's skin and he can't help but feel relaxed. For the first time in a long time he's starting to feel a little accomplished, he's happy again. He finds it fascinating, remembering back to his college years when nobody could tell him any different, when he couldn't get enough of singing and performing, when all he wanted was to hear a crowd screaming his name and echoing his lyrics written by his own hand from his own head and heart. He can't understand that so many months and years later, here he is, so far from that life yet still feeling happy, he never knew there could be another option for him.

Yes Blaine still loves music, he always will, when his fingers are not gliding over the keys of a piano or entwined with guitar strings, he will always miss the feeling, it's just something that's engrained within him, music flows within his blood. He's not giving up, Blaine Anderson does not give up, but now he's able to understand that he has a different direction to take, a new path. He's old enough now to realize that it's not be all and end all, life will not end when one chapter of his life closes, its expands and creates room for growth and for more.

Blaine's life, his heart has learnt how to make room for somebody like Kurt, somebody who he didn't know he could feel so attached to. He loves his job with Kurt, he loves how it feels to be needed by him, to be depended upon, he loves having his opinions valued and his work appreciated. Blaine's heart still flips in his chest when he remembers the musical instruments sitting in the study, the ones that Kurt had put there, for Blaine. He's been in there a few times since discovering them, when he has a few spare moments, when it's quiet and nobody's around. He looses himself in the feel of the polished wood and plastic, the melodies that build from his fingers flow around him and he's always teleported somewhere else, a whole new headspace. No, Blaine will never forget this love and this passion, he can't, but he can redirect it, he can find a new outlet for it, he can think of some way to interweave his old life with his new, his old love with a new one, if he should be so bold to let that that word even enter his head.  

Cooper is busy giving Blaine a rather detailed story about his latest encounter with a kind of co-star whilst walking alongside the blue sloshing waves, Blaine is zoning in and out of the conversation, half stuck in his head and half giggling and a little repulsed at what Cooper is telling him when he feels his phone buzz in the pocket of his khaki shorts.

He licks at his hand where his ice cream has started to melt and dribble and fishes his phone out. He's not at work, he's not even in New York, but he still couldn't bear to leave his work phone locked away and switched off all weekend. He's never spent so much time away since he started the job, and there was something slightly uneasy about being so far away from it all, with no means of knowing what's going on, you know, just in case. He unlocks the screen and reads the message with a slow building grin.

Kurt P

12.41

A very Happy Birthday to you! ... Sorry for being a little late in the day, didn't want to interrupt family time. Hope you're having a great weekend. Jes says hello, well he says meow. K

Blaine's skin feels light and tingly, he feels giddy for some reason, it's just a freaking text message. His fingers skim over the screen like lightening tapping out a response.

Blaine Work

12.41

Thank you. Yes it's…nice, no really it actually is, crazy I know. You could never interrupt anything Kurt. Meow back to Jester for me, hope you're having a good weekend also and not working!?! B x

It's one of those moments when your brain and your muscles and limbs work in alliance with each other and your body has gone and done something before you even give permission for it to happen. He pushes send before he can backspace and delete the X. Oh what the hell, the pair have been more than intimate with each other over the past months, what the hell is a little textual kiss going to do, grow up.

Kurt P

12.42

Me? Not Work? Who do you think I am! I'm bored and you're not around, there's nothing else to do… no pun intended!

P.S Why do you have your work phone with you? *Pot calling Kettle*. K x

Blaine feels his cheeks grow warm, and he can't wipe the grin from his face. By this point his ice cream is pretty much melting all over his hand and upon noticing this Cooper kindly takes the cone from him and finishes it in a record amount of time.

He allows himself to perform an internal happy dance, re-reading the message over and over, his eyes falling over the little X that Kurt had so fucking adorably decided to copy from Blaine and add. 

Blaine Work

12.42

If I didn't have it with me then how could we communicate right now? Cooper is trying to get you to hire him by the way, don't' worry I've contained him for the time being…x

Kurt P

12.43

Oh I have my ways. Thank you for that, one Anderson is enough for me. K…x

Blaine smile's at the message, he can picture Kurt smiling down at his phone as he reads and types, an ache pulls deep within him, he can't place this feeling, he cant understand this deep need and longing. He glances over to Cooper to find him silently staring at him, his megawatt smile firmly in place and even though he's wearing shades Blaine knows that his blue eyes will be sparkling mischievously, all too knowing. Cooper may be a dumb jackass at times, but he's older now, they're both not just kids anymore, or annoying young siblings. Cooper is wise and strangely knowledgeable in some areas, and if nothing else he's his brother, he just knows him.

“It's him isn't it?” Blaine glances around self consciously, a sudden feeling of panic washes over him. Kurt is a high profiled character, he's well known, and Blaine is in LA, with his brother who is less than subtle and would do just about anything to make it big. “Hey, hey dude.” His face must be completely readable because suddenly Cooper is standing right in front of him, grabbing him by the shoulders and giving him a light shake. 

“Cooper I, it's he's-”

“Hey I know, it's cool, you don't want all of the publicity and neither does he, I get it, I wont blather, I promise,” Cooper lifts his shades to rest atop his head, letting Blaine look deeply into his eyes, something about it calms Blaine, like Cooper is desperately trying to show his honestly and loyalty through the depths of his eyes.

“But B, you're gonna get it anyway though, you know that right? Working for somebody like him, you're gonna be in the spotlight.” Cooper squeezes his shoulder reassuringly and Blaine for whatever stupid reason feels a warm sting press behind his eyelids. He thinks about the reporter from the fashion event and the upcoming premier and nods weakly.

“I know Coop, I kind of already am, we've had experiences with the press, I know how to handle them now, sort of, it's, it's just with me and him, I don't know what's going on between us but-”

“Its ok squirt,” Cooper squeezes again and smiles brightly, “I get it, I know, you don't have to explain-”

“Cooper how can you know? I don't even know what's going on.” Blaine sighs, slightly exasperated.

“You like him yes?”

“Well, yeah, of course,” Like an obscene amount “but I-”

“And he likes you back yes?”

“Well yeah, I mean I think so, I don't, I mean yes he does-”

“Then you gotta just trust in that and let things play out. I hope that you don't get yourself hurt in all of this little bro, but I've never seen you in such a tizzy about anybody quite like this before, so it must be special.”

Blaine lets Cooper's words, sink in for a moment. He has always trusted in Kurt to not break his heart, to not hurt him, that is something that he decided upon almost instantly long ago, he won't start doubting it now.

“Blaine, I know that we don't talk an awful lot now, and I don't know what's going on with you or how you even got to where you are now, but I hope that you're happy, sometimes love and take that word however way you wish, it changes you, you can change what you love, love is adaptable, and just pay no mind to nobody else, as long as you know what you want and you're currently living your life the way you want to, screw everything else, as long as you have a handle on things yourself.” 

Blaine feels the sting at the back of his eyes once again, mixed with a sudden warmth flood through and fill his chest. Cooper starts speaking again not giving him time to react or respond. “And listen, I know that you may not see or hear of those kids you used to hang around with back in school or college or whatever, but that's ok, they don't define you, nothing defines you B, just shoot them a quick text now and then you know, just say hey, don't ever be ashamed or embarrassed, as long your happy remember?”

Blaine rubs at the back of his neck, trying to stifle a sniffle. God how can Cooper, suddenly just get him, how can he suddenly just know. He finally calms himself enough to look back at his brother and punch him playfully in the chest. “When did you get so smart Coop?” He teases and laughs ducking out of the way when Cooper tries to get him in some sort of head lock.

Eventually they part and playfully push each other away with breathless giggles and carry on walking up the beach front, Cooper mumbles something about needing an iced latte whilst looking around for a vender. Blaine feels the weight of his phone still curled protectively in his palm, remembers the open message box and unlocks the screen. He takes a deep breath whilst typing quickly. Trust.

Blaine Work

12.49

I miss you. X

He doesn't even get time to lock his phone and put it away when it buzzes in his hand, and a new message pops up instantly.

Kurt P

12.49

I miss you too x

Blaine closes his eyes, his chest thumping wildly as relief and delight and joy washes over him. This could well be strangely, one of the best birthdays Blaine remembers having to date, and he can't wait to get back to New York tomorrow to carry on the celebrations.

*

On Sunday morning Blaine's parents treat he and Cooper to breakfast at a pancake house not far from the airport. After Blaine's third helping and second mug of coffee he finally declares himself full and pushes his plate away with a groan and light pat to his stomach. The night before had been refreshing to say the least, when he and Cooper had returned from the beach his mother had made a spread of baby cupcakes, cookies and almighty chocolate birthday cake. They enjoyed a late dinner at a fancy fish restaurant out on the promenade and after returning home and singing happy birthday to Blaine, his parents retired to the spare bedroom whilst he and Cooper stayed up until an ungodly hour of the next morning and made good work of the bottle of Jack he'd received earlier that day. Suffice to say plenty of water and aspirin had been consumed throughout the morning.

Hugs and goodbyes were shared not long after the cheque had been paid and the waitress had cleared their table, they had already brought their luggage with them and a cab was on its way to pick Blaine and his parents up and take them to catch their flights. Blaine was surprised to find that he actually was feeling a little a melancholy at the thought of leaving his family. Something had shifted within the dynamic of the four of them, his parents although still somewhat disinterested and boring were now tolerable, he felt like he could be himself with them, and not ashamed. Sure there was still so much to share and talk about, so much of himself that his parents would probably never understand but at least he had Cooper, Cooper who he actually, whole heartedly is going to miss. He knows that the next time he makes this trip, he isn't going to wait so long, and maybe next time, he will bring somebody extra along with him, he'll insist on it.

Blaine feels warm and tingly, as he thinks of that, somebody. Excitement courses through him at the thought of the reunion that will take place in a matter of hours.

After check in, Blaine grabs a coffee and finds a vacant chair in the departure lounge to get settled for the wait, his parents are at a different terminal and after waving them off through the busy crowds of the airport rush he made his way to his own gate.

He scrolls through news feeds on his phone, watches some pointless videos just to pass the time and when his gate number and call time finally flashes up on the big TV screens and is announced loudly over the speakers, he packs up his stuff and stands, when his phone screen lights up with a message.

Kurt P

13.05

Have a safe flight. Let me know when you land, Sam will come and collect you.

Blaine Work

13.05

Sam? But it's Sunday, he doesn't work on Sundays. I'll get a cab, no problem. X

Kurt P

13.05

Just do it, no buts!! x     

*

The flight is long and tiring but Blaine is able to doze on and off, he had a window seat and was pleasantly surprised to find he was sitting next to an elderly couple who insisted on humming show tunes to each other for the best part of the journey. He switches his phone back on when he's passed through the arrivals line and security and does as he's told and sends a message to Kurt letting him know that he's landed safely and currently on his way to baggage claim, waiting patiently with the rest of the not so patient passengers of flight 293.

Finally he spies his bag making its way around the carrousel and he swipes it up swiftly and makes his way through to the exit. The late afternoon spring breeze picks up when Blaine gets through the doors and out into the muggy New York air. He winces at the long line waiting for cabs and grins gratefully at the fact that he doesn't have to join it. He looks to the right where there is a holding area for pick ups and drop off's and spies a familiar black Lexus with a personal registration plate, flashing its headlights at him.

He makes his way over and pulls open the back door, throwing his bag onto the seat and gliding in after it. “Hey Sam, thanks buddy, you didn't have to do this though-” He looks up as the tinted divider window rolls down between the front and the back seats, and he's met with a pair or familiar breath taking eyes, glinting at him and a toothy grin to match.

Blaine's heart beats double time in his chest, his lips part with his words forgotten on his tongue. Kurt is beaming back at him through the rear view mirror, sitting in the driver's seat with his black leather gloved fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly and Sam's hat perched atop his head.

“Hi there, Birthday boy.”

“Hey.” His mouth feels dry.

“I kinda missed you, couldn't wait for you to wait in that cab line.” He shrugs and winks through the small mirror, Blaine's whole body thrums, his face lighting up.

He nods weakly, for some reason unable to find his voice or any coherent words. He just wants to climb through the small gap and mould himself against Kurt.

“Ready to head home?”

Home. The word seeps through him and hinges deep within. Yes Blaine is ready, he's ready for anything with Kurt, always has, always will.

“Drive fast.”