They practically plough through Blaine's bedroom door with so much unexpected force that only god can know how the thing isn't left hanging from its metal hinges. How they even made it from the garage and up into the elevator in an appropriate manner, and getting up the stairs in one piece to the bedroom hallway are wonders to behold also.

The short car journey from the airport back to the condo, had been a bit of blur, with Kurt driving a little over the limit, his eyes trained on the road ahead, determined and Blaine cannot be entirely certain that he didn't run a red light. During some small talk of the general basics, Blaine had relayed rather excitedly his surprising highlights from the trip away and Kurt had fought back a fond tender smile, watching the way Blaine's face softened and lit. Kurt had told Blaine that Santana had already been and gone for the day, meaning the condo is completely at their disposal, Blaine's body had been vibrating against the plush leather interior ever since. They don't have to say much between them, not with words, the smouldering longing gazes with each glance through the small mirror and their tense body postures have been able to say it all perfectly clear.

Jes has the right mind to jump down from Blaine's bed and scatter from the room with a quiet hiss before being squished by two writhing bodies, as Kurt backs Blaine further into the room and over until the backs of his thighs are hitting the edge of the mattress. Their mouths never part, tongues licking pathways for entry, teeth nibbling and lips sucking fiercely, as nimble fingers work at clasps and zippers.

There is an unspoken air between them, an atmosphere rich and thick, igniting them both through and through, it's heady and feisty, pure need and want, which completely interprets as ‘I missed you so much.'

“You taste like Whiskey.” Kurt mumbles huskily as he licks into Blaine's mouth, gently pushing at his shoulders until Blaine complies and sits on the edge of the bed. Kurt perches suggestively over his lap as Blaine smiles into the slow sucking kiss.

“Mmm, I think you may be the best hangover cure I've ever had.” Kurt arches an eyebrow lightly, pulling back to look at Blaine's face, with his flushed cheeks and darkening dilated pupils.

“Birthday drinks?” Blaine grins and nods, his eyes landing on Kurt's lips.

“Jack Daniels, Cooper's birthday gift.” He leans in to take Kurt's lips again but is left chasing after his mouth as Kurt pulls back again, enough to speak lowly, their lips just brushing.

“You didn't go out? To a bar?” Blaine furrows his brow in a questioning gesture, tilts his head a little to the side, so that he can get a good look at Kurt staring back at him. Kurt's eyes are that familiar stormy sea on a cloudy day shade, but they're a tint darker than Blaine thinks he has ever seen them, dark and deep and heavy. Kurt's gaze is narrowed on Blaine, his wet swollen lips pursed, in silent thought. His expression is not angry, or even scrutinizing, it's more one of general curiosity, questioning, matching the subtle tones of his voice and very possibly with an extremely feather light touch of possession.  

Blaine shakes his head slowly, his arms tightening around Kurt's shoulders, fingers locking at the juncture at the top of his spine. His eyes never leave Kurt's, his voice is deep and rough, like it's being pulled up from his vocal chords. “Cooper got me a bottle, we done our best with it with what mixers Coop had in his cupboards, after dinner when our parents when to bed.”

And just like that something seems to snap within Kurt, an invisible but fairly obvious tension rises from his shoulders and his eyes lighten and swirl with bright greens and glassy blues. He ducks his head and nips at the scruff lightly lining Blaine's jaw line. Bizarrely, Blaine feels like an adolescent who has just been let off the hook with something, a kid who has lucked out on a reprimand. A feeling swirls within his gut as Kurt trails a line of bruising kisses into his skin from his throat to the bare uncovered skin of his collarbone, a strange feeling, one that he can't place or understand, but one that he likes nonetheless.

Blaine hisses lightly when he feels the sudden bluntness of Kurt's teeth dig into his skin, Kurt's sculpted nose pushing against the fabric collar lining of his shirt and then his tongue sliding over and soothing over the stinging marks of skin. Blaine feels that strange sensation wash over him again, from the pit of his stomach rising up to settle and spread through his chest. His ears are almost ringing, pulsing with the sounds of his pumping heart thudding hard and fast. It's a strange feeling, like he's being owned, like he's being marked, as some kind of warning somehow, a warning that some how reads ‘you're off the hook this time', and it feels fucking delicious.

Kurt peels the hem of Blaine's shirt from the waistline of his jeans and up and over his head, dropping it to the floor swiftly and easily before helping Blaine remove his own shirt. Usually Blaine would have chosen to freshen up a little after travelling, but he was hardly given the option, and right now with the feel of Kurt so prominent and eager on top of him he can't bring himself to care, and he knows that Kurt couldn't care less about it either or he would have dragged them both into shower by now.

Within what feels like no time at all, Kurt has them both gloriously naked and rutting against each other on top of the covers, too far gone to bother peeling them back first. Kurt is sprawled over Blaine's chest, his knee bent between both of Blaine's legs, arms pinned to either side of Blaine's head, panting into his mouth, making the most gorgeous sounds. Their cocks are both equally hard, pulsing and aching, bumping against each other's, causing delicious whimpers and shivers to run through them and out into the musky atmosphere between them.

Kurt's lips leave Blaine's mouth, pressing heated kisses around his face before starting a wet trail down from his chin and past his sternum. Kurt is just reaching his belly button, his tongue flicking out to lick over the slightly neatly trimmed pattern of dark hair there, when Blaine bucks up with his hips, and bends his upper torso upwards and to the side to reach out into his bedside table.

Kurt grins, groaning lightly into Blaine's skin, nipping at the soft lower fleshy part of his stomach when Blaine retrieves the small bottle of lube and drops it down on to the mattress beside them. Kurt reaches out, uncapping the bottle and pouring some cool liquid droplets into his palm, he rubs his fingers together before taking Blaine tightly into his fist, and stroking him hard and fast, in short and precise movements. Blaine moans deep in his chest, spitting juicy low curse words out between ragged breaths, but before Kurt can advance any further, he lowers his hand and tugs at Kurt's wrist, uncurling his fingers from around his dick and pulling them down.

Kurt trails his fingers down between Blaine's firm rounded cheeks, grinning slyly, unaffected by Blaine's obvious need for a change of course. He takes the remnants of lubricant with him as he goes with the glide of his finger tips against Blaine's skin, circling the pad of his thumb around Blaine's puckering hole. He replaces his thumb with the tip of his finger which quickly becomes two, soft pressing circles until finally he pushes in, and keeps pushing until he's knuckle deep. Blaine squirms around him, panting and whining, taking it like a champ, like it's his job. He flexes his hips and grinds in time with each movement that Kurt's hand and fingers make inside of him, it's everything and it's perfect, until the stretching is starting to feel too raw and open, like its too much, until it suddenly starts to feel just not enough.

“K-Kurt, Kurt please, more, god more Kurt.” Blaine's words are barely there, rasped and gravelly, as he sucks in a deep breath which each push of Kurt's fingers against his swollen sensitive prostate. Kurt moves his free hand to Blaine's cock, wraps his fingers around him tightly and squeezes. Blaine grunts, squeezing his eyes shuts, it's too good, it all feels too fucking good, but it's not what he wants, not what he needs, not now. He places his hand over Kurt's and moves it away from him and over to Kurt's own cock, protruding out harsh and sharp from his body, leaking and pulsing at the tip. Their eyes lock on to each others as Blaine's squeezes his fingers around Kurt's on his cock, and tugs him down and closer towards his own writhing body.

He's flushed all over, glinting with sweat, and the late afternoon sun peaking in through the half closed blinds, spreads warmth and shadows over their already heated bodies, it's almost too intense. Kurt's eyes flash like lightening, but Blaine holds his steady eye contact with him, parting his bended knees wider, as Kurt's fingers begin to slow and still inside of him and Blaine tugs their hands wrapped around Kurt's cock down towards his gaping hole.

“B-Blaine.” The word sounds choked, pain mixed with pleasure on his tongue, gritting past his teeth and his lips. Blaine leans up on his elbows, as Kurt removes his fingers slowly from inside him, but Blaine keeps them connected with their hands around Kurt's cock, he can feel Kurt pulse beneath his fingers, he can feel how much he wants this, how much he wants him.

“Please Kurt, please, I need this, I need you, please, want you, want you inside, waited so long for this.” He's rambling but he could give two fucks. He needs more, he feels like he could implode from wanting it that badly. It's time now, he's ready, he doesn't care about the consequences.

Kurt licks his lips and swallows hard and roughly, his bright eyes blinking, trying to shift but their interlocked gaze is too heavy, his hips give an involuntarily thrust forward and he jerks back, finally pulling free of Blaine's grasp and settling on his thick strong thighs. “Blaine, please, I can't, you know that I-”

Blaine sits up and rests on his knees, almost between Kurt's parted thighs, his chest heaving sweaty and slick, his curls wild around his head and eyes bright hazel around dilated pupils.

“I know, it's ok, it's all still ok, nothing that I promised you has changed,” He's lying, he always has been, but Kurt doesn't need to know that, not right now. If he's being completely honest Blaine actually believes that in some hazy part of his brain Kurt is in fact all too aware of how much truth is laced around the words that he offered to Kurt before their first time together intimately before Christmas.

“I just need you, please-” Blaine reaches for him but Kurt catches his wrists, staring into his eyes, a set of shimmering blue against wild burnt out honey.

Kurt leans forward and settles his forehead against Blaine's, closing his eyes and allowing his heart beat to try and return to a slightly steadier rate. The air between them is almost stifling, the scent thick and rich of clean sweat, traces of soap and aftershave, pure man and lust and desire. His words are deep, his tone slightly pleading, like he cant trust himself, like he's going to snap at any moment, his willpower is going to crumble. “Blaine, please don't do this, don't-”

Blaine cups his palms over Kurt's hands and settles them at the sides of his neck, his thumbs rubbing slow reassuring circles into the backs of Kurt's rigid, almost shaking hands.

“Why Kurt? Why? I know that you want me, I know that you want to do this, we're so good together, let me make you feel good, what are you so afraid of?”

There's a harsh intake of breath, followed by a cool stream of air. He can feel the temperature drop around them, his skin prickles with sudden unease. “Because, I don't deserve you, I-I'm not worthy enough for you to give that part of yourself over to me.” Blaine almost doesn't the catch the words, they're spoken so softly, so quietly, so brokenly, as if treading on eggshells.

“K-Kurt,” Blaine pauses, he doesn't know what to say, he doesn't know how he can talk Kurt out of this hold on himself. Kurt's biggest demon is in fact himself. Kurt is talking crazy, and he isn't being entirely fair, this is Blaine's choice, this is Blaine's mistake to make, if it's going to turn out to be one, but Blaine just can't let himself think that it will turn out to be a mistake, he can't and he won't. Maybe he should fight fire with fire.

“Kurt you-you promised, you said me and you before I left for the weekend, this is it, this is what I want, I want you Kurt, I don't give a shit about what or who you think you are, I don't agree with you, I'm not some priceless virgin Kurt, I'm not a kid either, I don't care, I need you, I've needed you for so damn long-”

Blaine is cut off by a firm press of Kurt's lips to his, it's fast and slick and messy and all teeth and tongue, a hint possessive, before Kurt's pulling back with a wet smacking sound.

“Can't you see, you dumbass, it's because I fucking care about you, you know this, I know that you do, I can't just fuck around with you, like I have with other guys, not you Blaine, and shit, your-you're my fucking assistant for crying out loud, god I shouldn't have-” He cuts himself off with a choked off sob, voice slightly cracking with pressure, he runs a hand through his hair, sticking it up in all directions.

“Shouldn't have what Kurt?” Blaine's skin prickles, ice filling his chest, but Kurt only shakes his head, eyes squeezed shut.

Blaine sits back slightly and watches him in the fading afternoon light, just watches him for a few silent seconds, his chest heaving and mind reeling. Shit, he so was not expecting any of this, he wasn't prepared for any of this, and then a twang of guilt fills his chest, maybe he should have been. He aches to reach out and pull Kurt against him, the need feels almost too painful, throbbing through his veins, but he doesn't want Kurt to retreat or withdraw and run and hide, because holy shit, Kurt is actually opening up, Kurt is admitting something, about him, and nothing about it sounds at all like ‘just casual'.

The conversation that Blaine had shared with Santana not long ago here on this very bed, comes flooding back to him in fractured parts. ‘He cares, he's protective, not fooling around'. Blaine stares up into Kurt's eyes, which have now reopened and turned so very blue, wide and clear, shot through with dots of green and grey. Blaine blows out an unsteady breath, keeps his palms plastered to his knees.

“K-Kurt?” Kurt shakes his head again slowly side to side but at least he is looking at him now, shoulders sagging, his brow creasing, he looks so defeated, so small even in his strong wide frame, the sight stops Blaine in his tracks, any words he thought he had, dying and falling silently from his lips with a hush of shaky breath.

Kurt leans in and down and slowly as if uncertain at first presses his lips, trembling a little to the underside of Blaine's jaw, firm but soft and fleeting before he lifts himself up and off of the bed, striding out of the room, picking up his clothes quickly as he exits, before Blaine even has the chance to think of or utter another coherent word.  

*

The night is sleepless, Blaine twists and turns, switches his pillows over, tosses his duvet over onto the floor and retrieving it again moments later when his skin pimples from the cool midnight air, he does this multiple times. The TV is switched on, playing to nobody on mute in the dark silent room, Blaine flicks through multiple pointless apps on his phone, considers cleaning out his closet, stares in jealousy at Jester sleeping soundly beside him.

He feels sick, his temples pounding, his insides flooding with worry and panic and regret. His emotions spike and waver multiple times throughout the early morning hours. He doesn't even know how to start and correct this, whatever the hell it is that he needs to do, or if he even should do anything. He thinks about waking up to another letter, one like he had all those months ago, only this time it doesn't all work out quite the same way. He clenches his eyes closes, furiously shaking the thoughts from his head, that wont happen, Kurt wont do that, Kurt wont make him go away, not because of this, whatever the hell this is. It's all much too confusing.

The feeling and memory of Kurt's lips pressed so tenderly against his jaw is like a bruise to his skin, seeping and digging in under and under, a feeling so haunting, one that he hopes he will never lose, one that he hopes he will get to refresh and that it wasn't the lingering trace of a farewell.

Without being asked, his fingers tap over the small screen of his phone, clutched tightly in his hand against his chest and bring up his contact list, his thumb hovering over Kurt's name, his eyes staring at the four little letters so hard that his vision becomes blurry. With a deep sigh and a frustrated groan he slams the phone down on his side table and buries himself under his duvet, clenching his eyes closed. Nothing he could try and say or do would do any good, not at this time in the morning, he needs to ride this one out, he knows this. Blaine needs to give this, needs to give Kurt, time, he needs to trust that this will all work out eventually, two words that he has ingrained all too knowingly by now within head and his heart.

*

Blaine walks into his office a little later that morning than his usual time but still before official working hours, he won't ever be known as tardy, not even after a god awful night. He finally gave up the fight, his eyes starting to heavily drift closed barely an hour before his alarm was set to wake him up, and pulling himself out of bed just after dawn and into the shower was like military mission. He spent too long under the too hot downpour of water, letting the heat and the steam wake him up and loosen his tense and tight muscles. He had tumbled out of the shower, dried himself, shaved and dressed as smartly as he could find the strength to do so and finished off with swiping some gel through his rubbed dry hair, slicking it back carelessly and differently to how it had been used to getting treated recently.

The office is warm and light, with the blinds strangely already open and the early morning sun spreading its heat through the windows and into the room. Most importantly it's empty and silent. Blaine goes about setting up for the day after the weekend, logging on to the system, checking there has been no changes to the schedule for the day. When he's checked some emails and is satisfied that nothing needs replying too urgently, he steps out into the main entrance once again, heading for the kitchen to start brewing some coffee. He stops dead in his tracks, eyes widening, heart pounding, the air is already thick and rich, filling his nose with the scent of coffee beans filtering through the machine in the kitchen, and god knows that they cant just do that by themselves.

The first thing Blaine sees when he enters the kitchen with tentative steps, is Kurt's face. He looks beautiful and heart breaking. He's leaning up against the back kitchen counter beside the coffee maker, he's facing him, but he's staring well off into space, his eyes wide and bright and shining, his shoulders poised and tensed.

Blaine takes a few careful strides until he's standing in front of him, just inches apart, Kurt's eyes slowly shift and come back into focus, landing on Blaine's face, taking him in. “Hi.” Blaine feels a pang in his chest with just that one word spoken, so soft and gentle, almost breathless. There's a wistful smile just hiding at the corner of those pink pouted lips, Blaine can just see it, he aches to trace the shape with his finger and brush his thumb over the light shadow of Kurt's stubble, which he obviously decided not too shave. 

“Good morning.”  Kurt side steps slightly and there's already two mugs of coffee, full to the brim, piping hot, waiting behind him on the counter top. Blaine leans to the side, looking at the cups and then nods his thanks. His hand flinches at his side, eager to reach out and grab, but not for the coffee. “Kurt I-”

Kurt stiffens immediately, straightening up, his blue pinstriped fitted shirt tightening up around his body with the way his muscles flex, even where it is tucked into his navy suit pants. “No, not during work hours-”

Blaine's hands ball into frustrated fists at his sides, clenching at his trousers, “Kurt I seriously think that we need to-” Kurt's sets his chin, his gaze sharp and piercing, fixing on Blaine steadily.

“This is not professional, you know this.” Each word is slightly more enunciated than usual, and Blaine has to bite back an annoyed groan. He rolls his eyes, landing on the face of his watch wrapped around his wrist.

“Actually Mr Hummel, it's only seven-fifty-four, I am not contracted for another six minutes.” He wants to swallow back the words as they rush out of his mouth with more bite than intended, it's too late, but as he dares a glance up at Kurt's face, he's surprised to see a glimmer in his eyes, and a definite shadow of a smirk on his lips.

Kurt takes a careful step forward, the leather toes of their shoes just brushing together faintly with a light squeak, an eyebrow quirked, eyes darkening and sparkling dangerously. “Oh, is that so?”

Blaine clears his throat, he must be brave and he must be bold, he's technically not doing anything wrong or out of order, not right now, and Kurt doesn't seem to be particularly bothered about it.

“Um yes it is, and I cant go on throughout the whole day, like this, not knowing, I wouldn't be able to perform my job properly, which would then lead to a lack of professionalism on my behalf, which is something that you obviously do not want.” He gulps for breath when he finishes, eyes darting to something interesting on the kitchen tile beside his shoe, cheeks flushed, a light sheen of sweat breaking out over his forehead.

Kurt takes the last step, closing the space between them, he taps his finger against Blaine's chin, tipping it upward slightly, his smile is positively devilish, growing wide and toothy and Blaine cant believe the comparison from just a few moments ago.

“You're right, that is not what I want.” His voice is deep, husky, Blaine can do nothing but blink back at him, so Kurt continues, “What is that you want to know?”

Blaine suddenly feels like he can breathe normally again, deeper, his skin tingling and loosening up, “I um, I want to know that we're ok?” Kurt's eyes widen, and his features suddenly soften.

“I want to know that too.” His words sound almost like a confession, whispered into the quiet kitchen, echoing off the stainless steel cupboard and appliances and marble tiles. “I'm sorry for the things that I said to you, if I um, if I upset you or anything. I didn't mean to lose it like that, not with you.”

Blaine reaches out and takes hold of Kurt's hand without thinking about it first, he entwines their fingers and squeezes tightly, reassuringly, lightly he sways their joint wrists between their bodies.

It's an answer, a wordless declaration, that sends sparks jolting through their touching skin, Kurt nods lightly and Blaine nods back, he must know that nothing he can do or say will ever deter Blaine, nothing. There's so much more that Blaine wants to say, that he wants to know, but not now, he's only just restraining himself from tap dancing up on the counter tops.

“More importantly, are you ok?” Kurt smiles shyly and nods, Blaine's squeezes his hand and it feels like a ‘good, me too', it's a gesture that is pure and sure and certain.

“I um, I guess that I also need to know, that I um, I still have a job?” Blaine winks and Kurt barks out a breathy laugh, it's a beautiful sound, with his head tipping back lightly, all tension easing from between them and gently slipping away.

Kurt shakes his head, still smiling as his laughter dies down and starts to step back, “You are delightfully surprising, you know that?” Blaine grins smugly and shrugs his shoulders, Kurt playfully leans in and punches him lightly in the chest as he moves away, though Blaine catches the movement and bravely grabs Kurt's hand, tugging him forward and brushing his lips against his knuckles. Kurt gasps softly, but does nothing to stop it, Blaine's feels his arm go lax in his grip like Kurt is giving up to him, giving himself over, but as greedy as Blaine is, especially with Kurt, he's not stupid enough to push it. He places one last gentle chaste kiss to Kurt's hand before letting his fingers fall from his grasp with one last squeeze and stepping away.

Blaine glances at his watch and then back up at Kurt, whilst reaching past him for his coffee, “Now if you'll please excuse me, my boss will be waiting.” He feigns his best serious look and steps past Kurt as he takes a sip from his mug, he swallows and makes a face, stops and looks back over his shoulder at Kurt who is watching after him silently and rather incredulously.

“Remind me to teach you how to make coffee, my boss would not stand for this.” He winks and strides from the room with more spring in his step than he ever thought possible.

*

The rest of the working day and the week for that matter goes without fault. They are able to remain professional and appropriate when out of the condo, Sam eyes them carefully whenever he's in their presence, and when Santana drops by one night through the week to drop off some dry cleaning, Blaine thinks that she's going to hyperventilate. She side eyes the two and drops lewd innuendos whenever she gets the chance until Kurt finally ushers her into the elevator at the end of the night, before collapsing into Blaine's waiting arms and his strong chest vibrating with silent laughter.

Kurt follows Blaine up to his bedroom some nights, and Blaine thrills in the feeling of falling asleep whilst still panting, heavily sated against Kurt's bare ribcage, though the feeling is often short lived when hours later he'll wake through the night to a dip in the mattress beside him and blink wearily into the dark hours of the early morning as he watches Kurt's shadow silently leave the room.

They haven't talked about what happened after getting home from the airport, they haven't discussed what Kurt or he himself wants or needs from each other since that night which started so wonderfully and ended so drastically. Blaine knows that they need to, he needs to bite the bullet and bring it up without pushing Kurt or making him feel too forced or cornered or out of his depth. Things have returned to normal between them whilst back in ‘the bedroom' also, Blaine still wants to take things further, he'll never not want to, and he knows that Kurt wouldn't have forgotten about it, but has instead chosen to be blissfully ignorant and teases and pushes and pulls Blaine to orgasm in the way he knows how, the way he wants to. 

The past few days have been so nice, so calm and relaxed, the pair have been able to get on with their jobs as normal as well as being able to appreciate each other and stretch the limits of ‘completely professional' during private working hours. Blaine cant bear the thought of having another eruption like they did the other night and disrupting the peace, but he wont give up, and he means that no more for himself than he does for Kurt.

On Saturday night they end their work after a long day of drafting up business proposals and future meeting arrangements, they arrange to meet back downstairs after changing out of their shirts and ties, for a few quiet drinks and a spot of dinner. The living room is empty when Blaine pads through on barefoot, dressed in loose slacks and a polo t-shirt, music is playing softly from the sound system and there's a bottle of wine chilling in a cooler on the bar counter. Something is boiling in a pot over the stove in the kitchen and the oven light is on, indicating that something is heating through inside. Blaine walks over, his nose filled with the delicious smells of Kurt's cooking, he uncorks the bottle and pours a generous amount into two glasses, while he waits for Kurt to join him.

He's quietly sneaking a few small sips from his glass when his eyes land on a square cream envelope lying against the breakfast counter in the kitchen. Blaine glances to the open doorway to find it empty, he listens for sounds of approaching footsteps and hears nothing but the soothing lilt of the music filtering through the speakers. He sets down his glass and wanders over to the kitchen, his hands dug into his pants pockets a little sheepishly. 

The envelope is medium sized and looks quite thick, with Blaine's name written neatly along the centre and the outline of a birthday balloon drawn around it in black ink. Blaine bites his lip, barely holding a small smile as he traces the edges with his finger.

“You gonna open it or just look at it?” Blaine whips his head around to find Kurt now standing in the archway of the living area, watching him with an amused look on his face.

Kurt is looking entirely too gorgeous with a pair of dark jeans and a tight t-shirt tucked into the low hanging denim waistline, his hair flopping softly over to one side.

Blaine picks up the card and starts to tear open the seal as Kurt makes his way towards him, picking up his glass of wine on the way and coming to perch on a stool next to Blaine. The birthday card is plain and simple, with bright colours and intricate patterns on the front and inside the message simple reads,

‘Happy Birthday, I'm sorry I missed it. Kurt x'

There's a silver guitar plectrum with Kurt's initials and his company logo engraved on one side and Blaine's initials on the other, balanced in the crease of the card, Blaine picks it up with careful, gentle fingers and twists and turns it, getting a good look. It's pretty awesome and so totally cool, he's touched, and the way he beams up at Kurt whist holding it says as much. Kurt smiles and nods back down to the card where Blaine finds a small card taped to the inner side of the front cover.

Blaine peels it away and holds the plastic between his fingers, bringing it up to his eye line to see exactly what it is. Kurt clears his throat, “It's a um, well it's an airline travel card, I uh, I already made you the plec and I had just planned to make you dinner or something, but then I seen how excited and happy you were after your weekend, and maybe it was just a one time thing, but I still wanted to tell you that you can go and visit with your parents and your brother at anytime, you should while you still have the chance, life is short Blaine, don't forget that.”

Blaine feels his throat restrict as he listens and watches with almost full eyes, rubbing the plastic between his finger tips, “Kurt I-” Kurt waves his hand dismissively.

“It's nothing really Blaine, it's hardly exciting, but its yours to use whenever you want, I don't want you to have to worry about travelling-” He's cut off with a choked off rush of air as Blaine falls between his arms, landing against his chest with a light thud and wrapping his arms around his shoulders, breathing warmth into his neck.

“Thank you Kurt, that's incredibly thoughtful of you.” Kurt feels the words whispered against his skin, hears them hushed into his ear, and allows himself to be embraced by Blaine. It's true that it's not the most exciting of gifts and probably hasn't put a dent in Kurt's bank balance by a long shot, plus there's also the fact that with the wage Blaine is currently earning, travelling isn't a money issue for him, not anymore. But money is not everything, Blaine is not materialistic and Kurt knows this about him, he's learning that Blaine doesn't care for the finer or greater things in life, as long as it's special. The thought that comes with the gift, the shy glint in Kurt's eyes, the flush of his cheeks and the bashful smile growing on his lips, tugs at Blaine's heart strings more than any gift probably ever will again.

“You should maybe listen to yourself once in a while.” Blaine murmurs as he pulls back, eyes slightly misted over as they bore into Kurt's.

“What's that?”

“Life's too short, you should listen to yourself, you're absolutely right.” Blaine watches the way Kurt's breath catches in his tender throat as he gasps softly, his pink lips parting, tongue darting out the flick a wet line over the crease. Blaine readies himself for the response, maybe a witty remark, some form of backlash, but Kurt only blinks back at him silently with sparkling stormy eyes, his features softening.

“I know.” He says softly after a few painfully long seconds, “I should, I'm getting there, I-I'm learning I guess.” Blaine smiles, unsure how to respond, he feels his chest tighten at the softness of Kurt's words but at also at how heavy and weighted they are, laced with unspoken truths. Tentatively he reaches up to stroke back a stray strand of Kurt's silky soft hair which has fallen out of place, Kurt's eye's flutter closed with the movement and Blaine feels a little lost in the moment.  

“Hey,” Kurt's eyes snap back open to find Blaine grinning at him, “by the way, you didn't miss my birthday, I left you here.” Kurt nods, his eyes smiling. “You're right I did love it there, surprisingly, but I still kind of wished I was still here with you at the same time.” Kurt brings his finger up to bop playfully at Blaine's nose.

“I guess there's next time right?” Both men's eyes flash wide open, it's hard to tell which one looks more shocked, shocked at the fact that Kurt had said it or shocked at the utter sincerity that was laced within the words which were more a state of facts then a question.

“Yeah, yes there is.” Blaine is almost breathless, the word rolling off of his tongue from nowhere, and then when he thought he had trouble breathing before, the weight of Kurt's lips pressed firmly against his is enough to leave him almost winded and swaying on his feet if it wasn't for Kurt holding him upright.

They kiss and kiss, soft and slow, breathing into each others mouths like a life line, until finally Kurt draws back and cups Blaine's jaw. “I want to make a promise to you, the way that you did to me, the way that you have honoured it and treat me so wonderfully and for god knows why-”

“Kurt-” Blaine tightens his hands around Kurt's waist, he feels like Kurt's words are just about going to saw through him like a blade, he doesn't want to hear Kurt belittle himself anymore, he can't take it, he doesn't need to understand why Kurt feels the way that he feels, he just wants to start helping Kurt feel good about himself, that's all that matters to him now.

“No, let me finish, please.” Kurt gently brushes his thumbs over Blaine's lips, causing him to quiet and still. “I am going to promise you that, although I cant promise what it exactly is that I can give you, I promise to try, I promise to let you help me to try, you are something I never accounted for, you are somebody I never thought I would have in my life, when I first met you I knew that you were different to anybody I'd met before, but I didn't know how, I didn't know that you would have this effect on me but you do, and I like the way I am when I'm with you, the way you make me feel, there's just something about you that drives me almost crazy, I cant even explain it.”

Blaine knows that feeling, he knows all to well. Suddenly he feels too light on his feet, Kurt's words are boring down on him, flooding his head and his heart all at once, he can't believe what he is actually hearing.

“I frightened myself after hiring you, I didn't know just what I'd let myself in for, I know what you want from me Blaine, and please believe me when I say that I want that too, god do I want that, I know what you may have been told or lead to believe about me, and just, just please wait, please wait for me.”

Blaine can't take it anymore, his lips are on Kurt's in an instant, crashing down on him, pulling and sucking through wet slaps and gritted teeth, moans erupting from his tight throat and groans grumbling up from deep down. “Anything,” It's almost like a growl against Kurt's chin, “anything for you Kurt, you must know that.”

The sound that Kurt makes is much too delicious and suddenly Blaine is up on his back, sprawled out against the cool hard surface of the counter top, with Kurt climbing up, hovering above him and straddling his sides. The wine glasses are hastily slid out of the way with just minimal spillage which Kurt's cleans up with a swipe of his finger, drawing the droplets into his mouth and then Blaine's.

Blaine nips the pad of his finger, “Can I ask one thing?” His pupils are blown, toffee coloured and full as he stares up at Kurt with a look of reverence. Kurt nods down at him, sucking his lips between his teeth suggestively.

“Where does this put us? Like what's our current status?”

Kurt furrows a brow, not really understanding, Blaine watches as a wave of momentary panic washes over him, his bright eyes large and rounded. Blaine leans up on to his elbows, trapping Kurt's body between his knees and mumbles deep and low.

“I mean is this still a ‘until further notice' thing?” He wiggles his eyes brows as best he can, as he makes his best naughty expression.

“Jackass,” Kurt laughs as he pushes him back down playfully and attaches his lips to Blaine's throat. “Just let me worry about that, ok?” He murmurs into Blaine's skin as his tongue dips into the hollow curve at the join of his neck and chest, and really Blaine cannot argue with that, he also doesn't think he's going to have to worry about the word ‘casual' for a while.