The sun is pouring in hot and sticky through the office windows of the condo and Blaine thinks that if he slackens his bowtie or undoes one more button at his collar or cuffs, he may as well not be wearing an appropriate suit at all. His curls are breaking free from their mould and his jaw feels itchy from his morning shave, the simple barely there hum of the computer is giving him a head ache and the AC isn't doing as good of a job as he knows it should be, state of the art or not.

Heat is good, Blaine likes the sun and the warm weather but not in these circumstances.

He's pondering these thoughts and toying with the idea of what office slacks may look like paired with some leather strapped sandals, when Kurt appears in the doorway.

Clearly Kurt is also affected by the gruelling August weather and is dressed not far off from Blaine's makeshift summer office wear. His shirt sleeves are rolled up and he's about one long gold heavy chain away from looking like an overly dressed frat boy with his extra-unbuttoned black shirt and light grey loose Chinos. His hair is a little dishevelled and his brow looks damp like's he just wiped a cool cloth over it, but regardless of all of the above, he still looks incredibly and unfairly hot, in both the literal and the physical sense.

It's midweek, a little after Three in the afternoon and the two have been uncharacteristically in their separate offices for most of the day, trying to concentrate on their own deadlines before the end of the working week.

Kurt's deep gaze drags over Blaine's body as if he hasn't seen him for weeks, and then has the audacity to try to act like he did no such thing as he leans against the doorframe.

Blaine sits back in his chair, almost panting at the sight in front of him mixed with his other need for cool fresh air. No matter how many ice-cold lemonades Santana has brought him since she dropped by a little earlier today to do some chores, cooling off with refreshments is now no longer an option and with the way Kurt shifts restlessly on the balls of his feet, Blaine gets the feeling that he's not alone in that feeling.

It's been Four Months now here with Kurt, and although there still hasn't been a great deal of personal back stories shared, there are improvements nonetheless.

Blaine has learnt that Santana makes a living for herself in the city in a variety of ways and happily and unashamedly so. She's signed up to a modelling/advertising agency and does the occasional shoot, nothing ‘star' worthy but enough to add to her resume. She's not a sell out, she's just slowly building up recognition and merits for something that she still isn't entirely sure of.

Santana has a hell of a set of lungs on her as Blaine overheard one morning when she was scrubbing the tiles of his shower and her power ballads playlist was on loud speaker over on the counter. She's recorded some jingles and provided back up for some one hit wonders at both live events and in studio recordings, and the whole ‘cleaning' for Kurt thing started as a joke and then continued as the result of a lost bet.

Santana enjoys working for Kurt, she told Blaine that herself even though ‘work' is a loose sense of the word, and like Kurt had said about keeping his friends close, he gets the feeling that Santana feels the same way. It's like she likes to be within a short ‘supporting' distance of Kurt, to be there for him in more ways than none, and that ‘working' is the best excuse for that, the money from all of her ‘side jobs' mixed with Kurt's paying salary is keeping her steadily on her toes until her big break of whatever that may be for her, and as far as Blaine can gather she's more than fine with that.

As for Sam, even though they now go out on Blaine's free nights sometimes, or enjoy a few games of cards at the breakfast island, and Blaine may thinks that he may now have found a valid reason to dust off of his Xbox, Blaine still hasn't got to his history yet. Whenever Blaine tries to sway the conversation towards that direction, Sam always responds with, ‘Kurt is a great guy and has helped me more than anyone can know', and Blaine doesn't really like to press, not with sweet, quiet Sam. Blaine's working on it though.  

As Blaine had hoped prior to his interview, he has made a friend, he's made three, he hopes, and he continues shamelessly hoping for more, more from one of his ‘new' friends.

Santana is useful to him in more ways than none and he's thankful for heavy yet also light hearted presence in the house. Although she fires Kurt up to no end, she also loosens him up, and Blaine is starting to see snippets of a slightly happier, more care-free Kurt, the more the three of them spend time together. Blaine also lets himself think that it could also just be himself, he is helping Kurt open up and be more of himself that he knows he can be, not ‘business Kurt'.

It's been two months and nothing has been mentioned of their dinner at the Italian restaurant, and what Kurt had said. Blaine thinks about talking to Santana about it sometimes, but really what's the point, he doubts that it's nothing she doesn't already know, and Blaine still has to remember that he is working for Kurt, it's not appropriate for him to ask such things, not yet. Blaine also remembers the argument he overheard between the two that time, in Kurt's office. Blaine won't forget, but he'll wait, as always.  

“Um,” Kurt gestures a thumb over his shoulder casually, “You wanna head out?” Blaine doesn't need to know where or why, and it's not an uncommon question, sometimes there is just that need to get out and air their heads, as always he follows. And with the way Kurt is looking at him a little hopefully, with flushed cheeks and plump lips, Blaine doesn't need any other reason than that and is already rising from his chair whilst closing down all of the open windows on his computer desktop. Not like Blaine would ever say no to Kurt anyway and not just because he's his boss.

Kurt's lips raise at the corners when he sees how Blaine eager is and glances over what Blaine's wearing discreetly, he smirks at how crumpled his cute little purple bowtie is, almost hanging from his neck though still tied at the ends.

“Hey, um, why don't we lose the tie huh.”

Blaine straightens and looks on incredulously, grinning shyly when he sees Kurt smiling at him like he understands, “Oh, um o-ok.”

“In fact,” Kurt bites his lip and looks up to the ceiling in thought, “let's lose the office gear altogether,” He glances out of the window to the bright blue skies and fierce yellow sun and Blaine follows the movement, he gets the meaning, “meet me at the elevator in five.”

His eyes flick back to Blaine's, deep and powerful and blazing and then he's gone and Blaine is left alone in his small office, with parted dry lips and feeling a little more than just hot under the collar.

When they meet up again Blaine has to double take, swallow hard and then look again as he drags a canvas boat shoed, sockless foot over the squeaky hardwood floors, just for something to do. He was a little worried at his own outfit choice, a simple pale blue polo unbuttoned down to his chest matched with khaki knee length fitted shorts and a pair of yellow Ray Bans, but decided to run with it nonetheless giving the short time frame he'd been given, and actually found himself feeling overdressed upon spying Kurt trotting down the steps a minute or so after him.

Kurt's hair looks like a well placed hand has been ran though it, sticking up stylishly at the tips, and Blaine sub-consciously runs a hand over his own hair where he tried to re-style his curls with a dab of water. Kurt's long lightly haired strong legs are uncovered with a pair of three-quarter length charcoal chequered cargo shorts and a pair of flip flops on his feet. His chest, smooth and pale and hard is positively bulging through the thin fabric of a black tank top and Blaine would bet anything that his shoulders would be rippling under the loose white short sleeved shirt that's hanging open off of them.

Blaine wants to raise his fingers to his chin just to make sure that his mouth is not in fact hanging open, Blaine has never seen Kurt dressed so casual yet powerfully charismatic before. In fact he has never seen anybody ooze such superior energy and still undeniably fashionable whilst wearing a pair of Kurt Geiger sandals, Kurt is most definitely one of a kind.

Kurt twirls a pair of reflective aviators in his fingers as he comes to stand before Blaine and pushes the button to call up the elevator, there's a small smirk playing on his lips as he glances over at Blaine, knowing fine well what he must be thinking.

The elevator doors slide open with a ding and Kurt steps inside, head raised and shoulders rolling with each careful stride. Blaine follows, coming to stand beside him, hands fidgeting at his sides and at a loss for words some reason, god its only clothes.

“I like you in summer wear Blaine.” Kurt surprisingly and bravely decides to say into the quiet and Blaine is a heartbeat away from letting all thoughts tumble from his lips of exactly how he feels about Kurt's summer attire when the unmistakable wolf whistle from where Santana was last seen mopping the kitchen tiles can be heard just before the metal doors slide closed, both men pointedly choose to ignore it.

*

Central park is no less busy than expected, there is no space over the whole proximity of the place that isn't occupied by people of all ages and size and sorts, soaking up the rays. Everybody seems to have the same idea, there are throngs of suits and ties sitting on the fountains edge, families with picnic blankets and deck chairs, jogger with dogs running alongside with lolling tongues. 

Kurt has found them a spot slightly in the shade under a large tree out in the open, there are other groups huddled around but far enough way for them to ‘be on their own'. Their little spot is still warm enough to sit happily on the grass with their bare arms and legs out on display but not enough to get burnt by the unforgiving sun.

Kurt is propped up against the tree trunk, his glorious legs stretched out in front of him and ankles crossed, phone in hand and a can of soda balanced by his thigh, he seems relaxed and calm basking in the slight rays filtering through the leaves and the branches and Blaine could just look at him like this all day, he hopes that the dark lenses of his shades will provide some lenience for that.

Blaine is sitting beside him, facing him with crossed legs and hands balanced on the ground at his sides, providing purchase for him to lean back. They're sitting on a comfy plaid blanket which Sam had fetched from the back of the Lexus and thrust into Blaine's hands, they didn't need transporting today and Sam had been told to go and cool off for the afternoon.

Blaine also has his phone laid out on the blanket in front of him and his head is lowered as he taps at the screen, a collective ding from both hand-sets rings out and Kurt's head snaps up as Blaine smirks.

“You just got her email right?” Blaine grins.

“Yeah, we can do tomorrow, that shouldn't be a problem, if we just move back-”

“I don't want to move Robert back, because then we'll miss our reservations later-”

“Kurt, don't worry, we'll cancel the brunch meeting, that's not important and then if we head over to the-”

Blaine was cut off by Kurt's short brusque laugh, his head leaning back against the rough bark of the tree trunk, ruffling his hair. He pulled his glasses off and rubbed at the bridge of his nose and the corners of his eyes which were illuminated by the bright of the day. Blaine laughed with him knowing what Kurt was laughing about, he loved this about them, how in sync they were, they really were a perfect team.

“You know for a bank manager, you'd think she'd be a bit more punctual-”

“Well she's not and you like this one, so lets just compromise and-”

“I don't even know why we have to go, it's not like she's going to say anything I don't already know.” Blaine doesn't miss the ‘we' and wonders whether it was intended or not.

“I think it's important to be told that your riches are safe and still earning their keep locked up in a Vault guarded by Dragons-” Kurt laughs again and tips his chin to look at Blaine, eyes alight, he looks almost angelic in this light, his face no longer strained with tension or mundane tiredness.

“You just wanna go, because you like the way she looks at your ass.” Blaine is still smiling and doesn't know whether to tense up or grin harder at Kurt's playful comment. Their working relationship and friendship has grown into this now, easy teasing and playful back and forth's but Kurt has never said anything like that to him before.

Words rise up without permission at the back of Blaine throat and he fights to bite them back down, ‘are you jealous?' thankfully Kurt saves him before they get the chance by prodding his knee with his sandaled foot, “Ok, make whatever changes you need to, she'll hopefully only keep us for Twenty minutes tops.”

Kurt isn't wrong, his Bank Manager seemingly felt like she didn't need to hide the fact that she was openly checking him out, even in her Forty-Eight years of age with a Twenty year marriage and three kids, and even then Kurt had still possessed that peeved look about it him, but gracious all the same.

Blaine nods and swallows, he picks up his phone and starts thrashing out emails and messages to amend tomorrow's schedule. He feels Kurt's sandal rub against the bare skin of his knee again trying to get his attention and he looks up at him, it feels better than it should and Kurt is in a playful mood today so it seems, Blaine tries to contain his shiver. He wonders if Kurt even knows what he is doing.

“So, you remember me telling you about that press conference event right, it's in a couple of weeks time in California?”

“The one that you'd said you weren't attending this year?”

“Yes, that one, I've changed my mind, I want- I think I should go.” Blaine grins a little at him and lowers his phone.

“I knew you'd change your mind, you act like you're not, but you are a social butterfly and you can't keep away from such possible juicy, idle gossip.” Blaine draws out the words comically and Kurt rolls his eyes with a smirk. He knows that Kurt knows he is only joking and that, that is not the reason why he's changed his mind. Kurt is very instantaneous in his decision making and there could be a million things running through his head, Blaine has learnt to never completely take everything that Kurt says so seriously, Kurt can be very rash.

“Yeah, yeah what's your point, so um, I'll forward you the details so that you can book-”

“I'm on it,” Blaine nods his head as he goes back to typing away, “I'll book you an early flight so that you can get there and check in early, freshen up, I'll call up and see if the penthouse suite is still available for you.”

“Us.” Blaine looks up, he hears the word, but doesn't understand why Kurt is saying it, not instantly. Kurt catches his eye and continues before Blaine can formulate anything.

“You'll be coming too, I know that we've never discussed it recently, but it is in your job description, it's just that nothing has came up before now that I've needed you to attend with me, publically.”

Blaine blinks and nods, he's not shocked, he shouldn't be, Kurt's right this was addressed in the interview process, it's just that, it's actually happening. There may be press and photographers and interviewers, and Blaine will be there, with Kurt, watching it all firsthand. He'd never consciously thought about that side of the job before and doesn't know how he feels about it, honestly. He manages to find his voice finally as he swallows a couple of times and looks back down to his phone in his hands.

“Of course, yes. I'll see that they have two suites then, or I could just book a double room on the floor below for myself-”

“Why?” Blaine blinks back up and Kurt is now leaning forward, hands braced on his own legs, head tilted to the side and looking at Blaine like he has taken a particular brand of crazy pills this morning. Blaine is starting to feel like he has, he doesn't know why is brain isn't catching up to common sense today, he blames the heat.

Kurt continues once again without leaving room for Blaine to talk his way through whatever issues his brain is having, there is a slight upturn to his lips and Blaine instantly relaxes knowing that Kurt is at least still enjoying himself, even if it is at Blaine's expense.

“Blaine, we live together, why do you think that we need two separate suites? The penthouse will have enough space and a bedroom and a bathroom each, it will be just like being back at home, and it's only one night.”

Home. The word sounds comfortable rolling off of Kurt's tongue, Blaine likes the way it sounds and the way that Kurt's face softens when he says it, he doesn't know what's different about the word now as apposed to a couple of months ago. He doesn't know what exactly it is about all of this but there is definitely something that is making Blaine's stomach flutter with the thought, of spending a night away, working away with Kurt.

Blaine tightens his jaw and nods, he smiles and before he looks down at his phone, his eyes catch with Kurt's, bright and shining, understanding.

“Yes Sir.”

*

The conference is a fashion event of sorts, it's held annually and usually in the same place over the course of one weekend. It's opened up to a large portion of the public who can buy tickets and win contests in order to get a space, it's very similar to a lot of common fan based events where people and celebrities show up to show appreciation for the same subject and dedicators of that subject, in this case, its fashion.

Kurt has been invited to join the panels and the festivities here every year, ever since his face was printed on a cover of Time some years ago, and he still doesn't know why that even was. Kurt had enthusiastically accepted each offer up until a few years back, when he decidedly grew tired of it and stopped attending.

Kurt is not here to work this year, he's here simply as an event guest, to come and go as he pleases, he isn't taking part in a panel this year, but the invite is always there. He may no doubt may be asked to be interviewed once or twice over the course of his time here, but it will be different for him this year, the whole experience, he's not alone, he has Blaine, and that is interesting enough in itself.

They arrive on Saturday morning, and after checking in to their hotel and enjoying a room service breakfast of fruit and croissants in the dining area of their suite, they freshen up and head downstairs to the chauffeured car that the event organizers had sent for them.

There's no need for them to dress for ‘work' this weekend, Kurt had made that clear when packing for the trip, but Blaine still cant help but to gape in surprised delight and lick his lips a little from behind the kitchen counter, when Kurt obliviously strides into the shared living area, wearing fitted dark jeans, a white shirt tucked into the waistline behind a brown distressed leather belt with matching shoes and a casual patterned scarf draped around his neck.

With a little encouragement from Kurt and the assistance of their tailor Blaine had packed similar clothes for the weekend and had opted for a pair of dark jeans which clung to his thighs and backside and rolled up at his ankles, a black fitted t-shirt and a red lightweight cardigan over the top. He was excited and he didn't think that he would be, he wasn't dreading it, he just didn't think that the thought of clothes would ever appeal to him in this way so much, or maybe it was the thought of Kurt dressed like that and glued to his side for the next day ahead that was so appealing.    

After retrieving their various VIP passes in forms of wristbands and neck pieces, they spend the first hour or so walking around the venue. They pick up a coffee each as they walk around the various stalls and stands, and Blaine smiles politely at those who approach Kurt, wanting to say hello and taking the odd photo with him, Blaine assumes they are fans, fashion students and keen magazine readers.

Kurt is not overly famous or recognisable everywhere that he goes, and Blaine is a little thankful for that, but here is like his domain, these people are his people, they talk his talk and Blaine is starting to see just how wide his success has spread. Kurt has opened up a few ranges since his first all those years ago, he has teamed and partnered up with a few associates and is now looking to invest in something new, something different and edgy.

Kurt makes polite small talk with a few faces who Blaine recognises from various places and when he moves on back into the security of Blaine's side and the brightly, beautifully and mostly uniquely dressed crowds he mutters into Blaine's ear about what he truly thinks about them. It's more easy going and laidback here than what Blaine had expected, but honestly he didn't know what to expect at all, he just knows that he is thoroughly enjoying himself so far.

They eat lunch at a salad bar in the VIP section in the catering tent and drink light sparkling wine whilst Kurt tells Blaine stories from the previous year's events.

One of the panels that Kurt is always invited to join consists of a handful of a variety of designers, old and new, young and old and from all walks of life. Not your average run of the mill talented folk, who make a range and then bask in the limelight forevermore. This panel is for ongoing designers who strive to create and recreate over and over again, producing new and specific ranges, some gifted to charities and to the less advantaged fashion conscious population. It's a prestigious panel and those invited to join are often known as privileged and envied gratefully by many.

Something settles within Blaine's stomach and rises up to his chest, something close to pride, the way Kurt is approached and spoken to here, the way the staff are tentative around him, Kurt is respected here, he is considered important here and though he is his normal quiet and closed off self in response, he is nothing short of polite and appreciative.

They're making their way through the line to where the panel is about to begin-Kurt may not be joining this time but he would still like to watch from the audience- when there's a set of simultaneous flashes up ahead and a chorus of voices. Blaine feels Kurt tense beside them as they move forward and before he can realize why, Kurt's name is being called by more than one voice and they are being ushered unwillingly over to a barrier beside the room entrance where there are a small group of mostly men holding cameras and microphones.

Oh.

“Mr Hummel you're back, why are you not behind the panel this year?”

“Kurt, is it true that-”

“Kurt, where have you been, could you tell us what you're working on at the moment-”

“Mr Hummel, who is your new friend?”

“Assistant, friend or other?”

The voices are all unnecessarily loud and their tones a shade shy of obtrusive, Blaine can't say that he's liking it all that much, he wants to turn to Kurt for guidance.

“Mr Hummel, Kurt, Hi, good to see you again, is this your new assistant?” Blaine's eye dart to where the last question had been fired from to find a petite woman battling her way to the front of the barrier, with a microphone and an intent, determined gaze. Blaine thinks that Kurt is going to ignore all of the call outs until he steps forward towards the woman and offers a small wave.

“Hey, it's good to see you again too, been a while.” He knows her, Blaine thinks, he steps forward also as Kurt continues, he doesn't know what else to do.

“Yes it is, my only assistant, this is Blaine, Blaine Anderson.” Kurt turns to Blaine with a small smile and a subtle head nod, his gaze is steady on his and Blaine swallows and nods towards the woman who is grinning at him with a look that says she already knows who he is.

“Hello.” Blaine offers with a slight squeak which he didn't permit. This is all knew territory for him, Blaine is used to talking to people, answering questions and charming the pants off of anybody, but this is all new, it's different. 

“Yes hello dear, how are you finding your new boss?” Kurt laughs lightly and Blaine feels it through where their arms are rubbing lightly together in the close proximity.

“Oh delightful, Kurt is great to work for, I-I'm loving being here also, it's so exciting.” He's not lying. Kurt smiles and catches eyes with the woman as she holds her microphone out further. 

“Sweet,” she says mostly to herself, “So Kurt you're not speaking from the panel today, we haven't seen you here for a while, may I ask why?”

“You may,” he smiles, “I'm just, I have been hanging back and although I'm back this year, I'm interested in what will be released and up and coming and honestly I just want to try and relax and enjoy myself… I don't have anything new to brag about either, but you know me always something in the pipeline.” He offers a playful smirk and a raised eyebrow and the reporter chuckles.

“Good for you,” she says, “and Blaine,” Blaine startles at the mention of his name, he's not expecting more questioning, or any at all for that matter. “I know you said that you're enjoying yourself here today, but honestly how does it feel being here on this side, working under somebody like Kurt.”

“Oh –um,” Blaine clears his throat, “Could you um- I-I don't understand the question?”

The reporter grins that same sweet smile but there is a hint of something else there now, something a little disconcerting and Blaine feels Kurt tense once again. The doors are opening behind them and the staff are calling for the VIP guests to enter and take their seats.

The woman raises her voice to keep their attention, “Well before this job you were on your way to your stardom yourself were you not? How does it feel losing all of that and being on this side of it all, I've heard that you-”

Blaine feels something firm and warm grip at his upper arm and he's suddenly stumbling backwards. “Thank you for your time.” Kurt almost grits out as politely as possible still and pulls Blaine further along with him until they are through the doors and in the quiet of the conference room, with just a treacle of people filtering in from the other entrances of the room.

They take their seats and Blaine misses the feel of Kurt's reassuring palm curled around his arm, Kurt is muttering something under his breath about why he stopped coming to these events and Blaine's head feels like its spinning on his shoulders. Kurt turns his face towards Blaine but his eyes are downcast, his voice is low and the people around are starting to filter in excitedly around them, Blaine almost doesn't hear Kurt speak. “I- I am, um, are you ok?”

Blaine is a little surprised at the question and he honestly doesn't know how to answer it. He crosses a leg over the other and leans back, trying to get comfortable, he turns inwards a little bit towards Kurt, causing their knees to knock and brush but neither men move.

“Yes, I'm fine, a-are you?”

Kurt looks at him, and his eyes are blue and deep and full, empathetic, he nods. “We-we can talk about it if you want, not here, later.”

“Don't you have a manager or something, aren't you supposed to have one at these things for those reasons.” Blaine doesn't know where the question has sprung from, it just did, he's curious and the words sound bitter, they feel bitter on his tongue, but he doesn't mean them to be. Kurt inhales and then releases a short breath.

“Managers are for movie stars and platinum recording artists, not people like me, I don't need one, I have taken care of myself long enough, and that's no different now.”

“Kurt-”

“Later, Blaine.” Kurt words are collected and his tone even and Blaine feels himself ease with how surprisingly calm Kurt is. The seats on either side of them are filled and Blaine smiles politely at their new neighbours whilst Kurt pulls out his phone and pretends to look busy. Their knees remain lightly brushing each other, like some form of comfort is being passed through the touch of their fabric covered legs.

Blaine knows that he should maybe feel a bit upset, he should feel a little shocked and deflated. He and Kurt haven't really discussed Blaine's past career in that much depth, and that woman had certainly done her research, he doesn't understand, he doesn't know why he is being asked questions like that.

All he knows is that right now, he does feel a strange comfort that he didn't know he needed with Kurt sitting broodingly quiet beside him, he doesn't feel dejected like he thinks that he should.

He is looking forward to later, as Kurt has promised him, he is always looking forward to more.