“Oh come on Kurt, It's New Year's Eve, what else are ya gonna do? Stay in by yourself with Tai takeout and reruns of The Bachelor?”

“Well, I uh, y-yeah-”

“Oh god no, no you're not, look we're only going to that new place that opened a couple months ago down the street-”

“The Stage?”

“Yeah, we're going there, just a few quiet drinks between friends to see in the New Year, then who knows where the night will take us-”

“Rachel I, I don't know-”

“KURT, you're young, you have a steady job and income, you have a home and a fabulous, irreplaceable room mate-” He rolled his eyes, “you don't have work now until the 2nd, come on, you need this, you need to get out and meet people before it's too late-”

“Before what's too late?”

“You're number is up, and you're old and alone because you never pushed yourself to do anything new with your life and/or meet anyone, and the next thing you know you're ‘that sad, old guy' that sits by himself in the third row of every off-Broadway matinee-”

“Oh my god Rachel, that's, that is just so-”

“For me Kurt, for your friends, because it's New Years and it's a big thing, or simply just for you, come on do this for you, maybe you'll see that bar tender you told me you liked when your work friends finally managed to drag your butt out-”

“And by that I meant I absentmindedly glanced at him as he dried some glasses behind the bar and paid no attention to me whatsoever whilst I was being served by somebody else, one time, Three weeks ago, and I've never been back since-”

“Well yes maybe you can watch him creepily from afar again until you're heart is content up until the clock strikes…please?”

He could sense the small smile on her lips despite the pitiful pleading tone, he sighed.

“What are you wearing?” She screeched causing him to wince and pull the handset away from his ear a little.

“Ah great, I knew you wouldn't let me down, I'll be home by Five sharp to show you.” She hung up abruptly, leaving him curled up on the sofa of their shared New York City apartment, with his cell phone half cradled in his hand and half resting on his shoulder. 

Maybe The New Year will bring good things, maybe it will be my year, just maybe…

*

Seven O'clock found him in his bedroom standing in front of his floor length mirror which was propped up against an old antique vanity dresser he'd found at a flea market one time. He was wearing a plain black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows a small stainless steel broach clipped to the pocket on the right side, a pair of Charcoal fitted slacks and a pair of simple black dress shoes, and as a perk of his job, they were all tailored, fitted and clinging to body perfectly, highlighting the best parts which were actually most parts and best of all they were free.

He looked good, he always did and he knew he did, he'd filled out since school and even more since graduating college, he'd grew taller and leaner, his cheek bones becoming more defined and muscles lightly toned along his upper arms, calves and thighs, he could even say he had the beginnings of a six pack, just a little one, and a soft, very subtle light fuzz growing along his jaw line which he usually chose to shave off every other day or so.

He had big bright eyes, which were always greeted with a double take whenever he met someone new, they were enchanting, a mixture of sea green and blue and stormy grey, they widened and glistened with each expression that passed over his face and told a million stories. He had a good head of hair too, a mop of chestnut brown with natural golden highlights which he mostly swept up off his face into a quiff-like fashion with silly amounts of hairspray.

He turned heads, from both genders, and no matter their sexual orientation, he had an air about him, a striking confident personality, a young ambitious man who strived to better himself and be who he wanted to be. But at night, when work was over for the day, whether it be a day in the office, or a working lunch or dinner meeting and drinks, when he finally shuts the door and relaxes back into the couch cushions, that's where it all ends, and he's just Kurt again, Kurt who has a job and loves it but it's not exactly what he wants to be doing, not anymore, Kurt who is ready for a steady relationship, ready for something new, something more, Kurt who is happy but still seeking, Kurt who is not alone but lonely still.

“Hey you ready? Oh you look great, I told you matching outfits was the right way to go, we compliment each other perfectly …” Rachel literally twirled into his bedroom, her little black dress with a charcoal sash swinging around her bare legs and her bounty of brunette curls flowing around her shoulders, her eyes were wide and bright and smile matching, she looked expectant and happy and hopeful. He smiled back, through a small quiet sigh, squaring his shoulders and patting down invisible creases in his shirt.

“More than ever, let's go.”

*

The Stage had mysteriously opened recently just a couple blocks from their apartment, the building used to be a well known local theatre under the same unimaginative but still pleasantly likeable name that had been open and fully functioning many years before hand, it was a little run down and old fashioned but it had heart. Unfortunately with the passing years and many new openings of new, bigger more appealing theatres The Stage became less and less popular, resulting in less intake of money each month, which lead to repairs and requirements not being met which ultimately lead to the very sad closure of the building. Nobody knew or heard of what happened to owners or people who worked there, only that it was a family ran business, and that the building was to be left untouched.

Now years later, The Stage stands big and proud and new in the same old spot, glistening with new doors and windows, grand spiral staircases and pillars spruced up and rebuilt, walls pulled down, propped back up and repainted. Only now it's a bar, and a rather large and glamorous one at that. The décor is a mixture of reds and gold's and creams, with polished wood furnishings and shiny black surfaces. The tables are old antique wood taken from one of the older smaller stages, the chairs are the same old style theatre pull down seats, 6 in a row only now fixed up and stapled and stitched with new fabric. The length of the initial bar counter is almost the size of the whole width of the lower foundation of the grand room, it's black marble shiny counter top bounces brightly off of the over head chandeliers and reflects in the various floor to ceiling length mirrors scattered around the room.

Behind the bar and slightly higher is-was but now is again, sort of- the old main stage, blocked off by a heavy thickset large black curtain. It was said, rumoured, within the first opening days of the Bar that some things couldn't be, were not allowed to be touched or altered in anyway, not even in the slightest, something down to original rights and planning, and one of those things on the list was the grand stage. There were also minor details, such as decoration touches and the odd placing of floor tiles here and there, which were either original or reminiscent of the old days. Overall the whole new layout was odd and oldie-worldly but strangely beautiful, unique and welcoming, and the place had become a definite hit, busy everyday from open to close and busting at the seems at weekends.

Like tonight, New Years Eve, the night infamous for new beginnings and fresh starts, promises and clean slates.

*

At just past Eleven O'clock Kurt was polishing off his third Gin and Tonic, in between drinks he had been treated to Two rounds of Tequila shots and one round of Shorts of Jack Daniel's Whiskey and Tennessee Honey from friends who also occupied his table. He was at that stage of feeling not quite drunk, but definitely tipsy, loose and carefree, taking in the sights and sounds around him happily, the nervousness he normally felt in these kinds of social situations starting to ebb away with each sip. The friends they were out with consisted of a culmination of old college friends, both old and current work colleagues and general members of the public who Kurt and Rachel had been lucky enough to befriend in a fashion along their New York journey.

He and Rachel had been old high school rivals, turned besties when they were both accepted to the same New York college, somewhere in between Rachel had dated his step-brother which naturally brought them closer together also and after that the rest of their budding friendship was history. The decision for him to leave home in Lima, Ohio, to leave his dad and start a new exciting yet terrifying journey had been a tough one, but also a decision that he couldn't regret, it had opened so many doors for him and lead him to right where he wanted to be, he just wished he knew what to do next, he needed new doors to be opened.

In between bits of easy chit chat of his own with various members of the group, Kurt swallowed around the ice in his glass as he watched Rachel across the table, flicking her hair this way and that, twirling the straw in her glass around in her manicured fingers as she animatedly carried a conversation with an old fellow dance class student.

He envied, admired, pitied and worshipped her all at the same time, she'd been through a lot, like him, she'd faced the good with the bad and worked too damn hard to get to where she was, she deserved it, but she was ruthless, and as kind and warm hearted he knew she could be, she loved to talk about herself and her current love or hate for life, whatever she was feeling that day.

He was proud of her, he really was, currently she was playing the role of an accompanying character in a long running residence Broadway musical, the star of the show was semi famous and the rest of the cast were a talented bunch of scheming Performing Art's schools graduates, Rachel fitted right in.

He was dragged into conversations around the table as the clock ticked on, and the hustle and bustle of the bar got louder and more excited around them. He was half aware of empty glasses being cleared up around them as he turned his attention to various people around the room, families and couples, friends and students all looking to drink the night away in celebration.

He dug his cell phone out of his pocket and glanced at the time as his wallpaper clock changed to Eleven-Thirty One, he was already receiving messages and notifications of early greetings and good lucks for the New Year ahead. He smiled as he read the message he'd received from his dad.

Dad

11.15;

Happy New Year's Kiddo, I love ya, Carole and I are hitting the hay, too old for staying up late now ;) send my love to Rachel, call me tomorrow, have fun and stay safe! x

He chuckled and rolled his eyes as he typed out a quick reply. They'd just got back from Lima a couple days ago, he and Rachel had flew out there on Christmas Eve, spending the holidays with their families and some old high school friends, but had made the decision to come back to New York on time for New Years to get back into the swing of things for returning to work and such.

He pocketed his phone and stood, his seat springing back up into position in his wake.

“Um Rachel?” He leant over the table, raising his voice slightly so he could be heard over the background noise, she looked up as he pointed with his thumb over his shoulder towards the grand main entrance.

“Wh-what no, no you're not going Ku-”

“No I know, I'm not, I'm just going to the little boys room-”

“Oh ok-” She stood abruptly and a little wobbly as her thin ankles threatened to give way in her sky high Black patent leather Christian Louboutin's, her smile widened as she picked up her purse and teetered her way around the table to him, “I'll come with you and then I think we should order Champagne for midnight.”

He smiled and rolled his eyes lovingly as he held out an arm for her to hold onto for balance and made their way towards the glass double doors of the main entrance, where the grand staircase in the foyer would lead them up to the rest rooms. They giggled at everything and nothing as they swayed through the crowd, he watched their feet as they stumbled by making sure Rachel didn't step on him with her sky scraper heels and leave a mark or scratch, and just as he put his arm out to push the glass door open for them it literally swung back itself leaving his hand hanging in mid air.

He looked up to find a pair bright eyes staring back at him, they were a colour he'd never seen before, a warm hazel yet almost golden colour with flecks of green, they shimmered underneath the bright lights above, the colours swirling and mixing together. And that smile, so wide, almost touching those gorgeous eyes and forcing slight dimples to appear on his cheeks.

He realised then he was staring, hard, like ridiculously so and a grin was appearing on his lips also, the wide toothy bashful one, the smile that beautiful and made everyone fall in love with him more but he didn't like it for some reason.

Snap out of it Hummel, and he suddenly snapped himself out of his thoughts as he felt Rachel brush past him.

“Oh um Thank you”

“You're most welcome” Their eyes lingered on each other for a moment longer, their smiles growing impossibly wider as Kurt tried to remember how to walk and took small steps past the kind man holding the door and slowly started to turn his body towards the staircase where Rachel had already started on the first few steps, with her own smile as she watched them.

Kurt was too light headed to decide if the guy with the beautiful face, the face he'd remembered seeing once before but not this close, had actually just winked at him before he completely turned away to help Rachel up the stairs or if it was just his imagination playing tricks. He and Rachel exchanged looks as they proceeded to giggle their way up the stair case and through the next set of doors which lead them to the rest rooms. Before Kurt could enter his respective room Rachel tugged at his arm.

“Oh my god, was that him?” Her smile was infectious and eyes mischievous as she tried to whisper but just came out more of a high pitched excited hiss.

“Wh- who?” He feigned nonchalance, it didn't work, he knew it wouldn't, his smile betrayed him.

“Oh don't give me that, the bar tender, the one you looked at that time, was that him? Cause I gotta say he certainly wasn't shy on offering looks of his own…” she trailed off, her voice sing-songy and playful as she turned to push the door open with the picture of the black silhouette of a lady on it, leaving Kurt standing watching her retreating form and helplessly, dangerously thinking to himself as he pushed his door open. What? Surely not? He's not..he wouldn't be ga…oh whatever.

As if clockwork and rehearsed they both emerged from their doors at exactly the same time, still playing with their hair and smoothing down their outfits, Rachel linked arms with Kurt once again as they pushed through the doors to the main foyer and made their way down the spiral stair case.

“So Champagne? How many glasses will we need for the table..” Rachel continued to babble mindlessly as they carefully took each step downwards together, not noticing that Kurt's attention was elsewhere. His eyes were glued once again to the pair from before, they seemed darker now in this light as Kurt was a little higher up and looking from a different angle, it was impossible to not look. As he got closer he really took him in, the guy, the door holder, who was patiently and kindly opening the door for every patron wanting to cross the threshold but when ever he could his eyes immediately darted back up to Kurt's.

His sharp set jaw was lined a with a light layer of dark hair, covering his upper lip perfectly and up towards his side burns, his thick hair black as a Raven but with a slight silvery/gray tint towards his temples and routes, was slightly wavy but also looked like a little smoothed down with product, maybe gel, Kurt appreciated a man who took pride in his hair style, like himself.

Only then did he notice the very slight crinkles at the corner of his eyes, and the subtle wrinkles in his forehead, and he thought, he knew that this man was older than anyone he'd ever took an interest to before, but that didn't, wouldn't bother him, hell he was only looking right? But damn did he look good, a little extra years seemed to suit this guy rather nicely, he looked like he was aging with grace, natural and carefree and not plastic and made up like most guys around the city. His skin was slightly bronzed and he was just down right sexy. 

Before he got too close, Kurt treated himself to a full body shot, taking in his clothes and such. His shoulders and chest were broad, they looked strong and sturdy and the muscles of his upper arms and biceps visibly strained against his black blazer. His outfit was obviously a custom, required uniform, all of the staff in the building were wearing typical black pants and matching shirt. But then Kurt noticed the collar of a almost shimmering, silvery-white shirt peeking out from behind the blazer and fitted black waistcoat buttoned up smoothly over the top. Huh, maybe he wanted to dress up for New Years.

A small jerk to his body and Rachel pulling his arm gently alarmed Kurt that he had hit the bottom step already and it was time to stop staring, again, Rachel approached the guy, him, and politely said Thank You as he continued his job of opening and closing the door, with a smile passed them between she started to scuttle off hurriedly as she yelled over her shoulder with a knowing smirk and a wink, “I'm going to the bar, it's almost midnight.”

“Yeah, yeah I'm coming” Kurt half heartedly replied and not at all loud enough for her to actually hear, as his gaze was still locked on the one before him, he stepped forward, cleared his throat a little. Oh god what are you doing, he's just doing his job, leave him alone, why is he even doing this job, cleaning glasses and holding doors open, surely he's…for god's sake shut up Hummel…

“Um Thank you again”

“You are most welcome, again, even more so.” Yeah that was definitely a wink that time, but Kurt had already ducked by him and through the door with a giggle and a slight blush before he could make an ass of himself, but as he made his way to the bar to find Rachel he couldn't help a quick glance backwards over his shoulder to find those eyes, and that god damned smile greet him once again, he made sure to add an extra sway to his step as he sashayed further into the room.

*

“3..2..1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!” The room erupted into cries and cheers, whoops and whistles carrying to the high dipped ceiling, the specific pop of a cork escaping a glass bottle sounded from the table as Kurt was pushed and pulled into hugs and hand shakes, back slaps and cheek kisses, but not before Rachel had smacked a big one on his lips the moment the clock struck Twelve and pulled him into a fierce tight embrace.

“Happy New Years Kurt,” She murmured into his ear, her voice a little shaky as she held him tighter, “I hope it's a good one, a better one, for both of us, I love you, you know that right?” He pulled back to search her eyes, they were wide and clear with emotion as much as she was trying hard to smile brightly at him, they told stories, the history of her sorrow and demons, the reasons she strives forward and tries so hard, the reasons why they both do. He nodded furiously trying to ignore the sting behind his eyelids and chuckling a little to discourage the dry lump in his throat, he mentally kicks himself for letting them both drink this much  knowing that they always end up like this, teary and soppy, but in a nice way.

“I love you too, Happy New Year's Rach, thank you, for this, for dragging me out, for everything and-” Before they could start a back and forth of who loves who more and who is the better friend they were pulled apart and tackled into hugs and little jumps and dances on the spot by members of their group.

As Kurt was twirled around from person to person his eyes suddenly found a familiar pair out in the busy crowd, the inviting gaze and warm smile still the same as before as he stacked up empty glasses off of discarded tables into a towering height and into his burly strapping arms.

Kurt could just make out the silent ‘Happy New Years' form from full pink lips before he whisked the empty glasses away to the bar. 

*

A little over an hour later a half empty third bottle of champagne was chilling in the ice bucket alongside the other two, Kurt's head was light and he felt a little dizzy but not in a bad way and his eyes were starting to lose focus slightly, again not in a bad way but it was kind of getting harder to make out the maybe not so subtle eye fucks that he was pretty sure he was getting from Mr Gorgeous No-Name behind the bar across the room.

Kurt got attention sure, all the time, he was asked out, had friends and work colleagues inquiring on behalf of possible suitors, such as the repair man that day at the office who came to look at the AC systems when they conveniently shut down on the hottest day of the entire summer, and couldn't drag his eyes away from Kurt for more than 10 seconds.

But it didn't bother Kurt, any of that, it wasn't the attention he craved or sought after, yes he enjoyed it, he wasn't going to lie, who doesn't? He's only human after all, he'd had boyfriends and flings in the past and good lord that drunken one nightstand that time during college that he wished he could scrub from his memory, but nothing worth caring about or fussing over, or feeling flushed and flustered.

Like now for example, he'd never felt the way he does now, when the slightly older-and who'd have thought Kurt would go for anyone older than his own age, but that was being presumptuous and Kurt would argue that presumptuous he was not- multi-tasking bar tender with everything gorgeous about him looks at him and smiles, like genuinely smiles as well as checking him out a little.

Kurt pondered this thought as he continued sipping from his glass flute and trying to stay focused on his group of friends.    

The group had gradually dwindled away, some returning home and others to clubs and parties and such as night turned into morning, between he and Rachel cackling and sharing stories from high school with work colleagues and acquaintances and some people they'd just met from sharing New year's celebrations, there was hardly anyone else left in the bar.

The scrape and scratch of bar stools being lifted up onto tables and counter tops sounded from the far end of the bar, distant echoes of giggles and broken up drunken singing could be heard from out in the main foyer, before long a young waitress dressed in a stiff black pencil skirt and baggy blouse approached the table with a rag, her hair knotted tightly into a dark bun on her head.

“Time to finish up guys” She grumbled with tired eyes and a small smile which she was obviously trying so hard to keep plastered on her face as she wiped down the table and scrubbed at a couple of sticky spots. 

“Oooh oh ok, sorry, no problem” Rachel sing-songed as she sloppily drained her champagne flute and pulling the bottle out of the bucket with a messy splosh, causing the girl to clench her jaw and wipe over the same spot once again before moving on to the next table. Kurt polished off his glass also and stood smoothing down his pants and nodding towards the bottle in Rachel's hands.

“Whatcha gonna do with that?”

 “We,” She teetered towards him, flicking her hair back over her shoulder, a mischievous grin gracing her lip-gloss shined lips, she pointed the neck of the bottle towards him “are gonna continue this party back at home, we have that Vodka in the freezer right?” She turned to the handful of people left at the table also finishing off their drinks and announced loudly and uncaringly so, “hey guys come on, after drinks at mine and Kurt's place.” She grabbed Kurt by the hand and pulled him towards the door, where people were filtering out and staff were busying around putting the room back in order for the next day.

Before he reached the double doors that lead to the foyer he quickly spun around, careful of Rachel's hold on him, his eyes strained as he looked for those eyes, seeking him out amongst the other black uniformed wait staff, he didn't know what he would even say or do, he'd never felt like this before, never been this way about anybody, the guy was probably Bi and just enjoyed looking at the eye candy filtering in and out of the bar. With small huff of breath and a sigh he turned back around to find Rachel watching him carefully.

“You should ask about him-”

“What? Rachel I-”

“Kurt c'mon whatcha got to lose exactly?” She was slurring slightly, and louder than he wished she would be.

“He's probably not even ga-”

“Oh whatever, h-he didn't even loook at meeee once, ooonly when I thanked him for holding the door, his eyes were on yooouu the whole time.” She stuck a finger in his face with a grin and turned back around to push at the door to find it already open, and there he was, on the other side of the open door in his hand, his chin was tilted down as he watched the other patrons leave through the main exit, his cheeks were slightly flushed and a small adorable smirk played on the corner of his lips. Oh god he heard didn't he.

“Thank you very much, kind Sir, I had a fantastic night,” Rachel was pretty much yelling at the poor guy as she marched forwards and down the main steps, oh god Rachel please don't, please do not say-

“Kurt I'm gon-na call s'cab.” And then she was outside, on the other side of the main entrance glass doors with the last remaining folk from their table bustling behind her laughing and talking way too loudly. Oh.

Kurt stepped forward, he rubbed at the back of his neck, determined to just keep his head down and walk straight past, it was just harmless flirty looks that's all, just say goodnight and leave, what do you think you're doing-

“So Kurt is it? Or that a pet name?”

He halted, stock still and lifted his chin to be met with those eyes once again, the colour darkening with the dimming of the foyer lights, his stomach flipped at the gaze that met him, eyes sparkling with curiosity and delight and hope maybe? Along with the heart melting devilish grin as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back causally against the door, Kurt was actually melting inside, his legs felt like jelly and he couldn't think straight, the alcohol starting to fog his brain of all rational thought and as if his tongue had the same idea he opened his mouth unwillingly.

“I um y-yes Kurt, my name, I don't uh have one, a pet name that is-” Well done, excellent work.

His smile grew wider, he tilted his head to the side and flicked a glance towards Rachel outside who had her cell phone pressed to her ear and her face pressed to the clear glass panel of the door, in a very hilarious un-lady like fashion, but Kurt couldn't bring himself to laugh.

“Does she not have any pet names for you? I could imagine them being rather creative-”

“Wha- um who? Rachel? Um no that would be kind of weird having your room mate call you by a pe-”

“Oh room mate is it, that all?”

“Oh yeah, yeah she is, oh-” Oooh. He was pretty sure he looked ridiculous right now, all ‘deer caught in headlights' like, as realisation started to set in past the clouds of alcohol fuzz, he startled when a low rumble of a laugh erupted from the broad chest now just a few feet away from him, and a small white card was handed to him.

It was in that moment that he realised he was a few inches taller than the man before him, perfect height for wrapping his arms around him, he mused, perfect height for pressing up close and- yeeaah ook sooo not going there thank you very much.

He came back to himself and gently took the card from the other man's hands, his lovely strong, tanned slightly calloused hands. He glanced down at the card to find a name and number, Blaine, his name is Blaine, Mr Beautifully Sexy is Mr Blaine, oh my god, shut up, he's probably just being polite, just give him you're card and go.

Kurt slipped a hand into his back pocket and fished his own card from his wallet, he handed it over with a flourish and willed his cheeks to cool down, he couldn't quite meet his eyes as he smiled back at him, smiled back at Blaine who was currently giving him a megawatt grin. Kurt started to step forward and down the steps as Blaine slipped the card into the inner pocket of his blazer.

He got to the door just as Rachel was climbing into the back of a yellow cab oustide, “I um I gotta go, I-”

“Happy New Years Kurt, I hope you had a good night.” And then before he could reply, he was gone, beautiful Blaine with the subtle silvery curling hair was gone, hurried away by another uniformed figure into the depths of the building and Kurt was left outside watching him retreat through the window of the door panel. He clutched the card tightly in his fingers as he heard Rachel screech something from inside the cab. He stood for another second before digging the card deep into his back pocket not caring that it crumpled slightly and climbed into the cab. Well that's then.

*

Four Am saw Kurt lying on the hardwood floor of his and Rachel's living area of their shared apartment, his head was resting on a fallen cushion from the couch, and his hand cradled around a glass tumbler resting on his stomach, his other arm was occupied with the job of holding the Vodka bottle upright on the floor. There were other bodies slumped all around him on the couch and arm chairs and vacant spaces on the floor, some asleep, some laughing, some chatting mindlessly to nobody in particular.

Rachel was in the corner next to the media centre, screeching away into a microphone as she battled out a karaoke duet with a poor unsuspecting victim who clearly could not read the words highlighted on the screen.

Kurt's eyelids were drooping, his fingers slacking a little around the glass as he zoned out the sights and sounds around him, when a vibration coming from underneath him startled him awake and jolted him up into a sitting position, almost dropping the glass and knocking the bottle over. He winced as he felt the vibration again and realised it was coming from his phone, in his back pocket, that he was currently sitting on, he grumbled and leant over on his side, fishing the phone out from beneath him, he closed one eye and stuck his tongue out as if it would help any as he concentrated hard and gave a few attempts at swiping his lock screen open.

On the fourth attempt he succeeded with a small wine of triumph and called up the notification screen, assuming it was just another New Years greeting.

Unknown Number;

4.03

Kurt? You get home ok? B x

What the? Who the hell…oh-ooooh!!!!