“Good morning Kurt, Happy New Year , you have a good one? How's your dad?”

“Oh good lord, one question at a time please El, and not so loud, entering a second day hangover here…and not too mention it's a Monday Morning like any other…good morning though..and Happy New Year.”

Kurt rubbed at his temples whilst removing his sunglasses, it may be a typical cold January 2nd New York City morning but the sun was still out, big and bright, playing havoc with his irises and head. He shrugged off his black leather satchel as he entered his office and unwrapped his scarf from around his neck as he approached his desk.

“What? Hang-over? You don't mean you actually went out did you? Thee Kurt Hummel celebrated something?” Elliott whistled between his teeth as he came to stand in the open doorway, leaning against the jamb with a mug cradled in his hands, a wide grin plastered to his face.

Kurt makes a ‘tsk' sound as he slumps down into his desk chair after hanging his Grey Sheep's Skin Pea coat on the coat rack, he looks up at his friend and eyes his coffee suspiciously. “Where's mine?” Elliott smirks and disappears from the room as Kurt giggles under his breath and starts up his lap top whilst pulling his reading glasses from his sweater vest pocket and Cell phone from his pants pocket.

Five minutes later Kurt is tapping away furiously, answering emails and such when Elliott reappears, this time coming fully into his office, kicking the door shut behind him with his black lace up leather boot and taking a seat in one of the Brown leather winged chairs in front of Kurt's desk. He places a large Beige China mug which has ‘Kurt' scribbled on it in Red varnished fancy curvaceous writing on the desk and pushes it towards Kurt with one hand as his other carefully produces a small plate of pastries and pre-baked goods from behind his back, before leaning back in the chair, his leg hooked over the opposite knee.

Kurt glances at what's been offered to him and scoops the Coffee up to his lips, “Took you long enough” He smirks against the rim of the steaming mug, as Elliott rolls his eyes and folds his hands over his stomach, he taps a foot against the edge of the Clear Glass desk, as if waiting patiently for something.

Kurt had known and been close friends with Elliott for the best part of Five years, they'd met back when Kurt was in College and Elliott had auditioned to be part of his band. Kurt's band was a little side project he had set up whilst trying to discover himself and take control of his life, the band ran successfully for a year or so, performing at local hangouts for students and regulars before work and College became too heavy and were forced to disband. Elliott's a couple of years older than Kurt, he's a cool, laid back, friendly guy and wise to the world, he seemed to just always know what to say, how to handle any situation, and was always a steady hand or a shoulder to cry on when needed. Elliott has been known to jump from job to job, changed his major twice in College and has literally performed anywhere with a stage in the whole City, he practically jumped at the chance to work as Kurt's assistant when the space had opened up and Kurt had offered it to him over a year ago.

Kurt and Elliott were both kindred spirits, lost souls In a big city, still looking for something else -though they weren't exactly sure what- and an idea of how they wanted to end up in life, only difference being Elliott didn't care like Kurt did. Seven months ago he'd met a guy at his favourite record shop and they'd been happily dating ever since, there was even recent talk of moving in together, Kurt had tried to hide his initial gasp of shock and surprise at the suggestion of living together after a short amount of time of knowing each other, but that was Elliott, that was his way, if he was happy, then he was happy, that's all that mattered to him in that moment and Fuck the rules and what society thought. Kurt envied his outlook on life but was undoubtedly thrilled for his happiness and ultimately just happy to have someone like him around.

“Don't you have work to do-”

“Come on spill-”

“There's nothing to-”

“Bullshit, you are never this upbeat first thing in the morning, and that's without a hang-over.” Kurt took a long swallow from his mug not meeting his friend's eyes, buying himself time to think of a reply, sure he'd say he'd been out with Rachel and friends, some of which were actually from other departments of this building, but nobody apart from Rachel knew his mind and eyes were elsewhere for the last few hours of the evening.

He didn't have anything to hide, or feel embarrassed or ashamed of, his colleagues would come into the office kitchen all of the time sharing stories of their weekend hook-ups and newest match on whatever dating website they were trying that month, but Kurt wasn't like that, like them. He was a private person, he valued anything that he felt was just a little bit precious to him, he wouldn't subject his personal life to typical office gossip around a box of Donut's. He'd had so many failed dates and too-short experiences with guys in the past that he'd learnt his lesson to not divulge any information unless he felt absolutely right about it. He didn't need ‘You matter' talks from his dad no matter his age, and Face book stalking interrogations from his work friends and the likes of Elliott.

He trusted Elliott, but he didn't trust himself, how far would he go, how much would he say, no matter how much he reprimanded himself for the thoughts he'd dreamed himself to sleep with last night and woke up to this morning, not to mention the accompanying morning hard-on, he couldn't get that one person off his mind. Him, Blaine, even the thought of his name sent a slight shiver through his skin and butterflies parading around his insides and he fought hard to keep the grin from forming at his lips.

It was stupid, he knew it was, he'd met the guy less than Forty-Eight hours ago, hardly knew him, hadn't even arranged a date yet, an official one that is, but he couldn't fight back that feeling that something good was maybe happening, something proper and worthy, the New Year was only Two days in and Kurt was already feeling optimistic with it's beginning.

“It's just, I uh, I just had a good time that's all, I have a strange, sneaky feeling that the New Year isn't going to be as hopeless and disappointing as I assumed it would be.” He smiled and placed his cup down on the desk, picking up an organic Blueberry mini-muffin from the plate and taking a nibble where he'd peeled back the case.

Elliott smiled and nodded, maybe not completely convinced with the reply but he was too nice to push further, and also not stupid enough, he'd experienced the wrath of one Kurt Hummel once when a Café owner tried to pay their Band for only a Ten minute set, not a Twenty minute and an encore one. He unfolded his legs, glanced at his watch and picked up the stack of papers from Kurt's Out Tray on his desk, before standing and making his way over to the door, opening it with his free hand.

“Positivity looks good on you Hummel, whatever or whoever it is, keep it up.” He ducked out of the door with a chuckle and quickly closed it as the eraser came flying towards it and bounced off of the handle.

Kurt shook his head and as if with perfect practised timing, his Cell buzzed on the desk beside him, he shivered with anticipation as he swiped his thumb across the screen.

Blaine;

8.40

Good Morning Gorgeous : ) x

*

Friday 6th January

“Ok so remind me again why I'm coming on your date?”

Kurt groaned whilst pulling another tie from around his neck, throwing it to the bed and swiping up another one, wrapping it around quickly with practised precision. He looked into his mirror's reflection and glanced back at Rachel who was lying on her front watching him, legs crossed at the ankles up in the air and her chin resting on her hand, her free hand carefully smoothing out the pile of discarded ties.

“Ugh tie or no tie? Help me, I can't decide…because I told you, it's NOT a date, we're just going by the bar for a casual drink or two and if he's there then-”

“And since when do YOU just go for casual drinks?” She scrunched her nose slightly, “No tie, and put your black skinny jeans on-” She rolled over and got up off the bed, walking over to him and smoothing down the shoulder's of his crisp white shirt as she leant past to him to pull out a grey button down waistcoat with the black silk back and silver chain connected from one pocket from his hanging space. “Here.”

He smiled and took the piece of clothing from her hands, “Thanks, will you go get ready please, I want to be fashionably late, but not later than-”

“Would you relax, we have plenty of time,” she started to saunter off out of the door and towards her bedroom, “and believe me that man would wait aallll night for you, I know it” She called over her shoulder before Kurt heard the faint click of a door and the water pipes starting to hiss and creak.

Over on the night stand by his bed, his phone lit up the room with an accompanying buzz where it was charging and his stomach involuntarily swooped, he gulped and headed over to look at the screen. What if he's changed his mind, what if he went home? He closed one eye and blinked down at the screen as he pushed at the pop up window.

Blaine;

19.16

Pleeeaasssee tell me you are coming in soon?? X

Kurt smirked and tapped out a reply before leaving the phone back on charge and heading over to his closet to change his pants. I could get used to this.

Me;

19.16

See you soon ; ) x

*

“Do you see him?”

“No, and for god sakes, would you stop? Make it more obvious why don't you?”

Rachel immediately twisted back round in her seat and faced him guiltily, bringing her wine glass up to her lips, “What? He knows why we're here Kurt-”

“No he doesn't, we could just be hanging out, you and me, regardless of hi-”

“Oh whatever, I am so not buying that, and I doubt he would too, he's older right? He doesn't want any of this playing games nonsense, he's already made it perfectly clear how much he likes you-”

“True, but if that's the case then why hasn't he asked me out already? Like for real, on a date? I mean we've been texting pretty much constantly all week long and all he's said is how excited he was to see me today-”

“I don't know Kurt, maybe he's been busy this week, look just relax ok, we've only been here for like Ten minutes, tell me about that thing with Elliott, did he try out that new ‘technique' with Jon?” She grinned around her glass, eyebrows raised and winking suggestively, he laughed and nodded before taking a sip from his own drink, he'd opted for a light beer to start with, wanted to keep his head clear and mind pro-active.

The only thing that niggled at him now, thought it shouldn't but it did, was Blaine said he'd been waiting, watching the door, looking for him coming in, and now here he was sitting trying not to look around like a little lost kitten, like a boy left out in the cold once again, Kurt tried to not let the past reflect his feelings tonight and deflate his confidence he'd worked so hard on in front of his bedroom mirror before leaving the house.

As if by magic once again, like the guy could actually read his thoughts, his phone beeped in his pocket, he'd made sure to switch the volume from vibrate to loud just in case, because you know? He pulled it out and thumbed at the screen, trying with all his might to act cool, calm and collected as he pointedly ignored Rachel who was giving him the eye brows raised ‘is that him?' face.

Blaine;

20.21

Are you here? You've got to be here now? X

Me;

20.21

Yeah, we're out front by the steps opposite the bar, been here for like 10 minutes... X

Kurt placed his phone gently on the table and subtly slid it towards Rachel opposite so that she could read the messages, they shared knowing glances and both took sips from their drinks, before Rachel started a casual rant about one of the understudies from the show, she could be a royal pain in the ass at times but boy was she a helpful actress and a good friend in times like these.

Kurt listened and nodded along for Thirty Seconds, playing with the neck of his bottle in his fingers until something or rather someone caught his attention from the corner of his eye, behind Rachel. A big dark wooden door with ‘Staff Only' written across it swung open and then there he was, and by god was he worth the wait to see again.

He stalked towards him both swiftly and casually, glancing at other patrons along the way, making sure everything was running smoothly out on the floor no doubt. His dark curls were a little more obvious than the last time but still tamed with some kind of product, the silvery/grey tints around his temples shone under the slightly dimmed lights and his stubble seemed to be the same length and as nicely kept as he remembered. He wore a simple black fitted shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled past his elbows and tucked into a pair of black Capri pants which were rolled up just before his bare ankles, and a pair of simple black Vans on his feet.

As he came closer, and ducked between tables, picking up the odd empty glass here and there along the way, Kurt could make out the flex in his shoulders and upper arms, the firmness of his thighs in those tight as sin pants-they would give his own a run for their money- and the way they clung to his ass, the perfectly rounded ass that was obviously covered by his blazer last time.

Kurt knew he was staring at this point, he did at least try to make sure his mouth was not hanging open, but he could not drag his eyes away from the sight coming towards and was positive there was a wink and a smirk directed his way also.

Rachel was watching Kurt carefully with a small smile of her own, not even daring to turn around to see what the fuss was about, she'd trailed off from her one sided conversation knowing that Kurt was not listening in the slightest bit and rose her glass to her lips before suddenly an arm reached over her shoulder to pick up a couple of empties left from the people sitting at that table before-hand.

“Excuse me Miss, Good evening Kurt.” He stepped around Rachel, standing closer to Kurt, who was staring up at him with wide eyes and a silly grin. His voice was low, and tone polite but perfectly clear, and his grin grew wider matching Kurt's. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small rag, wiping up a small puddle which had been caused from an escaped Ice-Cube.

Kurt's eyes followed the action and instantly zoned in on something. Peaking out very slightly from the sleeve of Blaine's left inner-arm was the definite beginnings of a tattoo, it looked liked letters, black and slightly curved but not in a language Kurt could recognise, he ached to see more of it, to ask about it and touch it but all he knew was that if he didn't look up now and answer Blaine, he would be dealing with an unmistakable erection in the middle of a packed bar. He swallowed hard, crossed his legs as best he could under the table and flicked his gaze upwards, to find Blaine staring back at him with those strangely beautiful alluring eyes.

“Hi” Kurt answered rather breathlessly, he racked his brain for something else to say as he fingered the rim of his bottle top but before he could Blaine gave a quick wink and an expression that looked a little regretful as he moved off behind him, he could hear the clinking of glasses where Blaine was picking them up along his path. He blinked at Rachel who simply shrugged at him.

“He is working Kurt-” The vibration of Kurt's phone down on the table between them cut her off and she squealed as she glanced down at the screen, looking at the sender box, Kurt smiled and snapped his phone up. 

Blaine;

20.23

Well aren't you a sight for these old, sore eyes.. how's a guy supposed to get any work done now? ; ) x

Kurt blushed, took a swig from his bottle and tapped at the screen, thinking of a reply when a silver tray was placed hastily in front of him with a thud. The young bar tender looked rather flushed and all of a flourish as he placed a few neatly folded napkins in front of Kurt and then Rachel, he then emptied the tray of bottles of beer-the same beer Kurt had been drinking- and glasses of wine in front of them atop the napkins, along with little bowls of Olives and Nuts.

The young man took the tray away and ducked his head a little, “Compliments from the bar” then scurried off.

Kurt and Rachel looked at each other incredulously with matching smirks as Kurt slowly turned around in his seat to find Blaine standing in the far corner behind the bar counter, phone in hand and a small private smile, he glanced around making sure to hold eye contact with Kurt longer than needed before heading off through a black door marked ‘No access'. Kurt's phone buzzed almost instantly.

Blaine;

20.26

That will guarantee me at least another hour or so of ‘watching whilst working time' ; ) X

P.S Can't wait until you need to use the men's room, watching you move in those jeans, up those stairs, is going to be both painful and delightful for me! ;p x