Me;

08.31

So last night was fun : ) x

Blaine;

08.31

It was! You should come in more often, make my working day better : ) x

Me;

08.31

Even when it literally causes injuries?? ; ) x

Blaine;

08.32

You had bent over whilst standing at the bar to tie your shoe lace, JUST as I was walking past with some empties…I'm pretty sure somebody just placed that table right there in front of me…and your lace probably wasn't even loose!! X

Kurt hid his giggle behind his coffee mug as he pulled his knees up further towards his chest and leaned back further into the couch, he had been here in the same spot, doing the same thing, texting Blaine for a little over a half hour. It was Sunday, a day of rest, and a Room-mate free day as Rachel was at back to back rehearsals and Tech and Sound checks, then the Matinee and evening performances, it was literally the only day of the week apart from her pre-planned days off that she wasn't around to bug him in any shape or form, as much as he loved her, he was glad of his space and alone time.

He thankfully wasn't half as hung-over as last weekend, just a slight head ache if anything at all, which was starting to ease the more he woke up and came to life.

They'd gotten home around midnight last night and sat on the living room floor around the coffee table with tea and toast with jam, then took themselves off to their respective beds with pint glasses of water and overnight face masks, Kurt had happily drifted off into a dream filled slumber about an hour afterwards but not before sending a quick reply to Blaine's most recent text and plugging his phone in to charge overnight.

Rachel had woken him up the next day, or really it was just later on in the day by the time he'd fell asleep, at an ungodly hour for a Sunday with her routine screeching and vocal runs before leaving the apartment with a loud ‘Byeeeee' and slam of the front door.

After she left he yawned and stretched, dealt with his-um morning problem- Thank you ‘Mr Sexy Ass I have a hidden Tattoo' Very much, and then got up to make one of his first of many cups of Starbuck's store bought finest. Between pouring the non-fat crème and reaching for the Sugar bowl his phone vibrated over on the breakfast Island, and to his absolute delight he opened up the first message of the day from Blaine whilst taking his first sip of brown sugary goodness.

Blaine was usually the first person to text him everyday now, and the last, and the most consistent and constant, Blaine pretty much consumed all of his thoughts entirely, and Kurt couldn't care less. He was actually starting to worry a little about Blaine more than himself and the way he was feeling, the guy never seemed to sleep, he would be awake with the birds and texting Kurt some cheesy good morning message and then almost be awake for the birds re-surfacing again and texting Kurt an even cheesier goodnight message. He was nearly always at work and Always wanted Kurt to swing by the bar to seem him no matter what day or time.

Kurt knew most of it was all in jest, and that Blaine was just being friendly and flirty but he genuinely seemed interested in Kurt, he always asked how he was and what he up to, he asked questions always without even realising made Kurt feel better about himself, and made his working day just that little bit easier. Of course Elliott would throw him curious looks through the open door from out on his desk, as Kurt spent every free moment smiling at his phone screen, which Kurt would then have to blow off as a joke his dad sent him, or bitchy gossip Rachel was keying him up on.

The one thing in which Kurt did take notice in and he hadn't worked out if it was cause for concern yet or not, was that Blaine seemed very closed off most of the time. Not in bad way, Kurt was a private person, he didn't share things with people that he didn't know or trust, but Blaine was different, he always seemed to deflect questions of any sort in the nicest way possible, like he was shy or thought his life wasn't worthy enough to talk about.

Kurt found it all impossibly endearing, the dreamy older guy with a love of sending flirtatious text messages, good style and sexy confidence, was in fact a little reserved under the surface and had the most charming personality which one could mistake for a 50's movie lead role. 

With all that being said, this was only based on texting, and texting in just the space of Seven Days, Kurt knew that it was time to take things a little further, get to know each other a little more intimately and not in the middle of a crowded bar, where Blaine incidentally worked and apparently managed, and everybody knew that business should not be mixed with pleasure.

As much as Kurt loved last night, seeing Blaine all flustered whilst trying to work around him, he wanted more, needed more, and it was time to find out if Blaine did too. The thing is to have an actual date one of them most certainly needs to ask the other out, and it seemed as though they were both hanging back for whatever reason.

Be bold, be brave Kurt, you wanted new doors, Blaine literally opened a door for you, like literally…oh shut up!            

Me;

08.33

You got me!... ;) x

Blaine;

08.33

Ha! Nah all joking a side though I did really like seeing you again last night, like really.. you make up for all those other drunken idiots I have to encounter on a day to day to basis : ) x

Me;

08.34

: )! So um, where were you? ..You'd said you'd be waiting for me coming in?? ; ) x

It was time to be forward, be mature, ask the right questions which lead to perfect openings, although his stomach was currently performing back flips and Rachel wasn't even here to reassure him or most likely tell him to stop being stupid, and she hardly ever has her phone available when at the theatre.

Blaine;

08.36

I know : ( but if you had have came in like 5 minutes earlier you would have seen me standing there like some lame ass lost puppy, I almost shut the door in some guys face looking around for you.. ha! I had some issues to deal with in the Kitchen, then one of the 8.30 shifts called in sick so I had to call for cover, then by the time I'd dealt with all that it was way after 8 and I couldn't make you out anywhere on the Security Camera screens in my office… x

Woah, what?

Me;

08.36

Camera? You watch me on the security footage? X

Blaine;

08.36

Well only that one time, because I was worried you weren't coming in like you said… sorry x

Kurt could barely contain his smile as he drained his cup and placed it on the coffee table, he's said it before and he'll say it a million times, Blaine is adorable.

Me;

08.37

: ) no need to apologise, Can I ask you a question? X

Blaine;

08.37

: ) shoot!

He took a deep breath and swallowed it down to his gut, bracing himself with eyes barely open as he tapped out his message.

Me;

08.38

Why did you ask me to come back to the bar, whilst you're working? Like why not somewhere else? X

After hitting send, he gulped, praying to a god he didn't believe in that the hidden meaning of the message would come out as he clear as he hoped it would, he bit his thumb nail, an awful nervous habit in which Rachel would positively chastise him for, but she wasn't there so, screw it.

Blaine

08.38

Honestly? You'd had a lot to drink on New Years Eve and I was worried that the alcohol may have impaired your rational thoughts…maybe you didn't like the look of me as much as you thought you did after 3 bottles of Champagne and god knows how many Tequila's…

Oh my god! He actually thinks..he's…

Me;

08.39

Huh? You think that I was wearing beer goggles? You actually really think that I would regret giving you my number the next day?!? X

Sure Kurt had been drinking last night also but not nearly enough as the weekend before, and even though Kurt had consumed many alcoholic beverages before he and Blaine had fully been acquainted on New Years Eve, he definitely knew that it wasn't just the Tequila talking. Plus He'd already laid eyes on the mysterious barman once before, he'd told him that, Jesus, he didn't know how much his heart could take before it just expanded too much and exploded right out from his chest, Blaine, who has no problem in parading around eye-fucking him, down right flirting and being all perfect and charming for everyone to see, is actually hiding behind his job. He would rather stay within the confines of a busy bar blushing and winking whilst restocking the snacks shelf before braving the public eye or wherever with Kurt, because he worries that Kurt doesn't actually like him? What? It was all too much craziness to wrap his head around.

Blaine may look a little older physically in a perfectly handsome appealing way, but boy right now he sure was acting like a Seventeen year old finally getting a shot with his all time crush, it was both strangely fantastic, and Kurt secretly pined for more, to understand why exactly Blaine was this way, and even though it made him seem a little selfish Kurt revelled in the way that his own internal worries and self confidence issues could take a step back whilst he continued to pursue Blaine. 

Blaine;

08.39

I take it I was wrong then? You still like what you see? ; ) x

Me;

08.40

Very much so..and that's answering both questions! So are you at work now? It's still pretty early for a Sunday, I was wondering if you were like nocturnal or something ;p x

Blaine;

08.40

Ha yes I guess you could say that, my brain is usually always on overdrive and I just don't need that much sleep, I was just wondering myself why you were up so early, not that you need any beauty sleep or anything ; )  but you should be resting and relaxing today.. and no I'm actually off today thank god : ) X

Me:

08.41

Oh a day off, I've never heard you talk about one of those before ; ) I am relaxing, Rachel woke me up early with her morning warm ups but I'm now currently doing my favourite things combined, drinking Coffee and texting you.. : ) x

Blaine;

08.41

I have a very similar past time too which I am also in the middle of doing : ) Coffee you say? Where's your favourite place to go for it? The Bar is actually closed on Mondays but I'm usually still there for a few hours stocktaking and other boring jobs of the like.. x

Kurt grinned as he typed out his response, Blaine had such an interesting, charming and older-person way of speaking at times, even in text messages.

Me;

08.42

To be honest I'm quite boring, I just stick to the Starbucks down by my subway stop, that or buying the make-you-own stuff from the grocery store… I know I should hang my head in shame ; ) x

Blaine;

08.42

Oh my, now that just won't do…other than relaxing and sharing your deepest, darkest Caffeine secrets, what are your other plans today? X

Could it be? Were the undertones of Kurt's earlier message apparent enough after all? He froze on the spot as happy as he was, his fingers spread wide over the screen ready to get to work, if only his brain would snap into action.

Blaine;

08.43

Can I take you to my favourite coffee shop?...on a date that is? X

*

“Oh my god I can't believe she actually did that, she does seem the type though, a little um crazy..b-but in a nice way though, if you know what I mean-”

“Oh she's crazy alright,” Kurt smiled brightly and nodded before taking another sip from his mug and swallowing quickly so that he could finish his story, “So the guy then turned around, pronounced that he was 100% gay and walked out, I thought she'd be inconsolable but she just had this epiphany and marched out of the place proud as punch.”

Blaine laughed, an adorable chuckle which curved the edge of lips and made his gorgeous eyes crinkle at the corners, he leaned back in his seat and crossed his legs, ankle over knee, causing his navy pants to ride a little higher up his ankle, showing off smooth tanned skin and tighten perfectly over his knees and strong thighs.

They'd been sitting there for almost Forty-Five minutes now, tucked away in the corner of a small dim-lit coffee shop but with enough sun peeking in to light the place naturally, that was actually just down the street from The Stage, no wonder it was Blaine's favourite it was highly convenient, but Kurt really couldn't complain, the coffee was actually crafted to complete perfection.

Every order was made from fresh with mostly organic ingredients and items transported in from the most recommended sources, and only the best ever quality. The menu was based mostly on customer's personal preference, the owners an Italian elderly married couple and with the help from their grandchildren did their utmost best to make each customer welcome and only allowed to leave when completely satisfied.

Blaine looked good, great even, even better than the last time Kurt had seen him, with a pale blue button down shirt tucked neatly into the waistline of his pants and cream canvass suspenders-oh my fucking god- and matching boat shoes. He wore a thick Dove Grey long sleeved Cardigan over the top but had left it hanging open and a pair of Ray Ban's folded into the open collar of his shirt. The morning sun was bright but the air was chilly still and Kurt had guessed that Blaine was maybe heading back to the bar for some reason after due to his lack coat or jacket. His hair was a scrumptious mess of waves atop his head, with maybe just a lingering presence of product.

Blaine had met him on the corner of the street just outside the bar around Ten-Forty-Five with a chaste peck which he seemed to deliberate on for a couple of seconds on the cheek and a hand lingering on the small of his back. Kurt willed his cheeks to return to an almost normal colour as he felt Blaine's neatly kept stubble brush the smooth surface of his cheek before pulling away almost too soon. The feeling of his light touch alone sent thrills up and down Kurt's skin, an experience he knew he could get used to all too easily. His hazel eyes had searched Kurt's before dropping his gaze and fully taking in Kurt's body and outfit. Kurt felt confident in choosing his outfit this morning, although it was early January it wasn't as cold one would think, and opting for a pair of light blue skinny jeans, which obviously highlighted his lean form and pert backside, and a Raspberry coloured knitted sweater with a matching striped scarf that showed off the thick set of his collarbones and parts of his pale neck, seemed to be the perfect choice as Blaine visibly struggled to pull his eyes back up as he grinned at him.

Blaine had ordered for them both, asking what Kurt usually preferred and then taking matters into his own hands, whilst gesturing for Kurt to find them a seat, the shop was quiet with only the odd customer coming in occasionally ordering something to go. As Kurt took a seat at a small circular table with two comfortable looking arm chairs on opposite sides-he thought the love seat over in the opposite corner was too much for a first date- he watched as Blaine conversed happily with the old guy as his wife set about making their drinks. The conversation was quiet but Kurt could definitely hear the casual change in language as Blaine slipped in to what sounded like fluent Italian with an accompanied to die for smile, Kurt had then found himself once again running over the rules in his head of sporting a boner in a public place, in less than Twenty-Four hours, because of the same man.

Blaine returned from the counter with a plate of croissants with a slab of butter on the side and a small pot of honey with two sets of knives and folks, he was followed almost instantly by the sweet little old lady and their giant steaming mugs of surprise coffee.

Their conversation had been easy and flowing from the off, starting off with the basics, ‘this weather huh? Hey did you see…yada yada yada', Which had brought them round to the topic of Rachel, who Kurt felt was a safe choice of topic as Blaine knew who she was and there was always something to say about Rachel. Kurt had felt wholly comfortable throughout, surprisingly so and never once had the awkward of feeling of ‘what do I say next?' or ‘oh my god I cant believe I'm doing this', like he had on so many other dates in the past.

He also never thought about the fact that he was sitting on a Sunday morning in a beautiful quaint Coffee Shop, actually on a date, a mature perfect date, with a gorgeous man, a gorgeous yet seemingly genuine man who actually liked him and was so much more than just good looks and dare he say it sex. Blaine gave off a pure, relaxing vibe and although his fingers sometimes twitched beside his mug on the table top or his shoe tapped against the table stand, he seemed fairly comfortable in Kurt's presence and the quiet of the store around them, save for the whirring of the coffee machine and the odd slightly foreign bickering from the back room.

Kurt leaned forward and tore off a piece of the flaky pastry in his fingers, he slid it across some honey which had been spilled on the side of the plate and popped it into his mouth, sucking on the tip of his finger to rid of the sticky substance. The action came so natural to him, he felt so comfortable, not self-conscious or aware of his usual first date etiquette that it was only when he looked up to say something to find Blaine staring at him, his eyes slightly hooded as he visibly swallowed hard, and then within a heartbeat swooping forward, snatching up the remaining piece and placing it in his mouth with a smug smirk, and then swiping his tongue over his bottom lip.

“So um you mentioned briefly you didn't grow up here either?”

Blaine cleared his throat, and dabbed gently at the edge of his mouth with a napkin.

“Oh um no, Ohio actually, Westerville.” He rolled his eyes a little as if saying ‘the one and only' then his raising his eyebrows when noticing Kurt's surprised expression.

“No way? I hail from Lima-”

“Yeah? Wow it really is a small world I guess huh-”

“It is, I uh, I even transferred to a school in Westerville for a little while my during Junior year before transferring back-”

“Which School?”

“Dalton Academy-” Blaine started laughing softly his eyes doing that thing again and his teeth showing, a little crooked but his grin wide and bright, it was infectious and Kurt smiled along with him as if realising where this was going.

“Let me guess you went there too right?”

“Yes Sir-”

“Was it still the same when you went there?”

“Well, I don't know, how was it when you attended?” Blaine's smirk was cheeky and his tone teasing, and Kurt immediately bust out laughing, his hand flying to his mouth when he realised he'd just asked a silly question, a faint blush rising over the lines of his defined cheeks. Blaine laughed along with him, his face lighting up completely, and a little in awe as if watching Kurt like this, laughing freely and happy was like witnessing a beautiful vista emerge from the shadows of an early morning sunrise.

“I'm not that old you know,” he added still chuckling slightly, “I'm pretty sure that place hasn't been touched since its very beginning.”

Kurt's blush grew a little darker, and he willed his hand to stay right where it was fixed to the handle of his mug and not brush over his cheeks.

“I love when you do that-”

“Do what?” His breath hitched in his throat as Blaine carefully leaned across the table and swiped a finger gently but quickly over the rosiness of Kurt skin.

“That” he breathed and he lingered for a half second on the edge of Kurt's jaw line before swiftly pulling back, eyes going wide as if just remembering where he was and what he doing, he cleared his throat.

“Um, why did you transfer for such a short amount of time? If you don't mi-”

Without thinking Kurt quickly placed two fingers over Blaine's hand on top of the table, “You don't have to keep saying that, I'll answer anything you want to know.” He smiled as his fingers retreated, and Blaine smiled back bashfully.

“Ok, um ditto.” Their gazes lingered a little longer than necessary with matching smiles before Kurt started speaking again. He was having such a good time, he felt light with it, like he could fly off up into the ceiling, he knew this story would have to come out some point, but he was past it, past the past is you will, he was proud of what he'd come through to get to where he is now.

“I uh, I had issues at McKinley, there was this bully and he made my life hell,” Kurt could swore he could see Blaine tense up, his jaw clenching and his fingers looked like they were itching to curl up into fists, but he refused to address it and kept his gaze locked on to Blaine's, “ I was strong for a really long time, I dealt with it, but it got past that and my dad had been sick a few months before and he was getting married and I just-”

“You wanted to be away from it before it escalated into hurting more than just yourself,” It was neither a question nor a matter of fact, and as Kurt peered up a little breathless Blaine's eyes were like golden liquid, boring into his and unwavering, un-judging. His face was passive but calm and his shoulders rose and fell steadily with every deep breath, he understood, he knew.

“Y-yeah, so anyway as you know they had a Zero Tolerance policy on bullying and I liked it there, I'd made friends and joined clubs, but it was never the same, a few months later I'd been told that my ‘bully' had been expelled, so I returned, with not ‘no issues' but a lot less than before, only he also returned to the school a few months after that,” Blaine did that thing again, tensing, like he wanted to jump and do something or say something, “only this time he was different, like a new person, and without going in to it too much he later on turned out to be Gay too.” He exhaled a long breath and picked up his mug, the remaining coffee probably cold now, but he needed something to concentrate on.

“Hey,” his eyes flicked to Blaine's over the rim of the cup, “You could never go into anything too much, I could listen to you forever, a-and I um, I transferred for the same reasons, sort of, bullied at my old school but I had no attachments or friends there, I found happiness and real friends at Dalton and with The Warblers-” 

Kurt almost squeaked into his cup, “The Warblers? Y-you were-” He sings, as if everything about him isn't incredible enough, he sings-

Blaine's smile was incredulous as he nodded enthusiastically, “were you?”

“Yeah well Glee club was where I'd met all of my old friends back at McKinley, so I decided to try out, they were kind of famous in the show choir competition world, and I thought It would be fun to be rivals against the New Direction guys also-”

“Wow just when I thought you couldn't get any more interesting than you already are, there you go, surprising me-”

“Well there's plenty more where that came from, I'm full of surprises and stories.. and I must say you just get better and better with every tale.” He says almost cheekily, his eyes shining with delight.

Blaine rolls his eyes adoringly at Kurt's last words “I'm sure there is, and I'd love to hear it all.” Blaine bites his bottom lip as hand slowly slides forward on the table top, his fingers just brushing the side of Kurt's in a way that felt both playful and something else, like he just needed to be that little bit closer. He glanced at his watch down on his wrist noticing it was almost noon, he peered back up to find Kurt watching him with a small shy smile, not knowing what to say his previous comment.

“Would you like to get lunch? ..With me? ..Um now or-”

Kurt's eyes lit up, the sun pouring in from the nearby window illuminating the blues and greens, making them almost glass like, wide and clear and filled with sincerity and excitment, he hooked a finger over the top of one of Blaine's and brushed it back and forth slightly.

“If I paid this time, would that mean it's a second date?”