“What do you mean he left? You did all of that and then you let him leave before you got to the juicy stuff?” Rachel's voice rose higher and higher with each syllable as she screeched over the phone, Kurt rubbed at his temple with his free hand and resisted the urge to throw his phone against the wall, did she not read his text at all?

“Juicier, believe me it got pretty-”

“So why didn't you finish? Come on Kurt how many time's have I got to tell you you're not a kid, and he's like almost Forty-”

“He's Thirty-Five-”

“Whatever, sex is sex Kurt and you haven't-”

“Oh my god Rachel Berry I am NOT having this conversation with you over the phone when I'm at work, like I explained on the text if you had read it thoroughly, it wasn't like that, there's no rush with us-” The office door swung open suddenly to reveal Elliott standing on the other side, a small white card-board box in one hand and a clear plastic folder in the other, his face was one of humour and suspicion.

“Rachel I gotta go, I'll talk to you later when I'm home-”

“But I'll be back at the Theatre the-”

“Yeah Ok bye-”

“Bye Rachel” Elliott almost yelled in a sing-song voice as he stepped inside and came closer to Kurt. His grin was smug looking and he was his usual all too-perky self for a Monday afternoon. He placed the folder on the desk opposite Kurt and opened the lid off the box in his hand to reveal a rather generous slice chocolate covered cream cake with raspberry jam, he presented it to Kurt with a raise of his eyebrow.

“Brought you my leftovers-”

“Oh a Monday pick me up, you're a doll El-”

“What was that about?”

“What was what?” He didn't meet Elliott's hawk-eyed gaze as he reached forward to try and take the box from Elliott's hands, when Elliott pulled back with no doubt a shit-eating grin he ran a finger over the plastic folder instead, “Are those the fabric samples I ordered from-”

“Shut up, you know you don't care about the samples, you want this cake? You talk!” Elliott dropped down into one of the empty chairs, smiling like a Cheshire fucking cat as Kurt glared up at him.

“Elliott-”

“I was worried about you, Rachel has been too, that guy I met all those years ago at my audition for the band that YOU created, that young charismatic, confident, sexy-ass mo-fo disappeared with no rhyme or reason and I was scared for you buddy, scared that you lost that drive that would always push forward, and the guy who picked me up off of the floor after my last love-conquest failed fabulously, also the same guy who although having reservations at first remained a great, supportive friend when I started things up with Jon albeit maybe a little too fast but-” Kurt swallowed hard around the dry lump in his throat, and concentrated keeping his eyes wide open, frightened that the smallest blink would cause any unshed tears to surface, Elliot was a great buddy, but he never knew he cared this much, paid this much attention, why couldn't he talk to Elliott about something as crazy and fascinating as Blaine and his new love for life and wanting to enjoy it.

“El-”

“Look I'm just saying, that it's been a week since last Monday-”

“Well done you can count-” Kurt couldn't help it, despite the raw, heartfelt conversation-even if it was one sided- they were currently having, humour and sarcasm and sass was always their way.

“Suck it, since the weekend before last, you've been acting like Anna-fucking-Wintour came in herself and kissed your bear ass,” Kurt sucked in a breath, trying to discourage his burst of giggles and looked past Elliott through the partially open door, scandalised, making sure nobody could overhear them, Elliott rolled his eyes but leaned forward and lowed his voice, “look man, it's no secret to me and hell even Isabelle that you're unhappy here these days, we just need to know how to help you, and if you've got something or someone going on that's helping you get there, then I'm fucking elated for you man, I just wanna be a part of it-” Kurt smiled at Elliott's choice of words, he picked up the small plastic folk in the cake box that Elliott had apparently forgotten all about and cut off a small piece, he held it to his lips, thinking for a second, Kurt had nothing to lose anymore, he didn't have to hide away in his own little world that he didn't like anymore, he could be brass and live on the edge, he could afford to take chances and make mistakes. He blew out a large breath and sat up straighter in his desk chair.

“His name is Blaine, I've known him for Nine Days, we've only seen each other once since then and had Four dates in the space of one day, and I think that I'm quite possibly, foolishly falling head over heels for him-” Kurt released a little breath and scooped the forkful of cake into his mouth before he could say something else, Elliott started speaking almost instantly, un-phased.

“New Years Eve?” Kurt nodded and hummed whilst trying to swallow.

“He was the Bar…Tender-” Kurt didn't have to explain everything about Blaine, not right now and not when he didn't even know what was officially happening between them yet, if anything at all.

“Hot?”

“Like you wouldn't believe-”  

“And what's the current status, the state of play?” Kurt peeked up at Elliott and set down his folk, Elliott was watching him with a warm smile, these questions were not interrogations, they were general, interested questions between two friends who cared, and Kurt couldn't remember why he even thought Elliott would react any differently.

“Honestly? I don't know, he came back to mine last night, and I felt like we'd already had the most amazing day, we got take-out and talked and talked and it was just so easy and then we got close and then closer and then…well you know?” Elliott nodded but remained silent, his face soft, his smile subtle, “we um, we never made it to…that part, but it was fine you know, better than fine, it was worthy, it was important, we never really had to discuss the lines and limitations, we just knew, we'd had a full day of each other which like I said was amazing and wouldn't change for the world and we just carried on enjoying being with each other maybe a little too much but with most of our clothes still intact if not a little rumpled until almost midnight, when I knew Rachel would be coming home and didn't need an audience, we kissed and kissed at the door and he kept coming back for more until I had to push him off of the stoop, he texted me all the way home and his last text was one of those adorable freaking love heart emoticon thingys-” Kurt's heart beat a little faster at the thought of the message he had screen-captured almost instantly, his smile growing fond and stomach fluttering, he looked to find Elliott with a grin almost matching his own.

“That sounds fucking perfect Kurt, awesome, a guy who's not afraid to take things further but knows he doesn't always have to, to get the same desired effect, he sounds mature, experienced-”

“Well he is I guess, he's a little older than me, um Thirty-Five-”

“Cool, a sugar daddy, so what's the fucking problem?” Kurt laughed feeling his tension thawing out slightly, why didn't he talk to Elliott about this sooner, he's even slightly better than Rachel, who he hadn't actually physically seen since Saturday Night/Early Sunday Morning.

“I haven't heard from him today, at all-”

“Shit Kurt, what is this Sweet-fucking-Valley high-” Elliott laughed like he couldn't comprehend what he was hearing, “So what? YOU call him, text him, shit go to the god damn place he works, a guy would not go through all of that with you and then not put out at the end of it all, if it was all for nothing anyway-”

“It's just it's new, you know, like really new, like at an early stage when I don't know what I should be telling people-”

“So you say nothing until you and he decide, and even if you don't, if you go back to the drawing board, at least you tried, and me? Well I don't know shit about my boss or what or who he gets up to if anybody asks-”

Kurt knew what Elliott was saying was true, it made sense, he was past the whole ‘my turn-your turn' to text or call stage, he just didn't want to come on too strong, there were still elements of Blaine he wasn't quite sure of still and no matter how strong of a connection he felt they had, it had still been only less than two weeks, he didn't want to push or assume, but at the same time needed to, deserved to know if this was something that could be worth pushing for. Something that Elliott had suggested stuck rooted to the forefront of his mind, and an array of ideas and options swirled around his Brain, making it most certain that he wasn't going to get any more work done for the next Four hours until the Six O'clock whistle.

He glanced at the timer on his laptop screen, and clicked onto his inbox, all emails were answered and filed and forwarded to the correct destinations, his sketch and notebooks were already full for the next pitch meeting on Wednesday and Isabelle was out at an extended-I most likely won't come back to the office- late working lunch, with clients from other offices. He glanced at Elliott and with a smirk, took out his work's Blackberry from the top drawer and shut down his computer, I can type out some labelling headers and do some internet research, whilst I'm relaxing with a coffee, or a glass of wine and some snacks..at a bar-

Elliott slammed his fist on the table, one of boyish triumph, “Atta boy-” Kurt smiled whilst wrapping his scarf around his neck and pulling his coat from the rack, he quickly checked his reflection in the office window and turned to his friend who was now standing, the open door in his hand. “Just… Kurt?” Kurt took half a step closer, watching, waiting both patiently and a little too eager as he bounced on his toes slightly, “just get out of your head you know? Don't make this any bigger or better than it has to be, you don't have to do or not do anything, and neither does he for that matter whether that's sex or a string of dates or whatever, just be you, be cool-”  

“Thank you Elliot-” And they both knew that it wasn't a thank you for just opening the door.

“You're welcome, If I knew you were gonna get all sociable and actually go out and meet a hot-ass older guy I wouldn't have travelled back home for the holidays-” he tipped his head with a grin but just before Kurt could get past him he placed a hand on his Black leather sleeved Grey Pea Coat, “Jon asked me to move in with him last night, like officially, for real, we're gonna have like a ‘welcome to your new home for me/housewarming' gathering in a month or so when I'm all settled in, and I would sure love to meet him-” Elliott, didn't need to be precise, he didn't need to finish that sentence, didn't need to specifically say who he meant, or why he'd waited and chosen now to tell Kurt about his happy news, Kurt knew.

Kurt flung his arms around his friends shoulder's and hugged him tightly, he pulled back to look at his face and smiled wide and bright.

“I'm so happy for you El” and he meant it, he understood now what it's like, what it could be like, with a shaky nod and shoulder bump he left, as easy as that, if only Kurt could put that into practice in other parts of his life.

*

Kurt checked his hair for the Fifth time in the rear view mirror of the cab after paying the driver, and after receiving a far from pleased look he exited the car and scuttled up to the main entrance of The Stage, his stomach swooped lightly, the place had a whole new meaning now, regardless of who worked there, he'd learnt about the history and heart of the place and he felt honoured almost.

He patted down his coat and pulled at the large curved brass handle on one of the main doors, it opened heavily and just enough for Kurt to squeeze through a small gap, into the warmth depth of the vast foyer. As he took a few steps further and started to unbutton his coat, he could sense that something was different, the atmosphere was off, it was eerily quiet, and just a very distant playing of music through the doors to the main bar filled the air, but there was no rabble of background chatter, no clinking of glasses or tip- taps of heels over the wooden and tiled floors.  

Kurt looked around just as one of the ‘Staff Only' doors opened near the back and a young man hurried out, an ear-bud connected to an iPod hung out of one ear whilst he tried to zip up his jacket around the white clingy cable, he looked up startled to see Kurt standing there watching him.

“Oh hey, sorry we're closed today-”

Shit, it's Monday, the bar is closed on Mondays, Blaine told me that, so wh-

“Oh hey it's you-” Kurt's eyes snapped back up to the man who had come a little closer and was looking at him with a fond smile and mischievous knowing eyes, it was the bar tender who Blaine had sent over with a tray full of drinks and snacks for he and Rachel. Kurt stood still and quiet, not sure what to say, about to apologise and turn back around when the boy nodded over to the doors leading to the grand hall.

“Go right in” and with a cheeky smirk and a pink face he disappeared behind Kurt and out of the exit.

Blaine must be here still.

Kurt took small steps as the door swung shut behind him, he wondered what the boy thought of him, why the smug looking smirk? He obviously remembered Kurt from the night he served he and Rachel but did he not question why, did Blaine give him a reason as to why they were sudden top of priority for the night, had Blaine told him something since and the boy knew fine well the clear cut order to send Kurt into the quiet bar on a none-work day happily.

He shrugged off his coat and loosened his scarf, his skin suddenly feeling too warm with flushed cheeks, he made his way over to the doors and slowly and quietly opened and entered, he didn't know how much more of the staff were here and didn't want to disturb or make a scene, he wasn't even sure if he should be here or not, he only had the say so of the boy, but it was too late now, Kurt had already started making his way past clusters of tables and chairs lifted nicely on top of the surfaces.

He looked around as he moved through the room almost silently, not another soul in sight, not even a voice to be heard, just the music that Kurt could first make out when he entered the foyer, only now with each step closer down to the lower foundation of the room where the bar area was, the Music became louder and clearer, more defined and not the crackly sounds of wall speakers, this music was live and made up of only one sole instrument.

As Kurt reached the Bar surface, he leaned over and peered into the open back room just off to the side where some stock was kept and extra coolers and wash basins and dish washing machines, nobody there, he tapped a finger across the smooth, recently cleaned marble surface and looked up to where it was apparent where the music was coming from, the stage that Kurt had heard to be hidden away behind the large black curtain, the stage that ultimately this building was named after.

Kurt scrunched up his nose and thought for a second as the calming flow of the Music washed over him like a balm, he vaguely recognised the tune, it was an old one, a part instrumental and Kurt tried to place it in his back catalogue of Music in his brain. Whatever it was, it was played beautifully, expertly so and his heart threatened to rise out of his throat as he tried to shove off thoughts and hopes of who might be playing it, the Music was definitely created by a Piano. 

He should text Blaine and say he was here, maybe he was already watching him in his office on the Camera screens, he blinked his eyes closed and made an executive decision, lifting up the bar hatch and slipping underneath, he draped his coat and scarf over the bar counter and walked over to the ‘No access' door in the corner where he had previously seen Blaine disappear though and quietly pushed it open revealing four or five black steps, leading up to undoubtedly the rear of the stage.

Kurt took careful, slow steps on his tippy toes, not wanting the heels of his Armani shoes to echo against the steps as he got closer to the top, the higher he got the more came into view and focus from above, all and nothing but a Black, shiny baby grand Piano and Blaine perched on the stool before it, with his back to Kurt.

Kurt felt like he had just interrupted or walked in on a really intimate, important moment between two people, which was totally crazy because it was just Blaine and an inanimate object, but the two looked so beautiful together so gelled, like the perfect partnership, and Kurt wanted to watch for hours, forever. He could just make out the slope of Blaine's strong back and shoulders through the thin Navy polo shirt he wore, the fabric shifting with each movement as his arms flexed and moved up and down the keys, his head was bent forward and the sole light above his head shone brightly and highlighted his Grey-ish tipped curls gorgeously as they sat obediently in their product applied style.

Kurt did not let himself stare too long at the blue faded jeans Blaine wore which hugged his ass perfectly and looked like the most glorious apple shape in his position on the piano bench.

He stood frozen, feet rooted to the spot, enchanted by the sight and the sound before and around him, the tune slowly starting to hint at recognition is his brain when a low rumble of a voice, a little scratchy at first but oh so beautiful started to sing along quietly, Kurt could hardly breathe.

“You see this guy…this guy's in l-”

*Beep*

Kurt jumped on the spot, his heart catching in his throat as his phone alerted in his pants pocket with a text, Jesus, he wanted the floor to swallow him up. The music came to an abrupt halt with the piercing sound of clattering of keys and chords and Blaine spun around on the seat, almost accidently sliding off altogether and blinked up at him, wide eyes, incredulous.

“K-Kurt?” He stood and started to walk over towards him, his hand running through his hair, he didn't look angry or shocked, he looked almost like relieved, he glanced around as he stepped forward his lips tugging upwards, a shy smile, “you uh, you found me.”

“Uh hey yeah, I'm uh I'm so sorry-” Blaine had reached him now, standing inches away, his hands flexed at his sides, looking like they wanted, needed a job to do, fingers stretching like they wanted to reach out and grab on to Kurt and pull him closer. Blaine's smile grew, his eyes crinkling a little, he looked tired today, he looked strangely and regretfully pensive but still handsome, so handsome.

“Why are you sorry?” Blaine furrowed his brow, scrunching his nose adorably, and searching Kurt's eyes deeply like he truly couldn't understand what Kurt was apologising for.

“For being here, now, for-” Blaine pulled him into a hug, wrapping his arms around Kurt's torso, a strong embrace and almost reaching up onto his tippy toes so that he could tuck his chin over Kurt's shoulder, he pushed his nose into the nape of Kurt's neck and inhaled deeply.

“Don't be sorry for that, don't ever be sorry for that-” His voice was low and breathy and ticked the shell of Kurt's ear as he slowly pulled his head back but remaining close, he brushed his lips up onto Kurt's strong chiselled cheek bone and whispered into the skin there, “I'm so glad to see you.”

It was something so reverent, so private and Kurt felt like he could cry at the wanting he could feel in those words and the breathy tone, but also something new and intriguing and sweet, like discovering how to test boundaries and in the best way.

He brushed his nose against Blaine's and smiled, looking deep into his golden liquid eyes before glancing down at his lips, the generic code for what he wanted to do next, what was inevitable. Blaine beat him to it and tilted his chin, taking Kurt's lips forcefully between his own, nibbling on the fuller squishier bit, swiping a tongue over, smiling, breathing deeply and going for it hard again, all tongue and teeth, a perfect hello ‘where have you been all day?' Or maybe even a ‘where have you been all my life?'

As the kiss grew more tender, soft brushes and pecks on the corners and edges of full kiss swollen pink lips,  Kurt pulled back with a soft gasp, elated but still felt like he should give an explanation, he shook his head slightly pulling himself out of his head, his pupils dilating as he watched Blaine chase after him with his mouth then looked up at him, he had the sweetest smile on his lips and his eyes wide like this was the best thing to happen to him all day.

“The um the kid,” Kurt made a vague pointing gesture with thumb back towards the steps to the bar, “he said I'd could come straight in, I'm sorry I didn't mean to-”

“Hey stop saying that-” Blaine took both of Kurt's hands in his own and brushed his thumbs over his knuckles.

“I should have sent you a text though at least, I was at work-”

“How was it?”

“Um good, well it was ok, I just, I couldn't concentrate and Elliott-”

“Your assistant?” Kurt smiled and nodded, Blaine was so attentive and caring and interested in everything about Kurt, he couldn't understand why they hadn't spoken all day after a perfect Sunday together.

“Yeah, he suggested that I uh-”

“Come here?” Blaine was smiling, beaming actually, he kept up stroking his thumbs over Kurt's skin like he couldn't bear to let him go.

“Yeah, but I completely forgot you'd said The Bar was closed today until I got here and I saw-”

“Ivan, yeah that kid knows the score,” Blaine smiled knowingly and fondly, and then winked, leaving Kurt intrigued as to what that actually meant.

“I um I was just going to come and get a drink and an afternoon snack maybe and sit on the sofa's in the lounge area at the back, go over some work stuff, I wouldn't have came if I'd rem-”

“I'm so happy you forgot,” He smiled cheekily back at Kurt, his hands moved up and over Kurt's arms, brushing and squeezing tenderly, Kurt was dressed a little more casually for work today than usual but still looked impeccable, incredible even, better than any other work uniform or outfit, with a simple white fitted shirt, a smart Tartan sweater vest over the top and a pair of slim fitting sleek, dark grey trousers, Blaine's eyes wandered downwards slightly before dragging them back up. “I um, I'm sorry, I know that I haven't called or anything-”

Kurt smiled almost coy like, eyes shining with understanding, he reached out a hand and fiddled with the collar of Blaine's polo, “Well neither did I-”

Blaine blew out a low groan, so very quiet and easily disguised as a breath as Kurt's finger drew invisible circles over his chest, his shoulder and collarbone and slowly down to his sternum, peeking a finger tip through the small slit where the top three buttons were undone, tangling in the stream of his dark chest hair.

This was fast turning into something unexpected but Kurt's skin tingled deliciously at the thought, Blaine's breath hitched in his throat, his eyes turning molten. He moved his hands down to Kurt's waist, grasping at his hips until their bodies were flush together, their noses just a breath away, “I-I don't even know why I didn't-”

Kurt's heart pounded as his lips parted, he mouthed at the rise of Blaine's cheek bone, feeling his dark lashes fan across his skin as Blaine's eyes fluttered closed, “Me neither-”

“Maybe we're over thinking things-” Blaine's thumbs rubbed circles into Kurt's hipbones, his voice rough. Kurt wanted to do a happy dance, but his feet were rooted to the spot as the intensity of Blaine's gaze bore into him, this was definitely right, this was definitely the correct decision and Kurt was almost positive he had never felt more sure of anything before.

“Maybe we are-” Blaine was on Kurt instantly, pulling his lips between his own and walking backwards, pulling Kurt with him by his hips.

They stumbled together messily, lips smacking with the most delicious sounds, tongue and teeth but also sweetly so, soft and caring, testing and tasting until the backs of Blaine's leg hit the Piano stool, he stumbled around it to the soft curved edge of the Piano and swiftly spun them around, changing positions so that Kurt was backed up against the thing. He paused to breathe against the corner of Kurt's mouth, their lips touching just so at the edges, “I think you're right.”

Blaine's hands stayed where they were on Kurt's waist, pushing and pressing, keeping him firmly in place as Kurt's hands explored his face, fingers twiddling with the short hair by his ears, scratching down his sideburns and stubbly jaw, curving around his neck, scratching upwards and back again. Their kissing remained relentless, never letting up, both hard and soft, the right pressure, the perfect intensity. Kurt felt Blaine's fingers dig in through his shirt just slightly his hold becoming tighter and then Kurt was up and sitting on the Piano top in one swift, smooth motion.

Blaine had just lifted him like it was nothing at all, no effort, no big deal and it was completely and utterly hot as hell, Kurt spread his legs a little, accommodating Blaine so that he could stand between them and rest his hands lightly on the tops of Kurt's thighs, softly and slowly brushing up and down along the surface.

Blaine smiled into the kiss, pulling back and dragging his lips down to Kurt's throat as Kurt moaned and rolled his eyes in response, quickly learning that this was Blaine's favourite place to be. He placed small kisses up and down the smooth, pale column and smiled at the muffled sounds Kurt was making into the side of his head, nose pressed into his curls. He peppered kisses and licks, soft nibbles back up, ending with a big smack on his lips and rocked back on his heels, his eyes sparkling, cheeks flushed and hair a gorgeous mess from Kurt's playing fingers.

“Hi,” He breathed, with a wide smile, fingers drumming along Kurt's thighs. Kurt giggled as his eyes lit up, as his accompanying grin grew bright and toothy, he cleared his throat.

“Hi yourself,” Kurt cast his eyes downwards and to the side, dropping his hands and running his fingers along the cool shiny surface of the Black Piano top, he bit his lip, eyeing Blaine again with a hint of mischief in his clear blue eyes, “so I meet your one true love then huh?”

Blaine laughed, dropping his chin and rubbing the back of his neck before returning his hands and placing them on top of Kurt's on the piano and entwining their fingers the best they could.

“Did I not tell you that I had mistress?” His smile was teasing, devastatingly handsome and Kurt felt his heart flutter, Blaine was flirting again but this was new, this was establishing something, appreciating and enjoying each other and also keeping up the exciting crackling tension.

“You didn't tell me you played so well, so beautifully, although I guess I already knew, I'd love to hear some mor-”

“There's time right?” Blaine patted Kurt's hand gently with a shy smile, his gaze didn't quite meet but the affection and honesty and obvious reluctance for some reason showed in his face. Kurt turned his palm upright and squeezed slightly.

“Sure there is,” Kurt smiled as he glanced around the stage surrounding them, suddenly aware of the vast space, the large walls and curtains, low ceiling and the overhead lights, he looked back the Piano which looked lost, just placed there, then back at Blaine who had been watching him carefully, intently. “Tell me about this all, do you always play-” 

“When I think I'm alone,” Blaine grinned and winked, “there's not much to say really, this is the main stage as you've probably guessed, this is one of the original aspects of the building that I simply just could not change-”

“Why?”

“No real reason, well not at first, now it's somewhere where I like to come and reflect, somewhere to be me you know?” Kurt smiled and nodded, god he really related to Blaine on so many levels and the ways that he didn't he found them fascinating and craved to know and learn the depths of one Blaine Bar Owner Anderson.

“As for playing, I don't play regularly now not for any reason other than leisurely, I just do it to let it of steam, to regroup-”

“What did you have to regroup from today?” Kurt was past the stage of worrying how many questions he liked to ask and although he knew Blaine wasn't always comfortable talking about himself, he always happily answered Kurt, he happily shared himself and aspects of his life even though it wasn't always enough or he didn't actually want to.

“I um, I guess I  had something or rather someone on my mind today, I wanted to figure things out, make sure that I could be who I wanted to be, for me and for that someone,” He looked down, his face sweeping with a sudden uncertainty before peeking back up, steeling himself, “A-and I wanted to work out whether they were possibly thinking a similar thing-” Kurt smirked and un-tucked a hand from underneath Blaine to bring it up to his chest, he rested his hand over Blaine's breast plate, letting it linger, feeling the blood and pulsing and hard planes of muscle underneath before letting it slide upwards, fingers playing with his button holes and collar before sliding around his neck.    

“Well, if I didn't know any better I would say that this someone you're referring to, Is thinking the same, and I'd think that he'd like to know what conclusion you came to-”

Blaine tucked his fingers underneath Kurt's soft palm and tugged, whilst stepping backwards, pulling him away from the Piano and back over to the steps by the side,

“I have concluded that I would very much like to embark on my fifth date with this someone if I may be so bold-” Kurt giggled and firmly linking his fingers with Blaine as he lead them down the steps.

“You may-”

Blaine stopped and quickly spun Kurt around as they hit the first few steps so that he was a level lower, he took his face in his hands and pulled him closer, whispering against his lips, “Good because, I don't think I can hold back much longer, and there needs to be a fifth date before a sixth or a seventh or a-” This time Kurt's mouth was the one to interrupt, both so rudely and deliciously.

*

It was Two days before Valentines Day, and The Stage had been decked out in bright red balloons and banners dangling and hanging from all possible crevices, there were special promotions offered at the bar and the menu in the kitchen had been altered to fit the occasion, it was all horrendously tacky and cheesy but oh so adorable. Kurt had helped with some of the decorating and added his thoughts and ideas to some of the terrible pun-included names for the dishes and love-inspired cocktails. That particular night of planning, swam around fondly in Kurt's memory and was one that began on Kurt's living room floor, with a shared pasta dish and a bottle of beer and a ginger-ale for Blaine, with awful pick- up lines, flirtatious winks, chaste pecks and fleeting touches, which very much turned into Kurt being pressed into the back of the sofa with Blaine half on the floor leaning over him and making sure each stretch of skin from his chin to his sternum was attentively taken care of, with only his tongue and blunt teeth.

Kurt absentmindedly twirled the silk thread which dangled from a balloon and dropped to the table rooted with a red-heart shaped paper weight, around his finger as he flicked through different windows on his Tablet which sat on the table, closing and opening boxes, answering texts and emails and keeping up on his social networking sites. Occasionally he'd take a sip from his Cosmo, which each time he'd return from the bathroom seemed to magically be topped up and accompanied by a bag of Kurt's favourite 1% Fat, no added salt chips, or a bowl feta cheese and olives or Bacon-shell coated nuts.

It was a Friday, a little after Nine-PM and Kurt had been there, in the same spot for almost Four and a half hours, but he was more than happy to stay there the rest of the night, he'd gotten there straight after work after declaring ‘a god awful busy week deserves an early finish', when the bar was still mostly quiet waiting for people to finish work for the weekend and celebrate. He had been greeted at the door in a way that was fast becoming pleasantly familiar and slightly less embarrassing, but Kurt could care less, he hauled himself into Blaine's waiting embrace every time and melted into his kiss. The staff were mostly aware of ‘Kurt' now, who he was, why he was there, and knew both to be attentive and at the same time not to bother him, with harmless, useless gossip or need-to-knows about the boss. Even some of the regulars were also getting used to the small displays of affection, at the end of the day even though it was not so widely known, this was Blaine's establishment, his rules, his say, and his small team of security including himself were well equipped enough to quickly discard of anybody who didn't agree.

Rachel had met him for a quick bar meal shortly after he'd arrived, swapping stories from their days, waving embarrassingly over at Blaine then dragging him into a hug when he approached the table to say Hi to her during a quiet spell, then left a little before Six for her Seven-Thirty opening.

Kurt was more than happy here, honestly there was nowhere else he'd rather be, perched comfortably in an oversized fabric winged chair up in the lounge area, beside a roaring coal fire on cold days and in good viewing distance of the entire bar. On night's when his eyes were tired and straining after day of tapping away on his laptop, or looking too closely whilst he sketched, he would put on his glasses and glance over at the bar to see Blaine eyeing him whilst licking his lips and trying not to spill whilst pouring a glass of wine for a blushing giggling girl at the bar who he was paying absolutely no mind to.

This is what Kurt had been doing for a little over a month now, when he and Blaine weren't catching rare free time together either at a small independent movie theatre, or some little local restaurant that one of them had been recommended, or just out walking and exploring the many streets and parks of NYC together with take-out coffees and bagels, he would be here, watching Blaine work. Watching Blaine was Kurt's most favourite thing to do, the way he would blush sometimes if he took an order wrong, the way he would stick his tongue out whilst cashing up the register and concentrating hard, how he tilted his head and almost squinting his eyes when measuring sprits for cocktails, he was beautiful to watch.

He would chatter idly and happily with customers, showing interest and delight, he'd back slap the guys he knew and politely drop a fleeting kiss on the cheeks of some of the older ladies who would come in to meet with their gal pals before heading to a show or a table reservation, they couldn't get enough when he'd introduced Kurt to them one Saturday before a Matinee showing, and started talks of hat buying for upcoming nuptials, Kurt quickly retreated to his chair with a blush and a grin that wouldn't quit after that time. Sometimes Kurt would perch on the edge of Blaine's desk in his office, feet up on the plastic arm of Blaine's wheelie-desk chair, toying with the curls at Blaine's temples as he hovered over a shipping order of stock or an invoice for something or another, Blaine would look up with a smirk and capture Kurt's lips chastely as he leant down to meet him half way.  

Kurt never missed the way Blaine would slow his powerful walk whenever approaching or walking past Kurt's table, he'd pick up discarded menus and glasses, tuck in chairs and stack up coasters just to keep his hands busy, so that they weren't free to grab Kurt from his chair and fondle him over the table in a most inappropriate way for a public establishment. He'd idle by Kurt's table when it was quiet, sometimes sit with him for a five minute break, and steal fries from his plate or a sip from his soda, he'd subtly rub a hand over his shoulder and tickle his neck and lift his knuckles to his waiting lips as he lifted himself from his chair and got back to work. Kurt simply couldn't get enough.

They would spend some days and nights when their schedules aligned at Kurt's place, Rachel was at the Theatre most nights but even when she wasn't the three of them got along quite well, the night before last she had prepared the three of them a Vegan three course meal and then proceeded to show Blaine each DVD recording of their old New Direction's Show Choir Competitions as she sat on the coffee table engrossed with Blaine on the sofa behind and Kurt cuddled into his side, she didn't need to see or know what their hands were up to under their shared blanket, as their bare feet and toes tickled together.

Kurt didn't actually know where Blaine lived, he asked once, somewhere in the middle of a fast paced conversation about Blaine's favourite singer/songwriter announcing a new tour and was answered with ‘not far from here, you know the area' and then flew back into animated speech all hands and smiles, Kurt forgot to ask again at another time.

It didn't matter to Kurt, it was still early days for them, they were still happily mutually enjoying an unhurried pace but one that was fast becoming a problem, a deliciously wonderful problem in which each time Blaine unwound himself from Kurt on the sofa to go home to no doubt take a cold shower, or the floor, or the hammock out on the balcony, both with blatant hard-ons and shallow breaths, half unbuttoned shirts and flies and pink flushed cheeks and skin, was becoming much, much more difficult to ignore.

Kurt was starting to question why they were holding off anymore, and the answer was simple, they were not deliberately trying to, they just needed to admit that. They hadn't directly had the ‘boyfriend' talk and Kurt wasn't sure if they actually needed to, they were what they were, introducing each other to a handful of acquaintances and friends, holding hands, touching, staying close more times than not, forever texting and calling, it was just time to now cross that imaginary line.

 Kurt glanced at the small clock on his tablet home screen when he noticed Blaine approaching him from the bar, stalking more like, shoulders rolling, eyes hooded and imploring, whilst undoing his top button and unclipping his ‘Management' badge from his shirt pocket, it was Ten-Thirty and Kurt had just finished his Fourth Cosmo and ready for a water, something just to slow down the pace, Blaine knew how to make Kurt's drinks now perfectly from memory, how and when. On nights like tonight, not too strong with more fruit juice than spirit and sweetener rather than sugar, a twist of lime and orange peel on the side, or on rougher days after an irritating board meeting, a strong Gin and Diet Tonic or Vodka with Ice and lemon or maybe a deep red wine to take the edge off and set him off for a good nights sleep.

Tonight, Kurt's drinks weren't very strong, and he'd been eating and snacking also, his mind was pleasantly fuzzed, all headaches and stress easing but certainly no sign of drunkenness. He knew that tonight would result the way most nights did, Blaine would close the bar around One-ish, midnight if the crowds were quiet, he would help clean up, run away from Blaine swatting him with a rag for teasing and shamelessly flirting with young Ivan who blushed every time he was near. When the staff would retire for the night, and they were left alone they would fool around in the office until Kurt's eyelids would droop and Blaine would carry him out onto the front stoop, Kurt's long lean legs wrapped around his waist and arms around his neck and kiss him breathlessly under the moonlight and harsh street lamps until his cab came, Blaine would then text him relentlessly making sure he got home ok and up until Kurt literally fell asleep with his phone left on his chest.

When Blaine finally got to him with flushed cheeks, curls breaking free from the product induced style, and a look of pure want and need on his face, teasing, flirtatious, adorable, that look, Kurt frowned at the early time, he glanced around to find surprisingly the bar wasn't that busy at all, just a handful of regulars propped up at the higher tables in the lower foundation. Blaine picked up Kurt's empty glass and wiped at a stain with the rag in his pocket that the glass had left on the table, he extended his freehand to Kurt and leant down whilst tugging Kurt up and off the chair, his lips colliding with the sensitive skin of Kurt's ear.

“I'm done now, the guys have got it down out here, you um, you wanna come with me?” His breath was hot, voice low and hopeful, and eyes shining with promise when he pulled back to gage Kurt's reaction. Kurt wasn't exactly sure what he was answering to, they were no doubt just gonna go out the back or maybe back to Kurt's a for a little while but none the less he nodded enthusiastically, his smile bright as he stood and linked an arm under Blaine's elbow.

Blaine walked them both through the room, behind the main bar counter, Kurt smiled shyly and finger wiggled at some of the staff he'd got used to talking to as Blaine unlocked the ‘No Access' Door leading them through it and locked it behind them as Kurt started up the steps, they got to the top, reaching the stage quickly and quietly and Kurt's heart beat a little faster as he remembered the last time, only time, they were here, the image of Blaine sat at the Piano, playing and singing, Kurt wondered if Blaine was going to play for him tonight, but the thought was dashed as he remembered the bar just behind the curtain, he could still hear the clinking of glasses and low hum of conversation.

Blaine stepped up behind him, locking his fingers alongside Kurt's then stepping forwards, pulling Kurt with him and passing the stage and the piano altogether, through another curtain and small archway and to the back where Kurt imagined the old dressing rooms would have been but was now a simple narrow but long bricked off corridor with another heavy steel door, painted black and finished with a varnished wooden frame at the end. They approached the door and Kurt noticed the small electronic keypad on the wall beside it, on it was a buzzer button and small screen and when he looked up he found a small camera trained on he and Blaine hanging from above.

Blaine turned to him, his fingers reaching up but pausing just before touching the keypad, he looked tired in the harsh dim light, but his eyes were alight, alive and sparkling, intriguing.

“I um, I was hoping you would want-would maybe like to come to my place tonight, to um see it-” He tapped at the keyboard and with a low buzz the door clicked open, Blaine pushed at it further and squeezed Kurt's hand as he stepped through. They had entered what looked like a plush apartment building foyer with an elevator in the corner and stair case opposite, Kurt turned to Blaine with a slow but wide spreading smile and small nod, “I-I'd love that of course-” Maybe it's time, maybe it's now, he shivered with anticipation and excitement, he was ready, they were ready, no matter what they got up to tonight, Blaine was letting Kurt in on yet another piece of his guarded life and Kurt's heart felt like it was caught in his throat.  

Blaine bit his lip around his smirk, his eyes lighting with triumph and tilted his chin up, nodding towards the ceiling above them.

“Good, cause we're here.”