Cooper gives Blaine a big hug.

“See ya, squirt,” he whispers, “It’s a bummer you had to miss Ocean’s 8 and the trip to the Wax Museum, but I’m glad you still had fun.”

Blaine decides to not point out that he doesn’t care about Ocean’s 8 and the Wax Museum. He can watch Ocean’s 8 in New York and the Wax Museum is creepy.

“Come to New York next time,” Blaine says instead.

“Nah,” Cooper immediately retorts, “I keep telling you… the future is here, in Los Angeles.”

Blaine lets it slide and he tightens the hug. He still loves his brother. And his father. Sometimes Blaine remembers that Kurt lost his and that makes Blaine appreciate Cooper and his father lots more.

Blaine feels a hand on his shoulder.

“Ready?” his father asks.

“Ready,” Blaine confirms. The two of them say their last goodbyes to Cooper and then it’s time to go through customs.

Blaine doesn’t have long with his father, though. Blaine’s flying to New York and obviously his father is flying to Columbus. Their gates are on opposite sides of the airport and his father’s flight is taking off earlier than Blaine’s.

“Bye dad,” Blaine also gives his father a hug.

“Bye Blaine,” he says back, “And… I’m sorry that you had to feel so nervous about telling us about the Championship. I wish we had spent more time together, but I get this is partially on me.”

“Thanks, that means a lot.”

The hug lasts for a few more seconds before it’s time to split up. Blaine waves and he watches his father disappear out of sight. Then he turns around and heads for his gate. Since he’s early, there’s enough space to sit down.

He has a little over an hour to spare, so he tries to see if Kurt’s online. Blaine’s three hours behind, but it should be fine. And he’s right, because when Blaine sends Kurt a DM, he gets a reply.

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
How was the championship????

forabeatofadrum
It was amazing!!

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
I still have to watch it
like I know they streamed it and everything, but I’ve been weirdly busy even tho I took off from work for now
I’m starting work again on the same day as The Guy but I swear that wasn’t intentional
But I’ve been doing some sewing and working on my own projects

forabeatofadrum
OH wow, that is great!!

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
Aaaaaah sorry!
here I am, talking about myself again, when I wanna know everything
did you see your potential team again???

forabeatofadrum
Yeah! They were also at the finale
And no worries I love hearing about what you’re up to.
What project??

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
oh again, just something for fun. I’m bedazzling a suit jacket

forabeatofadrum
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
yeah I haven’t worn a suit jacket since my dad’s funeral and I didn’t want to afterwards, so I decided that the best way to make me love suits again is by making it super gay

forabeatofadrum
well, is it working???

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
yeah!
I’ll send you a photo once it’s finished
although I will probably spend a lot of my free time on the new Octo Expansion DLC

forabeatofadrum
I know you haven’t seen the video of the championship yet but really you should’ve heard the crowd when the DLC got its release date.
I’m definitely playing in on the plane
I can’t believe Nintendo just dropped that like that

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
Nintendo… thank you!!!
And so many new weapons and gear!

forabeatofadrum
And music, probably!

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
But how was the remainder of your trip?
Are you travelling home with your dad?

forabeatofadrum
Nope
idk if I mentioned it before, but my dad lives in another state

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
You mentioned that your mum lives in the Philippines, but I always thought your dad was close by

forabeatoafrum
no he lives in the state where I grew up
ah Fuck it, I don’t live there anymore
Ohio
He lives in Ohio and I don’t

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
oh

forabeatofadrum
????

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
look I know it’s not my place so tell me if im being inappropriate, but this makes the whole situation with you and your dad kinda sadder in my eyes
Cherish the time you have with him, Blaine!!
god that sounds morbid, I don’t want to make it sound like he’s about to die

forabeatofadrum
It’s okay Kurt
I get where you’re coming from, so I don’t think it’s inappropriate
He apologised again, you know?? Just now, before he left to go to his gate

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
yeah??

forabeatofadrum
Yrah
He acknowledged that he probably gave me reasons to be nervous about the world championship situation and how that led to us missing out on spending time together
Cause obvs I couldn’t join my dad and brother while I was cheering on Yeah Nah

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
Yeah Nah??

forabeatofadrum
the Australian team but SPOILERS they got eliminated on the first day

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
THAT’S ALL YOU’RE GOING TO SPOIL FOR ME OKAY??
The server has a strict no spoiler rule for the world championship
there’s a hidden channel that you can only access after you’ve watched it
But yeah oops I don’t really know any teams

forabeatofadrum
Damn smart of the mods to do that
I’ll opt into that channel whe n I get home
But yeah idk what’s going on with my dad or why he’s having all these profound moments, but I am not complaining

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
maybe you can ask him?

forabeatofadrum
Maybe
idk
we’re not like you and your dad. We never really talk about deep stuff
We just like being around each other
sometimes
most of the time
but yeah apart from the little fall out on the first day, it was a nice trip and I was happy to see my dad and brother again. I def miss my mother now. i should give her a call

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
god yeah, I should give my stepmother a call
this period is hard on her too

forabeatofadrum
Sorry to hear that Kurt

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
it’s fine
I mean, we’ll be fine
But you know I think my dad would hate it if I were to go on like this any longer
I;m actually thinking about doing something big

forabeatofadrum
??

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
With The Guy, I mean
like actually properly asking him out the next time I see him

Right. The Guy. Of course they’re talking about The Guy.

forabeatofadrum
oh

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
Like, maybe if all works out, I’ll have something else to associate this month with
Obviously it will never take away the pain and June 28^th will always be a sad day no matter what, but I quite like the idea of having other things in June.
Cause right now the entire month is just weighing me down and like you said before, it doesn’t have to be
Does that make sense???
I’m not saying that asking out The Guy is magically going to solve everything that’s happened since my dad died, but I hope I have something to look forward to/something else to focus on. As you keep reminding me (thanks!!) I have been doing so much better ever since I moved back to my university city and maybe this will be a way to see how far I’ve come??
If he says yes, then yay, and if he says no, then lmao at least I have something else to sulk about
Which I KNOW isn’t very healthy

forabeatofadrum
You gotta do what feels good
who cares if others might think it’s weird
it’s YOUR life!

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
thanks, as always
You’re a good friend, Blaine

forabeatofadrum
😊

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
GAH sorry I am talking about myself again

At least Kurt notices. Still, Blaine cannot be angry at him to his face. Blaine knows that Kurt loves talking to him.

forabeatofadrum
It’s fine, it’s definitely on your mind

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
It definitely is!!!

forabeatofadrum
Do you think The Guy likes you back?

Blaine stares at his screen. Did he really just write that? Why is he fishing for answers? He knows that Kurt has probably read it, so he can’t delete it. Kurt gave him a way out, and instead he continues about The Guy.

He watches Kurt type a response.

He waits.

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
I don’t know, and that is kind of nerve wrecking. Like, I am certain I wanna give it a shot, but I am not certain enough he’ll like me back, so I am trying to not get my hopes up. Idk if I ever mentioned it, but the two of us had a rough start, which is mostly my fault. I think I started liking him the moment I saw him and that made me super nervous, because ya know, grief stuff. So I always sort of avoided him and I think he interpreted that as rudeness.
Don’t judge me, Blaine, but I don’t even know his name.
I never asked because I was avoiding him and then we actually started getting along and I didn’t want to ask him, because then he’d realise I never knew and that’s rude!!
But because of that bad start, I don’t know what he thinks of me. I’d like to think he no longer hates me. I mean, we seem to have a positive work relationship and what not.
So I don’t know.

forabeatofadrum
Well, all you can do is wait
Anway back to Splatoon!!
When will you watch the matches?? I need to talk to you about it because it was so great

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
I think I’ll watch the semi-final tomorrow and the finae the day after, if I have time

forabeatofadrum
There is this brilliant play from the Backsquids during a Clam Blitz round in the finale so you gotta keep your eyes open for that!!

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
Will do

Blaine’s thumbs hover over the screen. What else can he talk about? He feels kind of like a dick for cutting Kurt off when he might’ve talked more about The Guy, but he just couldn’t stand it any longer. He also doesn’t want to dwell on the dad stuff. And what can he say about Splatoon 2?

Blaine realises that for the first time ever since they met, he has nothing to say.

forabeatofadrum
we’re about to start boarding. Ttyl?

That’s a lie. Blaine has a little under an hour to spare, but he doesn’t know what else to do.

someonetocrowdyouwithlove
Yeah!! 🤗
Have a safe flight

Blaine takes his earbuds out of his bag and he waits for his plane to arrive.

When Blaine steps out of the elevator and turns the corner to go to his apartment, he sees Mr. 21 standing there at his own door. He looks amazing in that outfit and Blaine takes a little moment to watch him. Mr. 21 is in the process of leaving, but he hears the wheels of Blaine’s suitcase and his head turns towards him.

Blaine smiles widely.

Mr. 21 smiles back.

“Hey,” Blaine waves and walks towards Mr. 21.

“You’re back,” Mr. 21 says softly.

Blaine nods.

“Yeah, I was in Los Angeles visiting family, but oh God, I’m glad to be back on the East Coast.”

“You’re originally from Los Angeles?”

Blaine shakes his head.

“Westerville, Ohio.”

Mr. 21’s eyes widen and he has a surprised smile on his face.

“I’m from Lima, Ohio.”

“Cool,” Blaine says, even though Lima doesn’t sound very cool. Blaine’s stomach ruins the moment by making noise. Blaine lets out a laugh. “Sorry, it’s been a long day. I’m going to…” he motions towards his door.

Mr. 21 nods.

Blaine passes Mr. 21, who sighs, and he opens his bag to find his keys, but then he hears a “Wait!”.

Blaine gives Mr. 21 a questioning look. Mr. 21 is looking back with a nervous, but serious look on his face, which unsettles Blaine a little bit. Mr. 21 has never looked at him like that before.

“Yeah?” Blaine asks.

“Maybe this is bad timing,” Mr. 21 says quietly and Blaine has to lean forward to hear him.

“Yeah?” Blaine asks again, when Mr. 21 trails off.

“Would you, uhm, like to have coffee someday? Before work? A-as a… uhm, as a date?” he says so silently, that Blaine needs a moment to process what just happened. Did he hear that correctly? Or is it Mr. 21’s voice? Mr. 21 has always spoken softly and quietly, but Blaine never minded. He doesn’t hear Mr. 21’s voice a lot, but he likes it. He is as soft-spoken as Kurt.

Wait a second.

If Mr. 21 is asking what Blaine thinks he’s asking, then maybe it’s not a good sign that Blaine’s thinking about another guy.

“Sorry, what?” Blaine asks, dumbfounded. Did Mr. 21 ask him out and is he thinking about Kurt instead?

“A date,” Mr. 21 says again, but now he sounds even more nervous.

“Yes,” Blaine blurts out, but then that treasonous part of his mind goes ‘what about Kurt?’, and he adds “No!” without thinking.

Mr. 21 frowns and Blaine can’t blame him for his confusion.

“I mean,” Blaine quickly adds, “I mean, uh, you’re really great and attractive and now that you’re actually nice to me I think I have started liking you back, but it’s just-” his stomach grumbles again. Maybe this is a way out. “-I just got home and I’m not thinking straight. I’m not straight either, in case you’re worried that’s it. But, uhm, yeah… can you give me some time?”

Mr. 21 opens his mouth to say something but then he closes it and his frown deepens. Then he nods while looking at the ground. Blaine suddenly feels really bad.

“It isn’t a no!” he says.

“But it isn’t a yes either,” Mr. 21 states.

“But it isn’t a yes either,” Blaine confirms woefully. Fuck, he’s ruining it.

“Then, uhm, see you around?” Mr. 21 still doesn’t look at him.

“See you,” Blaine quickly finds his keys. He needs to get out of here.