Twenty-five year old Kurt Hummel stepped into the familiar cabin of the plane on a chilly October morning, ready for the same, boring routine he trudged through every day. He adjusted his hat and quickly made his way down the isle of the first class section of the plane, making sure all trays were secure and any trash left from the previous flight was thrown away. He checked his watch before letting out a stiff yawn. 6:45 AM. His first flight of the day was set to leave at 7:35 AM, leaving him little time to sit down before passengers started boarding. He chugged his quickly-cooling coffee before tossing it in the trash and heading to help load the remaining luggage onto the plane.

Being the steward for the first class passengers had its ups and its downs. While the cabin was more spacious with better food, more comfortable seating, and all around nicer accommodations, many of the people he met were uptight businessmen or women who believed they were better than everyone else because they had a high salary and held a top position in a big firm. Many high society women, most likely the wives of those businessmen aboard, flew first class as well. There was nothing Kurt despised more than a prissy woman complaining that her seat was too small, her coffee was too hot, or the lettuce in her salad wasn't crisp enough. Despite everything he went through on a daily basis, Kurt was able to force a smile on his face and appeal to the demands of each passenger. Not all passengers were rude and discourteous, however. Occasionally, he'd get someone who would make an effort to make small talk, or someone who put a smile on their face and refrained from complaining about anything. Those were the passengers Kurt enjoyed. Those were the passengers he wished he could see more of.

Kurt finished up with the luggage and returned to the cabin, standing by the door and awaiting the oncoming passengers. The minute the first man set foot onto the plane, he knew that particular day was going to be one of the more rough ones. The man, most likely in his early fifties, immediately complained about the cool temperatures inside and the draft he felt when he sat down. Kurt rolled his eyes and took in a deep breath before approaching the man. "Excuse me. I'm Kurt Hummel, your flight attendant. Is there a problem I can help you with?"

The man looked Kurt up and down disapprovingly before saying, "There's a draft coming from above. I'd like it to be taken care of."

Kurt nearly tripped over the man's rather large carry on as he tried to get closer. Holding in every curse word he could, he hoisted the bag over his head and shoved it into the overhead compartment before turning back to the man. "I can close the vent if you'd like," he offered.

"Well that would stop the draft, don't you think? That's what I want, so close the damn thing!" Kurt was used to dealing with rude men like the one standing before him. It was the major downside to his job, but this man in particular was getting on Kurt's nerves. He reached above the man and closed the vent before putting on the best fake smile he could and turning his attention back to the man.

"There. That should stop the draft and help with the cooler temperatures. Is there anything else I can help you with?" he asked in an overly-polite manner.

The man ran a hand through his greying hair before answering. "Yes. I'd like a coffee. And bring me some sugar and a spoon along with it." Kurt didn't miss the man's lack of manners, but ignored his impolite attitude and walked away. He returned five minutes later with a cup of coffee in hand and sat it down on the tray in front of the man. "It's about time," the guy mumbled as he took the sugar and spoon from Kurt's hands and began tearing the little packages open. "That will be all. You can go now."

Kurt did as told and returned to the back of the cabin where he was to remain until needed. After noting that the time was approaching 7:30, he picked up the speaker and began reciting his speech over the intercom. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. May I have your attention please? My name is Kurt Hummel and I'll be your flight attendant this morning. I'd like to welcome you aboard American Airlines flight 740 with non-stop service from New York City to Los Angeles, California. Please turn your attention to the overhead TVs for a safety demonstration video. Please follow along with the safety card located in the seat pocket in front of you."

Kurt pressed play and waited for the next couple of minutes as each passenger pretended to pay attention to the safety instructions being played to them. Once the video was finished, he took the speaker in his hand once again and continued his speech. "Please make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened at this time. To fasten, insert the loose metal buckle into the holder. Tighten so it fits firmly around your waste. To fasten, pull the loose belt. I'll be around soon to help anyone who may be having trouble. Also, make sure all carry-on items are stored in the overhead bins, or underneath the seat in front of you."

Kurt paused to make sure the aisles were clear of any luggage before continuing. "Please take note of the four emergency exits on this plane. One is located where you boarded in the front of the plane, one in the back, and one located over each wing. Each exit is equipped with a safety slide that can be detached and used as a flotation device. Please take this time to locate your nearest exit. Keep in mind that it may be behind you. If cabin visibility is reduced, lighted strips along the floor of the cabin will lead you to the nearest exit. Remember, red lights mark an exit."

Kurt took a deep breath before heading down the aisle once again. He checked to make sure everyone had their seatbelt fastened and had located an emergency exit before taking his place at the back of the plane and finishing his speech. "In case there is a loss in cabin pressure, yellow oxygen masks will deploy from the ceiling compartment located above you. To secure, pull the mask towards you, secure the elastic strap to your head, and fasten it so it covers your mouth and nose. Breathe normally. Even if the bad does not inflate, please keep in mind that oxygen is flowing. Please make sure to secure your own mask before assisting others. In case of water landing, life jackets are located under your seat. To fasten, place the vest over your head and secure both straps around your waste. To inflate, pull the red handle or manually inflate by blowing into the red tube. Remember, never inflate the vest inside of the aircraft. Also, a beacon light will activate upon entering water. Please make sure you have read the safety card for this flight. As we come through the cabin to perform our final safety checks, please make sure your seatbelt is indeed fastened, your seat back, tray tables are in their full upright and lock position, and all carry-on items are stored properly. Thank you for your attention, and we wish you a good flight on American Airlines."

Kurt emerged from behind the curtain and made the final checks before signaling to the pilot that they were ready for takeoff. He made his way to the back to sit down in his own chair and fastened his seat belt. No matter how many times he'd flown, there was nothing Kurt loved more than the feeling of taking off. The instant change in speed made his stomach twist in the best ways, and the minute the wheels raised off of the ground, he felt like an entirely new person. He felt more powerful when he was high in the air. All of his problems were left below him, and the only thing he had to worry about while in the air were the needs of his snobby passengers.

Once they'd reached the appropriate elevation, he flipped a switch which turned the seatbelt light off, unbuckled himself, and stood up. He began making his way to the front of the cabin to make sure each passenger's needs were satisfied. It didn't take long to make his way through, and he reluctantly asked the angry man he'd previously encountered if he needed anything. The man replied with a quick and harsh "no" before Kurt moved on past him.

As he passed the plane's tiny bathroom, the door swung open with great force, knocking him sideways into the opposite wall. He turned around to see a man about the same age as himself reaching towards him. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" the man said. Kurt felt the man's hand rest on his lower arm, steadying him until Kurt was able to regain his balance. "Are you ok?" Kurt nodded once before looking into the man's eyes. He was immediately drawn to the warm caramel color that surrounded his pupil and the little sparkle that reflected off of the overhead lights. It took a few seconds to realize he was staring before he moved his gaze elsewhere.

"Yes," Kurt confirmed, looking down towards the ground. It wasn't long before he looked back up and noticed the man patting at his slick, gelled hair. Once he returned any stray hairs back in place, he reached out his hand, and Kurt cautiously grabbed it.

"I'm Blaine Anderson," he smiled.

Blaine, Kurt repeated in his head. Blaine was the name of the boy standing in front of him. Blaine, the boy with the perfectly styled hair and eyes anyone could get lost in. "Kurt Hummel." He shook Blaine's hand and held on a little too long before releasing it and returning his own hand to his side. He nervously picked at the bottom of his uniform top and bit his lip, trying to avoid staring into Blaine's eyes.

"Is that weird? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that," Blaine laughed nervously.

"Is what weird?" Kurt asked, confused.

"Introducing myself. I don't know how these things work. Normally I just remain in my seat the entire flight and I tend to ignore the flight attendants as much as possible." Blaine looked away before Kurt could get a good look at him, but he could've sworn he started to see Blaine's cheeks start to turn pink.

"Oh, um…no. It's, it's actually kind of nice. It's a change from the impolite demands I usually get." Blaine looked back up at Kurt and he noticed that Blaine was in fact blushing. "Do you fly a lot?"

"Yeah. I spend Monday through Friday in New York and Saturday and Sunday in Los Angeles."

"I don't think I've seen you on a flight before. I'm sure I'd remember you. I tend to remember the rare few who don't nearly spit in my face." Kurt immediately shut his mouth, afraid he'd said too much and tried to switch back into his professional mode.

Blaine, however, made it hard for Kurt to think about his job every time he opened his mouth to speak. "I usually fly at night. If you are the flight attendant for every Friday morning flight to L.A., maybe I'll have to change my usual flight times."

Kurt momentarily forgot how to breathe. Was Blaine flirting with him? Was one of his passengers flirting with him? Kurt felt his face start to get warm, and before he knew it, he was blushing along with Blaine. He tried to remain as professional as possible, but couldn't help the next words that slipped off of his tongue and out of his mouth. "You should get right on that. Just so you know, I also have a 12:00 flight back to New York on Sundays," he winked, and immediately cursed at himself for giving Blaine the power to make him forget about his job.

"First thing I'll do when we land." Blaine grinned and Kurt immediately fell in love with his large smile, not taking long to notice the dimples that appeared on his cheeks how the corners of his eyes began to crinkle. He could definitely get used to seeing a familiar face every week, especially if that face belonged to the charming Blaine Anderson. "Sorry again for slamming the door into you. I'll be more careful next time," he laughed and Kurt couldn't help but to laugh along with him. "I'll let you get back to your work. See you on Sunday, Kurt." Blaine placed his hand on Kurt's arm once again and winked before turning around and returning to his seat.

Great, Kurt thought. How am I supposed to focus now? He disappeared behind the curtain until his face returned to its normal color, but no matter what he did for the rest of the flight, he couldn't take his mind off of the mesmerizing man that was Blaine Anderson.

That night, Kurt lied awake in bed, unable to take his mind off of the man he'd met on the plane. There was something about Blaine that instantly grabbed Kurt's attention, more so than any man ever had before. Kurt had dated a little on and off since high school, but it was never anything too serious. Whenever he started to feel more lonely than usual, he'd go out to a gay bar and pick up a new guy. They'd go on a date or two until Kurt was satisfied, and then he'd stop returning the other man's calls. He wasn't necessarily afraid of commitment, but he was more afraid of getting hurt. He was afraid that one day, the guy would wake up and realize Kurt wasn't what he wanted. Kurt was just a flight attendant, someone who didn't have the same goals and ambitions as a stereotypical gay man. Although he loved fashion, he didn't have any desire to become a designer. He wasn't overly flamboyant in public, and tended to only be affectionate inside the confines of his apartment. His small, one bedroom apartment reflected his dating life, consisting of a tiny kitchen, one loveseat, and a bed—one he'd recently upgraded from a twin to a Queen. It didn't have room for a second person, barely even being big enough for Kurt himself. He never met a man with the intention of getting to know them on a personal level. He never met their family, and rarely stuck around long enough to meet even their closest friends. He didn't expect to have that same person in his life two weeks later, let alone five, six, seven months down the road.

Kurt was happy with where he was in life. He had a job that, for the most part, he enjoyed, and a decent salary—one that kept him living comfortably and not wanting for much. For years, he'd been content to come home from a long day of flying and sit on the couch, browsing through the latest issue of Vogue or watching Project Runway reruns. He'd make a late dinner for himself, change into his pajamas, and curl up with a blanket and spend time by himself, happy to be away from the chaos that came with an airport.

Kurt loved the New York City lifestyle. He enjoyed the busy streets, the fast-paced environment, and being in a city that never slept. Since moving to the city, Kurt felt less like an outcast. He loved the fact that he could walk down the street wearing whatever he wanted, and no matter how crazy he looked, he somehow blended into the crowd. Everyone around him was eccentric and unique in their own way, and that's what he was drawn to. He had even gotten used to the less glamorous parts of the city, such as car horns continuously honking, impatient drivers, homeless people begging for food and money whenever you turned a corner, and the heavily-littered sidewalks. He liked that about New York. He liked that there was always something new to discover about the city, and it wasn't the perfect, idealistic place that a lot of people were led to believe.

So to say that Kurt Hummel wasn't happy, would be like saying the sky wasn't blue and money grew on trees. It just wasn't an accurate way to describe Kurt's life. He had a few acquaintances, people from work who he'd occasionally go out for coffee with, but no one he could really rely on to be there in the long run. He didn't have anyone to invite over for dinner on the nights he wasn't busy working, or call up when he wanted to get out of the house for the day. Although he didn't have many friends in New York, he was okay with being alone. That is until he met Blaine Anderson.

One short conversation with Blaine had turned Kurt's entire plan for his life upside down. Blaine was something Kurt never knew he wanted until he was presented with the man himself. He loved Blaine's bashful, but confident personality and the way he could take his breath away just by muttering one simple sentence. He had instantly taken away every coherent thought Kurt had, leaving him speechless in the dapper man's presence. To say he was attracted to Blaine would be an understatement. Blaine was exactly what Kurt wanted in a man. Although he was slightly shorter than Kurt, he held himself up with such dignity and poise that it almost felt like he was taller than he actually was. Blaine's warm eyes instantly captured Kurt's focus and it took every ounce of strength Kurt had to look away. Blaine's hair was perfectly styled, indicating that he was a man who put time and thought into his appearance and how he presented himself to others. He wanted to impress the person, but at the same time, refrain from looking like he was trying too hard. Kurt smiled at the thought of the tiny curls he'd seen at Blaine's hairline, imagining what it would be like to see Blaine outside of the business environment; out of the suit and tie, with un-gelled hair and a more casual setting.

Yes, Kurt had it bad for a man he'd just met, and it scared him. He laid in bed and curled himself up underneath his sheets, imagining what his future could be like if Blaine were to become a part of it. He could picture Blaine flying back from Los Angeles, getting off of the plane and waiting for Kurt to finish up with work. They would drive back to Kurt's apartment together, and for the first time, Kurt wouldn't have to eat alone. He'd have someone to sit at his two-person table and discuss his day with. Kurt loved the idea of Blaine being someone he could talk to outside of work; about the other things that interested Kurt. Based on the way he dressed, Kurt suspected he was into fashion to some extent. His excitement swelled at the thought of sharing opinions on the latest trends or going shopping for a new outfit. He wanted Blaine to be someone he could spend time with, something Kurt had never thought he wanted before. He couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was about Blaine that changed his entire opinions on his life, and he didn't know if he was happy with the new developments or not.

Kurt tossed and turned for two hours before his body was finally able to give in and allow him to fall asleep. The last thought on his mind was Blaine. He needed to find a way to get to know Blaine outside of the confines of the cabin. Who knows, maybe Blaine was just a natural flirt who had no interest in Kurt what-so-ever. Yes, that is probably the case, Kurt thought. There is no way Blaine could be interested in someone like me. He finally shut his eyes and dozed off to sleep, dreaming only about one particular man.

Kurt attempted to busy himself the next day to take his mind off of the intriguing man he'd met the previous morning, but failed miserably. He had Saturdays off, which normally would allow him to clean up his apartment and take care of any errands he had. However, on this particular Saturday, Kurt found himself aimlessly wandering through the city, urging himself to think about anything not related to Blaine. It wasn't long before he saw a man about Blaine's height, also with gelled hair, passing him on the sidewalk and instantly directing his thoughts back to the topic he was trying so hard to avoid. For the next hour, anytime Kurt saw a man in a suit, a man with a nice smile, a man with perfectly styled hair, he immediately wondered what Blaine was doing that very minute. He knew it was probably creepy that he was thinking about someone so often, seeing as he had just briefly met him on the plane, but he couldn't help himself.

On the plane. While I was at work, Kurt thought. This is wrong. This is wrong on so many different levels and goes against every rule in the professional handbook.

He couldn't help it though. He wanted Blaine to be feeling the same things, wondering what Kurt was doing at that very minute, wondering what Kurt did in his free time. Kurt didn't know exactly what kind of profession Blaine was in—obviously one that paid well based on his first class flight, and he guessed Blaine held some sort of significant position—but he assumed Blaine didn't have much free time. He was aware that businessmen were typically busy people. They always had office meetings to attend, stressful situations to deal with, and deadlines to meet. Even if Blaine was thinking about Kurt as much as Kurt was about Blaine, there was no way he'd be able to make time for Kurt in his life, at least not the amount of time Kurt would want.

Kurt tried to shake off the thought of a future with Blaine once again, and before he knew it, he found himself strolling through Central Park. Autumn in the city, especially Central Park, was one of Kurt's favorite times of the year. The leaves on each tree had changed from their lackluster green color to very vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. He took in the site of the falling leaves and with every deep breath he took, he could recognize the familiar smell of Fall. Central Park was a good distraction for a while. It was a place where Kurt could come and forget every worry, everything wrong with his life for a few hours and just enjoy nature. He watched as numerous squirrels scurried around, eager to find as many nuts as possible before winter finally hit. The birds had mostly flown south for the winter, but the few that remained soared above his head, and he found their calls peaceful.

Not even the magical sanctuary of Central Park could keep Kurt's mind off of Blaine for much longer. Many times, he'd close his eyes and imagine himself there with Blaine by his side. He thought about wandering down the path, hand in hand with Blaine while he whispered something in the other man's ear, receiving a smile and quiet laugh from the one standing next to him. He hoped Blaine was the type to enjoy life; one to enjoy what was around him, never taking anything for granted. If anything, what Kurt wanted in a partner was someone who could cuddle up with him and enjoy a rainy day or forget about what work needed to be done for a few hours while they took a walk and simply enjoyed each other's company. He didn't have to have someone with a good paying job or someone who could make him breakfast in bed every day. All Kurt needed was someone who could look at something as plain and ordinary as a blade of grass and see the beauty in life. If he were to finally let someone into his life and into his heart, that person would have to understand him on a deeper level than he'd ever allowed anyone before.

Kurt visibly sighed once he realized how long he'd been thinking about Blaine before turning around and heading back towards his apartment. He had given up on pushing Blaine to the back of his mind. Instead, he'd decided to go home and watch one of his favorite movies, wishing Blaine were right there next to him.

Sunday morning proved to be one of the slowest mornings Kurt has ever experienced. He was unable to fall asleep as early as he wanted to the night before and woke up forty-five minutes prior to the time his alarm was set to go off. He glanced at the clock, seeing that it was only 4:15, and decided to go back to sleep without success. Fifteen minutes later, he gave in and pushed the warm covers off of his body before climbing out of the bed. After grabbing a towel from his hall closet, he headed into his bathroom—rather spacious for the size of his apartment—and turned the water on. He hung the towel up and began shedding his clothes, taking his time before stepping into the shower.

Kurt always made time each morning to take a decently long shower. He loved feeling the warm water flowing onto every inch of his body from the showerhead above him. The warmth surrounding him helped to ease any tension his muscles had acquired from the stress of the previous day's work. He stood under the water for five minutes before he grabbed a bottle and began to massage the sweet-smelling shampoo into his hair. Before long, he'd unknowingly let his imagination carry him away and his hands were instantly replaced with Blaine's. He imagined Blaine's fingers being the ones running through his wet hair and gently massaging his scalp before moving down to the base of his neck.

Kurt soon snapped back to reality and realized Blaine wasn't there with him, and faced the harsh reality that there was a good chance he never would be. After rinsing out the last bit of shampoo, he squeezed a decent amount of conditioner in his palm before running his hands through his hair once again. He stood under the water for no less than five minutes and allowed the conditioner to soak into his thick hair before sticking his head back under the stream of water to rinse out the last bit. He grabbed his soap and began running it all over his body before capping it and placing it back in the shower caddy hanging behind him. Once finished, he was unwilling to leave and decided to stay in the shower for an additional fifteen minutes, letting his mind wander to what his tasks for the day entailed. As always, he would board flight 7:40 to Los Angeles and arrive at the all too familiar airport. However, he didn't give much thought to his first flight of the day, instead choosing to focus on the flight back to New York later that day. The flight where he could possibly see Blaine again.

Part of him couldn't help but to think Blaine was just being flirty, not really serious when he mentioned changing his flight times in order to be on the same flight as Kurt. However, a larger part of him thought Blaine might have actually meant what he said. The way Blaine looked at him while saying those words and the tone of his voice had shown nothing but complete sincerity. Changing flight times was often tricky for people the first time it was done, but he figured Blaine had gone through it many times before, making the task a little easier to handle. The airlines were cooperative for the most part and tried to accommodate to every passenger's needs. It wouldn't be impossible for Blaine to catch the 12:00 flight back to New York instead of the flight he normally took, nor would it be illogical. Catching a 12:00 flight would put him in New York around 8:45—given the time differences—but still allow him to take care of any last minute business he need to while still in L.A.

Kurt turned the water off, telling himself that the only way he'd find out which flight Blaine had decided to take was if he actually made it to work. He grabbed the towel and tied it around his waist before stepping out onto the cold tile floor. He walked towards the sink and pulled out his toothbrush, applying toothpaste to the end and capping the tube. As soon as his lips touched the hard plastic, he heard his phone ringing in the other room. Groaning, he pulled the toothbrush out of his mouth and sat it down before retrieving his phone from his nightstand. He picked it up to see a too-familiar name lit up on the screen, grumbling as he answered it.

"Hello?" he said, a little too bitterly.

"Whoa there, dude. Can you be a little nicer to your brother?" Finn teased.

"Sorry. I just didn't get much sleep," Kurt replied with a yawn.

"Everything alright?" he asked, concerned for his step-brother.

"Yeah. I just have a lot on my mind is all." Kurt paused, wondering what reason Finn could possibly have for calling him so early in the morning. "Is everything okay with you? It's a little early for a morning chitchat." Kurt walked to his dresser and pulled the top drawer open, eyeing a pair of boxers before pulling them out.

"Yeah. Nothing's wrong, but Rachel's in labor. We just brought her in about twenty minutes ago. I thought you might want to know, with it being your first niece and all," Finn's voice held a mix of emotions between nervousness and excitement.

"Really?" Kurt's bitter attitude was immediately washed away at the sound of Finn's words. "That's great! How's she doing?"

"She's doing well. A little nervous and not sure what to expect, but that's normal. I can't believe she's finally coming. Our little Elizabeth." Kurt could almost see the smile spreading across Finn's face.

Kurt nestled his phone between his ear and shoulder as he removed his towel and pulled on his boxers. "I wish I could be there. Tell Rachel I said hi. And be sure to send me a picture of her as soon as she's here. I want to know everything."

"I will. Rachel will insist on it." Kurt slipped his undershirt over his head, grunting as he struggled to put it on. "Are you ok, dude?" Finn asked curiously.

"What? Oh, yeah. I'm fine. I'm just getting ready for work." He managed to straighten out his shirt before taking his pants off of their hanger and sliding his foot through the pant leg.

"Do you want me to let you go?" Finn offered.

"No, you don't have to, but you should probably get back to Rachel. You should be there for her. She's going to need you," Kurt pointed out as he slipped his arms through his white button up shirt, pushing each button through it's corresponding whole.

"Oh. Right. Rachel. The baby. I'll call you the minute Elizabeth is in our arms."

"Thanks, Finn. I'll talk to you later!"

"Bye, Kurt."

Kurt pressed end and threw his phone on the bed before returning to his bathroom and finally brushing his teeth. After walking back into his bedroom, he took notice of the time. 5:15. He still had half an hour before he had to leave, and absolutely nothing to do apart from putting on his tie and jacket, leaving his mind plenty of time to wander back to Blaine. He doubted Blaine would be up at that time, seeing as it was only 2:15 AM in California, but a small part of him hoped he was still on Blaine's mind, whether that be in his conscious thoughts or subconscious dreams.

The next half hour drug on as he fixed himself a cup of coffee and ate a bowl of cereal while browsing through the New York Times' art section. He liked the arts section the best because it's where he found the most beauty amongst all of the black and white. The stories held multiple meanings, allowing him to interpret the words in the way he chose to do so. They didn't just hold another statistic or the latest political drama. What the stories expressed was something a little more closely related to life and the wonders behind it. He could look at each article and see real people. He could see someone like himself, living their dream whether it be musically, artistically, theatrically, etc. He could feel the emotions of the writer and pick up on the excitement they put into the article.

By the time he reached the past page of the Arts section, he'd taken in the last drop of coffee. After rinsing out the mug, he tightened his tie and pulled on his coat while walking over to pull his hat off of the hook by the door. He took one last look around his apartment before he grabbed his phone, keys and wallet off of the table and happily walked through the door, knowing that there was the possibility he would be seeing Blaine in a little over seven hours.