Chapter 2

Entering the library Kurt rubs his hands together to dispel the chill and heads for the elevators. New York may be the city he's dreamed of since he was three, but the cold (especially in the morning) is just as troublesome as it was in Ohio. In his haste to leave the loft he hadn't grabbed his gloves – they didn't really match his outfit anyway – and he was paying for that oversight now.

Text message from Kurt:

For future reference, pockets do not make up for a lack of gloves… even if it is more fashionable.  

Text message from Blaine:

Aren't you always telling me that the cold dries out your skin? I'm shocked Kurt, shocked!

Text message from Kurt:

You're not as funny as you think you are.

Text message from Kurt:

It wasn't intentional. 

Making sure his phone is set to vibrate, he places it and his hands back in his jacket pockets – rubbing didn't do anything, unfortunately – after pressing the ‘up' arrow. According to the online catalogue, all the books on ancient Greek theatre were on the third floor, and he's hoping to find some references for his mid-term paper.  He doesn't have a topic chosen yet, but he can just choose books that sound interesting; plus, this early in the term he doesn't have to worry about the perfect reference being checked out, or worse, in the depository and needing a week for delivery.

A few students wait close by but none make an effort to say hello, even when the elevator doors finally open and they cram into the confined space. His fame due to the sing-off was short lived, and all the members of Adam's Apples avoid him when at all possible. He isn't sure if Adam had requested it or not, but the result is same.

Exiting the elevator and turning left, Kurt glances at the call number written on a post-it, comparing it to the sets on shelves. Like all libraries, it's almost eerily silent, so even the rustle of the small chain on his vest seems unbearably loud. He's tempted to put in his headphones and listen to Broadway masterpieces on his iPod, but he knows at least one ear bud will fall out while he scours the shelves, so that's better left for later, when he's reading while enjoy a cup of coffee.

Turning down the aisle that matches his note, Kurt makes it three feet before he stops: Of course the Harold Smith Prince Library has four shelves of books on Greek theatre; Kurt's not sure whether to be impressed or appalled.

-*-*-*-

Blaine exits McKinley High and stretches the tension from his shoulders. He enjoys Glee Club, feels connected with the other members in a way he never had with the Warblers, but the drama.

Jake was still thoroughly embracing his newly single status – eerily similar to Puck when Blaine had first met him – and while Marley and Ryder appeared to be happy, there was a line that Jake was toeing with alarming frequency. There hadn't been a public argument, luckily, but only because they tended to keep their arguments away from the choir room these days. Sarcasm and cutting remarks were fair game, however, and Jake and Ryder were experts at both.

Pushing away the thoughts along with the tension, Blaine pulls his phone from his bag as he walks to his car.

Text message from Blaine:

Just got done with Glee. On my way to the garage :)

Text message from Kurt:

Have fun! Make sure to change clothes – oil stains are evil! ;)

Text message from Blaine:

It's cute how you think you have to remind me.

Text message from Blaine:

I have an old t-shirt and jeans in your dad's office. And Burt keeps a pair of coveralls for me.

Text message from Kurt:

Blaine Anderson, I *love* you.

Blaine can't stop the smile from spreading across his face, and is immeasurably glad that he's arrived at his car so no one can see him looking besotted over a text message.

Text message from Blaine:

Love you, too!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll tell Burt you say hi! <3

Getting into his car, Blaine connects his phone to his stereo and sets his music on shuffle before pulling on his seatbelt. The drive to Hummel Tires & Lube is relatively short and less than fifteen minutes later Blaine is entering the open door.

A few mechanics give Blaine a nod and wave in greeting as he heads for Burt's office. The office is open but empty, so he grabs his clothes and heads for the employee restroom to quickly change.

Returning minutes later he finds the office still empty, and Blaine sets his school clothes on the chair with his bag before exiting the room. Outside the doorway he scans the garage for Burt before one of the mechanics – he can't tell who from the distance – nods toward a red Ford Taurus. Smiling his thanks Blaine heads for the car. Burt emerges from the opposite side when Blaine is steps away.

“Hey kid.” Burt rubs grease stained fingers over his overall covered leg before reaching up to straighten his cap. “You up for an oil change? This one still needs it since I found some other issues and need to talk to the owner to see what he wants to do.”

“Sure.” Blaine moves toward the open hood while stealing glances at Burt; he looks healthy enough, no circles under his eyes or stiffness in his walk.

“I'm fine, Anderson. I even had one of those low cal soup things for lunch. You can ask any of the guys.”

Blaine feels his cheeks heat with a blush and looks at the engine rather than the man standing a foot away. “Right. Sorry. An oil change – anything else I should know?”

The hand on his shoulder is unexpected, and Blaine's arm twitches involuntarily. “You're a good kid.” Blaine raises his eyes to the left and Burt offers a small smile, “You're not exactly subtle, but Kurt isn't either.” The hand on Blaine's shoulder briefly tightens. “I plan on sticking around, Blaine, got things I still want to see. So I'll take my meds and pass on the burgers if I have to. And you can tell Kurt that.”

“I will.” Blaine gives a sheepish smile as Burt removes his hand and steps away.

“Alright. Well I'm gonna go talk to the man who didn't realize his car was a jump away from dying.”

“Have fun!” Blaine laughs even as he turns back to the exposed engine, ready to work.

-*-*-*-

Blaine hums the chorus of Teenage Dream as he turns the wrench, working on the well-used gold minivan. Finished, he stands, heading toward the toolbox. A boisterous laugh catches his attention and he turns his head slightly –

and drops the wrench at the sight of a forest green truck.

Jim, an older mechanic working a few feet away glances up at the noise, “Tired today, Anderson?”

Blaine gives a smile as he bends to retrieve the wrench, “Not really. Just clumsy, I guess.”

“Not on the cars, I hope.” Jim laughs.

Blaine shakes his head and walks toward the truck. He has to check, just to make sure. Just in case -

Breathe in. Forest green is a common car color.

Breathe out. This is Lima.

Breathe in. He's probably changed cars by now.

Breathe out. It was years ago.

Now feet away from the truck Blaine takes in the details and almost drops the wrench again when his muscles ache with the release of a death grip he hadnt realized he'd had. This truck is newer, more subtle curves than angles, and he sees a pair of smiley faced dice hanging from the rear view mirror when he looks through the windshield.

It's a different truck.

“You just gonna stand there?”

Blaine whips around at Burt's voice, silently cursing himself for getting distracted.

“Of course not, Mr. Hummel. Just putting this,” Blaine slightly raises the wrench, “back where it belongs.”

“Uhuh. You got plans with your parents for dinner?” Burt takes the wrench from Blaine's hand.

Blaine shakes his head. “I have some leftover pasta from yesterday though.” Blaine watches as Burt places the wrench in a bin with other tools before turning back to face him.

“C'mon kid, you're joining me and Carole for dinner.” It's a statement, like Burt sees it as fact, rather than invitation.

“Thanks for the offer Mr. Hummel, but I wouldn't want to intrude –”

“You wouldn't be intruding, Blaine,” Burt interrupts. Briefly Burt's eyes tighten, “You'd be doing us a favor, actually. Carole doesn't know how to cook for two.”

Blaine is nodding before Burt has finished his sentence. “Of course. Thanks Mr. Hummel. I'm sure it will be delicious.”

Burt nods. “Glad that's settled. Now you go change and I'll meet you at the house; that way you'll have your car and can head home after dinner.”

Blaine smiles and walks toward Burt's office to comply.

-*-*-*-

Walking to the Hudson-Hummel front door, Blaine is struck by the stillness of the house: no yelling at a videogame, no shouting as he knocks on the door, no pounding steps seconds later.

Blaine shakes his head slightly to dispel his gloomy thoughts – he will not upset Carole, and has a smile on his face by the time Burt opens the door.

“You don't still have to knock when we're expecting you.” Burt steps back to allow Blaine to enter the house.

“Force of habit,” Blaine says with a smile and a shrug, “etiquette lessons aren't easy to forget.”

Blaine follows Burt down the small hall and into the kitchen, where Carole is pulling a pan out the oven and setting it atop the stove.

“Oh Blaine! I was so glad when Burt said you'd be joining us.” Carole walks over and gives Blaine a light hug before stepping back, “I hope you don't mind eating in the kitchen; the dining room is a bit big for three.”

“I don't mind at all. I ate in my kitchen last night, actually.” Blaine glances around the kitchen. “Do you need any help? I could set the table or get napkins.”  Blaine's voice rises at the end of the sentence, as if in question.

“Silverware's already on the table.” From beside him Burt gestures to Carole who is carefully dishing out the contents of the pan, “Carole's got the plates, just get yourself a drink – you know where everything is – and sit down.”

Heading for the fridge Blaine replies. “I can get yours too, if you'd like.” Opening the door Blaine pulls out a can of Coke Zero; he'll need the caffeine for the drive home, especially given his lack of sleep.

“We've already gotten ours, Blaine, don't worry about it.”

Blaine takes a seat at the empty place at the table, setting down his can as he does so. Seconds later he sees Burt carrying two plates over and starts to stand only to have Burt shake his head at him. “We can handle this, Blaine. Just sit.”

Blaine gives a slightly embarrassed smile as Burt slides one the plates in front of him before setting the other in front of himself, in the chair to Blaine's right.

Carole joins them moments later, a glass of water in one hand and her plate in the other.

“It smells delicious, Mrs. Hudson-Hummel. Thanks again for having me over.”

Taking her seat she gives Blaine a smile, “You're more than welcome Blaine. But really, it's Carole; Hudson-Hummel is such a mouthful!”

Burt laughs, “I think he's programmed to say Mr. and Mrs., Carole. It's a lost cause,” Burt briefly pauses, “at least for now.”

Blaine feels himself blush at the subtle reminder that these people are his future in-laws. “Sorry.” Blaine takes a bite of baked chicken florentine to stall any further words on the subject. “This really is delicious, much better than my leftovers.”

Carole turns to Blaine, “No reason to be sorry Blaine, really. And I'm glad you like it; you'll be taking some home.” Carole looks away and her voice is tightly controlled, “We certainly don't need so many leftovers here.” Carole blinks and then looks back at Blaine with a smile, “Besides, it's silly to cook for one, and you're a teenaged boy – you're perpetually hungry.”

“Well I certainly won't say no to leftovers.”

“Good answer Blaine.” Burt tilts his glass slightly in acknowledgement. “Now, how was Glee? What are you workin' on?”

Beside him, Carole nods. “Something you like, I hope.”

Blaine takes a sip of soda before smiling. They want to hear about Glee. They care that it's ‘change' week and he wants to sing Chasing the Sun by Sara Bareilles, even though they probably have never heard the song.

Blaine doesn't even attempt to hide his joy as he begins to speak.

-*-*-*-

Kurt forcibly ignores the argument Rachel and Santana are having in the middle of the loft, and futilely wishes for walls.

He walks around his room, rearranging his clothes and waking up his computer. He makes sure his Internet is working and then moves back to his bed, putting in his ear buds and picking up one of the five books he'd checked out from the library.

Four songs and seven pages later – the author must take delight in making sentences as highhanded as possible – he no longer hears discordant yelling. Cautiously he pulls out one ear bud and lets out a quiet sigh of relief; Rachel and Santana have settled their argument, based on the quiet murmur of the television and barely audible conversation. After putting his ear bud back in, he hums along to Oklahoma! and hopes its cheerful melody will prevent him from throwing this book off his bed.

Text message from Kurt:

Remind me that damaging library property is not worth the fees. The topic is right, but this author is trying too hard to make a name for himself.

Kurt manages another five pages – and really, who knew reading could be so exhausting – before his phone beeps with a text.

Text message from Blaine:

The joys of college!

Text message from Blaine:

…are you up for a break? I just got home and was thinking Skype? ;)

Text message from Kurt:

You're a horrible influence, truly.

Text message from Kurt:

I'm signing in now. 

Computer in front of his crossed legs, Kurt leans back against his pillows. Moments later Blaine is smiling up at him, hair falling out of its gel.

“Hi.”

“Hi. And I'm not a terrible influence; I'm saving you from exorbitant library fees.”

Kurt lets out a short laugh, “Right. And four-syllables, congratulations on putting your AP English vocabulary to good use.” Kurt pauses. “Although I'm scared to think of what I'd have to do to the book for a fee to reach exorbitant levels.”

“It's a college library book. I'm pretty sure the rule is that everything with ‘college' in the title is automatically expensive.”

Blaine leans back and Kurt waits for the picture to catch up with real time. During the brief wait he takes note as the television turns off in the next room, followed by the sound of giggles and the front door sliding shut. “Hm. You do have a point. But enough about my very special library book.” Kurt looks at Blaine before catching his gaze. “Are you okay? You look a little tired.”

“I'm fine, Kurt.” A brief pause, “Promise. Just a bit of a long day. And Burt's fine too. He told me to let you know that he plans on staying fine for a while.” Blaine gives a sheepish smile before continuing. “Apparently I'm not subtle.”

“Blaine,” Kurt pauses to force down laughter, “you are many wonderful, wonderful things. But subtle has never been one of them.” Kurt lets a laugh escape before giving Blaine a small private smile. “Thanks, though. For looking in on him.”

“It's no trouble, really. It's…nice, to work at the shop. And Burt –” Blaine cuts himself off by bursting into laughter.

Kurt raises his eyebrows, “You okay over there? I didn't know Dad was that funny.”

“It's –” another laugh and then Blaine takes a breath, seemingly in control once again. “It's not that, really. It's just…I can call them Burt and Carole when talking to you, but to their faces it's always Mr. Hummel and Mrs. Hudson-Hummel.”

“You're a dork.”

“You love me anyway.” Blaine's smile is confident. “Sorry I was late getting home, by the way. Your dad invited me over for dinner.”

Kurt shrugs. “I thought he might. I think,” Kurt lightly bites his lower lip, “I think they miss having people in the house, you know?”

“Well, I can't say I mind visiting. Carole even made me take leftovers.” On screen, Blaine briefly moves out of sight before returning, sans sweater.

“Well, at least I don't have to worry about you starving.”

Blaine gives a mock gasp of outrage. “I can cook!”

Kurt shakes his head, silently berating Skype when the movement appears on screen like a wall of moving hair. “I know you can, Blaine. But it's never fun – or easy – to cook for one.” Kurt smiles when Blaine hums an agreement. “Besides, it's a rule that you never turn down well made free food.”

Blaine laughs. “I said something similar to Carole, actually.” Blaine's face then loses its humor. “So…my mom will be back tomorrow. I don't think she'll be here when I get home from school, but definitely before I go to bed.”

Kurt forces his face to remain open, and silently curses the universe for giving Blaine a mother whose mention is enough to take the happiness from Blaine's expression. After all, she isn't evil…just ignorant and almost pityingly naïve. Almost being the key word. Pushing away the thoughts – Blaine deserves his full attention, after all – Kurt meets Blaine's slightly grainy gaze.

“Well. We'll just have to take advantage of tonight then. What do you say?” Kurt straightens and undoes the first few buttons of his vest.

“Kurt!” Blaine looks flustered, cheeks pink with a blush and escaped curls shifting as he shakes his head.

“Rachel and Santana left. So it's just me here, at least for now. But if you'd rather just talk –” Kurt shrugs and moves to redo a button.

“No! I mean, just – you're an evil, evil man, Kurt Hummel.”

“So I've been told.” Kurt undoes another button on his vest, offering a sly smile. “You love me anyway.”

Kurt wonders if Blaine's answer of agreement will ever fail to make his heart flutter.

Watching as Blaine undoes his bow tie, Kurt doesn't think so: Blaine Anderson is his soul mate, after all.

-*-*-*-

At his desk Blaine moves his calculus book so the glare from his lamp is higher on the page. The headaches induced from the fancy looking glossy pages could easily be avoided if text book editors did their job. Blaine wonders if they've all been out of school for so long that they've forgotten the practicalities of education.

Half an hour after ending his Skype call with Kurt – he has the best fiancé – Blaine is two and a half problems further than he was at the start of tonight. Math has never been his favorite subject, even if he understands it. Unfortunately, these derivative problems require all of his concentration, which is not at its peak after his restless sleep the night before.

Briefly Blaine considers abandoning the assignment because he's already on the bottom half of his notebook paper despite the few number of completed problems; he'd messed up the first problem and had to rewrite it next to his first attempt. It really was too much work for one question, and if he checks the answer in the back and finds he's wrong again – he may throw his text book.

And then give up.

Especially since there's a 50/50 chance his teacher won't collect it. The man seems to delight in taking homework only randomly; leaving Blaine and his classmates with sheets of completed problems, and only their own knowledge to show for it. Of course, the last time he had debated not doing an assignment the homework had been collected the following day (and Blaine had silently thanked his studious nature for prevailing while Artie had looked close to tears).

Sighing, Blaine returns to the problem and manages a smile when Somewhere Only We Know streams from his docking station.

Text message from Blaine:

Thinking of you! ;) Much better than calc!

Blaine manages to finish the third problem and start on the forth before his phone chimes a response.

Text message from Kurt:

We're being studious Blaine.

Text message from Blaine:

I am studious – I just think of you, too. <3

Text message from Kurt:

Study, Blaine.

Text message from Kurt:

You're in my thoughts, too. Now study so you can graduate and come stay in NY <3

Text message from Blaine:

What a worthy incentive. Calculus it is!

With a sigh Blaine turns back to his studies (rearranging his book, notebook, and graphing calculator) with a smile. Trust Kurt to make him happy even when he's doing the worst homework in world.

He really does have the best fiancé.