A heavy sigh escaped his lips as his thumb hovered over the send button. Blaine erased and rewrote the message at least four times before he actually deemed it okay to be sent. With another breath, he hit send and put his phone back in his pocket to continue working.

New Message From: Blaine
Im really sorry about yesterday. I shouldnt have run out like I did. Can I make it up to you?

Blaines phone buzzed in his pocket a few moments later.

New Message From: Kurt
Its okay, really. Dont worry about it. :)

New Message From: Blaine
You sure? I feel awful.

New Message From: Kurt
Its okay, I understand. Its still kind of new. If you really feel that badly though, I wouldnt say no to coffee!

New Message From: Blaine
When and where?

New Message From: Kurt
What time is your lunch break? And do you know any places near you?

New Message From: Blaine
12:30. Theres a small coffee shop down the street from the studio, you can meet me there, if you like?

New Message From: Kurt
Perfect, see you then!

New Message From: Blaine
See you!

Blaine smiled slightly and put his phone away again. He kept glancing over at the clock throughout the morning as the hours ticked by at a dawdling rate. He felt terrible for running out last night, and he felt like he needed to apologize to Kurt.

"Hey, you made it! Listen, Im really sor—"

"Dont worry about it, Blaine," Kurt smiled as they walked into the coffee shop. "I told you, I get it. Seriously, Im not hurt or offended or anything. I understand."

"I just feel really bad that I ran out before we even really got to hang out and get to know each other." Blaine muttered guiltily.

"Well, well just have to reschedule, which is fine." Kurts smile was infectious and Blaines mouth turned upward as he approached the counter.

"What would you like?" Blaine asked Kurt as he dug out his wallet.

"Grande non-fat mocha, please." Blaine smiled and ordered Kurts mocha and his medium drip. He paid the barista and was silent as she made their drinks. It wasnt until they sat down at a table in the back corner that they started up the conversation once more.

"So, Blaine Anderson, where are you from, anyway?" Kurt asked as he brought his coffee to his lips.

"Westerville, Ohio," Blaine replied. "I moved out here for my freshman year of college and liked it a lot better than the Midwest." Blaine hadnt noticed Kurts eyes widen until he finished speaking. "... What?"

"Im from Lima!" Kurt laughed as Blaine nearly choked on his coffee. "I moved to New York after graduation. Thats so weird though, Westerville is only about... Oh, two hours from Lima, I believe."

"Wow. Where did you go to high school?" Blaine was actually very intrigued. The two of them grew up so close to one another.

"William McKinley, in Lima. I thought about transferring during my junior year because of some... complications at school, but that didnt happen. Everything worked itself out after a lot of conferences and I stayed." Kurt took another sip of his coffee and Blaine could tell the topic was one he should save for another day. He chose to comment on what Kurt said before that.

"Where were you going to transfer to?"

"Not too far from you, actually. I was going to transfer to that private school in Westerville, Dalton Academy." This time Blaine really did choke on his coffee. It took an embarrassing two minutes for him to be able to breathe correctly again when he finally spoke.

"I went to Dalton!" He exclaimed in between coughs. "I started mid-way through my freshman year and graduated from there." Kurts jaw dropped and he was speechless. After a few minutes he regained his composure.

"Youre kidding." Blaine just shook his head. "Did you know anyone in the Warblers by the name of Wes? I never got his last name, but he and another guy named David caught me spying on them for my glee club once."

"That was you?" Blaine asked incredulously. Kurt smirked and nodded.

"I take it you know them?"

"They were my best friends, actually. Wes and David told me all about you after classes that day. I remember Wes saying some kid in a black jacket and a red tie pretended to be a new student but he saw right through you."

"I did the best I could on such short notice. Its not my fault I didnt have access to the uniform." Kurt shrugged. "So were you in the Warblers too?"

"No, Wes and David tried for years to get me to audition. They told me Id probably sing lead if I joined, but I never did." Blaine shrugged.

"Why not? You could have led them to nationals with a voice like yours!" Kurt protested.

"Probably not, but I was too nervous to audition. I didnt really think Id ever be able to sing in front of a crowd until my senior year, and by then it was too late anyway." Blaine sipped his coffee as Kurt spoke.

"Weird that you had so much stage fright, yet now you want to pursue exactly that." Kurt raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

"Well, being in a show choir would be different. Being in the Warblers would be about the Warblers, about the whole group. When its just me, its about the music." Kurt nodded in understanding. Blaine figured he knew what it was like, being in a high school show choir himself. "Plus, the real reason I want to get out there is so I can just play music all day and have something come from it instead of living on the street." Both men laughed and sipped their coffees.

"Its so weird that we could have met in high school. I probably would have met you had I been in the Warblers." Blaine shook his head in disbelief and sighed. "Whod have thought wed end up meeting several years later thousands of miles away from Ohio?"

"Small world." Kurt commented with a small laugh. Blaine checked his watch and frowned.

"Im sorry, but I really have to get back. Let me know when we can reschedule that cheese and crackers date." Blaine pushed his chair back and stood up, draining the remainder of his coffee.

"Wait, what are you doing tomorrow night?" Kurt followed suit and walked with Blaine to the door.

"I have a show pretty late at Sals Tavern. I dont think Im on until ten." Blaine said apologetically.

"So I guess tomorrow wouldnt work then?"

"Not unless youd like to hang out after Im done. I dont know when thatll be." Blaine stopped beside the wall of a building where hed have to turn the corner to get back to work.

"Give me a call when youre done and Ill let you know." Kurt smiled once more and Blaine noticed him looking around, but he didnt comment on it.

"I guess Ill see you later then?" Blaine asked.

"Yeah, see you." Before Blaine could react, Kurt leaned in and pecked his lips softly against Blaines cheek. He pulled away with a light grin and turned away without another word. Blaine was frozen in place; his cheeks were burning, particularly in the spot where Kurts lips had just been. Blaine let out the breath he hadnt yet released and closed his eyes for a moment. It was so familiar, yet different. But different wasnt bad. It was the best kind of different, Blaine decided. He breathed deeply once more and opened his eyes, trying to clear his head as he made his way back to work.

Know it sounds funny but I just cant stand the pain
Girl, Im leaving you tomorrow
Seems to me girl, you know Ive done all I can
You see I begged, stole and I borrowed, yeah

Ooh, thats why Im easy
Im easy like Sunday morning
Thats why Im easy
Im easy like Sunday morning

Why in the world would anybody put chains on me?
Ive paid my dues to make it
Everybody wants me to be, what they want me to be
Im not happy when I try to fake it, no

Blaine decided quickly that he really enjoyed playing at Sals. The atmosphere was charged with energy built from the alcohol consumed by each patron in the bar. Everyone sang along if they knew the words, and some people (in their highly inebriated state) sang along even if they didnt. It was more like he was playing with the crowd, and not for them.

Ooh, thats why Im easy
Im easy like Sunday morning
Thats why Im easy
Im easy like Sunday morning

I wanna be high, so high
I wanna be free to know
The things I do are right
I wanna be free, just me, babe

Thats why Im easy
Im easy like Sunday morning
Thats why Im easy
Im easy like Sunday morning

Blaine smiled and thanked the crowd as he finished strumming out his last song, then quickly packed up his things. It still wasnt too late, so he figured he may be able to give Kurt a call. As he loaded his things into the backseat of his car, he scrolled through his contacts to the number he was looking for. Kurt picked up on the second ring.

"Why hello there, Mr. Anderson! Finished with your pub shenanigans so soon?" Kurts voice was cheerful and light, and Blaine could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Pub shenanigans?" Blaine asked with a laugh.

"Im guessing that means you didnt stay for a drink, then?" Kurt didnt sound convinced.

"I am a professional! Im not going to go and get shitfaced in the bar right after I finish my set!" Blaine pretended to be offended, but couldnt hide the smile in his fake protests.

"Mm, eloquent too." Kurt teased. "So are you headed home now or were you going to go to a different bar to get, quote unquote, ‘shitfaced?"

"Im definitely not doing the latter... I dont respond well to copious amounts of alcohol..." Blaine realized he was about to go into forbidden territory and quickly changed the subject. "I was actually wondering what you were up to right now..." Not knowing what do, Blaine fumbled with his keys in his fingers, waiting for Kurt to answer.

"Currently Im reorganizing some old bins I have in the basement, but that can wait. Would you like to help me finish the cheese and crackers I slaved over on Tuesday for us?" Blaine laughed at Kurts dramatic extension of the word and responded.

"Id love to. Im leaving now so Ill be there soon." Blaine put his keys in the ignition and started the car.

"All right, see you soon!" Blaine hung up and tossed his phone on the passenger seat as he shifted gears and headed to Kurts house, a route that he very quickly committed to memory.

When he arrived at the front door, he barely knocked twice before the door swung open to a smiling Kurt.

"Hi! Think you can help me?" Kurt ushered Blaine in and led him to the kitchen after he hung up his jacket.

"With what?" Blaine asked, a little perplexed.

"My bottle opener broke, and I cant get this cork out," Kurt handed Blaine a bottle of Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon.

"Whats this for?" Blaine asked, twisting the corkscrew a little more so he could get a good grip on it.

"I figured I should butter you up a little bit so maybe you wont be so shy. Then Ill have you spilling all of your secrets!" Kurt winked and began arranging the cheese and crackers on a platter.

"Oh," was the only response Blaine could offer.

"Im kidding, Blaine! Youre actually a lot more talkative than you were when we first met." Kurt supplied.

"Youre... easy to talk to." Blaine murmured as he finally pulled the cork out of the bottle.

"Well good, that makes this," Kurt gestured between the two of them, "easier." He grabbed two empty wine glasses and balanced the tray on his arm as he circled around the island in his kitchen. "Can you grab the wine, please?" He asked as he led Blaine into the living room. They sat next to each other on the couch at a respectable distance and Kurt poured the two of them wine when Blaine finally spoke up.

"I guess you really did slave over this," He commented, grabbing a slice of cheese and a cracker.

"Well I always take preparing any type of food seriously," Kurt handed Blaine a glass half full of wine. They clinked their glasses together and took a sip, a silent toast to their new friendship.

"And he cooks too!" Blaine said enthusiastically. Kurt laughed and shrugged.

"Well for a while, my dad and I were on our own. It was either learn to cook, or eat Happy Meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Not that I wasnt eager to learn, but I was eight so... Needless to say my first attempt at paella didnt go so well."

"Just you and your dad?" Blaine knew it was probably not his place to ask, but he wanted to get to know Kurt.

"My mom died when I was eight years old—"

"Oh, Kurt, Im sorry! You dont have to—" Blaine started.

"No, its okay. I want to tell you." Blaine nodded and Kurt continued. "So up until he got remarried when I was seventeen it was just the two of us. It was a weird change; all of the sudden our family doubled, but it actually was a nice change. I had more support than ever in high school, which is one of the reasons I ended up staying instead of transferring." Kurt gave a soft smile before taking a bite of a cracker.

"I take it you like your stepmother, then?" Blaine smiled.

"I adore her. I actually was the one who introduced my dad to her..." Kurt blushed slightly under a shy smile and Blaine looked at him knowingly.

"Theres a story behind that." He pointed out. "Care to share?"

"Its a rather embarrassing story, but... I had a stepbrother named Finn. He graduated with me, and well... My naïve sophomore mind was convinced that introducing our parents would give me a valid excuse to spend more time with him." Kurt ducked his head and was now blushing a deep crimson, and Blaine picked up on it right away.

"Aww you had a crush him!" Blaine teased. Kurt grabbed the nearest throw pillow and hit Blaine on the arm with it.

"I got over it very quickly, I assure you that." Kurt rolled his eyes and took another sip of wine. "We had a bit of a... falling out at one point. It was settled soon after, and we became each others support systems, but at that point I wondered how I was ever attracted to him. Not that he was unattractive, just... not my type."

"How so?" Blaine asked.

"Well for one, he was straight, so there in lies a problem. And two, he was the epitome of a stereotypical teenage boy. A sweaty, muddy jock who couldnt care less about cleanliness and healthy eating and anything remotely related to fashion. I still loved him all the same though." Kurt sighed with a melancholy smile. Blaine loved listening to Kurt talk about his family. He opened up and didnt hesitate one bit. Blaine wondered if this was how Kurt felt when he listened to him sing when it dawned on him.

"I dont want to overstep but... you used the past tense when talking about him." Blaine commented carefully.

"I did." Kurt confirmed. "He died when we were nineteen. It was really sudden and out of the blue and my whole family was really torn up for a while. He had just started to find himself and decided he wanted to be a teacher..."

"Oh, Kurt, Im so sorry." Blaine put down his wine glass and reached over to take Kurts hand, feeling a gentle squeeze as he held it.

"Thanks. Its hard sometimes, but I know hed be proud of where I am now and that helps a lot. Even though hes not here, hes still my rock." Kurt smiled sadly and took a sip of his wine. "So what about your family?" He changed the subject, twisting to sit more comfortably against the couch while still facing Blaine.

"Theres really not much to tell. My parents are both business people, and theyre very involved in their respective businesses. Theyve always supported me, but our relationship is almost like a professional relationship. Theyre kind of distant. I love them and they love me, we just have a different way of showing it I guess. My brother Cooper is different though; hes always been there for me in a more affectionate way. Even when hes kind of hard on me... I know hell be there for me whenever I need him."

"He sounds great. Is he older than you?"

"By about eight years." Blaine nodded. "Hes in Europe right now. Hes always wanted to travel there, so he took a spontaneous trip."

"I have to admit Im more than a little jealous." Kurt chuckled around a bite of cheese and cracker. "So what does he do?"

"Hes an actor. Mostly just small roles and commercials and hes done a few voice overs, but nothing really big. He had a recurring role on a soap opera for a while but they killed his character after a season or something like that. I think hes working on an audition for a bigger role in an upcoming series, but Im not sure." Blaine shrugged.

"Wait. Cooper Anderson? Did he do the freecreditratingtoday.com commercials?" Kurt asked hesitantly.

"He used to a few years back... Hes trying to get away from that now I guess. Why do you ask?" Blaine figured he probably already knew the answer, but asked anyway.

"I... may or may not have had a small crush on your brother in high school..." Kurt mumbled. Blaine rolled his eyes with a small grin.

"Didnt everyone?" He grabbed another cracker and began chewing silently, aware of the fact that Kurt was watching him.

"Sorry." Kurt finally uttered. Blaine looked up and saw concern in his eyes.

"For what?" Blaines brow furrowed as he asked.

"For... well, I didnt mean to make you uncomfortable." Kurt admitted.

"You didnt, dont worry. I became quickly used to that years ago. Now I just kind of find it funny." Blaine shrugged.

"Thats twice youre laughing at my high school crushes tonight. Lovely." Kurt spat sarcastically. Blaine just laughed along and the conversation flowed further. Blaine was still surprised at how easy it was to talk to Kurt. He felt like Kurt was slowly becoming his best friend. After a while, he glanced at his watch and frowned. They had been talking for hours and hadnt realized how late it had gotten.

"I really hate to go, but I still have work in the morning." Blaine sighed and stood up, helping Kurt carry the platter and half empty bottle of wine back to the kitchen. "Thank you for having me over, and giving me a second chance at this."

"Im glad I did," Kurt smiled, but there was something different about it, something Blaine couldnt quite see. "Youre okay to drive, right?"

"Ill be fine; I only had that one glass over the past few hours. Trust me, I would never get into a car if I didnt think it was safe for me to drive." Blaine paused as he slipped his shoes back on. "I guess Ill see you sometime soon, then?"

"I may be at Gios tomorrow, so play something good," Kurt smiled and Blaine laughed in response.

"Ill do my best," Blaine was about half way out the door when Kurt grabbed his hand gently.

"Blaine?" Kurt looked up at him shyly through his eyelashes.

"Yes?" Blaine turned to face Kurt and held his breath. Kurts eyes were shining a pale blue-green in the front porch light, with flecks of gold scattered around the pupil. Blaine was about to ask again, but his words were lost as Kurt pressed his soft lips against his own. Blaine let his body take control and relaxed into it briefly before Kurt pulled away again.

"Good night, Blaine." He smiled shyly once more.

"Y-yeah, um, good night." Blaine stammered idiotically. He waved to Kurt as he turned to his car, smiling as Kurt closed the front door behind him.