July 26, 2012, 12:19 p.m.
Where I First Saw You: Chapter 4
K - Words: 1,426 - Last Updated: Jul 26, 2012 Story: Complete - Chapters: 5/5 - Created: Jul 17, 2012 - Updated: Jul 26, 2012 708 0 0 0 0
"No, Nana. This isn't right," Blaine was looking into his full length mirror, "Okay, I'll be right back. Quick change!"
The rest of the week was easy. It was obvious that Kurt was as excited about their date as Blaine was, so Blaine continued to premake Kurt's mocha and give him a complimentary cookie. He figured it was a sweet, gentle gesture that wouldn't be overbearing, especially after Kurt became accustomed to the action.
The way Kurt's eyes wrinkled with his smile every time he saw his order on the counter encouraged Blaine to keep doing it. Anything for that smile.
Blaine bounded back into the room, facing the mirror on the wall, "How about this, big girl?"
He was wearing a simple, white, cotton button-up with a red bowtie and a gray cardigan. The jeans and black-and-white oxfords balanced the outfit out. Casual and chic.
"You think he'll like it?" Nana wagged her tail, "Okay. Wish me luck!"
The walk to Kurt's apartment was only five minutes. He pressed the button with the name "Hummel" beside it.
"I'll buzz you in," Kurt's high pitched voice sounded through the speaker.
Blaine went in and walked down the hall until he came across the number he had seen with the name plate at the front of the building, and knocked quietly.
Kurt opened the door, and Blaine's jaw dropped.
He was wearing light colored skinny jeans tucked into shiny, black Doc Martens. A long, khaki trench coat was tied tightly at his waist, and peaking out around his neck was a red, knit sweater.
"You, you-um, you look great," Blaine stammered, his eyes blinking rapidly.
Kurt blushed, "You do too."
Blaine took a deep breath, trying to collect this thoughts, "Shall we?" he offered Kurt the crook of his elbow.
Kurt looped his arm through Blaine's, "We shall."
It was a ten minute walk to the restaurant, only a few blocks from Kurt's place, and the entirety was spent in silence. Not a tense, uncomfortable quiet, but a relaxed and easy one. They didn't need to say anything. Being there for each other was enough.
When the boys arrived, they were quickly seated across from one another, menus handed back to the waiter and their orders placed.
"So," Blaine started, "How was rehearsal this week? I didn't ask you about it much."
Kurt's eyes brightened, "It's going really well. The choreography looks stunning. The crew was fantastic with the sets. The Banks' house has two stories! It's incredible."
"What about all of your parts?" Blaine asked.
"Oh, those are good too," Kurt said, his eyes dropping.
Blaine didn't want Kurt to still be upset about his casting, "C'mon, can't be that bad, can it?"
"No! It's pretty great, actually. I just, you said you had tickets for opening night, right?" Blaine nodded so Kurt continued, "So you'll just have to wait and see."
That gave Blaine a stomach full of butterflies. Kurt wanted Blaine to go see him. Not just to see the play in general, but to see it because he wanted Blaine to see him perform.
"Oh, if that's how it's going to be," Blaine jokingly rolled his eyes.
The food arrived and the boys dug into their meals. There were only the sounds of metal clinking for a few minutes before Blaine broke the silence.
"So," he started, swallowing his mouthful of lettuce, "how did you get started doing the whole theater thing?"
Kurt hurried to finish chewing a piece of lasagna, "Well, I was in glee club in high school, and I really fell in love with performing there."
"I was in my school's glee club! Maybe we competed and we didn't even know it. I performed with the Warblers, which glee club were you in?" Blaine asked.
Realization washed over Kurt's face, "I was in the New Directions. You were the lead soloist, weren't you?"
Blaine smiled, "Yeah, yeah that was me."
"I can't believe I didn't put that together until now! You wore that blazer well," Kurt said, picking up his fork and knife and looking at his plate.
The comment made Blaine's stomach do a flip.
"You know, I think I remember you, too. The New Directions always had that really short girl and the really tall guy singing, but I do think I remember you."
It was small talk after that. No conversation that had any meaning, just words to pass the time.
Blaine paid for dinner, and they both rose out of their seats, this time, Kurt offering his arm for Blaine to take.
He smiled, his chest swelled with happiness.
When they reached the exit of the restaurant, arms linked, and began walking on the sidewalk, Kurt looked over at Blaine, "Can I walk you home?"
It had never occurred to Blaine that someone would want to walk him home. He assumed he would always be the one doing that. But Kurt offered and Blaine couldn't refuse.
"Of course you can."
A few minutes passed as they walked along toward Blaine's apartment.
"Thank you for dinner, I had a good time," Kurt was looking straight ahead.
Blaine was looking at Kurt, his heart rate picking up in speed at Kurt's confession of enjoying the date, "It was my pleasure."
They went inside and Blaine unlocked his door, opening it but standing in the frame, facing Kurt. They were standing so close, Blaine didn't know if he was actually breathing.
Blaine leaned in and kissed Kurt on the tip of his nose, the gesture coming off as much more intimate than he meant it to be, but Kurt giggled and reached out to wrap his arms around Blaine's waist, so he decided that it was a good move. Blaine hugged him back, rubbing his hands up and down for a moment before they released each other.
"Will I see you tomorrow?" Blaine asked, looking from underneath his eyelashes.
Kurt brought his index finger to his chin, pondering the question, "Only if you bake me something special."
"You've got a deal," Blaine agreed.
They bid their final goodbyes, and Blaine walked into his apartment, jumping up and down, Nana joining in his celebration.
***
Sunday morning, Blaine went about his normal routine, baking a fresh batch of cupcakes and decorating each one with care.
But today, he took even more time with the last chocolate cupcake in the bunch. He made a white flower out of the icing, tracing a golden lining around the outside and for the center.
Blaine carefully wrapped the cupcake and set it aside, so it would be ready whenever Kurt decided to stop by. Which would be, Blaine hoped, pretty soon.
Almost five hours later, Blaine was picking apart a cupcake and nibbling on the crumbs, when the chimes clinked together and Kurt walked into the cafe.
"Hey, Kurt," Blaine walked around the counter, going up to Kurt and leaning in for a hug.
Kurt was quick to relax into the motion, resting his chin on Blaine's shoulder, "Hey, how was your day?"
They broke apart from their hug, but kept a close distance, "It was a little slow, but it's much better now," Blaine answered, color rising in his cheeks, "How was your day?"
"In all honesty, I was anxiously awaiting my special cupcake," Kurt winked, nudging Blaine's shoulder with his own.
"Oh, yeah! Here," Blaine went to retrieve it, unwrapping it and setting it on a plate, handing it to Kurt as they both sat down at a table, "is your special cupcake"
"Wow, you didn't really have to do that. But thank you, it's really nice of you," Kurt said and bit into it.
"Ahh, I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to," Blaine added quietly.
Kurt looked back up at Blaine, "Thanks again for yesterday."
Blaine smiled, shaking his head, flattered, "You don't have to thank me for it. I had a really great time."
"Well, then, could it be on me, next time?" Kurt asked, looking at Blaine.
"I-um," Blaine was nervous that small, animated hearts were going to be forming around his crown. No one had ever asked him on a date before. No one. "Yes. Yeah. Thanks."
Kurt brought his hands up to his face and clapped a few times, a huge smile spreading over his mouth.
"But, I don't really want to wait a whole week..." Kurt started, "After you close up, on Tuesday. Would you let me take you out?"
"That's perfect. What are we going to do? Not that it matters. Anything is fine," Blaine stumbled over his words.
Kurt shook his head, "It'll be a surprise."
Blaine laughed, "You like keeping me on my toes, huh?"
"It's more fun that way," Kurt smirked.
"Well I am eagerly awaiting whatever it is we'll be doing."
Kurt stood from his seat, "I'm going to head out. Early call time in the morning. But I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah," Blaine stood, opening the door for Kurt, "Tomorrow."