The sun was just settling in the sky and Kurt was already up and dressed and sipping his coffee at the edge of Central Park. Having to be at work at seven am had never bothered him. He loved what he did and having to wake up five was nothing compared to the fulfilling feeling he got from designing. Plus it gave him just enough time to sit in his favorite spot in New York and watch all the other people with insanely early jobs rushing about trying to balance coffee trays. Watching as they reach into their massive designer purses to retrieve Smart-phones that don’t ever seem to stop ringing. It was a highly amusing start to his mornings.

            This morning was no different. Well it was a little different. Along with the usual businesswomen, businesses men and nannies taking children and dogs for walks through central park there was one person who caught Kurt’s eye. The man had dark brown almost black curls that were cut short. His face was littered with piercings and  his ears were gauged slightly. He was dressed in a pair of black denim jeans that were purposefully ripped across the knees. Kurt couldn’t read his shirt from where he was sitting but it was some sort of band t-shirt.

            He sat Indian style on a bench with his guitar case open next to him. It wasn’t often you see buskers this early in the morning. Kurt looked at his watch, 6:45. He had a few minutes before he had to leave for work. The man pulled his guitar into his lap, testing the strings before he started to strum a sharp chord or two before he began his song with. “I hate where I’m at,” Kurt marveled at the stranger’s voice, it was absolutely beautiful. “acting crazy like that. I know that I’ve been wrong,” He continued. Kurt wished he didn’t have to work in just a few minutes, he could honestly sit here and listen all day. “It’s something I’ve been working on.”  The busker slipped a wink in Kurt’s direction.

            Kurt flushed deep red. Was he staring? Well of course he was staring but he didn’t think he was doing it obviously. The song continued but Kurt was too wrapped up in the guys voice to decipher the words that flowed from his mouth. He played one final drawn out chord and then the song was over. Kurt took out his wallet, grabbing a five. He situated his leather messenger bag on his shoulder, and walked over to him setting the money into his guitar case.

            “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” The busker said smugly, smiling he held out his hand towards Kurt. “I’m Blaine.” Kurt accepted his gesture, shaking his hand he said,

            “Kurt.” Blaine’s hand was warm and calloused, probably from years of playing guitar. He had two lip piercings, and a ring through his eyebrow. So completely different from what Kurt found attractive, but there was just something about Blaine that made his heart feel like it was beating out of his chest. “That song was amazing, did you write that?”

            “Indeed, I’ve got  few more I was gonna play if you want to stick around?” Kurt groaned internally, he’d never hated the idea of leaving for work more in his life.

            “I really wish I could but I uh, have to get to work.” Blaine looked almost disappointed as Kurt backed away. Walking towards work he peeked over his shoulder at Blaine who had started another song and was singing something about being a loser. He most definitely is not, Kurt thought.

Kurt sent off his last email before lunch. He placed his pencils back in their appropriate case before he went down to the cafeteria like he does everyday. He grabbed his usual salad and at the last minute he grabbed another one.

“I was hoping you’d still be here.” Kurt invited himself to a seat on the bench. Blaine’s guitar case was now set in front of him, and was a lot less empty than it had been this morning. Kurt spotted a $10 dollar bill and plucked it from the case. “Who gave you this?” He said a bit jealous. He unfolded the bill only for a piece of paper to fall out with someone’s number written on it. “Oh look a number too!” Kurt teased.

            “Just some girl.” Blaine smiled as he took back the money and the note, taking the rest from his case and shoving it in his wallet before he put his guitar in his case and set it aside.

            “Do you like salad?” Kurt said offering up one of the containers to Blaine. Blaine smiled and thanked Kurt as he took it. “No problem, thought if I was coming out here anyway maybe you’d want lunch.”

            “I guess I’ll just have to repay you with a song.”

            “I was hoping you’d say that!” Kurt said opening his own lunch. They sat there in silence for a few minutes just munching. “So, you gonna call that girl?” Kurt inquires after another minute. Blaine looks taken aback, and then he begins laughing.

            “Yeah I uh, don’t  really play for that team.”  Just what Kurt needed to hear.

            “Good cause neither do I.” Kurt said feeling extra courageous.

            “No offense but I’d say that’s pretty obvious.” Blaine scoffed looking over Kurt. Kurt looked over Blaine in turn. He noticed that his shirt was not a band shirt but was actually a How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying shirt. Kurt smiled to himself, so he wasn’t all badass was he?

            “So you like How to Succeed?” Kurt asked changing the subject.

            “Not only do I like it, I was in it.” Blaine said, replacing the cover on his salad container and putting it down next to his guitar case.

            “No way! Who did you play?” Kurt slides a little closer on the bench, now finished with his lunch he places it behind him.

            “Finch.” He said like it was no big deal.

            “Liar I saw it when it was running,” Kurt stopped when Blaine pulled back his curls, flattening his hair as best as he could. It completely transformed him. Kurt pictured him without all of the metal and he could see it. He added a smile, one that nearly made Kurt’s heart stop. It took him from the dark brooding bad boy who sat and played somewhat sad music on park benches to a man whose smile could make a whole theater of people instantly fall in love with him.

            “I’m no liar!” Blaine smiled at Kurt’s shocked look.

            “What the hell are you doing busking in Central Park then?”

            “I like it, you meet a lot of interesting people. As much as I love being on stage and everything that’s not me ya know? I get to play whatever I want and people seem to like it.” Blaine shrugs. Kurt shakes his head because he understands. He completely understands not feeling like you’re able to be yourself.

            “So how about that song then?” Blaine smiled, he situated his guitar in his hands, stroking the strings lightly before he actually began playing.

“I've been alone

Surrounded by darkness

I've seen how heartless

The world can be

I've seen you crying

You felt like it's hopeless

I'll always do my best

To make you see

Baby, you're not alone

'Cause you're here with me

And nothing's ever gonna bring us down

'Cause nothing can keep me from lovin' you

And you know it's true

It don't matter what'll come to be

Our love is all we need to make it through...

…

Our love is all we need

To make it through...”

Kurt had barely noticed the people that had gathered around the bench they sat on. Blaine’s guitar case was filled with money again and Kurt could understand why. The song was absolutely beautiful. Kurt didn’t say anything for a while after the song had ended and the other people had fled, off to continue with their scheduled lives. He was to focused on his own thoughts.

            “You ok?” Kurt’s eyes focused back on Blaine.

            “Yeah I was just thinking…” He trailed off, too embarrassed to say what he was thinking of.

            “You were thinking…”

            “I was just wondering where that song was when I was still in high school.”

            “That’s what I wrote it about.  I was bullied because of my nontraditional look, it only got worse when I came out.”

            “Being pushed against lockers and slushied everyday can really get to a person.” Kurt replied ducking his head to hide his slight blush. “Being the only one out didn’t help either. I mean I had friends I could talk to, and my dad was supportive but no one really understood.”

            “I’d tell you my sob story but it’s boring and stereotypical, but…” Kurt looked up to meet the other man’s eyes (rich hazel with specks of , gold gorgeous).  “If you still need someone to talk to you about yours, maybe you could call me sometime. Here hand me your phone.” Kurt did, he watched as Blaine’s fingers flew over the keys presumably adding his number to Kurt’s contacts. “There.” He said handing it back. Kurt regretfully told Blaine that his lunchtime was over, and left after placing another five-dollar bill in his case.

Later when he got home Kurt looked at his contacts finding one that wasn’t there before titled as Busker Blaine. Not wanting to seem desperate Kurt forgot about it for the night.

When Kurt was a few minutes from the coffee shop the next morning retrieved his phone from his pocket, sending a quick text.

Unknown Number: Do you like coffee?

Busker Blaine: Of course, Kurt.

Kurt: I’ll meet you at the bench in 15?

Busker Blaine: I’ll be there.