Fic: Once More With Feeling, Chapter 2/14
Title: Once More With Feeling (2/14+Epilogue)
Rating: R
Pairings: Kurt/Blaine, Blaine/Sebastian
Spoilers: -
Warnings:
Word Count: ~4000
Summary: After a long year of separation, things are finally looking up for Kurt and Blaine. They're ready to start their lives together in New York as an engaged couple. Everything is perfect.
Until it's suddenly not.
Torn apart by forces beyond their understanding, they find themselves alone, facing a world that is just not quite right anymore. A second first meeting of strangers on a staircase brings another chance for love, but is that chance enough for them to find their way back to each other, and can they break the spell before it's too late?
Disclaimer: The characters aren't my property, neither are any song lyrics within this story, just borrowing it all for a bit.
Notes: See prologue
Previously...
Chapter 2 - I Want The Fire Back
When Blaine returned home from school, the apartment was just a slight improvement to the cold wind outside. The walls were as white as they had been when they moved in, the furniture was in dark colors as a contrast to the bright floor, and the light bulbs sent a cold light through the rooms, reminding Blaine more of an operating room than a place to live in. There were a few paintings in the living room, made by up-and-coming artists, but to Blaine, they didn't mean a thing. He hadn't picked one of them. Then again, he hadn't refused any of them either.
Today had been a bad day. Most days on which he had classes with Carmen Tibideaux were bad. He understood that NYADA was an excellent school, and of course the professors there would be stricter than at a normal school. He also knew that he hadn't really given his best performances lately - or even just good ones. He knew he must have been better at some point, otherwise he never would have been accepted into NYADA in the first place. Once, there had been passion in his performances, and heart. It had gotten so much harder to find that inspiration and just let go.
He must have done something right during his audition, but every time Carmen Tibideaux looked at him with disappointment, he knew that he wasn't able to reach that potential anymore. If only he knew what was holding him back...
As he sank back into the dark leather couch, Blaine tried to think back on his audition. He closed his eyes and thought back as hard as he could. When he really tried, he could remember the piano, excitement, and he even thought there had been people in the auditorium, people who were on his side... but he hadn't know anybody in NYADA or New York, and he didn't think Sebastian had come with him for the audition. Maybe there had been students who had liked his performance... it wasn't completely unrealistic. Blaine tried to remember the atmosphere of his audition, but nothing came to him. The closest he got was the memory of feeling a spark that turned into a flame. And now?
Blaine opened his eyes again. It was gone. That... spark, or whatever it had been, was gone. He didn't even completely remember what it felt like, much less how to ignite it again.
Actually...
Blaine noticed that he was stroking with his thumb over his right hand. That spark had been there, earlier today. Under Carmen Tibideaux's strictness, he had almost forgotten. But earlier today, when that boy, Kurt, had taken his hand... there had been a spark, a flash of warmth running through his hand, and it had felt as if it had gone straight into his blood stream.
Even now, when he thought back to that moment, he could feel goosebumps forming on his arms... but no. He shook his head in an attempt to get these thoughts out of his head. It had been nothing. It couldn't have been anything. He didn't need some stranger. He just needed a spark to give better performances, and whatever... that had been, it hadn't helped him perform.
With a sigh, Blaine looked to the clock at the wall. It was a designer piece full of reflecting surfaces, with red gleaming hands that were running randomly and completely useless in front of a digital display. Blaine didn't even want to know how much Sebastian had paid for the thing. But it was his apartment, so that implied that he had the right to decorate it however he wanted. They had moved in here together, but Blaine never had felt like contributing much to the interior. In the end, Sebastian had just taken some more of his father's money and paid a decorator. If Blaine had to pick, he probably wouldn't hire them for anything else.
A shiver ran through him. The apartment was still cool. He thought about turning up the heat, but that would require moving. Blaine looked around for a moment, then took a blanket he kept lying around in the living room. Wrapped up in it, Blaine looked up at the ridiculous clock again. Sebastian would be home at some time during the next hour, and it would be nice to have dinner by then. For a moment, Blaine considered what they had standing around in their cupboards, but then he just slumped back into himself again. He felt too exhausted. They could order something later. Right now, he just wanted to take a nap and try to forget NYADA and Carmen Tibideaux.
Or he could do what a responsible student should and practice. He looked to the concert piano standing on the other side of the apartment. It was magnificent, and probably still not the most expensive thing they had in here. But unlike most other things, at least it felt somewhat real. With a sigh, Blaine pulled the blanket tighter around him before he made his way to the piano and opened it.
There had been the tiniest spark earlier today. Maybe he could translate it into music somehow. The piano came easier to him than singing or dancing. It was still more mechanic than he liked, but it was somehow easier to put feeling into playing. After a few deep breaths, Blaine closed his eyes and just started. The melody that came out was slow and melancholic, not exactly what he had been looking for. But the moment he tried to play something more uplifting, he lost the rhythm and missed every other key. He tried to think of his audition, tried to embody any of the other performances he had seen lately that had actually felt inspiring, but it was of no use.
He could stop. He could close the piano, return to the couch and turn on the TV, waiting for Sebastian to come home.
Or maybe...
Blaine closed his eyes and tried to remember the spark from earlier, the warmth running through his blood when Kurt had taken his hand. He tried to remember the feeling of skin, of direction and warmth, and then...
And then, he played.
He didn't go through complicated pieces, but it was softer, happier than anything he had tried lately, and for a short while it felt like breathing. From one piece, he started into another, trying to capture that feeling. The different pieces wove into each other, until he couldn't even remember anymore what he had started with.
Eventually, he played the last note. His hands stayed on the keys. There was a fine tremor running through them, and for a moment, it was enough to just sit there and breathe deeply. Music hadn't felt this intense since... He couldn't even tell anymore.
“That was amazing.”
Blaine flinched violently and looked to his right. Sebastian was leaning against the couch, looking at him. A shudder ran down his spine. He hadn't even heard Sebastian coming in.
“How long have you been standing there?” Blaine asked, trying to not let on how shaken he was.
“A bit,” Sebastian said and stepped closer. He let a hand rest on Blaine's shoulder. This time, Blaine managed to suppress the shudder. “I haven't heard you play in a while,” Sebastian continued, “I started to worry if that piano was a wasted investment.”
Blaine hesitated for a moment. “I just felt like it,” he said eventually.
There was a soft smile on Sebastian's face. It had become rarer over the course of the last weeks, ever since they had moved into this apartment. “Well, good,” he said. There was almost a note of relief in the way he looked at Blaine. “So, I take it you had a good day?”
Now that Blaine thought about it again, it did seem like one of the better days. Still, that was mostly about that one encounter. “Nothing special,” Blaine said. “Yours?”
Sebastian's expression fell slightly. “Fine,” he said. “I brought sushi on the way home. Are you hungry?”
By now, Blaine had stopped even thinking about that question. “I could eat,” he said instead, which wasn't even a lie. He could eat, he just wasn't particularly interested.
“Right,” Sebastian said, and by now the rest of his smile had faded, too. “I'll set the table, we can eat in a few minutes.”
“Thank you,” Blaine said.
Sebastian hesitated and looked at him uncertainly for a moment. “Could you...” he started.
“What?” “Could you play some more?” It was such a simple request.
“Okay,” Blaine said softly and put his hands back on the keys. It should be easy. He knew so many songs, only a few minutes ago he had been playing them. But now, nothing came. He could feel Sebastian's eyes on him. He had to play something.
The melody that came was slow and melancholic, no comparison to the more passionate pieces he had played before. For a while, he could feel Sebastian watching him, but when he turned his head, Sebastian went into the kitchen.
Blaine sighed and tried to concentrate on what he was playing, but whatever had worked before, it was gone now. He stopped, eventually, after what felt like the hundredth missed key.
“Perfect timing,” Sebastian said. Blaine didn't point out that he had been waiting there for a few minutes.
“I'm out of practice,” he said instead and went over to the table, leaving the blanket behind on the piano bench.
“You'll get it back, eventually,” Sebastian said.“Sit down, eat something. You'll feel better.”
With a nod, Blaine sat down and took the chopsticks waiting for him. At least while eating he wouldn't be expected to talk.
“Blaine?” He looked up to find Sebastian watching at him with an expression he couldn't quite figure out. “Are you happy?”
Blaine froze for a second. The look in Sebastian eyes changed, got almost desperate.
“I... I guess,” he answered after only a few seconds of hesitation.
Sebastian, too, was silent for a moment before he spoke again. “Well, good,” he said. His voice sounded calm, but Blaine could see something in his face that looked almost crushed. He didn't know how to react to it, either, so he just turned back to the sushi and started eating.
Sebastian was watching him, but then again, he was always doing that. Blaine wasn't sure what to think of it. But they were together. They lived together, they had been dating for a long time now, and he knew that they were in love. It was fine. It was enough. It had to be.
By the end of the week, Kurt was cursing his bad luck. NYADA wasn't a big school. It was ridiculously hard to get into any program. Then why was it so hard to find one single person? Granted, it had been only a week, and he had mostly tried to look around during the breaks and in the cafeteria, but it still seemed weird that he hadn't caught sight of Blaine even once.
In spite of how restless he got, the girls were content with his change of attitude. Rachel, especially, was happy, after spending the first two days first concerned and suspicious. But by now she seemed confident that Kurt's improved mood would stick. In fact, she was walking with him right now and looked around the halls as if she, too, was looking for something.
“What, Rachel?” he asked.
“Oh, nothing,” she said, although there was that annoying note in her voice that usually meant she was about to share some gossip. “So, Kurt, I know you don't want to discuss this, but I feel like I have to bring it up. You've been different these last few days.”
Kurt rolled his eyes. “There we go again...”
“And I was wondering, if there was any connection-”
“To your pamphlets? No, Rachel, stop asking, I am not going to touch those things.”
“First of all, I am trying to look out for you. And two, I wasn't going to ask about that. Actually, I heard a rumor that... Where are you going?”
But he ignored her, because right at that moment, he had finally spotted what he had been looking for. At the outskirts of what Kurt assumed were a group of freshmen, he discovered Blaine, his eyes buried into a notebook.
“Hello, stranger!”
To his disappointment, Blaine ignored him until Kurt touched his arm. Then, he flinched and looked up. It was worth it, though, for the smile that appeared on his face.
“Kurt, hey!”
“Fancy seeing you here,” Kurt said. “Where are you going?”
Blaine sighed. “Theory of drama with Winston,” he said without much enthusiasm.
“Well, at least you'll get some sleep,” Kurt said and fell into step beside Blaine. “How did your dance class go?”
“It went fine, actually,” Blaine said, “I get that Cassandra July is scary, but she mostly ignores me.”
“Lucky you,” Kurt said. “So, how full is your agenda today?”
“It could be worse,” Blaine said, although there was a note of hesitation now, “why?”
All bravado Kurt had felt just from finally finding the boy started to fade away under that hesitant voice. “Well,” he said, and sounded way more flustered than he would have liked, “I was wondering if you would maybe like to get coffee with me?”
At this, Blaine actually stopped walking. “Er... why?”
This was not going the way Kurt had hoped it would, but now it was too late to back out. “I just thought it would be nice to get to know a few more people here,” he said, “and I think I'd like to know you better, so... it's just coffee, I promise, no secret intentions.”
Blaine hesitated, but then he nodded. “Yeah, sure. I... I'd like that,” he said.
“Alright,” Kurt said, “I know a pretty good coffee shop close by, it's kind of a hangout for NYADA students.”
“I've actually wanted to try that one,” Blaine said. “Let's see, I've got classes till after lunch, but is three okay?”
“Absolutely,” Kurt said. “Let's meet there?”
“Okay, sounds great,” Blaine said, and his smile seemed more relaxed now. “I'll see you later, Kurt.”
“Bye!” Kurt waved as Blaine returned to the flock of freshmen. Mission accomplished. Kurt just hoped the smile on his face didn't look as ridiculous as it felt.
“Now, who was that?”
Damn, he had forgotten about Rachel. “Will I get away with saying nobody?”
“Are you kidding me? Not a chance,” Rachel said. She was beaming widely, and looped an arm through his. “So I see those rumors I heard about you and a musical theater freshman from Ohio are absolutely true.”
Kurt looked to her quickly. “He's from Ohio?”
Rachel blinked, then she grinned even wider. “I take it you're not spending your time talking, then?”
“Rachel...”
“He went to Dalton Academy, I think he was the Warblers' lead singer for some time,” Rachel said. “I'm surprised I don't remember him, actually. And why don't you know that, he's your boy!”
“He's not my boy, I just told him how to get to a class room once,” Kurt said.
“People saw you walking hand in hand through the school,” Rachel said drily.
“I hardly know him, Rachel.”
“But you want to.” Kurt turned to her in surprise. “I...” He wasn't sure what to say. He didn't know Blaine. He might have had a few vivid dreams about him that seemed more like memories than actual dreams... but he didn't know Blaine.
Although... did he want to change that?
Definitely.
“You don't have to say anything,” Rachel said and put her head on his shoulder. “Just...” She hesitated, then she smiled at him. “He's cute, you should go for it.”
He could have hugged her right there.
“And I promise I won't tell Santana. Yet.”
Kurt groaned. Spoken to soon, again.
True to her word, Rachel hadn't bothered him for the rest of the day. Of course, it hadn't helped Kurt with his nerves as he was waiting at the coffee shop. This was not a date. This was just coffee. There was no reason to be nervous.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long until Blaine entered the coffee shop. He looked tired, definitely in need of some caffeine, but when he saw Kurt, he smiled.
“Hey,” he said, “it's good to see you.”
“You as well,” Kurt said and tried not to sound breathless. “Did you sleep well?”
Blaine looked at him in confusion.
“Your class,” Kurt said quickly.
Blaine laughed. “Oh, yeah, that. It was fine,” he said, “but I really need that coffee.”
“Coming right up,” Kurt said as he led Blaine up to the counter and addressed the barista. “A grande non-fat mocha and a medium drip for him.”
He turned to see Blaine looking at him in surprise, his hand at his wallet.
“It's on me,” he said quickly.
“Er... yeah, okay, thanks,” Blaine said, but Kurt noticed that he still sounded a bit confused.
“Everything okay?” Kurt asked, while their drinks were prepared. And then it suddenly came to him. “Oh my god, I don't even know if you like that. I'm so sorry, I just...” He hesitated. Why on earth had he ordered that? He had said it almost as if on instinct...
“It's fine, really,” Blaine said. “I'm just glad it's coffee.”
At least, he didn't seem too distressed. When they started to fix their drinks, Kurt noticed that Blaine's movements seemed practiced, as if he had done this a million times already.
“What's your usual coffee order then?” Kurt asked as they went to a free table.
Blaine shrugged. “I don't really have a fix order,” he said, “it changes. I usually take it as a latte with flavor shots, or frappuccino's... Mostly Starbucks, so whatever their special is, really.”
Kurt missed a step as he looked at him almost appalled.
“It's not that bad,” Blaine said and looked down quickly.
“No, don't. I didn't mean to be rude,” Kurt said, “but trust me, if you just stick to Starbucks you're missing a whole world of coffee.”
“Well, maybe the medium drip is exactly my drink,” Blaine said with a shrug. With a smile to Kurt, he took a sip. His eyes widened almost comically and he took another sip.
“Is that a yes?” Kurt said. He wasn't quite sure if Blaine was making fun of him or if the reaction was real, but then Blaine looked up and what he saw was genuine surprise.
“I... I think so, yes,” Blaine said. He took another sip, as if to make sure, and the tiniest smile appeared on his face. “I really like this. How did you know?”
“Lucky guess,” Kurt said. It was the best idea he had himself.
“I think I'll stick to this one,” Blaine said.
“Well, good. The coffee order is an important thing,” Kurt said. He almost felt like cursing himself again - what a stupid thing to say - but Blaine smiled at it, so it couldn't have been completely ridiculous.
“How long have you been at NYADA?” Blaine asked.
“I just got in last spring,” Kurt said, “But I've been in New York for a year now. I really had to get out of Ohio.”
“That's funny, I'm from Ohio, too,” Blaine said. “Where are you from? Maybe I've heard of it.”
“It's called Lima,” Kurt said. “I don't think you've heard of it.”
“Actually, I have,” Blaine said, “I went to school in Westerville. Dalton Academy, maybe you know it?”
“Our glee club competed against the Warblers,” Kurt said. When Rachel had mentioned it, he had tried to remember some performances of the Warblers with Blaine as their lead singer, but none came to mind. All he could remember was some weird guy with a weasel-like face as their lead, that had definitely looked nothing like Blaine. For some reason Kurt also remembered wanting to punch that guy right into his smirk, but he had no idea why.
“Really?” Blaine frowned at him. “What school were you?”
“The New Directions from McKinley,” Kurt answered.
Blaine's frown got deeper, as if he tried to remember them. “I'm not sure... those competitions are all a bit fuzzy...”
“It's been a while,” Kurt replied, “I don't remember most of the other performing schools myself.”
“Yeah, I guess...” Blaine trailed off, but the frown stayed in his face, as if something was still bothering him. “So... what was it like, your club?”
“Oh dear, you have no idea what you just started,” Kurt said and took a sip from his mocha in preparation for the wildest anecdotes he could think of. Even the highlights of his old choir were enough to fill hours.
They didn't stay on one topic, though. They went from glee clubs over different experiences with sports teams to favorite musicals and celebrities, with the topics changing so rapidly that Kurt sometimes had problems to keep track of the conversation himself. Once, when he blinked, he thought he saw Blaine sitting in front of him, clad in a red cardigan and just looking at him full of adoration. Kurt blinked several times, and then Blaine was back to the navy colored sweater with just the collar of a white shirt peaking out, and the look on his face was interested, but definitely not more.
“Sorry, where were we?” Kurt asked.
“I'm actually not quite sure,” Blaine said, “I was still trying to imagine you walking in those shoes... How is that even humanly possible?”
“I may have had to sell my soul,” Kurt said. “Didn't you do costumes at Dalton?”
“No, we had our school uniforms, that was all,” Blaine said. He stopped and started to get a far away look in his eyes. “Though I think I made a cape once...”
“A cape?”
“You know,” Blaine said and with a few blinks he was back with him again, “like a super hero cape.”
“You're kidding! Do you still have that?”
Blaine frowned. “I'm not sure... I don't even remember ever wearing it... but I think I saw it when I packed for New York. There was...” He flinched, and one of his hand instinctively flew up to his forehead. “I don't know, it's in Ohio anyway.”
“You should take a picture the next time you're there,” Kurt said.
Blaine shook his head. “That might be a while... we're not exactly very close. My parents-”
He stopped then, and Kurt could hear the sound of a vibration alarm going off. Instinctively, he grasped for his own phone, but Blaine was pulling his out of his coat's pocket. He read something, and the frown returned. “I'm so sorry,” he said when he looked back at Kurt, “but I really have to go.”
“Oh,” Kurt said, “something important?”
“Kind of,” Blaine said, “I shouldn't be late for this. I'm really sorry. I had a great time, though.”
“Right, of course, I get it, you have to go,” Kurt said. “I guess I'll see you around NYADA?”
Blaine nodded and got up, but then he stopped and turned back at Kurt. “Or we could exchange numbers, so we don't have to wait until we happen to run into each other?”
Kurt smiled. “Good idea,” he said.
After the quick number exchange, Blaine waved and left the coffee shop. Kurt sighed and looked from the number to the door. It had been a great afternoon, and he had the proof that Blaine had had fun as well. They'd see each other again, soon. But now he had learned another thing about Blaine - he really hated the sight of him leaving.
Next Chapter
Rating: R
Pairings: Kurt/Blaine, Blaine/Sebastian
Spoilers: -
Warnings:
Word Count: ~4000
Summary: After a long year of separation, things are finally looking up for Kurt and Blaine. They're ready to start their lives together in New York as an engaged couple. Everything is perfect.
Until it's suddenly not.
Torn apart by forces beyond their understanding, they find themselves alone, facing a world that is just not quite right anymore. A second first meeting of strangers on a staircase brings another chance for love, but is that chance enough for them to find their way back to each other, and can they break the spell before it's too late?
Disclaimer: The characters aren't my property, neither are any song lyrics within this story, just borrowing it all for a bit.
Notes: See prologue
Previously...
Chapter 2 - I Want The Fire Back
When Blaine returned home from school, the apartment was just a slight improvement to the cold wind outside. The walls were as white as they had been when they moved in, the furniture was in dark colors as a contrast to the bright floor, and the light bulbs sent a cold light through the rooms, reminding Blaine more of an operating room than a place to live in. There were a few paintings in the living room, made by up-and-coming artists, but to Blaine, they didn't mean a thing. He hadn't picked one of them. Then again, he hadn't refused any of them either.
Today had been a bad day. Most days on which he had classes with Carmen Tibideaux were bad. He understood that NYADA was an excellent school, and of course the professors there would be stricter than at a normal school. He also knew that he hadn't really given his best performances lately - or even just good ones. He knew he must have been better at some point, otherwise he never would have been accepted into NYADA in the first place. Once, there had been passion in his performances, and heart. It had gotten so much harder to find that inspiration and just let go.
He must have done something right during his audition, but every time Carmen Tibideaux looked at him with disappointment, he knew that he wasn't able to reach that potential anymore. If only he knew what was holding him back...
As he sank back into the dark leather couch, Blaine tried to think back on his audition. He closed his eyes and thought back as hard as he could. When he really tried, he could remember the piano, excitement, and he even thought there had been people in the auditorium, people who were on his side... but he hadn't know anybody in NYADA or New York, and he didn't think Sebastian had come with him for the audition. Maybe there had been students who had liked his performance... it wasn't completely unrealistic. Blaine tried to remember the atmosphere of his audition, but nothing came to him. The closest he got was the memory of feeling a spark that turned into a flame. And now?
Blaine opened his eyes again. It was gone. That... spark, or whatever it had been, was gone. He didn't even completely remember what it felt like, much less how to ignite it again.
Actually...
Blaine noticed that he was stroking with his thumb over his right hand. That spark had been there, earlier today. Under Carmen Tibideaux's strictness, he had almost forgotten. But earlier today, when that boy, Kurt, had taken his hand... there had been a spark, a flash of warmth running through his hand, and it had felt as if it had gone straight into his blood stream.
Even now, when he thought back to that moment, he could feel goosebumps forming on his arms... but no. He shook his head in an attempt to get these thoughts out of his head. It had been nothing. It couldn't have been anything. He didn't need some stranger. He just needed a spark to give better performances, and whatever... that had been, it hadn't helped him perform.
With a sigh, Blaine looked to the clock at the wall. It was a designer piece full of reflecting surfaces, with red gleaming hands that were running randomly and completely useless in front of a digital display. Blaine didn't even want to know how much Sebastian had paid for the thing. But it was his apartment, so that implied that he had the right to decorate it however he wanted. They had moved in here together, but Blaine never had felt like contributing much to the interior. In the end, Sebastian had just taken some more of his father's money and paid a decorator. If Blaine had to pick, he probably wouldn't hire them for anything else.
A shiver ran through him. The apartment was still cool. He thought about turning up the heat, but that would require moving. Blaine looked around for a moment, then took a blanket he kept lying around in the living room. Wrapped up in it, Blaine looked up at the ridiculous clock again. Sebastian would be home at some time during the next hour, and it would be nice to have dinner by then. For a moment, Blaine considered what they had standing around in their cupboards, but then he just slumped back into himself again. He felt too exhausted. They could order something later. Right now, he just wanted to take a nap and try to forget NYADA and Carmen Tibideaux.
Or he could do what a responsible student should and practice. He looked to the concert piano standing on the other side of the apartment. It was magnificent, and probably still not the most expensive thing they had in here. But unlike most other things, at least it felt somewhat real. With a sigh, Blaine pulled the blanket tighter around him before he made his way to the piano and opened it.
There had been the tiniest spark earlier today. Maybe he could translate it into music somehow. The piano came easier to him than singing or dancing. It was still more mechanic than he liked, but it was somehow easier to put feeling into playing. After a few deep breaths, Blaine closed his eyes and just started. The melody that came out was slow and melancholic, not exactly what he had been looking for. But the moment he tried to play something more uplifting, he lost the rhythm and missed every other key. He tried to think of his audition, tried to embody any of the other performances he had seen lately that had actually felt inspiring, but it was of no use.
He could stop. He could close the piano, return to the couch and turn on the TV, waiting for Sebastian to come home.
Or maybe...
Blaine closed his eyes and tried to remember the spark from earlier, the warmth running through his blood when Kurt had taken his hand. He tried to remember the feeling of skin, of direction and warmth, and then...
And then, he played.
He didn't go through complicated pieces, but it was softer, happier than anything he had tried lately, and for a short while it felt like breathing. From one piece, he started into another, trying to capture that feeling. The different pieces wove into each other, until he couldn't even remember anymore what he had started with.
Eventually, he played the last note. His hands stayed on the keys. There was a fine tremor running through them, and for a moment, it was enough to just sit there and breathe deeply. Music hadn't felt this intense since... He couldn't even tell anymore.
“That was amazing.”
Blaine flinched violently and looked to his right. Sebastian was leaning against the couch, looking at him. A shudder ran down his spine. He hadn't even heard Sebastian coming in.
“How long have you been standing there?” Blaine asked, trying to not let on how shaken he was.
“A bit,” Sebastian said and stepped closer. He let a hand rest on Blaine's shoulder. This time, Blaine managed to suppress the shudder. “I haven't heard you play in a while,” Sebastian continued, “I started to worry if that piano was a wasted investment.”
Blaine hesitated for a moment. “I just felt like it,” he said eventually.
There was a soft smile on Sebastian's face. It had become rarer over the course of the last weeks, ever since they had moved into this apartment. “Well, good,” he said. There was almost a note of relief in the way he looked at Blaine. “So, I take it you had a good day?”
Now that Blaine thought about it again, it did seem like one of the better days. Still, that was mostly about that one encounter. “Nothing special,” Blaine said. “Yours?”
Sebastian's expression fell slightly. “Fine,” he said. “I brought sushi on the way home. Are you hungry?”
By now, Blaine had stopped even thinking about that question. “I could eat,” he said instead, which wasn't even a lie. He could eat, he just wasn't particularly interested.
“Right,” Sebastian said, and by now the rest of his smile had faded, too. “I'll set the table, we can eat in a few minutes.”
“Thank you,” Blaine said.
Sebastian hesitated and looked at him uncertainly for a moment. “Could you...” he started.
“What?” “Could you play some more?” It was such a simple request.
“Okay,” Blaine said softly and put his hands back on the keys. It should be easy. He knew so many songs, only a few minutes ago he had been playing them. But now, nothing came. He could feel Sebastian's eyes on him. He had to play something.
The melody that came was slow and melancholic, no comparison to the more passionate pieces he had played before. For a while, he could feel Sebastian watching him, but when he turned his head, Sebastian went into the kitchen.
Blaine sighed and tried to concentrate on what he was playing, but whatever had worked before, it was gone now. He stopped, eventually, after what felt like the hundredth missed key.
“Perfect timing,” Sebastian said. Blaine didn't point out that he had been waiting there for a few minutes.
“I'm out of practice,” he said instead and went over to the table, leaving the blanket behind on the piano bench.
“You'll get it back, eventually,” Sebastian said.“Sit down, eat something. You'll feel better.”
With a nod, Blaine sat down and took the chopsticks waiting for him. At least while eating he wouldn't be expected to talk.
“Blaine?” He looked up to find Sebastian watching at him with an expression he couldn't quite figure out. “Are you happy?”
Blaine froze for a second. The look in Sebastian eyes changed, got almost desperate.
“I... I guess,” he answered after only a few seconds of hesitation.
Sebastian, too, was silent for a moment before he spoke again. “Well, good,” he said. His voice sounded calm, but Blaine could see something in his face that looked almost crushed. He didn't know how to react to it, either, so he just turned back to the sushi and started eating.
Sebastian was watching him, but then again, he was always doing that. Blaine wasn't sure what to think of it. But they were together. They lived together, they had been dating for a long time now, and he knew that they were in love. It was fine. It was enough. It had to be.
By the end of the week, Kurt was cursing his bad luck. NYADA wasn't a big school. It was ridiculously hard to get into any program. Then why was it so hard to find one single person? Granted, it had been only a week, and he had mostly tried to look around during the breaks and in the cafeteria, but it still seemed weird that he hadn't caught sight of Blaine even once.
In spite of how restless he got, the girls were content with his change of attitude. Rachel, especially, was happy, after spending the first two days first concerned and suspicious. But by now she seemed confident that Kurt's improved mood would stick. In fact, she was walking with him right now and looked around the halls as if she, too, was looking for something.
“What, Rachel?” he asked.
“Oh, nothing,” she said, although there was that annoying note in her voice that usually meant she was about to share some gossip. “So, Kurt, I know you don't want to discuss this, but I feel like I have to bring it up. You've been different these last few days.”
Kurt rolled his eyes. “There we go again...”
“And I was wondering, if there was any connection-”
“To your pamphlets? No, Rachel, stop asking, I am not going to touch those things.”
“First of all, I am trying to look out for you. And two, I wasn't going to ask about that. Actually, I heard a rumor that... Where are you going?”
But he ignored her, because right at that moment, he had finally spotted what he had been looking for. At the outskirts of what Kurt assumed were a group of freshmen, he discovered Blaine, his eyes buried into a notebook.
“Hello, stranger!”
To his disappointment, Blaine ignored him until Kurt touched his arm. Then, he flinched and looked up. It was worth it, though, for the smile that appeared on his face.
“Kurt, hey!”
“Fancy seeing you here,” Kurt said. “Where are you going?”
Blaine sighed. “Theory of drama with Winston,” he said without much enthusiasm.
“Well, at least you'll get some sleep,” Kurt said and fell into step beside Blaine. “How did your dance class go?”
“It went fine, actually,” Blaine said, “I get that Cassandra July is scary, but she mostly ignores me.”
“Lucky you,” Kurt said. “So, how full is your agenda today?”
“It could be worse,” Blaine said, although there was a note of hesitation now, “why?”
All bravado Kurt had felt just from finally finding the boy started to fade away under that hesitant voice. “Well,” he said, and sounded way more flustered than he would have liked, “I was wondering if you would maybe like to get coffee with me?”
At this, Blaine actually stopped walking. “Er... why?”
This was not going the way Kurt had hoped it would, but now it was too late to back out. “I just thought it would be nice to get to know a few more people here,” he said, “and I think I'd like to know you better, so... it's just coffee, I promise, no secret intentions.”
Blaine hesitated, but then he nodded. “Yeah, sure. I... I'd like that,” he said.
“Alright,” Kurt said, “I know a pretty good coffee shop close by, it's kind of a hangout for NYADA students.”
“I've actually wanted to try that one,” Blaine said. “Let's see, I've got classes till after lunch, but is three okay?”
“Absolutely,” Kurt said. “Let's meet there?”
“Okay, sounds great,” Blaine said, and his smile seemed more relaxed now. “I'll see you later, Kurt.”
“Bye!” Kurt waved as Blaine returned to the flock of freshmen. Mission accomplished. Kurt just hoped the smile on his face didn't look as ridiculous as it felt.
“Now, who was that?”
Damn, he had forgotten about Rachel. “Will I get away with saying nobody?”
“Are you kidding me? Not a chance,” Rachel said. She was beaming widely, and looped an arm through his. “So I see those rumors I heard about you and a musical theater freshman from Ohio are absolutely true.”
Kurt looked to her quickly. “He's from Ohio?”
Rachel blinked, then she grinned even wider. “I take it you're not spending your time talking, then?”
“Rachel...”
“He went to Dalton Academy, I think he was the Warblers' lead singer for some time,” Rachel said. “I'm surprised I don't remember him, actually. And why don't you know that, he's your boy!”
“He's not my boy, I just told him how to get to a class room once,” Kurt said.
“People saw you walking hand in hand through the school,” Rachel said drily.
“I hardly know him, Rachel.”
“But you want to.” Kurt turned to her in surprise. “I...” He wasn't sure what to say. He didn't know Blaine. He might have had a few vivid dreams about him that seemed more like memories than actual dreams... but he didn't know Blaine.
Although... did he want to change that?
Definitely.
“You don't have to say anything,” Rachel said and put her head on his shoulder. “Just...” She hesitated, then she smiled at him. “He's cute, you should go for it.”
He could have hugged her right there.
“And I promise I won't tell Santana. Yet.”
Kurt groaned. Spoken to soon, again.
True to her word, Rachel hadn't bothered him for the rest of the day. Of course, it hadn't helped Kurt with his nerves as he was waiting at the coffee shop. This was not a date. This was just coffee. There was no reason to be nervous.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long until Blaine entered the coffee shop. He looked tired, definitely in need of some caffeine, but when he saw Kurt, he smiled.
“Hey,” he said, “it's good to see you.”
“You as well,” Kurt said and tried not to sound breathless. “Did you sleep well?”
Blaine looked at him in confusion.
“Your class,” Kurt said quickly.
Blaine laughed. “Oh, yeah, that. It was fine,” he said, “but I really need that coffee.”
“Coming right up,” Kurt said as he led Blaine up to the counter and addressed the barista. “A grande non-fat mocha and a medium drip for him.”
He turned to see Blaine looking at him in surprise, his hand at his wallet.
“It's on me,” he said quickly.
“Er... yeah, okay, thanks,” Blaine said, but Kurt noticed that he still sounded a bit confused.
“Everything okay?” Kurt asked, while their drinks were prepared. And then it suddenly came to him. “Oh my god, I don't even know if you like that. I'm so sorry, I just...” He hesitated. Why on earth had he ordered that? He had said it almost as if on instinct...
“It's fine, really,” Blaine said. “I'm just glad it's coffee.”
At least, he didn't seem too distressed. When they started to fix their drinks, Kurt noticed that Blaine's movements seemed practiced, as if he had done this a million times already.
“What's your usual coffee order then?” Kurt asked as they went to a free table.
Blaine shrugged. “I don't really have a fix order,” he said, “it changes. I usually take it as a latte with flavor shots, or frappuccino's... Mostly Starbucks, so whatever their special is, really.”
Kurt missed a step as he looked at him almost appalled.
“It's not that bad,” Blaine said and looked down quickly.
“No, don't. I didn't mean to be rude,” Kurt said, “but trust me, if you just stick to Starbucks you're missing a whole world of coffee.”
“Well, maybe the medium drip is exactly my drink,” Blaine said with a shrug. With a smile to Kurt, he took a sip. His eyes widened almost comically and he took another sip.
“Is that a yes?” Kurt said. He wasn't quite sure if Blaine was making fun of him or if the reaction was real, but then Blaine looked up and what he saw was genuine surprise.
“I... I think so, yes,” Blaine said. He took another sip, as if to make sure, and the tiniest smile appeared on his face. “I really like this. How did you know?”
“Lucky guess,” Kurt said. It was the best idea he had himself.
“I think I'll stick to this one,” Blaine said.
“Well, good. The coffee order is an important thing,” Kurt said. He almost felt like cursing himself again - what a stupid thing to say - but Blaine smiled at it, so it couldn't have been completely ridiculous.
“How long have you been at NYADA?” Blaine asked.
“I just got in last spring,” Kurt said, “But I've been in New York for a year now. I really had to get out of Ohio.”
“That's funny, I'm from Ohio, too,” Blaine said. “Where are you from? Maybe I've heard of it.”
“It's called Lima,” Kurt said. “I don't think you've heard of it.”
“Actually, I have,” Blaine said, “I went to school in Westerville. Dalton Academy, maybe you know it?”
“Our glee club competed against the Warblers,” Kurt said. When Rachel had mentioned it, he had tried to remember some performances of the Warblers with Blaine as their lead singer, but none came to mind. All he could remember was some weird guy with a weasel-like face as their lead, that had definitely looked nothing like Blaine. For some reason Kurt also remembered wanting to punch that guy right into his smirk, but he had no idea why.
“Really?” Blaine frowned at him. “What school were you?”
“The New Directions from McKinley,” Kurt answered.
Blaine's frown got deeper, as if he tried to remember them. “I'm not sure... those competitions are all a bit fuzzy...”
“It's been a while,” Kurt replied, “I don't remember most of the other performing schools myself.”
“Yeah, I guess...” Blaine trailed off, but the frown stayed in his face, as if something was still bothering him. “So... what was it like, your club?”
“Oh dear, you have no idea what you just started,” Kurt said and took a sip from his mocha in preparation for the wildest anecdotes he could think of. Even the highlights of his old choir were enough to fill hours.
They didn't stay on one topic, though. They went from glee clubs over different experiences with sports teams to favorite musicals and celebrities, with the topics changing so rapidly that Kurt sometimes had problems to keep track of the conversation himself. Once, when he blinked, he thought he saw Blaine sitting in front of him, clad in a red cardigan and just looking at him full of adoration. Kurt blinked several times, and then Blaine was back to the navy colored sweater with just the collar of a white shirt peaking out, and the look on his face was interested, but definitely not more.
“Sorry, where were we?” Kurt asked.
“I'm actually not quite sure,” Blaine said, “I was still trying to imagine you walking in those shoes... How is that even humanly possible?”
“I may have had to sell my soul,” Kurt said. “Didn't you do costumes at Dalton?”
“No, we had our school uniforms, that was all,” Blaine said. He stopped and started to get a far away look in his eyes. “Though I think I made a cape once...”
“A cape?”
“You know,” Blaine said and with a few blinks he was back with him again, “like a super hero cape.”
“You're kidding! Do you still have that?”
Blaine frowned. “I'm not sure... I don't even remember ever wearing it... but I think I saw it when I packed for New York. There was...” He flinched, and one of his hand instinctively flew up to his forehead. “I don't know, it's in Ohio anyway.”
“You should take a picture the next time you're there,” Kurt said.
Blaine shook his head. “That might be a while... we're not exactly very close. My parents-”
He stopped then, and Kurt could hear the sound of a vibration alarm going off. Instinctively, he grasped for his own phone, but Blaine was pulling his out of his coat's pocket. He read something, and the frown returned. “I'm so sorry,” he said when he looked back at Kurt, “but I really have to go.”
“Oh,” Kurt said, “something important?”
“Kind of,” Blaine said, “I shouldn't be late for this. I'm really sorry. I had a great time, though.”
“Right, of course, I get it, you have to go,” Kurt said. “I guess I'll see you around NYADA?”
Blaine nodded and got up, but then he stopped and turned back at Kurt. “Or we could exchange numbers, so we don't have to wait until we happen to run into each other?”
Kurt smiled. “Good idea,” he said.
After the quick number exchange, Blaine waved and left the coffee shop. Kurt sighed and looked from the number to the door. It had been a great afternoon, and he had the proof that Blaine had had fun as well. They'd see each other again, soon. But now he had learned another thing about Blaine - he really hated the sight of him leaving.
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