kurt.

          ❝ It’s definitely pretty exclusive.” Kurt admitted, somewhat amused by the Warbler’s apparently still going fascination with their resident booth yet also partially glad for the additional distraction as he absentmindedly reached for one of the breadsticks now standing at the edge of their table. “Not that I’m about to let you in on all of our secrets. Even if I guess that would ultimately make up for all that shameless spying up on The Warblers.” Almost feeling guilty about his former actions, he threw Blaine an apologetic smile before allowing the waitress to take up the rest of their order.           

          “I probably shouldn’t be so surprised,” he continued, his eyes briefly left to linger on the red and blue emblem of Blaine’s Warbler uniform before furthering the conversation. “I mean, you do kind of go to an all private school.” The more they discussed Blaine’s experiences at Dalton, the more envious he got about being forced to deal with McKinley in comparison. 

Sure, being a part of his high school glee club made at least some of his dreaded school hours at least somewhat worth while and semi-tolerable, but once those crucial moments of the day inevitably ended, he really preferred to spend its final remaining hours mostly in solitude; occasionally taking on the additional administrative shift at Hummel Tire & Lube and most definitely forever counting down the days until his eventual graduation as he tried not too bother his friends with any of his high school problems. 

          “I guess I kind of prefer to stay in,” Kurt finally answered a little more quiet, almost too embarrassed to even admit that this was what his life had come to— hiding out in the comforts of his own home and bedroom until high school had finally blown over. 

      After watching the waitress walk off with their orders–Blaine turned his attention back to Kurt while taking a sip from his straw.  He swallowed the drink down and shrugged.  “It used to be something my whole family did.  We don’t do it that often anymore,” not after Cooper left but he wasn’t going to bring up his brother or lack of a family life once the eldest Anderson left the nest and it was only him and his parents (well..sometimes his parents).  The topic really didn’t have any room in the conversation.  And it wasn’t important enough to bring up.  Not exactly.  “I still love it, though, so I sort of took over the boat as mine when it gets warmer.”

Another thoughtful wrinkle appeared between his brows noticing Kurt’s voice drop as he said he prefered solitude and staying home.  Blaine knew that look.  Knew why it was there.  There was a time when he mirrored it when no one was looking.  Before Dalton.  They both covered it up, too.  Just like Kurt, he only had one person who saw how deep that forced seclusion felt.  He countered it by trying to exude the energy that it didn’t bother him.  No matter how much it did. 

Frankly, the efforts were exhausting.  Blaine’s end from the loneliness came abruptly and not of his own choosing.  Kurt looked beyond the point he was before his violent end at Central Westerville.  Blaine wanted to FIX IT.  Stop it from happening.  See Kurt happy.  All of it.  His happiness was worth fighting for. In turn, maybe that reflection of himself might be healed from what lingered inside of the flesh and bones version in his quieter moments.

“Well,” he spoke softly and slid one hand across the table to gently touch Kurt’s wrist, bending closer naturally as he squeezed gently.  “That’s just not going to do anymore.  Look.  You’re out with me and I think that’s progress.  We should stay out tonight.  Onlyif it’s taking a walk.  What do you think?  Until we find something to do.  I’ve got the time if you have it.”