Blaine couldn’t believe the time that stared back at him when he hit the button on his phone to make the screen glow. 2:36am. So much for getting out of the theater at any sensible time. Did he really lose track of time that bad? Apparently so. But the acoustics when it was only him and a security guard he barely saw past eleven o’clock were too beautiful not to play and write until his heart was content and all the music he had to get out of his mind onto paper stopped.

Though once he stepped outside into the freezing New York City winter? Maybe cutting himself off before the temperature dropped to a ridiculous amount of awful would have been the better idea. Frigid or not. One thing you could rely on unless the city looked like the Day After Tomorrow was the cab system. Breath coming out in clouds of gray, he jogged to the sidewalk waving the entire way there to get it’s attention..and practically collided with someone doing the same thing.

“Sorry!” The cab came to an abrupt stop, the horn honked and the driver yelled to them to get in through the window he refused to wind down. “I..um.. It’s freezing but I can go back in there.” He thumbed towards the dark theater just behind them. “You take this one.”

@beautifullyxxunstable

michael.

“Nope. Her owner’s out all day, just like basically all of them. Second perk to the job is I can basically do it whenever I want so long as the dogs get exercise at some point.” Still Michael always took them all in the earlier half of the day, making sure they’ve eaten, gone to the bathroom once or twice. The second job of the day was easier when he had a few hours of a nap beforehand. Not that much made it easy per se but given how used to it he was, the extra sleep couldn’t possibly hurt given how late he would be out for it.

Apple paws at Michael’s leg and he finally takes his eyes away from the other man, lifting the small dog and despite just how easy it would be to carry her with one hand he holds her to his chest with both as if she were an infant, even going so far as to pat the pup’s back lightly a few times when she licks the side of his face.

Attention caught again, Michael gives a softer smile to the explanation going along with the other’s offer. “Sure.” His initial guess that he was holding up someone in a rush seemed to be so far off base Michael might be embarrassed if he had been speaking his thoughts aloud. Glad to keep that one to himself, he stands upright all the while scratching Apple behind the ear for a moment to appease her constant need for attention. “Don’t think anyone’s bought me a coffee for tripping them with a dog before.”

Seeing Michael standing in front of him, holding the dog the way he was, Blaine couldn’t help the way his smile wobbled into something more bewildered and adoring. Michael was an attractive guy. You’ve have to be completely blind to not notice. But. Well. Heck. Watching him cradle the dog and give her a pat on her back? That was beyond adorable in so many ways that the stupefied look happened before he could shut it down. Good job, Blaine. And there came the telltale warmth over the bridge of his nose that told him it was, definitely, time to head to the coffee shop before he thought about making it stop before it spread further over his cheeks only to have it backfire and make it ten times hotter.

A lean of his shoulder in the direction of where they were going later, Blaine continued down the street with Michael and Apple at his side. Laughing at the comment, he shrugged and watched the lines in the pavement passing under his feet. “First. I think it’s hilarious that you’re supposed to be walking the dog and seeing the princess that she is,” his attention went back up to Michael and Apple, “you gave into carrying her the rest of the way there. Second? I don’t think I ever bought coffee for anyone who tripped me with a dog before. Today’s a day of firsts for both of us. Maybe Miss Apple too.”

Or has she almost splattered someone on the sidewalk by running under their feet before?” His eyebrows shoved together forming a wrinkle of mock suspicion on his forehead. “Wait. Did you talk her into that? Because I would have got you a coffee if you just let me spend five minutes snuggling the fluffball.” Smiling bright, Blaine lit up as he teased the taller man finishing with a huff of a chuckle and a shake of his head. “You didn’t have to go that far.”

michael.

With a soft chuckle, Michael nods and agrees. “Only reason I haven’t tried to make that work is I can’t get as sweet of a deal anywhere like where I’m at.” That deal being no one legally on record renting his apartment. He had no social security on him, hadn’t yet memorized it when he left home. Even if he could get his hands on a fake ID there was much, much more paperwork that went into even just renting a home. One of his wealthier clients some time ago had known a few. Michael didn’t ask what her job was so long as her connections helped him even if the woman’s main motivation was herself- more specifically her plaything for the month being clean and well-rested. She got bored eventually but he kept the deal with the owner of the property so long as he kept quiet and paying the bills.

Suddenly the other man was looking at him in sync with Apple and Michael felt the need to try and stifle a laugh then and there. He does his best, not wanting to have to explain what was so funny to him. “Don’t worry, I’m not on a schedule or anything.” Even if he were, this was the sort of meeting he didn’t mind taking the time for, not when no schedule that he did have would ever be strict. There were no proper hours to either the dog walking or the street walking.

“You aren’t?” Blaine felt a furry butt wiggling against his belly and gave Apple a scratch behind one ear. Michael’s eyes were bright, on the cusp of a laugh, but Blaine chalked it up to them both being content to be where they are. All three of them, actually. And that was that. Though Michael’s apparent contentment made his own bubble up and soon enough he was smiling so big that the corners of his eyes pinched together and he gave the dog a hug just because.

“Great!” Apparently his happiness radiated to the dog who jumped off his lap and went back to her walker, lifted up her front paws and batted at his leg. Someone wanted up. Blaine didn’t move much. Just enough to take a sip of the coffee he sat beside his leg and forgot about until he was dog free. “Can I buy you a coffee? You brightened my day with her,” he blurted out of the blue, only turned a teeny bit crimson over his nose and cheeks and thumbed over his shoulder. “I.. I don’t think they let dogs in but the coffee shop a block up does. It’s the least I can do for you indulging me.”

Standing up, FINALLY, he brushed his hands on the hems of his pants legs and bent down to pick up his cup, looking up at Michael with a quirk of a brow. “The company would be pretty great. I don’t have anywhere to be until later.” Rehearsal could start without him. It wasn’t like Rachel would mind singing her heart out until he was there.

michael.

He can’t recall the last time he met a man so care free. No matter how young he can’t help but see traces of burden on too many shoulders. Even the loud, obnoxious children he could roll his eyes at only behave as such because their parents don’t listen. A little boy repeats the word ‘mum’ ten times rapidly and she still doesn’t look up from her phone to address him. In anyone there were small signs to anxieties or other stress, frustration, possibly even fear. No one was without their burdens, their demons.

This man would surely be the be the same as anyone else but in this moment he was bright and calm and going on about nothing but how much he loved dogs. His smile becomes infectious, brightening Michael’s own as he watches and listens. “This is my second walk with her but her owner’s building is just down the block from mine, only local one that allows pets so it’s full of them. If you ever feel like borrowing a dog it’s definitely the place to go.” He explains lightly, despite his motives being slightly less innocent than that. He liked the animals, truly. Sweet things sometimes frustrating but all simply needed to be taught and loved on. He wishes from time to time that he could have one of his own but when walking as many animals as he was and still on the street at night it didn’t take a genius to know that he couldn’t afford another mouth to feed.

“Where is this place and can I get an apartment there,” he joked lightly as the furry ball of sweetness climbed up onto his lap. Blaine let her stay there because..how could you chase her away if you have any sort of soul? Fur covered pants weren’t really much of a bother. Not when it was the small price to pay for getting a lap full of pure, simple dog love. He was pretty sure he had a lint roller somewhere at the theatre. If not? Then some tape would do. “Kidding. I don’t think I can up and move but wow that is a temptation that’s hard to resist.”

The cold press of a nose against his neck drew his attention to the side. Apple’s nuzzle was beyond words but his facial expression said it all. Matching her puppy-eyed stare with one of his own–Blaine melted and would’ve handed his soul over to the tiny cutie if she asked for it. The tip of his finger scratched the bridge of her muzzle and she was back in his lap, tail wagging and her stupid, giddy face stared up at Michael in perfect unison with Blaine’s gaze returning back up at him. Both sets of wide eyes read across Michael’s expression. Blaine only just tuning into the fact he was probably holding him up long past the polite fuss any dog lover would welcome being given to their baby. And she wasn’t even his to want it for. Oh boy.

“I’m sorry. Got caught up..,” his nose wrinkled from a cringe, “I’m keeping you, aren’t I?” His smile wobbled on the oops! side of embarrassment before he carefully started to uncross his legs so he could stand up and let the poor man escape if he needed to.

“Easy come, easy go.”

lyric starters: bruno mars @ofanescapist

Barely one sip from his coffee and Blaine was forced to watch helplessly as his cup went flying through the air and collided against the sidewalk. No amount of fumbling to catch up to in with the stupid hope that he could Neo it out of the air like some Matrix superhero was going to save him from the inevitable. The lid went flying up, coffee defied any logic of gravity and was now soaking the bottom legs of his navy blue dress pants and the bare ankles sticking out above the lips of his very grossly soaked brown leather loafers.

And the guy who knocked it out of his hand via slamming against his elbow was looking at HIM like HE was the devil!

“Sorry..,” Blaine’s apology was as low and fake as the conviction he tried to pack behind the word yet failed to. He didn’t take his gaze off the spilled contents of his cup to deliver it either.. His day barely started and this is how it was going to go. He was half-tempted to go back home and try to start over. Or at least change his pants and shoes?? Until he heard a voice that sounded familiar coming up beside him. Easy come, easy go.

Michael..?

A ray of sunshine broke through his flustered, scrunched together expression. The sight of the man he’d met just days ago brightened his eyes, smoothed out his forehead and his smile was back with a vengeance. “Oh..hey..hi. I..,” he motioned to the mess on the ground and pouted right before a laugh turned it cheerful. “I hope your day is going better than mine..?”

ofanescapist.

He was far beyond the point that much could embarrass him per se, but he has to admit there was a certain amount of discomfort that came with comparing his own slightly tattered appearance to the other man’s. He was clean and put together- though admittedly he did seem rather tired as well. Michael on the other hand was in jeans so old that the ends of each leg and the knees were beginning to wear away, his shirt with a band logo from the 80s on it likely originated from a grown man’s closet before ending up at the Good Will Michael got it from, and the mess of curls on his head was just barely tamable.

“Not really.” Mentally Michael shakes his head at himself for comparing to a stranger to begin with, even if it was no more than a moment of his time. At least the other didn’t see to be thinking the same way that Michael did, instead doing the one thing that could get the small dog to stay in one place; petting her. “Apple. Not my idea, for the record. I just walk her.” Though he did think it was cute, in complete honesty.

Blaine didn’t seem to notice how different he and Michael were put together. Honestly, it was because it hadn’t. It was the dog he noticed. Obviously. Because she nearly tangled his legs up past the point of any sort of graceful untying he could’ve done even with Michael’s help. AKA. On the ground with his legs a mess trying to salvage his pride because a tiny furball took him out. Well. It would be a lie to say he didn’t notice anything about Michael. His smile was sweet. And his help freeing him from his little new best friend was endearing because he was so concerned over absolutely nothing. His clothes? Or their differences? Didn’t really register.

“Apple?” His heart melted. Who names their dog Apple? However. Two seconds of looking back at her and he couldn’t imagine anything better. Soft eyes brightened with a spark that didn’t seem to want to fade as Blaine laughed and decided to sit down on the sidewalk (he could waste a little more time..why not? he’d just rush to catch up later.) beside the fluffy cutie and let her paw at his lap. Coffee put to the side, now both hands were free to rub her head and give her ears a scratch. “I think that’s about the cutest name I’ve ever heard How long have you been walking her? And, God, how do you give her back? Maybe this is just a sign I really need to get a dog…,” he mused with a hum, “I keep thinking about it but never took the plunge and just live vicariously through strangers on the street. I think I’m going to get the reputation of creeper-dog-petting-guy soon. Serial Dog Lover? Is that a thing? I might make it one if it isn’t.” Queue more lighthearted giggles as he met Michael’s gaze and shrugged helplessly.

ofanescapist.

He’s seen him around for a little while- not while working, luckily, but during the day. Coffee shops, bakeries, places Michael went when he had a little extra to spent after bills were all paid, or that he simply passed while walking dogs for neighbors in the morning.

That, of course, is what brings Michael to meeting the other young man; he assumed by the times he sees him usually, he only came around before work or during a lunch break- not every day, but often enough for Michael to remember him. He felt it safe then to think that the dog tangling itself with it’s leash around the stranger’s legs was probably the last thing he would want to deal with.

Michael crouches down, kneeling on the concrete and trying to get a handle on the energetic pup and begin untangling the leash. “I’m sorry, it’s– she’s new to the walking thing- I’m so sorry,”

Morning coffee has become far more than just a daily habit of his. It was now a necessity. Today, he was standing in line at his favorite shop for what felt like a tiny forever palming his face as he waited for the refresher on his caffeine levels.

Last night went well into this morning. Four hours of sleep caught just as the sun was coming up and he was on his way back. Opening night was two weeks away and to say everyone was in a frenzy of excitement and dread for things that might go wrong was an understatement.

Two steps out the door and Blaine found himself stumbling to a stop, coffee held up to prevent it from meeting an unfortunate death on the sidewalk. Round eyes darted down to…a dog? Okay this was just way too cute not to care about what the heck just happened. Laughing as the owner came to his rescue, he shook his head and move one foot free of the tangled mess with Michael’s help. “Hey. Hi. No, it’s okay. I don’t..wow! Does she ever stop moving?”

What he wouldn’t give for that amount of energy in a cup. Chuckling hard enough to pinch the edges of his eyes together. A hop later, he was free and joining Michael as he knelt down to pet the ball of wagging tail and fur. “She’s adorable. What’s her name?”

rachel.

“ of course you’re not! i’m all by myself out here, i have plenty of room for a guest! don’t you dare! i am happy to have you. you can meet some of my new friends, we can catch up, it can be just like old times! ”

maybe she was lonely, but she’d never admit it.

“Rachel, I would love the chance to spend more time with you and catch up to what you’re doing now–what you’re life’s like here–all of it. I promise–I won’t get in the way. I can’t wait for you to fill me in on everything. We need to start this whole visit out with a dinner prepared by yours truly and wine! We can’t forget the wine!”

Maybe now? Two lonely hearts just got a little less lonely.

Just a new York conversation || Blaine and Emmett

emmett.

Emmett smiled as he sat back and nodded. “Honey, it’s alright I’ve been doing this a while people deal with nerves differently. I’ve had people who had asked to punch me so it would calm them believe I much prefer your jitters.” He laughed.

“But looks like those are good to go.“Emmett stood up fixing the shorter man’s shirt. "I’m Emmett, pleasure to meet you, sweetheart.”

“They asked you to let them punch you,” Blaine asked with a hint of horror that anyone could be callous enough to think they had the right to ask that of another person in his voice. Yeah, he was nervous. But to outright want to sock someone? That was going to an extreme level of maybe theater shouldn’t be your career option if someone had to go that far. “What did you say to them? God. I can’t imagine.” Laughing at the incredulous way people could be–he let Emmett fix his shirt.

“Please let me buy you a drink or a cup of coffee for all your hard work? I know it isn’t as out there as a fist to the cheek,” he grinned furthering the offer with a bow of his head towards the exit of his dressing room. “The bar here is actually pretty great,” shoulders lifted in a laid-back shrug. In spite of his nerves–now that he was one step closer to opening night and had his clothing in order? A bit of breathing room was easier to find. Plus, Emmett was too sweet to remain a ball of nerves around. Must be a hidden talent of his. “Unless you have somewhere to be? I’m sure there are plenty of things you might have to do around here before the big night.”

meme continuation. @killerblcnde

“Okay, okay! No Creepy Pastas. They make it impossible to get a decent night’s sleep anyway,” Blaine mumbled as he leaned over the couch and poured Quinn and himself refills on their tea. Taking a few steps around the sofa–a potholder was tossed onto the coffee table and he sat the kettle down on top of it. Limbs gave out in a rather ungraceful collapse beside her. Grinning like a happy idiot–and he was considering that Quinn staying here made him endlessly happy to get the chance to spend time with her–Blaine grabbed the crocheted blanket from where it was draped over the couch arm next to him and motioned her in. “How about we find something less blood bath and more spooky but both of us can still sleep to watch then? Cause I think we got our last Trick-Or-Treater a half an hour ago.”