Chapter Text
Please dear God don’t let me sit beside someone who hates kids, Kurt thinks to himself. As if taking the latest flight out isn’t bad enough, flying with a one year old baby just seems to add fuel to the fire.
He’s tired. He’s cranky. He’s hungry…..and no, we aren’t talking about the baby here. Shit, I forgot the stroller. When he remembers this, Kurt rolls his eyes at no one in particular and yet everyone at the same time. While sitting at the gate waiting, those who had sat down next to him earlier quickly realized they were getting more than they bargained for, and Kurt found them finding another seat within about two minutes. Although there was that one guy who actually stayed for five before he ran off to get coffee never to be seen again. Oh well.
When the announcement is made that those in “Group 2” can begin boarding, Kurt somberly walks ahead, ticket in one hand, baby and carry-on in the other. He’s been so scattered the past few days that he didn’t even take the time to see where on the plane his seat was located. Wait…past few days? Kurt thinks to himself. No, try past six months. He quickly glances to his ticket. 22A. Great. Back of the plane. Figures.
Boarding the plane in “Group 2” isn’t so bad, he thinks. Yes there are a few in front of him who can’t seem to figure out how to get their carry-on, which is clearly too big to be an actual carry-on, into the overhead compartments. So, he waits patiently…no, take that back. He waits. While standing in the aisle, Kurt glances around the woman in front of him, trying to catch of glimpse of his seat.
Ok, yes, and who might be sitting by him, Kurt acknowledges to himself but no such luck. He can’t see around the woman’s crazy hair.
Finally she moves and his vision is clear. Or rather, his vision is full of a man with dark hair and an impeccable sense of style. Kurt thinks his hair has a tad too much gel in it but does acknowledge to himself that the man looks good.
Ok God, I need to revise my earlier request. Please don’t let me sit beside this really handsome man who probably hates kids.
A gentle hand on Kurt’s shoulder brings him back to reality and has him moving forward down the aisle. As he gets closer, he’s noticing the numbers ticking away.
19
20
21
Oh. Dear. God.
22
Kurt just stands there looking at the number above the seat. He knows it’s his seat, yet he can’t seem to bring himself to actually take the momentous step to sit down and acknowledge the gorgeous and completely hot man that he’ll be sharing a ride with for the next two hours. Beth doesn’t seem to have the same problem. She apparently is tired of Kurt acting like a fool and is ready to sit down. When he hears his name, well, “cut” does kind of sound like “Kurt”, he glances down to Beth. She’s looking up at him so innocently, with her big brown eyes and dark hair like her mother. Kurt smirks at her.
“What? Don’t judge me.” He tells her. Beth apparently thinks it’s funny because she giggles.
“Something tells me she’s judging you hard right about now.”
Kurt hears the voice and swears he hears angels singing. He whips his head down to the man who spoke. He takes a moment to compose a comeback. After all, you only get one first impression. Taking a deep breath, he answers the man with the puppy dog eyes.
“Oh trust me, she does it often. “ Kurt smiles, and so does Mr. Brown-Eyes.
“I’m Blaine.” He says as he sticks his hand out.
“Kurt.” Kurt reaches out to shake it but realizes his ticket is still in his hand and the baby and bag are in the other. Kurt pulls his hand back, completely embarrassed. “Oh God, I’m sorry. I’m a mess aren’t I? Usually I’m not like this. Usually I’m completely capable of shaking someone’s hand. I’ve been doing it for 21 years. Well, maybe not 21. I probably wasn’t doing it when I couldn’t even sit up yet. But for as long as I can remember. Actually one time I-“
“Uh, Kurt?” Blaine asks softly, effectively shutting Kurt up.
Kurt opens and closes his mouth….twice, before he speaks. With red cheeks, he quickly apologizes. “Sorry, so sorry. I tend to ramble when I’m nervous.”
Blaine chuckles. “Not that I mind the rambling. It’s cute, but I was just going to suggest you take a seat before you continued.”
Cute? Did he just call me cute?
Kurt quickly glances around, noticing that the plane is almost full and everyone…ok, almost everyone…has taken their seat already. Kurt looks up to the ceiling of the plane and closes his eyes for a moment. Why me? Are you punishing me for something? Was being placed with my best friend’s baby at six months old not enough? Now you have to put me on a two hour plane with said baby sitting next to the most gorgeous guy I’ve ever seen. And who’s probably not even gay.
“I am actually.”
Kurt is still staring at the ceiling when his eyes pop open. Oh.My.God.
“I said that out loud didn’t I?” Kurt timidly asks.
“Yep.” Blaine responds, trying to control his laughter.
Kurt finally looks at him and shakes his head and plops down in his seat. Beth thinks it’s a game because not two seconds later she begins to bounce up and down on Kurt’s lap. “Well, I guess it can’t get any worse than that.” Kurt replies while exhaling a huge breath he didn’t even realize he was holding. Kurt throws his bag on the floor beneath him and kicks it under the seat in front of him. After buckling his seatbelt, he leans his head back and closes his eyes, praying that when he opens his eyes the last five minutes will have all been just a dream.
Taking a chance, he opens one eye and turns to Blaine.
Blaine smirks at him. Smirks! The nerve.
“Still here I see.” Kurt remarks dryly.
“Yep.” Blaine replies.
“Is that the only word you know now?”
Blaine just grins at him. “Don’t feel bad Kurt. You’ve nothing to be embarrassed about. Granted, there are easier ways to get my number…” Blaine begins laughing.
Kurt whips his head around and glares at him, only causing Blaine’s laughter to get bolder and louder.
“Are you seriously laughing at me right now? Seriously? Laughing?” Kurt demands.
“Oh come on, Kurt. You have to admit it was funny. And kind of cute.” Blaine pauses before continuing, hesitating and wondering if he should even say anything at all. “You know, I was tempted to talk to you earlier. At the gate while we were waiting? But you seemed focused on your baby and I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Kurt just shook his head in acknowledgement, not really knowing what he was acknowledging if he was being honest with himself.
“I saw you run off earlier. You don’t have to make me feel better by saying that.” Kurt shyly says.
Clearly confused, Blaine tilts his head giving Kurt an amused expression. “When Beth started crying. You took off running to Starbucks.” Kurt explains.
After realizing what he meant, Blaine started chuckling. “I didn’t run. Let me clear that up first. I realized that I was in group 1 and I’d be boarding first and I didn’t want to be late. “
“But I didn’t see you come back.” Kurt blurted out. After having realizing what he had said, and how much it sounded like he was watching for Blaine, he quickly added. “I mean you didn’t come back to your seat you were at before.” Maybe he didn’t notice, Kurt thinks.
Blaine just smiled.
Yep, he knows.
“Kurt, I promise I wasn’t ignoring you. When I got back they immediately called for Group 1. I basically walked right on the plane. I hope you know I wasn’t ignoring you. I mean, it’s a little awkward that we’re even having this argument considering we didn’t say one word to each other when we were at the gate waiting.” Blaine explained.
Kurt feels terrible. He’s completely embarrassed.
“You’re right. This is awkward. I’m just going to shut up now.” Kurt quickly straightens in his seat, Beth bouncing in his lap. He’s content to stay this way the entire trip.
Blaine realizes just how embarrassed Kurt is and decides to give their conversation a break. They say nothing to each other until shortly after take-off. Blaine feels like a bubble that’s about to burst. He can’t not talk to Kurt, at least not now, especially knowing just how attracted he is to him.
When they are in the air, Blaine turns to Kurt hoping they can start anew.
“Look Kurt, I’m sorry about earlier. I think I gave you the wrong first impression of me. What do you say to starting over?” Before Kurt can even form a response, Blaine rambles on. “Hi, I’m Blaine. I’m 20 years old. I’m originally from Ohio, but moved to New York after graduation to pursue a career in music. I live with my best friend Sam, who’s a model…and not gay, by the way. I attend NYADA and work at a diner. I am single and yes, totally, completely, 100% gay.” Blaine finally takes a breath.
Kurt stares at Blaine still trying to get his mind to catch up with everything Blaine’s just thrown at him. “Wow, um- ok. I’m Kurt. I’m 21. Coincidentally I’m also from Ohio and moved to New York after graduation. Even more of a coincidence is that I’m in my last year of NYADA. I’m pursuing a degree in musical theater. I’m not working right now. My dad is doing what he can to send me money to help support me. He owns a garage in Ohio by the way.” Kurt pauses and takes a deep breath before continuing. “I used to live with my best friend until she died six months ago unexpectedly and left me to raise her baby. Oh, and yes, 100% gay. So, that’s my story, feel free to ignore me the rest of the plane ride and never speak to me again.” Kurt says sadly and once again faces the front of the plane, afraid that if he looks at Blaine any longer he’ll burst into tears.
He can hear Blaine sigh next to him, knowing it wasn’t exactly the story he was expecting to hear. What did you expect Kurt? One thing’s for sure, it wasn’t what happened next.
“It’s very nice to meet you Kurt, regardless of the circumstances. So, tell me, what takes you to Orlando? Business or pleasure?” Blaine asks confidently.
Unable to stop himself from looking at him, Kurt turns his head and finds himself staring into the most beautiful brown eyes that he's ever seen, as if they can look deep into his very soul.
And then the unthinkable happens.
Kurt’s eyes fill with tears and he begins sobbing.